supercheap mtb/hybrid bike build
Discussion
Hi,
Recently got back into my cycling- am using an 8yr old Apollo mtb.
At the moment it is in need of
2xtyres (more road biased)
Bottom bracket bearing (has been tightened but just slackens and allows free play)
Rear cassette
brake overhaul
Looking at parts prices- i can either do a load of work to it, and still end up with a heavy framd old bike, or I could use the money to buy a better made and better condition bike..
What would you do-and if suggesting another bike,let me know what are the benefits.
I'm no too au fait with what is good/bad in terms of parts/manufacturers -so would appreciate some hints and tips!
Cheers
Recently got back into my cycling- am using an 8yr old Apollo mtb.
At the moment it is in need of
2xtyres (more road biased)
Bottom bracket bearing (has been tightened but just slackens and allows free play)
Rear cassette
brake overhaul
Looking at parts prices- i can either do a load of work to it, and still end up with a heavy framd old bike, or I could use the money to buy a better made and better condition bike..
What would you do-and if suggesting another bike,let me know what are the benefits.
I'm no too au fait with what is good/bad in terms of parts/manufacturers -so would appreciate some hints and tips!
Cheers
I can get 2x road biased 26" tyres for £13 delivered
brake blocks seem to be less than a 5 spot
bottom bracket appears to be about £15 posted (but I'll need a puller to fit it)
Additionally I've been eyeing up new wheels- seems to be about £20 for some decent 2nd hand rims.
So about £50 would see it back in one piece and servicabl, with me knowing the condition of tbe new parts.
Hmm
brake blocks seem to be less than a 5 spot
bottom bracket appears to be about £15 posted (but I'll need a puller to fit it)
Additionally I've been eyeing up new wheels- seems to be about £20 for some decent 2nd hand rims.
So about £50 would see it back in one piece and servicabl, with me knowing the condition of tbe new parts.
Hmm
MadDad said:
Assuming its a standard Shimano BB you could do it yourself for £4.99 + postage......
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWBBW/jobsworth-bot...
I imagine it'll be a bh to remove due to it being old and shyte..http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWBBW/jobsworth-bot...
Definately worth consideration though
I think a decision has been reached, thanks you for all your inputs
So far i have sourced the following:
2x 26" ×1.95road tyres plus tubes for £16
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=3...
New brake blocks for £4 (for 4)
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=3...
Rear cassette for £9 plus post
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=3...
£31 quid plus some time spent getting the gears and brakes adjusted shoud see it much better.
I tightened up the bottom bracket again-will see how it holds up again. Worst case, a further £30 gets one supplied and fitted.
So far i have sourced the following:
2x 26" ×1.95road tyres plus tubes for £16
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=3...
New brake blocks for £4 (for 4)
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=3...
Rear cassette for £9 plus post
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=3...
£31 quid plus some time spent getting the gears and brakes adjusted shoud see it much better.
I tightened up the bottom bracket again-will see how it holds up again. Worst case, a further £30 gets one supplied and fitted.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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..
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..
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.
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.
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
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 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.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.
Thanks for the link
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.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?
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.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff