just a few questions

[guybe]

Hello,

I would like to ask a few questions, first I have been keen MTB for the last 15 years and have got Cannondale since '99, it's only recently that I became very interested buying an old bike and rebuild it up but have lost tracks on bikes info, etc.

1. Kona 'unit' bike is a single speed, does that mean just one gear all the time, it's suitable for long rides and hills on the road? It's possible to have gears on the rear wheel but just a single gear on the crank/pedal side? will it have the attachment on the frame for the gear cable for the rear gears of the bike?

on my '99 Cannondale, the frame and the forks are in white colour after a respray job in the past, I am tempted to have the frame resprayed in a different colour but keep the forks in white, what colour will look good on the frame with white forks? I am thinking light blue or yellow, dont want it to be an eyesore! lol

My dream bike to build to my spec is 20" MTB with rigid forks, v brakes, 1.5 slicks tyres (I mostly ride on roads), single gear crank with a few gears on rear wheel, with a few retro colour bits around the bike, quite fancy an old Kona to work on it.

Hope to hear some answers as I am a little novice on bike stuff.
Cheers Guy

 

[cherrybomb]

Hi Guy.

A single speed is just that, single speed; no gears! The Kona Unit will have no derailleur mount and probably rear entry dropouts to tension the chain on the single cog.

As for suitability on and off road, you'll certainly get big legs using one all the time!

There are those (slightly strange) people who would say that single speed is the only way to go. I'd agree with them, if I was slightly mad and sadistic, but I'm not, so I say go with gears.

As for paint colours; if it was me, I'd get the fork done at the same time and keep them the same colour as the frame. (which ever colour you choose ).

 

[orange71]

you could go 2 gears (one on rear and 2 up front - kick down, lift up) - nice compromise

I've got one of them and one singlespeed having been recently converted to them.

 

[stu]

Singlespeeds are good fun!

Sounds like you want to build a machine similar to my old commuting bike, used to have a 40 tooth single chainring up front, 12-28 7 speed block and short cage Shimano DX rear mech.....teamed that up to an E-Stay Alpinestars with slick tyres and the commute to work was a giggle!

Oh, and I think powder/baby blue frame with white forks would look good

Stu