https://singularcycles.com/products/gryphon-steel

While we wouldn’t claim to have invented the combination of big wheels and drop bars, Singular was very much at the vanguard of the current era of creating these fun and versatile bikes. Combining big, wide flared drop bars with big, wide tyres makes for an incredible ride over varied terrain - even more-so on a lively steel frame.

Our first model the Swift was first design to work with both drop and flat bars – though my personal preference was for the former. This was always a slight compromise, the perfect off road drop bar bike necessitates a taller headtube and shorter reach to put the hands in the same relative position. 

Enter the Gryphon.

The mythical mash-up of lion and eagle representing the ostensible clash between drop bars and big knobbly tyres – perfectly harmonious in reality. Released in 2008, at the time many just didn’t get it, however those who did appreciated this smooth riding steel frame. It became a cult favourite. More and more people came to appreciate the comfort and versatility of drop bars with the alchemistic pairing of big fat 29″ rubber. Drawing upon and further evolving the traditions of the legendary bikes of Charlie Cunningham and more contemporaneously Matt Chester, the Gryphon foreshadowed bikes such as the Salsa Fargo and subsequently the advent of ‘gravel’ bikes. To the best of our knowledge, the Gryphon was the first production 29″ wheeled, disc braked, steel mountain bike frameset designed for use with a drop handlebar.

2022 sees the Gryphon’s return, updated for current component standards – but retaining the fabled smooth ride and light, lively handling of its predecessors.

Available in M, L & XL sizes – see below for full geometry details. Frames will be in a lovely muted khaki (RAL 7034) with a simple Singular logo in ivory. The main pic is a (fairly basic) mock up of the design and the other photos are of earlier versions of the Gryphon.

We utilise a size specific selection of Taiwan made custom drawn triple butted 4130 Cro-Mo tubing.

Frame specification

• 34mm ID head-tube – for a traditional 1 1/8″ steerer fork
• Single chainring, max 42t on a 52mm chainline
• 73mm BSA threaded bottom bracket shell with eccentric insert
• 142×12 thru axle
• 27.2mm seatpost with 30.0mm clamp (included)
• Clearance for up to 29×3″ tyres
• Bolt-on cable guides on underside of down tube
• Three bottle cage mounts – seat tube, down tube, underside of down tube
• Flat mount rear brake on the chainstay

Fork specification

• Straight 1 1/8” steerer
• Flat mount brake
• 100x12mm thru axle
• Bottle cage mounts on fork blades
• Rack mounts
• Mudguard/fender mounts
• Hole for internal dynamo cable in right fork leg