Commuting - Commuter bike rebuild questions

I'm going to spend some $$ this summer and rebuild my commuter bike. Currently its fixed gear, front brake only and that's all fine and good. That part isn't going to change. The only thing I hate about the frame (88 rock hopper) is that its got a u-brake on the chain stays instead of canti brakes on the seat stays. To add canti bosses on the seat stays and remove the old u-brake posts on the chain stays will cost $75 from a local frame builder. Not bad in my book, certaintly cheaper than finding another frame to start with, when this one is all but perfect for me. So, when I get that done, I'm going to go for a rebuild of what's there. That means:

- New headset (1" threaded)
- New brakes/cables
- New bottom bracket
- New paint or powdercoating

I need help with choices on these items. What is a quality headset that won't break the bank? Its the stock almost 20 year old headset on there now, so I imagine anything will be an upgrade. I have old moto style levers I'm going to keep for the brakes, and I currently have a cantilever front. Should I switch to linear pull breaks? I have enough spare canti's to make a go of it without buying too many parts (new pads maybe) but are linear pulls that much better? I'll admit, I kind of like the *look* of linear pulls but if they dont work signifigantly better than canti's, I won't be able to justify them. The bottom bracket currently in there is the original specialized bearing/cup unit. Its smooth and all. Should I keep it or replace it? I don't like getting rid of servicable parts, but this is going to be like a new bike to me when its done so I want everything as nice as possible.

Lastly, a question that's been asked before but I'll ask it anyway. This is a bike that doesn't get washed every often, maybe once every few months. Should I paint it or powdercoat it? What's more durable? I am not too worried about the look of the finish itself, but rather want it to be durable. Either way I go it'll probably be a basic white color. The current blue will get stripped using aircraft stripper, then the frame lightly sanded to smooth out any scratches. My brother in law paints cars for a living and has offered to paint it for me, provided I buy the automotive paint. Should I go that route just because it'll be cheaper?

Thanks for listening to my boring questions!

I went with a 1 inch King threadless headset when I did some upgrades on my old (92) trek road bike, but I was going with a CF front fork, so this was the easiest way to get that done. if you wanna keep your fork though, i would still vote king headsets (I assume they make threaded headsets too...) they were highly recomended.

But that said look into the possibility too of keeping your current fork and still going threadless, they are really much better (less sloppy) than the threaded setups. I noticed a difference in the way my bike handled, even though my threaded headset was in pretty good shape and had been freshly rebuilt when I bought it (new grease etc)

man i know you like your old bike but for them prices, i'd buy a redline 925 or somethin and keep that bike for rain/slop. i am all for salvaging old bikes but when you pay 250 to get your keep the old bike up and running; 500 for a new one might just be a better deal IMHO... ;)

i am facing the same problem with my old volvo. how much money do you put into a beater???? i love my beater, and it has faithfully taken me mountainbiking on weekends for years but...

Would that auto paint be as good as Imron, commonly used for good bikes? I would bet powdercoating is more durable but not as smooth. I like the idea of rebuilding. Takes the term reCYCLING to a new level.

Powdercoating is the more durable and cheaper. I just had my DEAN powercoated this past fall 150.00.......from a local frame builder.

It would definitely be good quality paint, no cheap stuff. I expect it to last. $150 for powdercoat is more than I'm willing to throw at it. $50 for paint maybe... I'll probably go that route.

Max, I looked long and hard at the 9-2-5 as you suggested. I just can't bring myself to like it. They did everything right except for the compact geometry. I just can't dig it! I'm also one for using what I've got. New, my frame would be $3-400 and so I can justify spending some on it.

I am thinking about keeping the u-brake though. Its unique in an old-school sort of way, and if I just go buy a $30-40 brake that works (the old one was messed up, had parts missing) it'll probably work just fine. So that'll save me some $$ there.

I looked into a King head set, but for $125 I don't think I could justify it. I think a new $25-$50 headset would be just as servicable, don't you think? Going threadless would be more trouble that I want to get into with this bike. I *do* have my limits ;)

Ditch the u brake, your framebuilder can leave the bosses,i had a commuter built up with a chainstay u brake and the first time i had a flat that was it,i used a old frame that i had converted from a u brake to cantis,your framebuilder will have to add a place to stop the rear brake cable if you go with cantis if you go with v brakes you do not need this cable stop.

What was so bad about the u-brake when you had a flat? I remember when mine was on there and working, I just had to disconnect it like you would a canti or v-brake. What am I missing?

U brakes stink, but rear brakes don't do all that much to begin with.
Why not start looking on ebay?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dia-Compe-AD-990-U-Brake_W0QQitemZ7218395361QQcategoryZ48841QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-Deore-DX-Mountain-Bicycle-Headset-1-inch-NOS_W0QQitemZ7219069867QQcategoryZ42317QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If you're not fussy, ask your brother if he could paint it with leftover paint. My body repair guy offered to paint my bike cheap
using paint that was leftover from painting a car.

Piece of cake :)

man i know you like your old bike but for them prices, i'd buy a redline 925 or somethin and keep that bike for rain/slop. i am all for salvaging old bikes but when you pay 250 to get your keep the old bike up and running; 500 for a new one might just be a better deal IMHO... ;)

i am facing the same problem with my old volvo. how much money do you put into a beater???? i love my beater, and it has faithfully taken me mountainbiking on weekends for years but...
It's hard to argue with you since you are talking sensibly. I'll try though. $250 is less than $500. He knows the bike fits just right. The off the shelf bike might not come with exactly the components he wants. The price goes up from $500 once you start swapping out stems, handlebars, pedals, and chainwheels.

Shaimano 105 threaded headsets are good quality and decently priced. Your old unit if its in good shape probably doesn't need replaced. I doubt you will see any difference with a new headset.
I don't think v-brakes have enough improvement to justify the cost of a new brake and lever if you like what you have.
The biggest advantage a new BB will offer over your old model is sealed cartridge style bearings which should last a good while and require no maintence. The loose ball bearings in the old BB should be cleaned and repacked regularly especially in wet conditions.
Personally I wouldn't spend the money on a frame modification just for a rear brake. A replacement Ubrake should provide some additional stopping if you feel the need but its not really necessary with the fixed gear drive train.
Basically the only thing I would do is replace the cables and pads and perhaps the BB, or atleast clean an repack the BB.
Craig

I know a rear brake isn't necessary with fixed gear, I'm running a front only right now. The bike is going to see some action as a 24 speed MTB coming up this summer, so a rear brake will be very important then. After reading what's been written here, I am reconsidering the frame mods. At this point its looking like a new headset (the old one is worn out, its the original from 1988) and a new sealed bottom bracket, and a paint job. I talked to my brother in law last night and he said he's got plenty of extra white paint, so should be no trouble getting it painted white.

Thanks for all the replies, its really helped!

WELL, i have all kind of stuff on my bars,lights, switchs so its hard turning the bike over and sitting it upside down,plus the brake gets dirtier,and disconnecting the brake to get the wheel gets the hands dirty,I would rather have the brake on the seatstay,the chainstay mounted ones are crowded down there with the chain and chainrings and bottom bracket