Help me spend some money.

[Milkfloat]

So to cut a long story short, redundancy is looming and I fancy a build to stop me from having to paint the house or worse look for a job. I am looking at putting together a cheap'ish fixed/single speed bike for hacking around, a bit of winter duties and a little bit of canal path fun. This is going to be my first build although I have tinkered with bikes for a number of years. I am hoping that I can use the infinite wisdom of you lot to confuse and confound me and maybe point me towards some bargains.

I have googled a little bit and come up with a list of parts, but would like some ideas on compatibility and alternative options or even to be told that I am an idiot.

So first up (too late to change, as it is on its way) is the frame.
The Planet X lump - http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRHOLAQ/holdsworth-la-quelda-steel-single-speed-frameset.

I wanted Orange, but dithered too long as I was worried about tyre clearance, I then dithered too long over the green, so I have been left with black.

Wheelset - I am very stuck here, I have found the following wheelset https://singlespeedcomponents.co.uk...oducts/ssc-workhorse-single-speed-wheel-black that I can get for £98, which includes a cheap chain, 16T fixed sprocket and 18T sturmey archer freewheel in the required 120mm OLD. But I have no idea if they are junk wheels or not. Ideally I want to ride a bit off road on canal path or forest paths. The frame claims to go up to 28mm tyres, I would like to try 30 or 32mm, these rims are only 14mm will I have an issue - can anyone suggest some cheap alternatives?

Chainset - I fancy one with a built in chainguard for the utility bike option. I came up with this
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/99748/products/sturmey-archer-fcs742-chainset-44t.aspx is it junk and trading off their old name, or is it a good choice?

Bottom Bracket - I guess http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-bb-un55-bottom-bracket-british-thread/ is the way to go and in 68mm 110mm because that is the size that Planet X use in their builds. Am I right in thinking that the length is more to do with the frame than it is with the wheelset, or in other words is this the right size?

Calipers - I need long drop, so have decided on http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/tektro-r539-ag-brakes-57mm-tektro/

Headset - Basic Ritchey http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ritchey-logic-v2-headset/

Levers - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-r400-brake-levers/ Tried, tested and cheap.

Stem, bars and seatpost. I have a few floating around, but for less than £50 can get a set of Deda basics, so am planning on doing that.

Including sundries like rim tape, spacers and cables the total cost should be around £350, plus the things like bar tape, tubes and tyres I have hanging around.

So feel free to weigh in and help me out, in particular compatibility, the wheelset and any bargains you know about.

 

[raleighnut]

That should keep you busy for about 2-3 days.

 

[Dave Davenport]

Did you get the frame for about 90 quid, I nearly bought one the other day even though I don't need it (my fixed frame will probably break now).
I'd have thought you'd need a very short bottom bracket 103mm'ish as it's dependent on the chainset. I've got one of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/halo-aero-track-rear-wheel/ on mine with an old Campag wheel on the front.

 

[Milkfloat]

Did you get the frame for about 90 quid, I nearly bought one the other day even though I don't need it (my fixed frame will probably break now).
I'd have thought you'd need a very short bottom bracket 103mm'ish as it's dependent on the chainset. I've got one of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/halo-aero-track-rear-wheel/ on mine with an old Campag wheel on the front.

So how do you measure or work out the bottom bracket length you need? I assume I buy frame and chainset then offer it up and guess?

 

[raleighnut]

So how do you measure or work out the bottom bracket length you need? I assume I buy frame and chainset then offer it up and guess?

I'd go for cups and a loose shaft/bearings and if I hadn't got one the right length to get the chainline right have a rummage around Johns (Bob Warner Cycles) drawer of new alternatives. Last time I did that was when I built up a Raleigh 3spd, here are the ones that weren't right for the job.

BB shafts

• raleighnut
• 22 Mar 2016

 

[Dave Davenport]

So how do you measure or work out the bottom bracket length you need? I assume I buy frame and chainset then offer it up and guess?

