Barrettscv 

1x7 commuter built on a cyclocross frame, what drivetrain?

I going to buy a used Fuji Cross cyclocross frame and have a LBS build it as a 1X7 commuter bike for my daughter. This bike will be used in the Chicago area with no hills to speak of. I have a set of new 700cx32H wheels with a Shimano 14-34T, 7-speed cassette on the rear.

I need to select a drivetrain, including the front crank. Any suggestions?

Michael

martianone

Not sure about bottom bracket compatability-
a Sugino 300 crankset, take off the two inner chain rings;
the 46 t outer with 14-34 would give her a gear in range of about 36-89,
an LX or X.7 RD would provide great service. Would suggest a chain deflector
like a Dog Fang on the inside and a Salsa ring dinger or similar on the outside.
Try an mary bar (or Origin 8 space bar- similar but less $$, a little less polished)
and some Ergo grips- that will allow good visability and maneuverability in traffic.
also easy mounting of a rear view mirror. Avid SD 5 V-brakes with kool stop salmon
pads offer good stopping, assuming the frame can take V-brakes. basically put mid-grade
mountain type components on the bike- as due to the popularity of mountain bikes; they
offer the best value and long term durability.

nashcommguy

Sugino 103mm sealed track square taper BB w/Sugino 165mm cranks( https://www.universalcycles.com ) or Bulletproof 165mm BMX cranks. Rocket Ring 46, 47, or 48 tooth unramped chainring. (both available at https://www.bikepartsusa.com ) Ditto on the V-brakes suggested above w/t Koolstop pads for stopping power. Have the lbs install a non-functional front der to eliminate 'chaindrop' or BBG Bashguards for about 15.00 per. As she's your baby girl get her Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires 30-35mm. A Sram PC-58 chain and you're good to go. The 103mm bb gives a nice, straight chainline in the climbing gear. The 165mm cranks are a little shorter than the 170-175mm that come on most bikes w/700 wheels, but will give her a little more leverage. The tires are really good in terms of flat resistance. Get her a couple of Planet Bike Superflash blinkies, a Cateye 1 led Opticube Sport and a NiteRider Trailrat 10W Halogen (https://www.brandscycle.com 100.00-no shipping or sales tax). Oh yeah, helmet(Bell Venture 35.00), gloves(Spenco Ironman 20.00) and a frame pump(Topeak Road Morph w/guage 30.00) all available at https://www.bikeisland.com w/no shipping or sales tax. The LX rear der wil give plenty of clearance for the 34t cog. The chain is a good, inexpensive upgrade from a KMC or some generic brand and more stout than a comparable Shimano. Good Luck and have fun!

BTW, the reason my suggestions are so specific w/websites and all is that I've done 3 of these type of conversions on my own commuters and these are the components and add-ons that have proven to be the most cost effective and reliable. AFA the handlebar and levers the suggestion above to go w/mid level mtb equipment is a good one.

Oh yeah, one more thing. You can get away w/an Alivio 7 sp shifter(entry level), but I'd go a step or 2 higher for the durability factor. Either way it's going to be a great commuter bike.

Barrettscv 

[QUOTE=nashcommguy;7004512]Sugino 103mm sealed track square taper BB w/Sugino 165mm cranks( https://www.universalcycles.com ) or Bulletproof 165mm BMX cranks. Rocket Ring 46, 47, or 48 tooth unramped chainring. (both available at https://www.bikepartsusa.com ) Ditto on the V-brakes suggested above w/t Koolstop pads for stopping power. Have the lbs install a non-functional front der to eliminate 'chaindrop' or BBG Bashguards for about 15.00 per. As she's your baby girl get her Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires 30-35mm. A Sram PC-58 chain and you're good to go. The 103mm bb gives a nice, straight chainline in the climbing gear. The 165mm cranks are a little shorter than the 170-175mm that come on most bikes w/700 wheels, but will give her a little more leverage. The tires are really good in terms of flat resistance. Get her a couple of Planet Bike Superflash blinkies, a Cateye 1 led Opticube Sport and a NiteRider Trailrat 10W Halogen (https://www.brandscycle.com 100.00-no shipping or sales tax). Oh yeah, helmet(Bell Venture 35.00), gloves(Spenco Ironman 20.00) and a frame pump(Topeak Road Morph w/guage 30.00) all available at https://www.bikeisland.com w/no shipping or sales tax. The LX rear der wil give plenty of clearance for the 34t cog. The chain is a good, inexpensive upgrade from a KMC or some generic brand and more stout than a comparable Shimano. Good Luck and have fun!

