Just finished skimming this post:
http://www.bikeforums.net/singlespee...need-help.html and realized I spent too much on my project, which isn't quite done. But I've enjoyed it and learned a bit.
My project was turning a $10 Raleigh frame (which the guy should have given me $10 to haul away) into a $100 single speed after spending $300 and HOURS of work.
The photos are
HERE - the complete bike photos are from today, the first day I had it ride-able. There's a bunch of other images of the build going on (strip, braze, powder, etc.). With the re-cycled fork, the handling was different. Kind of like the bike wanted to stay on center, but once of center, it really wanted to dive into turns. Must be a rake/trail thing going on with the fork.
A request for the single speed aficionados - what would you recommend for improvements?
My plans before I call it "complete":
- add a rack so I can carry stuff
- change to all black tires (the 700x28 - with the re-cycled fork from an old race bike, the largest tire I can use is 28mm)
- change the stem - maybe raise it a bit, maybe a nice Ritchey stem (pricey!)
That's it - details below. Thanks for reading.
The run down:
used Raleigh frame: $10
Cherry fork: left over from a custom race bike I had to retire
powder coat: $5 worth from Powder by the Pound
bars: $10 Origin8 left over from my LBS
headset:$30 Origin8 from my LBS
seatpost: $25 Origin8 from my LBS
wheelset: $120 Origin8 from my LBS
rim tape: $8 ? Origin8 from my LBS
pedals: $30 Wellgo B67 used via F.B.
chain: $15 1/8in s/s from LBS
tubes: $10 from my LBS
braze-ons: $5 from NOVA cycle (not including silver, flux, MAPP)
stuff from the parts bin (or decommissioned from other bikes for upgrades)
- Campy crank set
- Shimano brakes from the '80s
- Panaracer Palsea tires 700x28
- DiaComp brake levers
- Serfas seat
- Trek & Specialized bottle cages
- reused bar tape
- Planet Bike bar plugs
Grand Total: $263 (or there 'bouts. maybe a bit more after tool rental at my LBS)