Horizontal dropout frames?

Ghosty · May 15, 2016

Well, the singlespeed bug has well and truly bitten me

from the experience I have, I want to take on a nice high-end/lightweight s/s project - 26" and a retro frame with a suspension fork.

Are there any high-end steel frames out there with horizontal dropouts? Really I want to have something like a P7 or a Team Marin (nicely finished frames!), but these don't fit the bill - I don't want to use a chain tensioner if I can avoid it.

gradeAfailure · May 15, 2016

Re:

It's not strictly retro, but the later steel Voodoo Wanga frames are still V-brake compatible, and based on Kona geometry. Sliding dropouts though, not horizontal.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301954336927

Ghosty · May 16, 2016

:shock: never seen anything like that before. I'm just looking for non-vertical/doable for singlespeed really - and not oversize tubing as I just don't like how it looks. Will keep that in mind!

gradeAfailure · May 16, 2016

Re:

I think in all honesty unless you can find a frame that's had track-ends welded on in place of the original dropouts then you'll struggle. Maybe some of the late '80s high end frames might have had the slightly forward facing dropouts but then you might need to drill/tap them for adjuster screws.

FWIW, I have one of those Voodoo Wangas, running rigid/SS but with discs, and I love it. Paint is a little fragile but a blast/powdercoat is only £40 or so if you're that way inclined.

makster · May 16, 2016

Re:

1990 Stumpjumper? Not sure on the geometry for a sus fork though?

caemis · May 16, 2016

As mentioned above it is unlikely to find something early 90s with horizontal dropouts and sus correction.
The 90s Stumpjumper as well as the 90/91 Bontrager OR have semi-horizontal dropouts but are'nt sus corrected.
I would say the "easiest" way would be to find a frame with replaced dropouts OR taking something newer like a DeKerf Singlespeed/Solitaire which have still V-Brake mounts in the first years (1999-2001).
Cheers,
Marco

Ah, I almost forgot: a good working solution for any frame can be the White Industries ENO Eccentric rear hub. I have used the hub both fixed and free and it works really well!

whoa · May 16, 2016

I tried a lot of Bikes as Singlespeeds.

The Ghostring sucked.

So i was going the way caemis said "frames with replaceable dropouts".

And ended with a "modern" Singlespeed from 2003.
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=241268

Other ideas would be:
* Klein Rascal, Attitude, Adroit
* Grove Innovations

Rodrigues · May 16, 2016

Agree with many of the other guys here....as with your Tufftrax, the horizontal drop out was quite common on many 80s MTB frames but by 90/91 were rarely seen (if at all AFAIK)....

There was a guy on here recently I think selling a frame that had drop outs replaced with track ends...maybe a Kilauea? Let me find it....

EDIT

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=344119&hilit=kilauea

xerxes · May 16, 2016

Re:

Some later Kona frames had sliding dropouts too:

firedfromthecircus · May 16, 2016

What is now Surly brought out the Rat Rod 1x1 in about 1998, and it has been in constant production ever since AFAIK.

But unless you can find a custom frame or adapted one the best option as said above is to find a modern frame with sliding dropouts or track ends. Definitely the way ahead for running singlespeed.

Something like the Pace RC104 would be ideal.

Horizontal dropout frames?

Ghosty

gradeAfailure

Senior Retro Guru

Ghosty

gradeAfailure

Senior Retro Guru

makster

caemis

Senior Retro Guru

whoa

Dirt Disciple

Rodrigues

Senior Retro Guru

xerxes

Old School Grand Master

firedfromthecircus

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