BTW, the reason my suggestions are so specific w/websites and all is that I've done 3 of these type of conversions on my own commuters and these are the components and add-ons that have proven to be the most cost effective and reliable. AFA the handlebar and levers the suggestion above to go w/mid level mtb equipment is a good one.

Oh yeah, one more thing. You can get away w/an Alivio 7 sp shifter(entry level), but I'd go a step or 2 higher for the durability factor. Either way it's going to be a great commuter bike.[/QUOTE]


Thanks!!!

What would be an upgrade from the Alivio 7 speed shifter?

Michael

paulwwalters

Get a 52 for a 1x7. I outspin my 50x14 (on a 14-30 6 speed freewheel) all the time on slight downhills, and thus you should get something like 12 or 11 to 32 or 34... if they make them. If not then get a 52 front ring.

EDIT: you already have a cassette... 14-34. Well then I'd get no lower than a 48 in front but for Chicago (read: flat!) I'd personally go with the 52. That said I run 175mm cranks and I don't know how a 165 would do...

Around where I live I've got hills, but I've also got a triple (50/45/25) so I'm hoping to get a bigger big ring for the downhills. Because out spinning your high gear is not fun when you could be going that much faster.

nashcommguy

...What would be an upgrade from the Alivio 7 speed shifter?

Michael[/QUOTE]

Acera/Altus 7sp. Available at https://www.bikepartsusa.com Put 01-130124 into the website 'search' box and it'll come right up. 36.87US They DO charge shipping, but no sales tax. It'll match up perfectly w/your 7 sp cassette indexing provided you have cable stops, etc. I'm assuming you're putting 'flat' or 'low riser' mtb handlebars on the build instead of drop bars, which is a whole other kettle of fish.

While not disagreeing w/t above poster about a 52t chainring for this set up the advantage in the Rocket Ring 48t(the largest) is they are made to fit either a 110mm or a 130mm bolt pattern and are VERY inexpensive for an unramped chainring. 16.00+shipping from bikepartsusa.com To get a 52t unramped chainring you'd have to go to a Sugino Messenger or an FSA(Full Speed Ahead) for about 50-75.00 for JUST the chainring. Oh yeah, if you go this route(the Rocket Ring) get a set of BMX chainring bolts...they're made for a single chainring not a double or triple. Again, available at bikepartsusa.com for about 10-12.00US

The reason I suggested 165mm cranks is because it read from your post as though this is your young(small) daughter, but if she's over 5'3" 170mm cranks will be just fine. Have your lbs mechanic go through these suggestions(not just mine) and he or she will be much better able to tell you what's feasible and what's not. The bottom bracket I suggested is 30.00+shipping, but is good for the money. Just make sure the 'thread count' matches up w/t ones on your frame. The Sugino 103mm is 68mm English and your Fuji may be 73 or something. On any of this stuff consult your lbs mechanic to be sure. Your lbs can order anything mentioned in any of these posts. My hope is that the info given by everyone in trying to be helpful hasn't overwhelmed you. There's just a ton of options and everyone's got their own perspective and experience and make suggestions based on the same.

I didn't notice at first, but the shifter mentioned above is also a brake lever. Nice combo for the rear...brake and shifter in one. Now all you need is a decent flat-bar brake lever for the front and you're golden.