Tej24

Hi, I am a complete newbie to the bike world, I live in NYC and wanted to get a bike to commute, but cannot afford to just buy a new bike. I have decided to build up my own bike in the hope that by the end I will have both a bike that fits me just right, and enough knowledge about the process to maintain and upgrade going forward.
Right now I have an early 90's specialised Hardrock ultra frame, with rim brakes that I picked up for free of craigslist.
As far as I know I need new wheel sets, a single speed conversion kit and a new chain and crankset. My budget for all of this is $300.
Right now I am trying to figure out the right wheel/hub combination within my budget.
Just from looking around online it seems like the Mavic CXP22 700c wheel sets would work, but at $225 new, they are going to eat too much of my budget.
My LBS will sell me Origin 8 wheel sets for about $160 but I am unsure about the brand.
I can see a good selection of used stuff on CL, but I hesitate to buy any of them because I really don't know what I am doing.
I have spoken to someone at recycle a bicycle, and they can give me a used rear wheel that they say will fit the bike. It is a Surly hub, with an atomic lab rim, that works with the friction brakes that are already on the bike, and they will let me have it for $75. It is used but I believe that RAB is trustworthy.

So as you can probably tell I am a bit overwhelmed with information, any help and advice would be welcome.

On an added note, the bike frame has horizontal drop bars, as far as I can tell. Pictures to follow.

Philasteve

You're better off getting something like this for commuting. Unless you want a mountain bike clunker, does the frame you have that your wanting to build up fit you properly? Track Bkes | SingleSpeed Bikes | Fixie | Windsor Bikes - The Hour | Save up to 60% off Fixed gear and singlespeed bicycles

Tej24

The frame is something I picked up for free, but I looked around online first and found a few examples of conversions that have been done on it, and I am hoping that I can adjust it to fit me. That being said I am mostly going to use this bike to commute about 12 miles everyday.

kungfu

My response will be boring but ...

Go to a local ghetto bike shop and talk with the staff, maybe they have old or used fixed gears parts, that's what I have done for my first fixie. The dude at the shop just had a couple of frame and I took one of the cheapest 45mm deep v rim flip flop hub for my wheelset ( the one used on purefix and zyclefix bike ). First fixie, I suggest flip flop. Nice to see that you have a frame and only needs the wheel/chain. The first adjustment can also be a pain on a old frame if you don't have the right tools, spacers ... It can cost you 40$ cash at a bike shop ...

But if you still want to build it yourself, on a budget under 300$ for everything and room to get a 40-50$ maintenance and good tires.

Pure Fix 700C 50mm Wheelset | Pure Fix Cycles
Fixie Crankset 44T | Pure Fix Cycles

For the chain you can order

KMC Z410H Chain | Pure Fix Cycles

But I would go to a bike shop to get one custom fit since you dont have a standart fixie frame.

no1mad 

Might be wrong, but I think that the Hardrocks rolled on 26" wheels- 700c will be too big.

With your ignorance and limited budget, you'll be better off getting a new, complete bike now and you can putter around on building up that Hardrock as finances allow.

no1mad 

What size is the frame and how big are you? A frame has to be close to fitting you before "dialing it in"- if it is too big or too small by more than 2 sizes, it ain't gonna do you any good to put any money into it.

Tej24

The frame is 19 inches, and I am a little over 5'11. I have considered just buying something new, but a large part of the reason I want to build it myself is to accelerate the learning process, and i feel like that might take a lot longer if I already have a bike to fall back on, I also have not had much luck finding something new for $300 that would be worth buying.

carleton

Stop right there.

If you cannot afford to buy a new pre-made bike or a used bike, you certainly cannot afford to build a bike from gathering parts.

Stop now before you wind up with $500 of miscellaneous bike parts soaked in a puddle of tears.

Tej24

I am not sure about the wheel size, I arrived at the 700c size by looking at a conversion that someone else had done on the same bike.

Jared.

IF this frame fits you, and IF I were you, I'd find a bike co-op, take it there, and build it up as a cheap single speed mountain bike. Do some research online first (the bike originally came with 26" wheels), and ask for help at the co-op.

Personally I wouldn't put much money into a build like this. I would use all used parts from a co-op.

You cannot afford to build/convert this bike with new parts, nor is it worth it.

