KHS Montana comp - quick and dirty single speed build

[paddy311]

Picked this up locally a couple of years ago and never got round to using it until now.

I fancy doing some single speed riding so gathered all the necessary bits from my stash to build this. I had to buy the SS sprocket, spacers and chain tensioner, but I had everything else already so it feels like a very cheap build (in my head) 'cos it's all stuff I had kicking around

Very quickly put it all together this afternoon - hope some of you like it. I'll give it a good test tomorrow all being well







Frame: 1995 KHS Montana Comp. True temper tubing

Fork: KHS

Headset: Stock
Stem: Stock
Handlebar: Zoom
Grips: ATI Tanzer aggressor
Barends: N/A

Brakes: Shimano deore LX M565
Brake Pads: Shimano M565
Brake Cables: Ebay's cheapest
Cantilever cable hangers: Tektro front, rude middle finger rear
Brake Levers: Dia compe SS5 (NOS until fitted today)

Shifters: N/A
Front Derailleur: N/A
Rear Derailleur: N/A
Derailleur Cables: N/A
Cassette: Mr Control 18t S/S
Chain: 8 speed cheapo
Cranks: XT M730
Crank Bolts: Onza
Chainrings: Middleburn 48t
Chainring bolts: Short ones that don't match
Bottom Bracket: new UN55 Shimano
Pedals: DMR V8

Hub Skewers: Ritchey
Rims: Speedmaster
Hubs: Ritchey
Nipples: It has these
Spokes: See above
Tyres: Ritchey mountain comp Z max evolution 2.1
Tubes: Found in the shed

Saddle: Bontrager C20
Seatpost: Stock KHS
Seatpost Binder: Stock KHS

Weight: Unknown - not heavy at all.

 

[raidan73]

You must have legs like a Russian shot putter to turn that gear around Paddy

 

[paddy311]

It looks extreme 'cos of the big ring on the front but It ain't that bad TBH - the ring is 48t and the sprocket a pretty massive 18t to compensate.

 

[pjr]

I run 2:1 on my single speed mtb - 36/18
looks like I need to train more!

edit forgot to say- nice bike

 

[paddy311]

You've got me nervous now.

I've only run this thing up and down my road a couple of times - which seemed fine.

Last weekend I stuck my clockwork in one gear and left it there for my whole ride. I spec'd the gear for the KHS based on the ratio I'd ridden 'cos I knew I could pull the gear OK. I hope I haven't ballsed up with my maths !! :shock:

Tomorrow will be the test - I will report back if it still seems OK

 

[paddy311]

My favourite bit of detail on this...

Ok...... the only bit of detail I bothered to put on this

 

[paddy311]

Well - it works I can pull the gear OK on short-ish climbs (10 mins of so). Wouldn't fancy chimney bank on it mind !
It's also very fast everywhere else

 

[paddy311]

After half a dozen rides or so I finally gave in and changed the ring to something less 'circus bike'

Have also changed the brakes to dia compe 987's and the seat to a flite alpes. Was gonna re-cover the flite first, but figured that as this is my go-to rider now I'd leave it as is until it gets a bit more hanging

I bloody love this bike ! It rides like so much more than what it is