Long live single-speed mountain bikes! And with a titanium bike, you know it’s going to live a long time. Some say they’re immortal, even. Kris from 44 Bikes sent over another one of his beautiful personal builds for a very special Readers’ Rides today, so let’s get to it!
I’ve built countless personal builds over the course of my building career (21 to date actually). These all ran the gamut of component spec but what I’ve really been honing in on is fit, geometry and how those two interact and result in the physical handling of the bike out on the trail. In my experience, I’ve found the two really work together. With the FS project going strong since 2019, it dramatically has changed my fit and setup on the bike (think short and more upright vs stretched out).
Ironically I think I’ve come full circle back to a more upright “ready” stance but with essential forward geometry applied. So longer front center, short stem, slack front end. But over time as front center grew, I’ve noted rear center had to be adjusted along the way to even things out and not make the bike so darn choppy feeling with a super short rear.
But this latest build I think I nailed a forever build finally for myself. By the numbers its pretty straightforward:
- Built around a 140mm travel fork
- 66° HT angle
- 76° ST angle
- 63.5mm BB Drop
- 425mm slammed CS length but when tensioned around a 32×20 combo, its right about at 430-ish-mm’s.
- 1213mm wheelbase
- 787mm front center
- Reach and Stack are custom (reach is 478mm for anyone curious)
This is a dedicated SS. I’ve made one steel build for myself in the past that was dedicated, but with AXS and T-Type’s rise, I find if I really do want a geared hardtail, the swap is really quick with Paragon’s hooded slider/insert system and a spare rear wheel. Just throw on the shifter and rear mech and off you go! But for this one, I wanted that clean look so dedicated / K.I.S.S. and all the metal that comes with it. 100% commitment as an old FBM ad once pronounced (that’s stuck with me for some reason).
This one also sports the new refined SLM yoke and dropper port. The yoke is printed by Silca Velo right here in the good ol’USA. What’s really fascinating about SLM (Selective Laser Melting / aka Additive Manufacturing) is that I can finally realize a parts geometry inside and out. I hear a lot of stir from CNC vendors about how their work is NOT 3D printing. And I have to say, 3D printing is not a substitute nor will it ever replace CNC machining.
This is just another tool in my design tool box of ways to solve problems. Some parts make more sense to have 3D printed, while others may be a better fit for CNC machining or water/laser cutting. SLM now enables me to add internal features that would be really really cost prohibitive to machine in a critical area of the bike and I can maximize tire and chainring clearance along with chain stay geometry features without compromise. This really translates to a better performing bike out on the trail and isn’t that what we’re all after? Semi-Lecture over!
This one came together really well and I’m super proud of how things turned out. This one’s headed to the Philly Bike Expo too so I have to keep it clean till March 17th… Luckily there’s still snow on the ground otherwise I’d have to be getting this dirty straight away!
Build Spec:
- ENVE M6 Bars
- ODI Yeti Lock-on Grips
- MASH Road bar ends
- Cane Creek 110 w/ Tall cap
- White Industries tapered top spacer over stem for that clean look
- I9 A318 30mm Stem
- Previous model year version Fox 34 GRIP2 w/ 140mm kit de-decaled
- I9 Hydra SS hub set ISO 6-bolt laced to ENVE M6 Rims w/ Muc-off Purple valves
- Engin Dual Bolt 34.9mm collar w/ Ti bolt kit
- Better Bolts Ti ISO 6-bolt for rotors, Ti Fox cable carrier and Ti Shimano Brake lever bolts
- Shimano BL-M9020 Trail Brake Levers (previous versions) mated to BL-M9120 Trail Dual Piston calipers
- Shimano SM-RT86 Rotors (180F/160R)
- Fox FactorY Transfer 34.9 x 175mm Dropper
- Wolftooth Light Action blackout dropper lever (they only made one run of those – I lucked out!)
- Selle Italia SLR Ti Saddle (paper thin but it fits!)
- Wolftooth Dropstop Elliptical 32t Chainrin (3mm offset)
- Race Face Next R 175mm Crank w/ 136mm Spindle kit w/ dual extraction bolt hop up kit and Cane Creek Alloy Pre-loader
- Enduro T47 BB with stock Stainless bearings
- Shimano XTR SPD pedals
- Sram 12 speed Eagle gold chain
- Boone 20T cog w/ Endless Fibonacci Spacer kit and Chris King Ti 12t Lockring
- King Cage Ti w/ custom purple to bronse anodized fade and Better Bolt purple anodized T25 bolts and M4 Nuts (seat tube is external WB bosses – 200mm dropper fits fine).
- Paragon Machine Works Ti combo bolts w/ short length preloader bolts so things look TIGHT.
- WTB Vigilante 2.5 TCS SG Front Tire / WTB Trail Boss 2.4 TCS SG Rear Tire
I think that’s it!
We’d like to thank all of you who submitted Readers Rides builds to be shared here at The Radavist. The response has been incredible and we have so many to share over the next few months. Feel free to submit your bike, listing details, components, and other information. You can also include a portrait of yourself with your bike and your Instagram account! Please, shoot landscape-orientation photos, not portrait. Thanks!
