I am jonesing really bad to build another bike and be able to find the parts and all that is involved with that.
I have no idea what to look for with regards to single speed frames or wheels or even cranks for that matter. I am not sure if I want to build a SS 29er or just a road bike. I live in ID/MT and could like to try to use it at much as I can for most of the year to commute to work and back.
Suggestions?
Fixed? Or freewheel?
Fixed means that no brakes at all because you use the drivetrain to slow you down right?
I think I might at least go freewheel especially if I do a Rigid 29er
I ride a Surly Cross Check frame with some old road cranks (42T only), canti’s, and any road wheel with 'cross tires. A single cog and some spacers work well.
For a complete, you could get this Surly
Any old road frame with horizontal or semi horizontal dropouts will be fine.
My last project bike (uh, current project - I still need a new BB) was a fixie/single-speed. My landlord had an ancient CCM road bike in the shed that he said I could take off his hands. First thing I did was stripped down the frame (left brakes on - fixies are safer with brakes IMO, even if it’s just a front brake). Next, I threw the old wheels away.
New track wheels (Vuelta, from Bike Island), a little creative framework with a 2"x4" (as a lever) got the dropout width right, and a cheap track crankset was the biggest outlay. The biggest difficulty is making sure you get a good chainline. Sheldon Brown’s website has some stuff on converting to a fixed/single. The only difference in the conversion is in running a freewheel instead of a fixed gear (I’m setting up for both).
How cheap can you do it? It depends on how much you like getting new bits and whether you can pick up all the parts by ebay/craigslist. If you want to go with cheap but new, head over to Nashbar and pick up a Vuelta single-speed frame ($69.99 currently – actually, I should maybe do that…) and build from there.
Have fun!
Fixed means that no brakes at all because you use the drivetrain to slow you down right?
If you don’t mind snide comments and dirty looks from d-bag hipsters you’ll want a brake on a fixie. I have one on the front (but have never used it) for emergencies. Break a chain going down a hill, foot unclips, car cuts you off, etc.
this is where I started, Pake C’mute. Frame + fork ~$250. Its heavy, but it has mounts for panniers and fenders. I think Pake was started by old Soma people.
http://www.outsideoutfitters.com/p-2291-pake-cmute-frame.aspx
Sorry for the shameless self promotion but I’ve got a fixie/free wheel bike for sale in the classifieds, I promise it is cheaper than you could build one.
Thanks,
Coop
I already did the work for you HERE.
It’s nice but I think it is too big. Also really digging the idea of a rigid 29er with disc brakes.
How much money?
As you can tell, I am a fan of Surly Bikes. Heavy, but cheap and functional. The Karate Monkey would fit the bill.
How about a Niner?
Do you have a stock of current parts to build from or just buy the whole bike. It appears they continually arrive on bonktown
You want cheap price and easy? HERE. Done.