Originally Posted by
polygon1
I built up a Cross-Check as a single-speed gravel bike recently and I’m enjoying the single-speed thing a lot more than I expected. Looking for a steel frameset to build up as a city/road bike. What’s the most supple, cushy, comfy steel single-speed-appropriate frameset out there under ~$1000 USD? (Preferably quite a bit under, because I’m in Canada, and shipping/import costs if I have to bring it in from out of country can add up to 50%.) Considering the Wabi Special (I like lugs), Pake Rum Runner, Bassi Bloomfield, or a State 4130. Vintage isn’t really an option, there’s nothing much local and I need something in the 58-62cm size. Looking for something that'll really eat up the vibrations from crappy pavement.
The best I've found for steelframe ss/fg conversions are 70s 'bike boom' roadbikes. The 'suicide levers' are the giveaway afa as the vintage. They were made with relaxed geometry to accommodate the broadest spectrum of riders. With some the forks have to be cold set as they're more narrow than today's standard. Anything from a 103 to a 110mm bb will keep a nice straight chain line. I always picked the Pac-Rim brands because they had 68 thread counts and would accommodate wider tires...up to 40mm in some cases. Fuji, Shogun, Nishiki, Raleigh, etc. all make good conversions. I'd stay away from track frames as their geometry is a little too aggressive for comfortable street use. There are a ton of YT vids about ss/fg conversions. Have fun. Cheers from New Zealand! 🇳🇿