Does anyone make a SS full-susp MTB for petite rider?

[emily_in_nc]

I am now realizing how stupid I was for not having my beloved XS Titus Racer X converted to a single-speed and bringing it to our new home in Belize. The riding here is all beach, dirt trails, unpaved roads with potholes and rocks, or cobblestones. Everyone rides beach cruisers, including me, but I sure would LOVE a full-suspension, as a lot of the riding here is downright uncomfy on the tush and hands/wrists/arms/shoulders.

So, is such a beast (SINGLE SPEED full-susp MTB) available ready made? I am 5'2" and rode an XS size Titus.

Just curious at this point since I don't even know what is available out there. I probably can't afford one anyway, but a girl can dream, right? An aluminum frame would be a must in this harsh environment.

Any advice/pointers to models I might at least look at online?

Thanks!

[Becky]

Emily, what's your approximate standover height?

ETA: What about a Santa Cruz Juliana??

[emily_in_nc]

Emily, what's your approximate standover height?

ETA: What about a Santa Cruz Juliana??

My cycling inseam is approx. 28.5". Juliana's are geared bikes, though; I am looking for single-speed. Is that an option?

Thanks!

[Jo-n-NY]

Hi Emily,

I know specialized makes full suspension of women.

2 that I know off hand is one of the Jett's & one of the Myka's. It certainly will fit you fine since we are about the same size. Full suspension is more $$ than a hardtail.

Here is the link from the Specialized Mtn bike site.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/....jsp?scid=1100

[emily_in_nc]

Hi Emily,

I know specialized makes full suspension of women.

2 that I know off hand is one of the Jett's & one of the Myka's. It certainly will fit you fine since we are about the same size. Full suspension is more $$ than a hardtail.

Here is the link from the Specialized Mtn bike site.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/....jsp?scid=1100

Thanks, but these are also all geared bikes, as far as I can tell. I am looking for single-speed, if such a beast is made. Dealing with derailleurs and shifters in a marine climate is just asking for trouble, and since it's perfectly flat here, completely unnecessary.

Thanks!

[spokewench]

This is only a guess, there might be a full suspension single speed out there; but it would sort of be an oxymoron and I doubt there is a production FS single speed. It would probably be an off brand (custom) or such.

Mountain bikes FS are usually designed for off road riding which usually includes lots of hill climbing. Hence the name Mountain! Anyway, most people that I know that ride single speed mountain bikes in the mountains are what I call "Mutants". They are really tough, they ride the hills in big, big gears and they pedal and coast like madmen downhill! They are also usually kind of retro so most single speeds that I have seen are hard tails not FS. It is kind of a cult type of bike!

Like I said, there may be a FS single speed production bike, but I bet it would be hard to find! Anyway, anyone know of one????

I would also think that the way a FS bike works with pivots and movement in the rear might even make a single speed impossible since there is no deraileur and no give in the chain area, so I would think that the chain would just bounce right off all the time. There are ways to use a tensioner on a regular hard tail conversion to single speed to keep this from happening, but I'm not quite sure how that would work with a FS bike???

You could get a cheap suspension seat post to get a little cush for your seat. Maybe, a suspension fork for your front?

[Becky]

Oops! Sorry Emily- I missed the part about single speed.

I would also think that the way a FS bike works with pivots and movement in the rear might even make a single speed impossible since there is no deraileur and no give in the chain area, so I would think that the chain would just bounce right off all the time. There are ways to use a tensioner on a regular hard tail conversion to single speed to keep this from happening, but I'm not quite sure how that would work with a FS bike???

You could get a cheap suspension seat post to get a little cush for your seat. Maybe, a suspension fork for your front?

I think Spokewench is onto something here. I don't see how the rear triangle could move and still maintain the chain tension, unless the rear wheel moved in a fixed arc around the bottom bracket. That said, I sort of recall a discussion about single speed FS bikes over at the MTBR forums. It might be worth a check over there...

[emily_in_nc]

I think Spokewench is onto something here. I don't see how the rear triangle could move and still maintain the chain tension, unless the rear wheel moved in a fixed arc around the bottom bracket. That said, I sort of recall a discussion about single speed FS bikes over at the MTBR forums. It might be worth a check over there...

Great, thanks. Obviously I am not up on the technical details of this. I kind of like the idea of a hardtail with suspension seatpost, though -- hadn't thought of that one. I will go over to the MTBR forums and have a look as well, thanks.

So, back to the original question but with a change -- does anyone know of any hardtail single-speeds for petite women (long femurs, short torso/arms)?

Thanks!

[Jo-n-NY]

Thanks, but these are also all geared bikes, as far as I can tell. I am looking for single-speed, if such a beast is made. Dealing with derailleurs and shifters in a marine climate is just asking for trouble, and since it's perfectly flat here, completely unnecessary.

Thanks!

Ahh yes, I thought wouldn't gears make riding a little easier on that terrain not taking into consideration the climate. The simpler the better in your case. I hope you find something that works for you.

Off topic...still love reading you blog. It is like my morning paper with coffee of course

[emily_in_nc]

Ahh yes, I thought wouldn't gears make riding a little easier on that terrain not taking into consideration the climate. The simpler the better in your case. I hope you find something that works for you.

Off topic...still love reading you blog. It is like my morning paper with coffee of course

Thanks JoAnn! I appreciate that. The only place gears would be helpful here is on our one bridge, which is a bit of a hill, but it's great exercise just to get out of the saddle and crank over it. I am already used to my single-speed beach cruiser, and the sand and salty air here eats parts, so like you say, gotta keep things as simple as possible.