supercheap mtb/hybrid bike build

[320touring]

Worryingly, having been out on the bike in the shed this evening (on the resistance stand) i'm now wondering if I could design a stand that provides resistance by charging a battery..

[320touring]

I also managed to hit out 2x 30min sessions on the turbo trainer tonight.

Mildy pooped now!

In other news, according to ebay, I'm due to recieve the bike computer and brake blocks in the next day or so. Tyres are due Thursday.

Hopefully have first meaningful update at the weekend

[320touring]

Woooop!

First of the parts have arrived

Tyres look decent- certainly are thinner with what feels to be rubber, as opposed to the plastic like old tyres.

Inner tubes have a different valve system to the one on the bike currently-so I'll need to decide whether to use them, or keep them as spare.

Bike computer booted up and tested-just gotta get the transponder fitted to the bike, and see how it goes.

May try to fit them tomorrow night once i've had my ride.

[320touring]

So, started to install ebay trinkets!

First up was the bike computer- a new fangled wireless device!

Simple case of applying the magnet to a spoke on the rear wheel, and mounting the sensor/transponder.

On my ride(turbo trainer) this evening it gave an average speed of 11mph over 30mins-pretty much bang on my average speed on Strava.

Very pleased for less than £5!

[320touring]

Next up was to sort out the tyres.

I was moving from 26x 2.05 off road to 26x 1.95 road biased tyres.
the new tyres were purchased along with new tubes, but the new tubes have presta valves so my pump didnt fit.

I reinstalled the original tubes, then fought with the footpump. As soon as it was attached to the valve it started to allow air to escape-so inflating the tyres was less than fun.

I'll put some air in tomorrow or Saturday.

And, yes I know the bike is filthy!a wash will happen at somepoint.

Additionally it appears that the rear wheelbearing is ropey, and the front wheel has a wobble. New wheelset should be on the cards then..

[320touring]

Next up were the brakes..

Application of new blocks, correctly aligned and accompanied by adjusted cables means that the levers now have resistance before they get to the handlebar grips

Having got this far yesterday, I elected to attend the pub tonight.

Trial run (either in the real world, or on turbo trainer) should occur tomorrow morning.

[320touring]

Evidence suggests that road biased tyres make for a much easier pedal on the turbo trainer!

Success there then

[magpie215]

I would be looking to get rid of those front forks for some rigids the ones fitted will be heavy

[Andy OH]

Is this thread a wind up or what.....You don't have to keep telling us what cheap bits you're buying for your bike, it's getting a little boring, sorry.

[Tc24]

Andy OH said:

Is this thread a wind up or what.....You don't have to keep telling us what cheap bits you're buying for your bike, it's getting a little boring, sorry.

Don't be silly. This is no different to following a shed story in the Readers Cars section.

Like shedding, it can be interesting to see what can be done for with little money when it comes to bike parts.

OP - I done something similar recently. I bought an old Specialized MTB years ago which just sat in the garage until last year.

I managed to do the whole thing for around £200 (including initial outlay for the bike) and end up with a half decent spec MTB. I could probably have bought a similar spec used one for the same, but that's not as fun

[320touring]

magpie215 said:

I would be looking to get rid of those front forks for some rigids the ones fitted will be heavy

Certainly worth consideration!that said, a fair few areas that work is still needed first..like the gearshift

[320touring]

Tc24 said:

Andy OH said:

Is this thread a wind up or what.....You don't have to keep telling us what cheap bits you're buying for your bike, it's getting a little boring, sorry.

Don't be silly. This is no different to following a shed story in the Readers Cars section.

Like shedding, it can be interesting to see what can be done for with little money when it comes to bike parts.

OP - I done something similar recently. I bought an old Specialized MTB years ago which just sat in the garage until last year.

I managed to do the whole thing for around £200 (including initial outlay for the bike) and end up with a half decent spec MTB. I could probably have bought a similar spec used one for the same, but that's not as fun

Tc24-got it in one! Pretty much a 'building a cheap decent bike, and using it' gig-thanks for the support!

Andy OH-sorry you feel it is boring, I may see if i can get title changed as it doesnt reflect the thread contents.

[richardxjr]

First thing I do on an old bike is new inner cables. You'll see how they fit by carefully removing the old ones.

Bought dozens of these from this seller, excellent buy for £1.49 delivered for all 4 + crimps.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-gear-and-2-brake-cable...

Side cutters from Toolstation work well, couple of quid Silverline (not the more expensive ones, they were rubbish!)

Snip the ends off the outer cables if they are rusty too.

[320touring]

richardxjr said:

First thing I do on an old bike is new inner cables. You'll see how they fit by carefully removing the old ones.

Bought dozens of these from this seller, excellent buy for £1.49 delivered for all 4 + crimps.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-gear-and-2-brake-cable...

Side cutters from Toolstation work well, couple of quid Silverline (not the more expensive ones, they were rubbish!)

Snip the ends off the outer cables if they are rusty too.

Yep,good shout. May make it part of the gearshift setup process.

Thanks for the link

[Watchman]

I like this thread but be careful with your spending. I took an old Saracen with the intention of turning it into a single speeder. Great fun but disproportionately expensive. Truth is, I just enjoyed the build-project so justified the cost of parts and tools on that basis but the costs far (far far far) outweighed the value of the bike.

On your bike I wouldn't change the wheels or forks. Although replacements would be better (of course) you'd seriously have to question the validity of keeping the bike in the first place if you changed them. Surely the wheels can be straightened?

[320touring]

Watchman said:

I like this thread but be careful with your spending. I took an old Saracen with the intention of turning it into a single speeder. Great fun but disproportionately expensive. Truth is, I just enjoyed the build-project so justified the cost of parts and tools on that basis but the costs far (far far far) outweighed the value of the bike.

On your bike I wouldn't change the wheels or forks. Although replacements would be better (of course) you'd seriously have to question the validity of keeping the bike in the first place if you changed them. Surely the wheels can be straightened?

At the moment I'm at £25.. so still cheaper than buying another bike that may need work.

Intention re forks/wheels may be to keep an eye out for a bargain set on ebay/gumtree etc.

Initial approach to spending is to get it safe and reliable. The bottom bracket seems to have settled down after some more tightening.

[320touring]

10 secs from the end of last night's ride, the chain decided it much preferred being a free spirit..

Sickened, I just left it.

I shall sort the shift tomorrow-i have a guide for doing the front (which seems to be the issue) and will get the cables oiled.

Tonight is pub/curry night with work

[320touring]

It appears the last chain based episode has smashed the chainguard.

I shall investigate removal forto add lightness, and an added sense of danger when cycling in flares

[320touring]

Just been out on it (shedtastic trainer times) and got the old average speed up from 10.3 to 10.6 mph.

Think next goal now is to be able to do 7 miles in 35mins.

Need get out at the weekend- want to get a couple of pbs on the old strava sections!

[320touring]

just been on this for the first time in 3 weeks as got fed up.

its now making a most odd noise from the arse end-dunno if its mechanism or hub or whit.

any suggestions for a cheap rear setup and wheel?needs to take a 1.95 26" tyre.