Commuting - Building a commute bike

Where to start? I have never built one before, and this will be a several-week project. I prefer mountain geometry to road and was wondering if a base Nashbar or Supergo frame would be steady. Not at all concerned about weight, just durability. All other components I can cover myself, but have never bought a frame before.

What kind of bike do you want it to be? Drop bars or flats? Knobby or Slicks? Fixie or Regular? I know you can pick up a Specialized Sirrus for like 450ish. Flat bars, and IIRC can be converted with knobby tires not sure.

Elvish

I'm really only concerned with the frame - as long as it is solid, I'm golden, I don't care how much it weighs. Nashbar and Supergo have frames for around $100. I will worry about the bars, wheels and other stuff after the frame.

It's probably cheaper to buy the whole thing new. Unless you want to hand pick components.
A hardtail mtb with a stiff fork, 1.25" slicks, preferably a single chainring with a 7 or 8 speed cluster on the back. Flat bars with bar ends. That's about it. Brakes, maybe have 1 disc and 1 v.

I had thought of getting a Giant 'Boulder' and just upgrading like crazy, but thought it would be fun to build something. Long story short, I had my eye on an Iron Horse Maverick SE for $400 at Performance this week. I dilly-dallied on the decision and the last one was sold right out from under me. Not only do they not have the 21.5" frame any longer, the model is being discontinued (I was told). So, I now have the upgrade parts en route to my front door from Nashbar, but no bike on which to put them. Figured, heck, I'll just build me something. It's friggin' As The Bicycle Turns with me, I swear.

Where to start? I have never built one before, and this will be a several-week project. I prefer mountain geometry to road and was wondering if a base Nashbar or Supergo frame would be steady. Not at all concerned about weight, just durability. All other components I can cover myself, but have never bought a frame before.

A commuter bike, is nothing more that your favorite bike equipped with all the FUNCTIONAL
accessories you need each days trip. If the accessory isn't there for a precise reason it don't
belong.

There is no such thing a "commuter" bike, mate. There is only bikes set up to make it easy &
comfortable for you to ride to & from work & elsewhere. Don't let nobody tell you otherwise. ;) ;)

Where to start? I have never built one before, and this will be a several-week project. I prefer mountain geometry to road and was wondering if a base Nashbar or Supergo frame would be steady. Not at all concerned about weight, just durability. All other components I can cover myself, but have never bought a frame before.

Another option is to buy a vintage bike with a really high quality frame and then replace the parts you don't like. If you want, you can just keep the frame and build up everything else new. Something like a 1980s Bridgestone RB-1 or similar would make a much better frame than the Nashbar options.

I agree with Totoro-- look for an old (late 80s-early 90s) MTB. Look for a steel frame and soild fork. Lucky for you these bikes are pretty close to worthless (under $100) I like those old Trek 830s. Biopace Forever!

then,

1. rebuild the hubs, headset and bottom bracket.
2. clean and lube the drivetrain, replace cables if needed.
3. Get good high pressure tires, a rack and fenders.
4. the the bike 365 days a year until it dies.

Bonus points if you drag your next bike out of a dumpster.

Yeah, get a full-rigid mountain bike and overhaul it. Mountains of cheap parts out there for them.

I agree with Totoro-- look for an old (late 80s-early 90s) MTB. Look for a steel frame and soild fork. Lucky for you these bikes are pretty close to worthless (under $100) I like those old Trek 830s. Biopace Forever!

then,

1. rebuild the hubs, headset and bottom bracket.
2. clean and lube the drivetrain, replace cables if needed.
3. Get good high pressure tires, a rack and fenders.
4. the the bike 365 days a year until it dies.

Bonus points if you drag your next bike out of a dumpster.


How about the Back of a trash truck (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=117237&highlight=trash+truck)

Proabaly the best advise is to go used. If you screw it up or get it wrong...the first time...
then it's cheap enough to try again. ;) ;)

Proabaly the best advise is to go used. If you screw it up or get it wrong...the first time...
then it's cheap enough to try again. ;) ;)


Great advice. Many good comments on this board. The first build is truly a learning experience. You may find you don't have all the tools you need. Some persons use a bike stand some do not. By using a used or low-priced frame from Nashbar or Supergo as mentioned along with generic parts makes alot of sense. Because after the first build right away you start planning for a second build. You can ride the first bike as you slowly acquire the parts for a second bike features exactly what you want from a bike.