advice on building a singlespeed from scratch

zonular

Right so I have a bit of a project. I have a 90's moutain bike frame I want to build up into a ss mtb. I need new wheels/crank/cogs/front sprocket everything bar the frame.
Any advice on where to go for parts on the cheap as I know Crc have the vitus see 26 for just over 300 so my aim is to keep the build well under that sort of pricing.

Is it just a case of well timed ebay finds?

rollingscone

zonular wrote: »

Right so I have a bit of a project. I have a 90's moutain bike frame I want to build up into a ss mtb. I need new wheels/crank/cogs/front sprocket everything bar the frame.
Any advice on where to go for parts on the cheap as I know Crc have the vitus see 26 for just over 300 so my aim is to keep the build well under that sort of pricing.

Is it just a case of well timed ebay finds?

my cheap ss mtb uses a €12 Alfine chainset, there just wasn't clearance for a larger chainring and the Alfine was suitably small and cheap cheap.

I used a conversion kit and spacers on the freehub but have been told that some well cut pvc piping will also do the job spacer wise. Single speed sprockets can then be obtained separately.

Alternatively if you find a decent conventional chainset you can just remove the excess chairings (not an option on the cheapo chainset I had) and space the remaining one for a good chain line with a loose sprocket of the appropriate speed and the matching speed of chain.

zonular

rollingscone wrote: »

my cheap ss mtb uses a €12 Alfine chainset, there just wasn't clearance for a larger chainring and the Alfine was suitably small and cheap cheap.

I used a conversion kit and spacers on the freehub but have been told that some well cut pvc piping will also do the job spacer wise. Single speed sprockets can then be obtained separately.

Alternatively if you find a decent conventional chainset you can just remove the excess chairings (not an option on the cheapo chainset I had) and space the remaining one for a good chain line with a loose sprocket of the appropriate speed and the matching speed of chain.

Can I ask how much did I cost to build up over all?

rollingscone

zonular wrote: »

Can I ask how much did I cost to build up over all?

The bike was free, didn't have integrated brakes/shifters.

Think the conversion kit was the most expensive single item at around €45.

I didn't think of PVC piping for spacers which would have chopped a good bit off the cost.

rp

Would PVC be up to the 50Nm torque of the lockring?
I paid Euro 20 for a Halo conversion kit.

zonular

rp wrote: »

Would PVC be up to the 50Nm torque of the lockring?
I paid Euro 20 for a Halo conversion kit.

Are you using a chain tensioner? Or do you have horizontal dropouts?

@rollingscone I have wheels but a qr spoke is stuck in it, that and its completely and utterly rusted, I could try and strip the rust off but I'm not sure if its completely weakened? That and I have a stuck seat post, might need to use a bit of heat to un stick it

rp

zonular wrote: »

Are you using a chain tensioner? Or do you have horizontal dropouts?

Sliding dropouts, a bit like this, just without the hanger:

Buchaill_Mor

I am in the process of respraying a frame. I have used Nitromorse to strip the old paint and decals, and have cheated by using a Dremil to get the fiddly bits off. Waiting for a nice day to spray on the primer and sand down. I reckon I have put 3 days into removing and cleaning parts and paint striping. I think it is going to be another week or so getting the paint sorted.