A lady did the Tour Divide on a fixie a few years back. Saw a guy at a race last year on a 29er fixie with woodchipper handlebars. It was a beautiful bike but he looked like death warmed over at 10 miles in. It didn't help that he was a prick and never wanted to concede the pass even though he had 20 guys queued up behind him. I digress. 

I reckon we could handle that. Your car or mine?

I have been rocking a SS for almost three years now starting with a Kona Unit, then a GF Rig, and now a belt drive Raleigh XXIX; all 29ers. I generally run a 34x18 ratio on my rides but still tend to spin out on the flats which is crazy annoying but I know going to something of a 34x17 would be a bit much on the hills. Unlike Dave I do run at least front suspension with a Rockshox Reba Race with poplok which makes the sucker climb like a damn billy goat.

Overall I don't see myself getting back into a geared mountain bike anytime soon. I gave SS a whirl for cyclocross and road and the cadence is just too high and hills are a lesson in futility so I run gears on those. All in all it takes some time to know to ride a SS as well. On down hills are at the base of climbs you don't just coast it out, you're hard into the pedal spin and use the momentum for all it is. I also tend to put the longest handlebar I can reasonably manage on it with it feeling like I'm driving a hand truck, makes for very nice torquing with the upper body on the climbs and sprints.

Lastly the belt drive is awesome but also has its issues, most of those fixed with version 2 of the gates belt drive system. I may end up back to chain and gears next year for the simple fact that its cheaper and proven time and time again. If aint broke don't fix it; the belt drive novelty has generally worn off for me. I hope this helps anyone thinking of riding SS this year.

Empty BALLS?

.......indeed..

I sorry I can see how my last post might be thanking you for being on the wait list. No no we are thankful to be on the poor SOB's that are riding this mother f'er list. I should have Kate's BALLS rig done tomorrow if the fedex feller hits my place tomorrow as the interwebs tells me. Going for something a little more streamlined from the 29er full squish she rode last year.

Shout at me when you go, its just that nice to ride it twice.

We talked at great length about CORP coming on board and guys like Will and Nelson being on the board at the Chainsmokers meeting last night. Its pretty darn exciting stuff. We are planning on heading out there as early as this week to blow off the leafs and sticks.

Looking forward to working on this with ya'll this year.

I just ended up buying new stuff. Ended up with most everything I needed for a touch over $200.