Single Speed Project
Discussion
After much time spent searching for a single speed bike within budget and to my taste, I decided the best option would be to build a bike of my own. The plan is to use all new parts, and build using a lightweight frame all within a budget of £200.00. Once built the bike will be used for my daily commute (10 miles, mainly flat).
To date, I have purchased a frame (Paul Milnes), forks, h/set, bottom bracket chainset and track style wheels with 'flip flop' rear hub (purchased and fitted today).
The shots below show how the bike stands today.
The next stage is to fit the remaining parts and enjoy. I plan to continue the silver/black component theme, fit flat handle bars with front brake only - I'm debating whether to fit red tyres, pedals and bar grips....
This is my first bike project so looking forward to completing (within budget!) - any others out there?
To date, I have purchased a frame (Paul Milnes), forks, h/set, bottom bracket chainset and track style wheels with 'flip flop' rear hub (purchased and fitted today).
The shots below show how the bike stands today.
The next stage is to fit the remaining parts and enjoy. I plan to continue the silver/black component theme, fit flat handle bars with front brake only - I'm debating whether to fit red tyres, pedals and bar grips....
This is my first bike project so looking forward to completing (within budget!) - any others out there?
A quarter of my initial budget remains... maybe possible with some smart ebay buy's - I'm currently watching a number of auctions!
Both frame and wheels are decent quality (more than the total cost would suggest), the remaining components will be purchased on a budget allowing future upgrade should the need take me.
A colleague also questioned the budget (based on new parts build only), so I'm keen to prove wrong.
Both frame and wheels are decent quality (more than the total cost would suggest), the remaining components will be purchased on a budget allowing future upgrade should the need take me.
A colleague also questioned the budget (based on new parts build only), so I'm keen to prove wrong.
I think you'll struggle, and I'd like to see the cost breakdown.
I've built loads of single-speeds in this way and even with a few bargains on Ebay it's pretty much impossible.
Guessing a few prices and going pretty much as low as you'll be able to - for new pieces worth having - I'd say something like…
Frame: No idea what you paid but it would have to be about £60
Wheels: £60
Cranks: £15
Headset: £10
Bottom Bracket: £10
Bars: £5
Brake Calipers: £10
Brake Levers: £10
Grips or bar tape: £3
Handlebar Stem: £5
Stem spacers: £3
Brake cables: £5
Freewheel: £5
Chain: £5
Pedals: £5
Tyres: £10
Tubes: £5
Seatpost: £5
Saddle: £5
POSTAGE: £10
That's some way over and I'd be surprised if you can achieve some of those prices to be honest.
£250 - £300 is more likely I think.
I've built loads of single-speeds in this way and even with a few bargains on Ebay it's pretty much impossible.
Guessing a few prices and going pretty much as low as you'll be able to - for new pieces worth having - I'd say something like…
Frame: No idea what you paid but it would have to be about £60
Wheels: £60
Cranks: £15
Headset: £10
Bottom Bracket: £10
Bars: £5
Brake Calipers: £10
Brake Levers: £10
Grips or bar tape: £3
Handlebar Stem: £5
Stem spacers: £3
Brake cables: £5
Freewheel: £5
Chain: £5
Pedals: £5
Tyres: £10
Tubes: £5
Seatpost: £5
Saddle: £5
POSTAGE: £10
That's some way over and I'd be surprised if you can achieve some of those prices to be honest.
£250 - £300 is more likely I think.
Edited by HardWorkers on Sunday 15th April 15:56
HardWorkers said:
pablo said:
dafw said:
fit flat handle bars with front brake only -
good luck with that.... 
I admit the budget was tight, and based on today's online shopping list impossible! - I should have added this topic once complete, schoolboy error on my part.....
The crank is running 48, and 18 at the wheel - the setup should be fine for the daily.
I purchased the frame for 40.00 including fork and h/set (listed as 'badly marked', compound polish removed 95% of the marks), the crank and bottom brkt came in at 40.00, the wheels 65.00, and rim tape 2.99 - thats it so far = 147.99.
I have spotted a few 'cheap' items at Rutland cycles - Kalloy Stem 10.00, Ally s/post 7.99 and Velo seat 10.99 (from memory) = 28.98.
Also, I have added the following items to my ebay list - H/bar 12.99, grips 4.99, Schwalbe tyres 19.00 (pair), inner tubes 5.50 (pair), pedals 10.00, and chain 5.00 = 57.48
One 'cheat' is that I may have a free Shimano f/caliper on it's way, but will need to purchase a lever and cable = £15.00 ish.
