ciquta

I'm on the market for a cheap drop bar build just for urban use.

I don't care much about speeds, I guess 7 or 8 will be enough as long as they can hold a singlering setup without chainguard.
I do care about having a clean cockpit with under tape routed cables.

Looks like there's no road shifters with this feature?
Are the bar end shifters the only solution available?

Retro Grouch 

The operative word is "inexpensive". Hiding the shift cable under the handlebar tape might be a major cost booster.

Viich

To do it inexpensive, use a flat-bar type shifter mounted near the stem and use whatever type of brake levers you like. The integrated shifter/brake levers are the biggest cost driver on drop bar builds (if you want them). Bar end shifter and downtube shifter are also good options for clean bars.

ciquta

Not that inexpensive, i can trow a fifty for the bar end shifters (having a clean road setup it's all I care about).

What about the crankset?
Any Alivio triple can do the trick since it's only 8v?
Or I need a specific 1x chainring?

Viich

Cheap new shifters - I'm sure you can find cheaper if you're in the USA, we pay a Canada premium.

https://www.amazon.ca/EVO-E-Thumb-Fr...ywords=shifter
https://www.amazon.ca/SunRace-right-...ywords=shifter
https://www.amazon.ca/MicroShift-Tri...ywords=shifter
Shimano Revo SL-RS45 3x6-Speed Shifters

Any crankset you like that fits with your frame is probably fine, just take off the rings you don't want to use, try to position the ring in the middle of the freewheel/cassette on the back to get a decent chainline. As far as chainguard, I'd try to go without it to start, you can just use an old derailleur without connecting a cable if you don't want to buy a chainguard. If you don't want to use even an old front derailleur as a chainguard, the narrow-wide rings will help keep from dropping the chain - if you've got enough tension in the rear derailleur, you'll probably be fine with any old chainring unless you're doing something crazy - you haven't really said what you're planning to use the bike for.

fietsbob

Collect a lot of Used parts and a Old Frame & fork ..

ThermionicScott 

Plus, if you truly want an "inexpensive"/"cheap" build, why are you shopping for new parts?

@fietsbob beat me to it.

ciquta

No I'm in Italy and we do pay a super-special Premium

I only need it for urban purposes, I already have a Salsa Vaya in my hangar for more serious trips.


I'd like to avoid chainguards, I'd rather go for a lower speed setups (if any).

ciquta

I'm happy to shop for used parts, just wondering which I should look for.

Plenty of 3x8 crankset on the used market, but not sure if they may work well for a 1x setup?
Ususally entry level stuff are riveted you may not be able to remove chainrings?

GeoKrpan

Cables not under bar tape but cheap and good, 7 speed.

Aluminum, $399. Also comes in black.

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Steel, $449. Also comes in red.

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Aluminum 8 speed, $449. Also comes in gray.

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Darth Lefty 

In Italy? Shimergo!

ciquta

Thanks but I'm not looking for a bike, I have specific geo needs and I have already located the right frameset.

I just need some advice on the right crankset/chainring/chain to get the most reliable shifting performance and chain retention

Viich

I'd start with the 3x8. If you're only using it on the road, I wouldn't worry too much about the chain retention. Triple should give you pretty good chainline in the middle ring position. Might be an issue if you hop curbs a lot, but I doubt it. If you can find lots of 8 speed triples out there, can you find a rear shifter, cassette, etc?

Also, pretty easy to drill out rivets, I don't know if you've got a rivet gun to replace though. Could just tap it and use bolts from then, but if you're looking used you can probably find something you can replace the rings on - don't worry about the speed matching, 8 speed and below should be fine with a REALLY old crank from the 2x5 stuff from the 70's / 80's.