An Expert should try new things...

I was thinking about the title of this entry, and realized I was missing some basic biking experiences. It’s been 2 years since I’d ridden a 29’er. I’ve never ridden a single speed MTB in XC mode. And it’s been a long time since I had gone “full rigid” off road. (The opposite of full suspension, thank you.) I called a friend @ KHS, and did all three things at once. My plan was to ride a local loop for the test period and note the changes.

From KHS Solo One 1

From KHS Solo One 1

From KHS Solo One 1

May 1- I picked up a KHS Solo-One demo bike from KHS and took it to the Lab for a full tuning. The full MSRP on it is $679 including disc brakes and an aluminum frame. I was very grateful to note the huge 2.3” Kenda Nevegal tires for traction and a softer ride. The fork may look “long”, but it’s made to have extra height to allow for the owner to add a suspension fork and not mess up the geometry. There’s no way around it, this thing is burly at 28.85lbs with the stock platform pedals. Balance that against the huge tires and durable 29” wheels, and it begins to make sense. I took one short lap and realized that “some” suspension would be a help. The seatpost in picture five is a Cane Creek Thudbuster LT, and it works perfect on this type of bike. The 3” of travel makes a world of difference.

From KHS Solo One 1

I’m 5’9”, and this is a medium size. On the Solo One I’d advise you to get a larger size if you are 1/4” of an inch taller than me. If you wear pants with an inseam longer than 28”, immediately install a longer seatpost. Beyond that it just works. This bike will be ridden in a way totally different from your other bikes, so avoid big changes until you’ve tried it.

May 2- The introduction is over, it’s time to crank this thing! The Fullerton Loop is a very popular trail in my region, which courses through city parks and open spaces between houses. It ain’t epic, but it’s local and fun. Normally I burn off 700 to 800 calories doing it on a full suspension bike. I used 1559 calories today. Let me start by saying that riding a single speed bike is fun. Like out-running an alligator type of fun.(I realize my idea of fun may be a little twisted, but I think you’d like one too. Bike, not alligator.) For me the KHS Solo-One has three modes.
Mode A is when you are spinning “on top” of the gear or coasting. Since there’s ONE GEAR you don’t get to shift if you go faster than you can pedal that gear, you spin it at 180+ rpm/coast/spin/coast until the terrain changes.
Mode B is when the gear and terrain demands an effort from you that you can manage. Easy climbs, short mellow hills, that’s OK. “Nice”.
Mode C occurs on a short steep hill. A hill that beginners see and immediately get off and walk up. This is the core moment of single-speediness for me. You’re tensed against the pedals, clipped in, putting 100% of your available strength into the cranks. You are pulling on the handlebars, leaning into the climb, to keep the bike balanced side-to-side, You are also keeping “just” enough weight on the rear tire so you don’t roost away your momentum. Maybe you add your own soundtrack, groaning/grunting or warrior-wailing your way to the apex of the hill. There is a “zen” to that moment of energy and balance that completely resonates with me.

Aw nuts, I’m becoming a single speeder. It hasn't killed me yet, I must be getting stronger. I’ll do more on the wheel size in the next installment.

From KHS Solo One 1