With a 120mm standard 'track' OLD and a 'track' chainset I'm pretty sure a 102/3mm BB is what you need but I'm only going on experience of the two fixed bikes I've built, someone better informed may be able to offer a more scientific method of working it out. I'm currently running one of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/token-tk867-iso-square-cromo-axle-bottom-bracket/ (no I don't work for Wiggle, the one it replaced was ten quid from Planet X but they were out of stock when I needed one).

 

[Tim Hall]

@Fab Foodie has just bought one of them. Does our Abingdon correspondent have any Bottom Bracket length advice to offer?

 

[Fab Foodie]

@Fab Foodie has just bought one of them. Does our Abingdon correspondent have any Bottom Bracket length advice to offer?

Nope!
Not got that far. I was going to contact Singlespeedcomponants where I'll get the chainset and take their advice.

So to cut a long story short, redundancy is looming and I fancy a build to stop me from having to paint the house or worse look for a job. I am looking at putting together a cheap'ish fixed/single speed bike for hacking around, a bit of winter duties and a little bit of canal path fun. This is going to be my first build although I have tinkered with bikes for a number of years. I am hoping that I can use the infinite wisdom of you lot to confuse and confound me and maybe point me towards some bargains.

I have googled a little bit and come up with a list of parts, but would like some ideas on compatibility and alternative options or even to be told that I am an idiot.

So first up (too late to change, as it is on its way) is the frame.
The Planet X lump - http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRHOLAQ/holdsworth-la-quelda-steel-single-speed-frameset.

I wanted Orange, but dithered too long as I was worried about tyre clearance, I then dithered too long over the green, so I have been left with black.

Wheelset - I am very stuck here, I have found the following wheelset https://singlespeedcomponents.co.uk...oducts/ssc-workhorse-single-speed-wheel-black that I can get for £98, which includes a cheap chain, 16T fixed sprocket and 18T sturmey archer freewheel in the required 120mm OLD. But I have no idea if they are junk wheels or not. Ideally I want to ride a bit off road on canal path or forest paths. The frame claims to go up to 28mm tyres, I would like to try 30 or 32mm, these rims are only 14mm will I have an issue - can anyone suggest some cheap alternatives?

Chainset - I fancy one with a built in chainguard for the utility bike option. I came up with this
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/99748/products/sturmey-archer-fcs742-chainset-44t.aspx is it junk and trading off their old name, or is it a good choice?

Bottom Bracket - I guess http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-bb-un55-bottom-bracket-british-thread/ is the way to go and in 68mm 110mm because that is the size that Planet X use in their builds. Am I right in thinking that the length is more to do with the frame than it is with the wheelset, or in other words is this the right size?

Calipers - I need long drop, so have decided on http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/tektro-r539-ag-brakes-57mm-tektro/

Headset - Basic Ritchey http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ritchey-logic-v2-headset/

Levers - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-r400-brake-levers/ Tried, tested and cheap.

Stem, bars and seatpost. I have a few floating around, but for less than £50 can get a set of Deda basics, so am planning on doing that.

Including sundries like rim tape, spacers and cables the total cost should be around £350, plus the things like bar tape, tubes and tyres I have hanging around.

So feel free to weigh in and help me out, in particular compatibility, the wheelset and any bargains you know about.

Ha! Couldn't resist!

Wheelwise I'm going spendy from dcrwheels with 23mm Archetype rims on light spokes and Zenith Fixed/fixed large flange hubs to run 28c rubberwear. Other bits I'm scabbing from the parts bin and scouring the sales .... I'm in no rush.
Singlespeed componants seems a good place though.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

So to cut a long story short, redundancy is looming and I fancy a build to stop me from having to paint the house or worse look for a job. I am looking at putting together a cheap'ish fixed/single speed bike for hacking around, a bit of winter duties and a little bit of canal path fun. This is going to be my first build although I have tinkered with bikes for a number of years. I am hoping that I can use the infinite wisdom of you lot to confuse and confound me and maybe point me towards some bargains.