Tej24

Carleton, what you describe is my nightmare scenario, I entered into this with the idea that since I only needed to figure out the wheel sets, the conversion, and the crank set, I might be able to manage it within my budget. But a whole lot of expenses and no result would be a real problem. Thats why I am here though, I am trying to post pics of what I have but am having trouble with the upload, but if you guys still advise against it once you can take a look at what I am working with, I will have no choice but to bow to your experience and wait. I cannot afford the alternative.

carleton

If that's why you are here, then LISTEN TO MY ADVICE. Building a bike from the frame up is time consuming and expensive...and that's when you know what you are doing. It's worse when you don't.

The best option is to buy a quality used bike at a fair price (or lower). Your next best option is to buy a quality new bike that you plan to keep for a few years.

Remember, even if you are able to cobble together this bike after several weeks and it rolls down the street and functions like a normal bike, that doesn't mean you'll like it.

If the difference between "a basic bike that works" and "a bike that you love" is $200 or $300 more than you have now, it may be worth it to save up a few more bucks.

Bikes aren't cheap. So choose carefully. Otherwise, you'll spend weeks buying parts and assembling this bike, then buy another one next year.

koolerb

I don't think anyone is trying to steer you away from learning how to build and work on your own bike. But you mentioned money is an issue. Unless you have access to a bunch of usable, free, or almost free parts its just not worth it. The parts will add up faster than you think. A new bike, or a rideable craigslist bike will cost less and you'll probably be happier with it.

no1mad 

Here's the sticky on posting pics here- https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...tures-how.html

Tej24

I am looking into sourcing used parts from a co op. I guess I will know more once I meet them. I am pretty excited about the idea of building this bike, and I would feel pretty terrible if it is not possible - as seems to be the general consensus so far. Will get back with more info, and hopefully some pictures.

dmcg

A friend used to volunteer for a bike coop in NYC that did regular free workshops at the bottom of the Williamsburg bridge, where they would teach basic bike maintenance. I'll see if I can find out what it was called and the schedule if they are still doing this.

Tej24

Thanks dmcg, that would be great!

carleton

Adjust your expectations.

What other hobbies have you had in the past?

Imagine how much it would cost to rebuild a ____________ from scratch with no tools or parts to start with, versus buying a used or new one.

Now insert the following into that blank:

- Guitar
- Guitar Amp
- Motorcycle
- Car
- Radio
- Remote controlled airplane/car
- Furniture
- Birdhouse
- Etc...

See my point?

It is possible to build all of those from scratch. Hobbyists find it very rewarding and fulfilling to do so. But, no one does those things because it's the cheapest route

You can learn about bike maintenance via maintaining a new bike as well as building one from scratch.

By the way, do you own tools...because you are going to need tools. Those cost money, too.

JamesCraps

this.

prooftheory

Birdhouse?

Jared.

Again, a co-op solves the tool problem. The first sentence still stands.

carleton

Ever try to build one of those things?

Most end in piles of wood and tears of 10 year olds.

europa

Carlton's right in everything he says:

It's cheaper to buy a new complete bike than to build one.
Building a bike when you don't know what you're doing is a recipe for a pile of parts you've no use for.
You're better off getting a bike you like than winding up with a bike shaped object you don't.

However, there's one scenario that's been alluded to but not spelt out.
The bike co-op. Although if you just go in there looking for bits, you run the risk of getting the wrong stuff, depending on the co-op and the bod you run into there, asking them to help you build your bike may just work out for you. The frame you've got was free so you've nothing invested in it. Feel free to lose it or donate it to the co-op. I'd have thought old road bikes were easily sourced in a co-op and conversions from there are fairly straight forward, particularly if you only want to go single speed or they have a fg wheel to hand. Dealing with someone who knows how to put together old old bikes and who knows the stock takes the building option from being a lottery into a doable proposition AND it satisfies your desire to learn.

However, your priority must be to get a good riding bike. There's no point in learning heaps of stuff about building a bike if you hate the one you've got and don't ride it as a result. Believe me, any bike that's used a lot will eventually start to teach you about bike mechanics (they're like wimmen that way).

prooftheory

bmontgomery87

Listen to carleton.

Spending 300 dollars on a cheap wheelset, some tools, and random parts is still gonna leave you with a bike that isn't even as good as most of the 300 dollar chinese bikes floating around. A conversion is going to run you 150 or so, and even the crappiest wheelsets run about 100. Add some tires to that and your budget is already gone. You're still riding on a less than ideal frame, with old bars, an old saddle, etc.

Just buy a cheap complete or be patient and look on craigslist. If you live in NYC you should be able to find a bike.