Building a Single Speed - Parts Wanted

[GreatGranny]

Ok, decided its time I had a single speed.

My commuter is taking a battering and I want something simple, light and cheap to ride.

Trouble is severe lack of funds ATM (or any moment come to think of it).

I have looked in my garage for any parts and have found . . . . . a front wheel! Thats it!

So if anyone has any parts I could use I would collect within reason (I'm in Sheffield) or pay for the postage of course.

I'm 5'-10" so would need about a 19" frame, steel perferred.

Reading other threads old racing frames seem to be good basis for conversions so have a look in your garage or shed.

Thanks for reading.

[mk1fan]

Why not just convert the commuter?

you don't even need any parts. Just set the rear deraileur over the 18t socket and remove the front mech and shifters.

[Roman]

You could just buy a new btwin Vitamin from Decathlon for £70. I doubt you could build anything better for the price even if you already had/did get some parts for free:
http://www.btwincycle.com/EN/vitamin-100634901/

[GreatGranny]

mk1 fan - I want to keep my commuter and use it more for evening rides and weekends.

Roman - I had noticed that but I just like the idea of building one up from scratch on a zero budget.

I've already been promised drop bars, stem, exage brakes and 2 sets of tyres from a guy on Sheffield Freecycle so I'm up and running.

Edited by GreatGranny on Wednesday 31st March 10:20

Edited by GreatGranny on Wednesday 31st March 10:25

[Roman]

Nice one. You just need a '70s/'80's steel road frame with near horizontal dropouts for a nice clean look with no chain tensioner to start building. Look forward to seeing some pics once you've finished..

[GreatGranny]

I will definately put some pictures up.

I have been deluged with offers from Freecycle.

Been offered lots of bits including bars, stem, seat, chainset, and also a complete bike but unfortunately the frame is cracked but everything else is ok.

Guy at work has a mate who buys and sells parts and has lots of MTB stuff I can have for the price of 2 bottles of plonk. Its a great offer but I will have to decide if I want a MTB or road based single speed. He's got forks, bars, stem, V brakes + levers, seat post, saddle, tubes & tyres....

It might hinge on what frame I can get. I just like the look of a steel frame and the old road ones with as near horizontal dropouts as possible would be ideal.

[mk1fan]

If you're only using it on the road then use 700c wheels - they will fir an mtb frame too.

[GreatGranny]

mk1fan said:

If you're only using it on the road then use 700c wheels - they will fir an mtb frame too.

So could I use V brakes with 700c wheels on a MTB frame?

[Parrot of Doom]

Harry Halls in Manchester will often put old customer's bikes out on the street, for anyone. These are bikes that have been left with them as the customer has upgraded, and that are essentially worthless.

Just a thought, in case there's a similarly large bike shop in Sheffield.

[GreatGranny]

Thanks Parrot, we've got J E james but the chances of them doing that are less than sweet FA

We do have a recycle place which takes in bikes and bits and is non profit making.

They do courses and services etc. I think its part financed by the Council.

Might have to give them a ring to see if they have any frames.

[mk1fan]

Yes - if you use adaptors which I doubt you'll find for free.