Making a vintage hardtail into a rigid singlespeed can be a lot of fun, particularly when it fits big rubber. Sam’s GT Ruckus is his singlespeed and today in our Readers’ Rides segment, he shares this unique build with us…
I’d like to share with you a bike that is special to me and hasn’t left my stable since purchasing it in 2006.
This is my 2006 GT Ruckus SS, a bit of a rarity seeing as production of the the bike only ran for one year (from what I can tell). Originally equipped with a 80mm Rock Shox Judy and some 26×2.2″s, it has morphed into a variety of different formats over the years from trail bike to commuter to dad bike to the fine specimen of an ATB you see here.
Although it is currently set up as a 26er I occasionally run this bike with a 650b wheelset, a Stans Arch and DT Swiss 350 combo found at a thrift shop for $15, wrapped in Rene Herse Umtanum Ridge 650×55. It’s a tight squeeze but they work well.
Much of my time on this bike is spent cruising around town and the desert foothills with my family but occasionally it finds its way into rotation for S24Os and alley cats. Once it was cannibalized to build my wife’s Surly 1×1 but was quickly reborn of spare parts and thoughtful upgrades. Over the years it has been a constant companion, from the rock gardens of Central Pennsylvania to the vast expanse of Colorado’s San Luis Valley and the San Juans. If I had to keep only one bike, this would be it.
Specs:
Frame: GT Ruckus SS with EBB
Fork: Soma 26/27.5 suspension corrected
Wheelset: Bontrager Rhythm 26” (rescued from a friends yard – Thanks Brink!)
Tires: Maxxis Ardent 26×2.4 (Tight!)
Brakes: Shimano XT hydro 180/160
Crankset: FSA V Drive
Drivetrain: Surly Chainring and cog – 36/17
Handlebars: Doom Bikepackers Delight with added sweep
Stem: Spank Rasta
Grips: Oury V2s
Bags: Oveja Negra
We’d like to thank all of you who submitted Readers Rides builds to be shared here at The Radavist. The response has been incredible and we have so many to share over the next few months. Feel free to submit your bike, listing details, components, and other information. You can also include a portrait of yourself with your bike and your Instagram account! Please, shoot landscape-orientation photos, not portrait. Thanks!
