Production frames are now making their way across to us on the high seas - exciting times! Scheduled delivery date is January 15th - there were some delays with the painting unfortunately. Anyone who has a deposit down and has been waiting on a frame has my apologies, sympathies - and a free t-shirt with their frame once they get here.

I'm really happy with how they've come together, and hope you are too. Here are a few pics from the factory floor to whet your appetite!

Sam

A group of us headed over to Afan forest in Wales last weekend for some great riding. I had a couple of friends along who've not ridden much before but were loving it as you can see from the smile on Jonesy's face above. I hear a lot of negative comments on these sort of 'trail centres' and while it's not quite the same as getting out into the wilderness, they certainly pack a lot of fantastic trails into a fairly small area. Nice to be able to really let it go without worrying too much about what's coming around the next corner.

Frame production is now underway and we're still looking good for December delivery. Finally went with the same colours as we had on the protos as everyone seemed to like them. Swifts will be in the coppery red colour, while the SS is in blue. They will have metal headbadges, and sterling silver versions will be available at an additional charge. All frames will come with a seat clamp and fully prepped - seat tube reamed, bottom bracket and head tube faced and chased. Get your pre-order in now to ensure you can get the size and type you're after!

Sam

Again it's been a long time between updates, but there's been a lot going on. The full website is finally done at www.singularcycles.com, I'm really happy with how it's turned out. There'll be some more detailed photos and info on parts shortly.

The manufacter has started working on our first batch of frames so that's been keeping us busy. If things go to plan we'll have them through before Christmas. Soon need to make a final decision on colours. I think we'll stick with blue for the SS and the coppery red on the geared version - strong feelings either way anyone?

Been riding my fixed gear a fair bit of late, which is an old early 80's Holdsworth from 531 ST tubes, nice lugs, made for 27" wheels. I've got a canti fork on it and can run 35/43mm tyres with/without mudguards - nice for comfort and traction. It rides really nicely, but I'm looking forward to getting the first Peregrine protos through for a similar sort of use. Bit of commuting, touring, lightish trail riding, probably some cross races through winter.

Enjoy your ride

Sam

Just got back from a fantastic weekend over in Stockholm for the Singlespeed Worlds. Despite complaints from some quarters of a lack of organisation, it all seemed good to me...

Anyhow, how are things going with Singular? Despite a lack of recent updates, all's actually been moving ahead at great pace, the full website is very close to completion and will be up in the next couple of days. Frames will be here before Christmas, and everything's pretty well in our world - lots of riding, designing and getting everything else sorted out. Designs are nearly finalised for our second model - a modern take on something like an old XO-1, a real all-rounder. Singlespeedable, discs, lugs, rack mounts, three bottle mounts, clearance for 29" tyres or big touring/cross tyres with mudguards - should be nice....

I've had a few new prototypes arrive along with a new fork design.

The new frames are looking really nice, these are in a smaller size - 23" ETT, and use thinner stays. This brings the overall frame weight down to a little over four pounds - very decent indeed.

One of these is the first geared specific Singular - this one built up for my girlfriend. I have to say I'm really happy how the colour on this one has turned out - it's a beautiful metallic coppery colour. I think that this one along with the airforce blue could be the colour options offered for production.

The new forks are the real revelation. They're a unicrown design using Reynolds 520 blades. They've got just they right amount of give for a lovely supple ride without being overly flexy under braking. As an added bonus they also look much cleaner and nicer than the original segmented fork.

Sam
sam@singularcycles.com

Here's a pic of Johan on his Singular in Ontario, Canada. He's loving the bike and has also had some good comments back from others who've taken it out for a spin. If you're in his neck of the woods drop me a line and we should be able to sort out a ride.

Next batch of prototypes frames in a smaller size (23" ETT), and some different forks have just landed and are being built up this weekend. They're looking really nice - frame is significantly lighter as are the forks. One of these is a geared version which is in a lovely coppery colour, the others are EBB of a light blue colour which didn't turn out quite as expected, I think we'll stick with the original blue...

More pics of the new frames coming once built.

Sam

sam@singularcycles.com

pic courtesy of simonbarnes.net Gabor at SSUK 2006

So what sort of bike is a Singular? The name might suggest something a little different, out of the ordinary, and that'd be true.

The first bike out of the stable, the Swift, has some attributes which are decidedly modern; disc brakes only, 29" wheels, (eccentric bottom bracket for the singlespeeders if you want it), a rangy top tube, and a nice amount of standover. But then you have decent length chainstays for better climbing (forget all this shorter is better malarkey), relaxed angles of 72/72 head and seat, a lot of fork rake to maintain quick handling with the big wheels, and a fair amount of bb drop. So you have a bit of old, a bit of new - taking the best of both worlds for an all-day, every-day bike that's joy to be on.

The overall style is also a little old-world I guess, which is how I like it. Nice air-force blue paint with cream panel and deep red lettering.

I've got two Swifts in west London you can take out for a spin, and there is also one at Cyclissimo Sports & Equipment in Ontario, Canada. We will also soon have a couple up in Drumlanrig, Scotland to try out on the lovely trails up there. So get in touch and give one a try.

More info about future models coming soon!

Sam

Singular Cycles intro


I’ve been passionate about bikes from the time I wobbled off down the drive to today, they’ve always been a part of my life in one way or another. In the early days they were sort of taken for granted, I had a bike just like everyone else. Before long though there was a growing interest in fixing, upgrading, or improving my bikes in one way or another. This passion and a few things I picked up along the way have brought about Singular Cycles - my avenue to create some unique bikes which enhance the joy of riding on two wheels.

Over the past number of months and years, what started as an idea - a dream even - has slowly been taking shape, firstly in my mind, and now in reality in the form of bikes to ride. The first batch of prototypes has been on the ground for a few months now, and have been being put through their paces in a variety of conditions on both sides of the Atlantic. Feedback so far has been very positive and the next batch of improved prototypes in different sizes will be here in a couple of weeks.

We plan to make some of these prototypes available for testing at various locations in order to get your feedback. Stay tuned for more details!

Here is a pic of the first proto built up with my somewhat idiosyncratic component selection. I agree it’s not for everyone but it works for me.

This page will be updated regularly until the launch of the official site in a month or so, I'll have more details about frame sizing, pricing, distribution and different models as we go.

If you have any questions in the mean time please email me on sam(at)singularcycles(dot)com.

Have a great ride,

Sam