So after five very long days I was FINALLY able to get the Monocog out for her first trail ride (we took it home on Monday and it has been sitting there taunting me all week).

This local trail is relatively flat with quite a bit of roots. Figured this would be a very harsh introduction into the world of the rigid 29er. I was pleasantly suprised to find that I was completely wrong in that the ride was relatively smooth (not smooth like my Anthem, but felt better than my previous 26" tire hardtail with 1-inch suspension fork). I was even more pleasantly suprised that this bike is dead silent...even pounding through heavily rooted areas. Kind of cool that I can enjoy biking AND enjoy nature at the same time. The bike is an absolute blast. The Anthem will definately be taking more of a back seat for my pleasure rides, but I can't see the Redling replacing the Anthem for the occassional weekend race (not yet anyways).

Anywho, just thought I'd share my enthusiasm for the new bike. Who would have thought that going back to a steel frame, rigid fork, no gears, and old school brakes could be so much damn fun.

haha awesome. I got the same bike (08 model) and love it as well. The stock brakes are fine, but you may want to think about upgrading to disc. Really helps if you jamming down a steep hill.

I may upgrade to a disc brake up front but not in the rear. I read something on SheldonBrown.com advising not to use a rear disk on bikes using our type of tensioning system. From what I understand, if you swap the rear cog around the necessary tension adjustment places the wheel further forward or backward....and the caliper cannot be adjusted to match the new position.

I may upgrade to a disc brake up front but not in the rear. I read something on SheldonBrown.com advising not to use a rear disk on bikes using our type of tensioning system. From what I understand, if you swap the rear cog around the necessary tension adjustment places the wheel further forward or backward....and the caliper cannot be adjusted to match the new position.

That is the case on some bikes w/ a sliding rear dropout, but not the RL MC29er. The disk mount tabes are also slotted, allowing you to move the caliper as necessary. Disk will work fine on your bike.

That is the case on some bikes w/ a sliding rear dropout, but not the RL MC29er. The disk mount tabes are also slotted, allowing you to move the caliper as necessary. Disk will work fine on your bike.

Good to know. I plan on eventually upgrading the brakes on my Anthem...so this means I can definately swap over the Juicy Three's to the Monocog with no big issues. Thanks for the info.

Yeah that whole quiet stealth rigid single-speed thing is kinda cool.