First Single Speed Project - The Misfit Bike
#1
buy my bikes
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Location: Michigan
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Bikes: my very own customized GUNNAR CrossHairs
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First Single Speed Project - The Misfit Bike
Just finished skimming this post: https://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)
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)
#4
Grumpy Old Bugga
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 4,229
Bikes: Hillbrick, Malvern Star Oppy S2, Europa (R.I.P.)
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If you didn't spend too much, it wouldn't be a project and it wouldn't be worthwhile. Some things are beyond a pragmatic sum of the dollars and cents.
I have racks on my bikes, specified one when I commissioned the Hillbrick (which is a full custom build). Why? Because I don't like backpacks and believe the bike works for me, I don't work for the bike. It's rare that I don't have a pannier on any of my bikes, the other times using a bumbag for mobile phone, keys and wallet.
Incidentally, I ruined two expensive wallets with sweat during my bike jersey days when I carried them in my back pockets. I did eventually go to zip lock bags but soon after, changed to running shorts and running shirts with a bum bag (or pannier) carrying 'the stuff' - my bikes all carry a pump, spare tube and tool kit in a saddle bag.
As you can tell, I don't subscribe to the minimalist approach which is really only a form of fashion. I ride fixed gear because I love the feel and the skill set, my bikes are set up to practical beasts, even my two darlings (the Hillbrick which cost far too much and the Europa). I use the Europa with her gears when I know I've got stupid hill climbs.
- add a rack so I can carry stuff
Incidentally, I ruined two expensive wallets with sweat during my bike jersey days when I carried them in my back pockets. I did eventually go to zip lock bags but soon after, changed to running shorts and running shirts with a bum bag (or pannier) carrying 'the stuff' - my bikes all carry a pump, spare tube and tool kit in a saddle bag.
As you can tell, I don't subscribe to the minimalist approach which is really only a form of fashion. I ride fixed gear because I love the feel and the skill set, my bikes are set up to practical beasts, even my two darlings (the Hillbrick which cost far too much and the Europa). I use the Europa with her gears when I know I've got stupid hill climbs.
#5
forever shiny and chrome
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: in the scene
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yeah, a good rear rack is nice to have.
I don't really care for front racks though, the extra weight on the steering feels funny. probably because I'm just not used to it
I don't really care for front racks though, the extra weight on the steering feels funny. probably because I'm just not used to it
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