Originally Posted by
dbrown417
I'm looking to build a budget commuter, based off a rigid MTB frame with fatter road tires, drop bars, and F&R racks. I can easily find a cheap MTB on Craigslist with a suitable rigid frame and fork, would building with decent components on a lower quality frame be a bad idea? I've been riding a late 80's Schwinn World Sport, so it won't take much to seem like an upgrade IMO. Are there any major reasons why I should go with a better frame than the X-brand Wally World bikes? I'd like to keep the entire build under $200 if possible (a stretch, I know) so I want to save money where I can, without compromising the overall performance of the bike.
Helmart sells mountain bike shaped objects, don't waste your time. Generally speaking Helmart bikes are too heavy, too poorly constructed and too difficult to keep running to be worth putting
any money or effort into.
If you can find a name brand - Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, Miyata, Univega, etc. - that's a good place to start. However inspect your prospective purchase carefully. Look for cracks, broken parts, rust, dents, etc. before you purchase. Nothing blows a budget like purchasing a recycler special.