I have googled a little bit and come up with a list of parts, but would like some ideas on compatibility and alternative options or even to be told that I am an idiot.

So first up (too late to change, as it is on its way) is the frame.
The Planet X lump - http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRHOLAQ/holdsworth-la-quelda-steel-single-speed-frameset.

I wanted Orange, but dithered too long as I was worried about tyre clearance, I then dithered too long over the green, so I have been left with black.

Wheelset - I am very stuck here, I have found the following wheelset https://singlespeedcomponents.co.uk...oducts/ssc-workhorse-single-speed-wheel-black that I can get for £98, which includes a cheap chain, 16T fixed sprocket and 18T sturmey archer freewheel in the required 120mm OLD. But I have no idea if they are junk wheels or not. Ideally I want to ride a bit off road on canal path or forest paths. The frame claims to go up to 28mm tyres, I would like to try 30 or 32mm, these rims are only 14mm will I have an issue - can anyone suggest some cheap alternatives?

Chainset - I fancy one with a built in chainguard for the utility bike option. I came up with this
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/99748/products/sturmey-archer-fcs742-chainset-44t.aspx is it junk and trading off their old name, or is it a good choice?

Bottom Bracket - I guess http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-bb-un55-bottom-bracket-british-thread/ is the way to go and in 68mm 110mm because that is the size that Planet X use in their builds. Am I right in thinking that the length is more to do with the frame than it is with the wheelset, or in other words is this the right size?

Calipers - I need long drop, so have decided on http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/tektro-r539-ag-brakes-57mm-tektro/

Headset - Basic Ritchey http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ritchey-logic-v2-headset/

Levers - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-r400-brake-levers/ Tried, tested and cheap.

Stem, bars and seatpost. I have a few floating around, but for less than £50 can get a set of Deda basics, so am planning on doing that.

Including sundries like rim tape, spacers and cables the total cost should be around £350, plus the things like bar tape, tubes and tyres I have hanging around.

So feel free to weigh in and help me out, in particular compatibility, the wheelset and any bargains you know about.

On the subject of wheels I have the standard wheelset from my Genesis in my shed, if you can pick them up you can have them for a tenner, flip flop hub on the back complete with unused 18 tooth freewheel, they've had about a months use.

 

[Milkfloat]

On the subject of wheels I have the standard wheelset from my Genesis in my shed, if you can pick them up you can have them for a tenner, flip flop hub on the back complete with unused 18 tooth freewheel, they've had about a months use.

Wow, that is incredibly generous. I will PM you!

 

[Fab Foodie]

On the subject of wheels I have the standard wheelset from my Genesis in my shed, if you can pick them up you can have them for a tenner, flip flop hub on the back complete with unused 18 tooth freewheel, they've had about a months use.

That's local service!

 

[Deleted member 1258]

VeloSolo is always worth having a look round, I've used their Lasco chainsets in the past, and I've also brought other stuff from them

http://www.velosolo.co.uk/shopcrank.html

 

[martinclive]

I have that SA chainset on my new (rebuilt 60s Coventry Eagle frame) singlespeed - looks absolutely wonderful (IMHO) and clean lines without a horrible big chain guard. Not convinced it's the roundest and highest quality but seems to run well for the money

 

[Milkfloat]

I have that SA chainset on my new (rebuilt 60s Coventry Eagle frame) singlespeed - looks absolutely wonderful (IMHO) and clean lines without a horrible big chain guard. Not convinced it's the roundest and highest quality but seems to run well for the money

Being fickle, I have now decided against that chainset as I was worried about strength and also I want to to be free to switch out chainrings until I can work out my ideal gearing.

 

[martinclive]

Being fickle, I have now decided against that chainset as I was worried about strength and also I want to to be free to switch out chainrings until I can work out my ideal gearing.

Fair point - I've has SSs at 63 - 70 gear inches before.
70 was good for me on the flatlands of Cambridgeshire - this one set up mid 60s which helps on hills in other places and I can still spin at 20 mph with a tail wind - good luck with the build