" + _
"Components" + _ " | " + _
"Drivetrain | " + _ "
| Bottom Bracket | " + _ "Shimano UN-72 | " + _ "
| Crankset | " + _ "RaceFace Next LP (square-taper, 110 bolt pattern) | " + _ "
| Chainrings | " + _ "Suntour 36T (no ramps/pins) & Spot bash guard | " + _
"
| Freewheel/cog | " + _ "Shimano 18T/Surly 18T fixed-gear cog | " + _ "
| Chain | " + _ "SRAM PC-58 8-speed | " + _ "
| Pedals | " + _ "Speedplay Frog | " + _ "Controls | " + _ "
| Fork | " + _ "Spicer Cycles Segmented Titanium | " + _ "
| Headset | " + _ "Chris King | " + _ "
| Handlebars | " + _ "Salsa Pro-Moto flat bars (25"") | " + _ "
| Stem | " + _ "Thomson Elite 120mm x 5-degree | " + _ "
| Brakes | " + _ "Avid SD-7 | " + _ "
| Brake Levers | " + _ "Avid SD-7 Speed Dial | " + _ "
| Saddle | " + _ "Selle Italia Flite Gel Ti | " + _ "
| Seatpost | " + _ "RaceFace XY | " + _ "Wheels | " + _ "
| Rims | " + _ "Sun RhynoLite | " + _ "
| Hubs | " + _ "Surly 1x1 | " + _ "
| Spokes | " + _ "Straight-gauge | " + _ "
| Tires | " + _ "WTB MutanoRaptor 2.4 (front)/IRC Mythos 2.1 (rear) | " + _ "
| Accessories | " + _ "|
| Custom Stem Top Cap | " + _ "Fast Freddy's ""Single Speed - One Is All You Need"" | " + _ "
" + _ "Review
" + _ "" + _ "After switching to a Surly" + _ " 1x1 (single speed) as my primary " + _ "mountain bike and riding SS for about 6 months, I decided to " + _ "spring for a high-quality, steel single speed frame. I " + _ "ultimately decided on a Soulcraft," + _ "owned by two guys from California who used to be the heart and " + _ "soul of Salsa Cycles. I came to this decision based on considerable "+ _ "research of higher-end steel frames, and " + _ "reviews of " + _ "the frame (Note: The Plowboy is the single speed version of the Option 3 frame)" + _ "
" + _ "" + _ "By sheer coincidence, I discovered that our local " + _ "MMBA (Michigan Mountain Biking Association) " + _ "president had a Pistachio-colored, mint-condition Soulcraft " + _ "Plowboy frame that he felt was a little too flexy for his " + _ "210-pound body. I bought the frame & Chris King headset for " + _ "$700 (vs. $1050 new for just the frame). It was a great buy. " + _ "The steel frame rides very nicely. It's more compliant and " + _ """springy"" than the Surly frame/Fork, and it's " + _ "lighter. " + _ "The handling is dead-on, and I feel that it fits better than " + _ "two of the custom-built frames I have owned in the past. " + _ "I'm even more convinced that ""steel is real""!" + _ "
" + _ "" + _ "Most recently, I have made use of the Surly 1x1 flip-flop hub by " + _ "adding an 18T fixed-gear cog (and BB lockring) to the flip side. A fixed-gear is " + _ """the next step"" with single speeding, as there is no freewheel. " + _ "I haven't really had a chance to ride the fixed setup offroad yet," + _ "as the Michigan Winter is upon us. I will hit the trail " + _ "fixed as soon as I can in the Spring, though. " + _ "Read more about offroad fixed gear riding " + _ "at www.63xc.com, and check out the " + _ "write-up on my Soulcraft " + _ "on the site." + _ "
" + _ "