It's another end-of-year period on the blog. You know what that means? Yep! Another round of my bikes I used in 2025. This round-up will not include some of the bikes I did not use this year much, or at all. I focus only on the bikes that played a big role in my riding during this year. As always, any changes or future plans for any bike I feature will also be detailed. I hope that you enjoy this year's round-up.
This bicycle hasn't been featured on this list in years. I had it torn apart and the frame was in mothballs for all this time waiting for someone to buy it. Trouble was the bike was designed during a transition period for 29"ers.
We were just coming out of the era of "Gen I" geometry for 29"ers and the progression toward slack, low, and long geometry, which we still have today, was just beginning. Furthermore, trail bicycles were all going to through axle rear ends. The Buzzard came out with a QR rear drop out arrangement. You can kind of see where Sam Alison was caught in between changes as the Buzzard does have a bit lower bottom bracket and a bit slacker head tube angle. There was no dropper post routing, or consideration for long-travel droppers as those items were just coming on the scene, or would in a few years after the Buzzard's release.
So, the Buzzard is an oddball. No one seems to want a bicycle like this, unless..... unless you turn it into a bike packing bike. Then a lot of the geometry makes sense. A quick release rear end is not a big deal, and with the mid-slack head tube angle, it wouldn't handle like a wheelbarrow and it would play nice with a front load.
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| The use of a fat bike fork and rear specific hub made this idea unique. |
I suddenly had a crazy idea. What if I laced up a single speed, quick release or bolt-on hub and used my old Salsa Cycles Enabler front fork for the Buzzard? The idea being if a rear derailleur failed I could swap wheels and have a single speed "bail-out" feature.
Usually Singular has a single speed option for their models, most commonly in the form of a bottom bracket eccentric. However, this is not the case with the Buzzard. So, I got a Velo Orange eccentric bottom bracket and stuck this in the bike in case of a need to tension a chain for single speed bail-out situations. Although, I have to say I was disappointed in this product and I will likely be packing a Singulator as well just in case the eccentric doesn't work, or in case, (more than likely) I replace the Velo Orange unit.
Anyway, the idea came together and it was a success overall. I need to square away a few details, but the bike is rideable and handles really well. The big thing here is I actually have to go on a trip. That would probably help.
6 comments:
That bike is sweet… I have experience drilling the seat tube for a dropper cable. It can be done reliably and I can talk you through it… if that's something you want. I've become somewhat fond of dropper posts, so for me it was a good move on the old Rooster prototype. That said, it led me to my new Swift, which I absolutely adore… but I digress.
@MG - I had thought maybe I might drill the seat tube for a dropper, but then I'd have to buy a dropper post...... As you say, well worth it, but I'm not quite there yet with the Buzzard. When I do get to that point, I will hit you up for some help. Thanks!
That idea of the Fatbike fork remember me the Jones unicrown, with it 150mm hub.
Nice!
Love a parts bin -esque bike like this. I second that it's pretty easy to drill out a seat tube for a dropper post-- I've done it for 2 bikes now.
What didn't you like about the VO EBB btw? So far mine has been treating me well, but I wouldn't want to faff with it in the field.
@Peter C [Run What Ya Brung] - The Velo Orange eccentric bottom bracket had poorly made plastic bushings - The bushings which sit between the bearing and the crank spindle that look like a top hat. One was too thick and the other was not a whole lot better, but it was serviceable.
My main beef with it is the independent movement of each cup, making initial set up a bit finicky. And if you try to adjust the eccentric in the field, there is a good chance you are going to end up with a slight misalignment of the cups and causing binding with the crank spindle.
I know this is potential binding is probably a minute amount which could be shrugged off as inconsequential, but the possibility of bearing failure increases with misaligned cups, so......
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