I may have missed a few items (I'm sure someone will post if I have!), but the above comes in at = 249.45
The frame does have verticle drop outs, I'm hoping that a trimmed chain will fit, failing that I will need a tensioner (10.00)
I never intended for the bike to wear the latest designer gear, but it should be fun to ride and look half decent. Once complete I will add a few pics, and final price list if anyone is interseted.
The crank is running 48, and 18 at the wheel - the setup should be fine for the daily.
I purchased the frame for 40.00 including fork and h/set (listed as 'badly marked', compound polish removed 95% of the marks), the crank and bottom brkt came in at 40.00, the wheels 65.00, and rim tape 2.99 - thats it so far = 147.99.
I have spotted a few 'cheap' items at Rutland cycles - Kalloy Stem 10.00, Ally s/post 7.99 and Velo seat 10.99 (from memory) = 28.98.
Also, I have added the following items to my ebay list - H/bar 12.99, grips 4.99, Schwalbe tyres 19.00 (pair), inner tubes 5.50 (pair), pedals 10.00, and chain 5.00 = 57.48
One 'cheat' is that I may have a free Shimano f/caliper on it's way, but will need to purchase a lever and cable = £15.00 ish.
I may have missed a few items (I'm sure someone will post if I have!), but the above comes in at = 249.45
The frame does have verticle drop outs, I'm hoping that a trimmed chain will fit, failing that I will need a tensioner (10.00)
I never intended for the bike to wear the latest designer gear, but it should be fun to ride and look half decent. Once complete I will add a few pics, and final price list if anyone is interseted.
That's a bit more realistic.
I assume the frame was plus the £15 postage quoted on the seller's Ebay listings? Postage is a bit of a killer on a budget build.
Please budget for a rear brake. You can get away with it on a fixed wheel but it's not worth the risk for a 20 mile per day single-speed.
I've got this steel-framed fixed for sale at £225 at the moment thanks to some careful buying and re-using some bits I had lying around:
I assume the frame was plus the £15 postage quoted on the seller's Ebay listings? Postage is a bit of a killer on a budget build.
Please budget for a rear brake. You can get away with it on a fixed wheel but it's not worth the risk for a 20 mile per day single-speed.
I've got this steel-framed fixed for sale at £225 at the moment thanks to some careful buying and re-using some bits I had lying around:
Here are a group of usefull Fixedwheel links
edit to add the Fixed FAQs
fixedFAQs latest version
The number one drooling site
Fixed Gear bikes Gallery
How to links
Sheldon Brown runs Harris Cyclery, a good bike shop with a strong web presence. He's here both as supplier of a first-rate selection of cycle bits and as a fount of useful knowledge. His website has so much good stuff that it would be crazy to miss it. Please take a look. You'll probably stay for ages. Why not bookmark us so that you can come back when you've finished?
Why ride fixed? Fixed Gear Bicycles for the Road
Fixie conversions Fixed Gear Conversions
Fixed gear parts Harris Cyclery: Your Fixed-Gear Bicycle Headquarters!
Sheldon on chainline http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainline/
63xc.com--How To | FG 101
Shop links
Condor Cycles London
SURLYVILLE
Highpath Engineering : Home page
Track cycling has ceased trading so I usually buy from Parker International, excellent service. Worldwide Cycling Mail Order Specialists & Consultants - Parker International
Izumi 1/8th chain, with review http://bikereader.com/forum/index.php?topic=28258....
GOLDTEC HUBS Goldtech hubs
other hubs
Kogswell Cycles - The Fork (IS) The Frame
Phil Wood
Hubjub
Old Skool Track NYC
http://www.fixedwheel.co.uk/
http://www.londonfgss.com/ London fixed gear single speed forum
There is a free calculator you can download here
http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/
it takes into account tyre size aswell
or go to google;
[quote]Hello, I am Bruce link=topic=27141.msg360227#msg360227 date=1168259616]
I was playing with Google's Calculator, and came up with a formula for calculating cadence that I thought I'd share.
Just go to Google and type in
((SPEED miles per hour)/(CIRCUMFERENCE metres) * (SPROCKET/CHAINRING) in (minutes ^ -1)
with appropriate values for your SPEED, wheel CIRCUMFERENCE, and SPROCKET and CHAINRING tooth counts.
e.g.
((31 miles per hour) / (2.155 metres)) * (19/49) in (minutes ^ -1)
Gives 149.6 rpm.
