Single Speed Mountain Bikes are fantastic to ride and own. Not every bicycle manufacturer makes them so I created this post to view them all in one place. I have tried to include all the 2018 through 2021 SS Mountain Bikes I could find. Each single speed bike lists the manufacturer, model, price, specs, and a quick overview along with links to other pages with more information.

This post came together because I am currently looking for a Single Speed mountain bike and I had a bunch of research. So putting my notes into this post seemed like a good idea.

If I have overlooked any bikes please let me know in the comments and I will get them added to the post.

Pivot – Les

Pivot Les Single Speed

About the Pivot LES

The Pivot LES came on the scene in 2012. Prior to this Pivot only built full suspension bikes.

The LES is a carbon frame and has sliding rear dropouts and is one of the best hardtail frames on the market. 

As a quick overview, the Les can be built to have 27.5″ wheels, 29″ wheels, fat bike wheels, single speed, geared options, and even has a Pivot Les super light race version.

Now lets talk about the single speed options.

To get a Les as a Single Speed you need the Pivot Les version of the frame, not the Les 27.5 or Les Fat. Once you have this frame the rear dropouts need to be changed with a kit from Pivot and you are good to go.

Les Details and Specs

  • Frame: LES Singlespeed
  • Front Fork: VFox Factory Stepcast 32, remote lockout, 100mm
  • Wheels: 29″
  • Wheel Spacing: 148 Boost Spacing
  • Brakes: Disc (160mm front and back)
  • Dropper Post: Compatible
  • Frame Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
  • Colorway: 2020 & 2021 Factory Blue
  • MSRP: Frame only $2,399. Pro Build $5,099
  • Where to buy: Your Local Pivot Dealer or competitive cyclist

Other Pivot Les Posts

Surly – Karate Monkey

About the Karate Monkey

Surly is a well know bike manufacturer and the Karate Monkey was instrumental in showing the world what 29ners could be.

To me, this is a very solid if, not the best choice for a high quality less expensive single speed.   It is incredibly well built has a long well-known history.

In 2017 after about 15 years of no changes, Surly made a few design updates, including holes to route the cabling for a dropper post and other nice modernizations.

The Karate Monkey is available as a single speed or built up with gears.

This frame also runs what Surly calls “Gnot Boost” which means it can run 135mm, 142, or 148mm (boost) hub spacing. This is key if you already own wheelsets that are 142mm or 148mm.

Currently right now (August 2018) we are waiting for the 2019 Surly bike details.  Once they have been announced I will update the post.

Karate Monkey Details and Specs

  • Frame: 4130 CroMoly Steel ‘Natch tubing
  • Front Fork: Rigid
  • Wheels: Salsa Hubs with Maxxis Ardent 29 x 2.4″ Tires
  • Wheel Spacing: 145mm (can fit 142 or 148, or 135 with spacers)
  • Brakes: Disc, Hayes Mx Comp
  • Dropper Post: No but does have holes for internal routing
  • Frame Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
  • MSRP: $1,200
  • Where to buy: Your Local Surly Dealer

Other Karate Monkey Posts

Kona – Unit

About the Kona Unit

This is a 27.5″, cromoly, rigid front fork bike. It is super versatile and the price is right at $1,000, making it an excellent value.

Unlike most of the bikes which have 29″ wheels, this bike is 27 Plus with wider tires at 2.8 inches. If you are looking for a 27″ single speed this could be the bike for you.

Kona Unit Details and Specs

  • Frame: Reynolds 520 Butted CroMoly
  • Front Fork: Rigid – Kona Plus Fork
  • Wheels: 27.5+, WTB Ranger 27.5 x 2.8 ” Tires, Tubeless Compatible.
  • Wheel Spacing: 145mm (can fit 142 or 148, or 135 with spacers)
  • Brakes: Disc, Tektro HDM285
  • Dropper Post: No, the 2018 version has holes for internal routing.
  • MSRP: $999
  • Where to buy: Your Local Kona Dealer

Other Kona Unit Posts

Specialized – Carbon Stumpjumper 29 SS

Specialized Carbon Stumpjumper 29 Single Speed

About the Specialized Stumpjumper

The Stumpjumper HT was made as a single speed from 2010-2014. It was available in Alloy or Carbon, fully rigid or a front suspension fork. The image above is of a 2014 Stumpjumper with a carbon frame.

The carbon version is fantastic. Has all the components you want and a price tag to match. A fully tricked out carbon Stumpjumper will be at the upper end of the single speed price range.

I do like the rigid front fork.

Stumpjumper Details & Specs

  • Frame: Carbon (they call it FACT 8 carbon)
  • Front Fork: Rigid (carbon)
  • Hubs: 135mm, Quick Release, Roval Control Carbon 29, DT Swiss Star Ratchet
  • Rims: Roval Control Carbon 29, carbon disc, 27mm wide
  • Tires: Specialized 29 x 2.3″
  • Brakes: Hydraulic Disc, Magura MTS
  • Dropper Post: No
  • MSRP: Not sure but maybe $4,400
  • Where to buy: Your Local Specialized Bike Shop

Other Stumpjumper Carbon SS Posts

Specialized – Stumpjumper 29 SS

Specialized Stumpjumper Single Speed

About the Specialized Stumpjumper

The Stumpjumper above is from 2010, is alloy and has a front shock. It will be heavier, feel different, have not as nice components but will be much less expensive.

