I’ve rewritten this, unsatisfactory, introduction more times than the average ‘modern’ mountain bicycle has gears so in the name of efficiency whatever I plop down on the page this time sticks. Garry’s new #1FG bicycle is a work of art and with nothing but respect for Graham Mann’s creative talents, I’m not really referring to the titanium tube set and metal joinery.

At the risk of being overly poetic; instilling too much emotional currency into a lifeless object {what, me? Never.}, what makes this bike art is its pedigree, or provenance, or maybe the term I’m looking for is ‘creative chain.’ Garry dreamed it, but he’ll readily credit all the folks who influenced him along the way. Graham built it but what he’s doing in Sherwood Park, Alberta is a direct evolution {“Under new Mann-agement“} of Dale ‘RollingDale’ Marchand’s terrific titanium craft. Oof.

Anywho, I’m going to pedal along here with a quick shoutout to the nice folks at Garry’s previous go-to shop, ‘Shift Happens‘ and a public service announcement that if you have a great local shop please give them every opportunity to earn your business. I’ll open with Garry’s fresh entry for the haikuniverse, and then a little Bicycle Valentine built from our e-mail correspondence about the bike.

Please remember, if you’d like to submit an About a Single Speed entry, it’s easy:

You write a Haiku

Submit it with a photo

Then, I say thank you

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Garry on the Mannmade G.O.one.6:

Single speeds keep me young

Supporting local builders

It’s 1FG for me

Garry’s Mannmade Titanium, a Bicycle Valentine in Snippets

• The Mannmade frame is built up and has been in my hands now for about 3 months now. It was a little delayed getting into my hands as Graham asked if he could bring it to MADE in Portland, just after he finished welding, to display at his booth there. So I was stoked that he thought it worthy to bring it with him to the show. I’m really happy with how it turned out.
  
• I was pretty nervous when I got the frame, as I’ve never been so involved in designing a frame, even though I’ve had a lot of single speeds since 1998. From those experiences, though, I felt I had a deep enough bucket (and some opinions) from which to draw on when approaching Graham about building the perfect single speed. And by perfect, I mean for my riding style, and for our local trails. A few evenings hanging out in his shop drinking beer, a couple coffees and a bunch of follow up email exchanges of CAD drawings later, we settled on Version 6.

• The frame, and bike exceeded my expectations. I love riding it. And all the parts seem to contribute to a kind of holistic experience. All work great, with nothing standing out as needing replacing etc. Even the new gearing, 32-oval x 21, which is slightly higher than I’ve used on the Vassago, 30×21. Many thanks to Pepper Harlton, super strong SSCX and full time hardtail rider, for the gearing suggestion after one of our SS rides.
  
• Superman has been on my singlespeeds since 2000. At the time there was an XC race in YEG dubbed the Super Hero’s race, where the organizers asked racers to dress up in a super hero outfit, or at least a cape etc. And to add things to your bike. My son who was 7 at the time, gave me this superman to use, as I was his super hero. I had my best result ever (3rd in >40 expert) on my SS. So I’ve moved superman over to each new SS frame I’ve had ever since. I’m amazed that it’s lasted so long and not even faded. It’s been through a lot.

• We try to get a single speed group ride in once a month. Including a 100 km gravel SS ride, mostly with a core of Pepper, her mom and myself, and whom ever can make it.
  
• I’ve also veered away from my favourite tires, 29×2.8 Rekons to try a set of 29×2.6 Vittoria’s. Barzo front and Mezcal rear. They both measure out to just under 2.7 on my 35 mm internal WAO rims. And, grip like mad.

• It was a fun exercise and I learned a lot. I knew what I wanted when we started, an xc leaning trail bike. A “Valley Country” bike so to speak. Our trails are never flat and never straight. And a better, more modern fit. The Vassago was a bit small for me, but definitely rideable, as I kept it for 6 years. Riding the Rolling Dale (65th birthday present to myself) though, I found I really liked modern hardtail geometry, despite my initial misgivings, so the goal was a frame with modern geometry, but not too radical, and more reach/longer ETT, more stack and longer stays. And a more supple ride feel than the Rolling Dale, which is designed for higher speeds on rougher trails, e.g. the Rocky Mountains.
  
• Mission achieved. It rides really well, I’m climbing sections of trail I’ve never cleaned before, despite a slightly taller gear, and it corners exceptionally well. I’m sure some of this is due to the perfect fit. It’s been very intuitive to ride, even on our recently snow covered trails. I feel like I can tell exactly how it will react. In fact the geometry turned out so well, (raves from others who’ve tried it) Graham is going to use it for his new line of 29er hardtail frames. ‘Legends geometry.’

For more of the MEATengines one-speed haikuniverse: About a Single-Speed

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If you’re interested in supporting the MEATengines community there are multiple ways to help out. You can submit an About a Single Speed or Bicycle Valentines piece, or fire me an e-mail if there’s some other ATB or mountain bicycling topic you’re passionate to write about. I’m interested. You can engage with a comment below, join the crew at r/MEATengines, or, if you have a couple spare bucks {ha!}, you can always buy me a coffee. Thank you.