("minutes ^ -1" just means rpm).
You can change the units, e.g. speed in km/h, or circumference in furlongs, and Google with handle it automatically.
[/quote]
BUSINESS CYCLES- Technical Reference Specifications For Track Bikes and Track Components
http://eehouse.org/fixin/formfmu.php
Welcome to londonfixiebike
kiwicycles | home of fixies and freewheels
FOFFA bikes, good value fixed wheel builds.
http://foffabikes.com/
edit to add the Fixed FAQs
fixedFAQs latest version
The number one drooling site
Fixed Gear bikes Gallery
How to links
Sheldon Brown runs Harris Cyclery, a good bike shop with a strong web presence. He's here both as supplier of a first-rate selection of cycle bits and as a fount of useful knowledge. His website has so much good stuff that it would be crazy to miss it. Please take a look. You'll probably stay for ages. Why not bookmark us so that you can come back when you've finished?
Why ride fixed? Fixed Gear Bicycles for the Road
Fixie conversions Fixed Gear Conversions
Fixed gear parts Harris Cyclery: Your Fixed-Gear Bicycle Headquarters!
Sheldon on chainline http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainline/
63xc.com--How To | FG 101
Shop links
Condor Cycles London
SURLYVILLE
Highpath Engineering : Home page
Track cycling has ceased trading so I usually buy from Parker International, excellent service. Worldwide Cycling Mail Order Specialists & Consultants - Parker International
Izumi 1/8th chain, with review http://bikereader.com/forum/index.php?topic=28258....
GOLDTEC HUBS Goldtech hubs
other hubs
Kogswell Cycles - The Fork (IS) The Frame
Phil Wood
Hubjub
Old Skool Track NYC
http://www.fixedwheel.co.uk/
http://www.londonfgss.com/ London fixed gear single speed forum
There is a free calculator you can download here
http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/
it takes into account tyre size aswell
or go to google;
[quote]Hello, I am Bruce link=topic=27141.msg360227#msg360227 date=1168259616]
I was playing with Google's Calculator, and came up with a formula for calculating cadence that I thought I'd share.
Just go to Google and type in
((SPEED miles per hour)/(CIRCUMFERENCE metres) * (SPROCKET/CHAINRING) in (minutes ^ -1)
with appropriate values for your SPEED, wheel CIRCUMFERENCE, and SPROCKET and CHAINRING tooth counts.
e.g.
((31 miles per hour) / (2.155 metres)) * (19/49) in (minutes ^ -1)
Gives 149.6 rpm.
("minutes ^ -1" just means rpm).
You can change the units, e.g. speed in km/h, or circumference in furlongs, and Google with handle it automatically.
[/quote]
BUSINESS CYCLES- Technical Reference Specifications For Track Bikes and Track Components
http://eehouse.org/fixin/formfmu.php
Welcome to londonfixiebike
kiwicycles | home of fixies and freewheels
FOFFA bikes, good value fixed wheel builds.
http://foffabikes.com/
This site has software for a magic gear calculator http://eehouse.org/fixin/fixmeup.php
You need to measure the length of your chainstays from BB to axle and input chainwheel sizes etc and you get a few options of gearing and chain length.
If it will be single speed you can run a tensioner but if you run fixed you cannot the chain will need to be the correct tension on it's own.
You need to measure the length of your chainstays from BB to axle and input chainwheel sizes etc and you get a few options of gearing and chain length.
If it will be single speed you can run a tensioner but if you run fixed you cannot the chain will need to be the correct tension on it's own.
My mini project is finished, so thought I would post some final pictures (for those interested):
Remaing jobs are to fit grips and chain - I ordered a 1/2 link chain, I removed a bmx chain from my Raleigh Burner, and added a few spare links but could not get the correct fit.
Total cost came in just shy of 260.00, so above my original (unrealistic) budget, but I am very pleased with the look (hopefully the ride will be equal). With reference to previous comments the bike has a flip flop hub, and will be set to fixed initially - I will add a rear brake over the next month.
Remaing jobs are to fit grips and chain - I ordered a 1/2 link chain, I removed a bmx chain from my Raleigh Burner, and added a few spare links but could not get the correct fit.
Total cost came in just shy of 260.00, so above my original (unrealistic) budget, but I am very pleased with the look (hopefully the ride will be equal). With reference to previous comments the bike has a flip flop hub, and will be set to fixed initially - I will add a rear brake over the next month.
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