Stumpjumper Details & Specs

  • Frame: Alloy
  • Front Fork: Fox 29 Suspension fork
  • Hubs: Specialized Hi Lo disc, DT Swiss 240 on rear hub
  • Rims: Custom DT Swiss 520SL, 26mm wide
  • Tires: Specialized 29 x 2.0″ front, Specialized 29 x 1.95″ rear
  • Brakes: Hydraulic Disc, Custom Avid Elixir R SL
  • Dropper Post: No
  • MSRP: Not sure
  • Where to buy: Since this bike is no longer made, I would check eBay, Pink Bike or Craigs List.

Other Stumpjumper Single Speed Posts

Specialized – Crave SL 29 Single Speed

Specialized Crave SL 29 Single Speed

About the Specialized Crave Single Speed

This is Specialized’s aluminum, fully rigid single speed option. The Crave SL was made from 2014 to 2016. While the frame is M4 aluminum, the front fork is carbon which will help with stiffness and responsiveness.

Crave Details & Specs

  • Frame: M4 Aluminum
  • Front Fork: Rigid, Carbon
  • Hubs: Specialized Stout XC Pro
  • Rims: Specialized Stout XC Pro 29, 26mm wide, tubeless ready
  • Tires: Front-  Specialized Ground Control   Rear – Specialized Fast Trak Control
  • Brakes: Hydraulic Disc,  Shimano Deore
  • Dropper Post: No
  • MSRP: Not sure

Where to Buy

If you are looking to purchase a Crave SL you will need to buy it used.  I would check eBay, Pink Bike, or Craigslist.

Other Crave Single Speed Posts

Specialized – Rockhopper Expert

Specialized Rockhopper Single Speed

About the Specialized Rockhopper Single-Speed

The Rockhopper was made in 2009, which was the only year that one was offered. I am adding it here for historical reference and so we have a complete list of the different single speeds made by Specialized. Here are the details.

Rockhopper Details & Specs

  • Frame: M4 Alloy
  • Front Fork: Suspension, Rock Shox Tora Race
  • Hubs: Specialized, Quick Release
  • Rims: Specialized RHD 29″
  • Tires: Specialized Fast Trak Control, 29×2.0″
  • Brakes: Hydraulic Disc,  Tektro Auriga Comp
  • Dropper Post: No
  • MSRP: Not sure

Where to buy

Since this bike was only made in 2009 you will need to find it used somewhere.

Other Rockhopper Single-Speed Posts

Niner – Single Speed Compatible Frames

AIR 9 RDO Orange Frame from Niner

About the Niner Single Speed Options

So currently (in 2018) Niner does not sell any fully build Single Speed bikes. They do have several frames that can be built into Single Speeds.

Single Speed Compatible Frames

  • Air 9 RDO
  • Air 9
  • Sir 9

Air 9 RDO Frame  http://www.ninerbikes.com/MY18-Air-9-RDO-Frame

SIR 9 Frame: http://www.ninerbikes.com/MY18-SIR-9-Frame

Other Niner Single-Speed Posts

Trek – Superfly SS (2015 – 2016)

2016 Trek Superfly SS

About the Superfly SS

This Trek Single Speed was produced in 2015 and 2016. It has 29-inch wheels and an aluminum frame. The front fork is carbon and rigid.

Trek Superfly SS Details & Specs

  • Frame: Alpha Platinum Aluminum, E2 tapered head tube
  • Front Fork: Bontrager Bowie rigid carbon, 15mm thru axle
  • Wheels: 29, Bontrager XR2 Expert 29 x 2.2 ” Tires, Tubeless Compatible
  • Wheel Spacing: 142mm
  • Brakes: Shimano Deore hydraulic disc
  • Dropper Post: No
  • Sizes: 15.5, 17.5, 18.5, 19.5, 21.5, 23″
  • MSRP: $1,599
  • Where to buy: No longer in production, check ebay, pinkbike or craigslist.

Other Trek Superfly SS Posts

Trek – Rig (2010 to 2013)

2013 Trek Rig Single Speed

About the Trek Rig

This bike was made from 2010 to 2013, has an Aluminum frame, front suspension fork and 29-inch wheels.

Trek Superfly SS Details & Specs

  • Frame: Alpha Gold Aluminum w/butted & hydroformed tubing, sliding vertical dropouts
  • Front Fork: Suspension Fork, RockShox
  • Wheels: 29″, Bontrager 29-1 Expert, 29×2.20″ Tires, Tubeless Compatible.
  • Wheel Spacing: not sure
  • Brakes: Avid Elixir 1 hydraulic disc brakes
  • Dropper Post: No
  • Sizes: 15.5, 17.5, 19, 21, 23″
  • MSRP: $???
  • Where to buy: Ebay, PinkBike, Craigslist

Other Trek Rig Posts

Canyon

Canyon Bikes Logo

About Canyon

Canyon Single Speeds

Unfortunately Canyon does not make any Single Speeds

I could not find any single speed info so I sent an email to their customer service.  Here is the reply:

Hi Steven,
Thank you for your email and interest in Canyon!
For our mountain bikes, we do not recommend them being used as single-speed bikes. Without the design and engineering to support this function, we are not able to make this recommendation. We do apologize for any inconvenience.
All the best,

Service Center | Canyon Bicycles USA Inc.

So there you have it, if you hear of them making a single speed post in the comments and I will get the info added

Other Canyon Bicycles Posts

Santa Cruz – Cameleon

Giant

Bike Nashbar

Inbred

Additional Single Speed Resources

Single Speed Forums and Pages

Interesting Single Speed Blog Posts

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