Finally finished my Single Speed!

[Matno]

Unfortunately, the only pic I have was taken with my cell phone - not exactly high quality!

Here's the breakdown of parts spec and cost:

Frame: Caloi aluminum, bare finish (with clearcoat). Someday I'll replace it with a decent steel frame, preferably something like an old Stumpjumper. Cost was $51 and included frame, fork, headset, stem, handlebars, wheels, tires, seatpost, and saddle!

Fork: Rock Shox Indy C, upgraded to new MountainSpeed spring kit I got on eBay for $0.99. Big improvement.
Headset: Generic Aheadset.
Stem: Generic forged
Handlebars: Didn't like the ones that came with the frame (they had been cut too short). My bro-in-law gave me an old set of TransX riser bars (red ones) that are much better (25")
Saddle: GT but after my most recent ride, I'll be replacing it with my spare Speed V (that I got on eBay for $1).
Seatpost: I think it's an old ControlTech. Pretty hammered. Works just fine.
Wheels: Rear is Shimano hub (STX I think) with an unidentified 36 hole rim (overkill for my beefy 140 lbs!) Front is a Bontrager Corvair. Both in great shape.
Tires: Continental Atlanta. Different than anything I've seen or ridden, but they work fine.
BB: Shimano UN73 $5
Cranks: Bontrager Sport with 32 tooth FSA ring $21 (brand new)
Rear cog: 18tooth Shimano BMX $10
Pedals: ediscountbike platforms. No-name brand, good size, good grip, not incredibly heavy, $4
Skewers: I replaced the Shimano skewers that came with the wheelset with anti-theft locking skewers. I thought that would be a good idea since this is my "leave it locked up outside the store" bike and I live in the Bronx!
Grips: Generics $6 Love 'em. Not soft, not fat, but very grippy, just the way I like my grips to be.
Brakes: Avid 2.0's with SD3 levers $11
Chain tensioner: Modified bullet Bros derailleur tensioner + bolt, washers, and a derailleur pulley the LBS gave me for free.
Chain: I knew there was a reason I saved the chain from my old road bike! Still in perfectly good shape. Not stretched, and best of all... free.

Total cost, including shipping on all items, came to just under $160. Not too shabby. Feels solid, rides silently, and fits pretty darn well, all things considered. Doesn't look half bad either (which is unfortunate, since I was hoping it would be ugly enough that NOBODY would want to steal it!)

Eventually, I'll have to get better pics, but for now...


Oh yeah, this pic was taken with my handlebar mounted homemade light in place. Also works like a charm. Sure haven't used it much this year though. There's something to be said for having spare time. I don't.

[Old Proflexer]

i'm not a single speeder, nor a hardtailer but,

i like it -

i'm sure if you'd have had some of OP's 'dumpster diving' lessons,
you could have saved a few additional bucks.

well done,

OP

[Phillip]

Matno,
Have you ridden it yet? How much does it weigh? It sounds like you had a good time "piecing" it together.

Regarding digital cameras, you may recall me reccomending a Canon A70 to you a few months ago. With the new Canon A75 comming out in the next few weeks, stores are offering great sales on the A70.

I purchased two A70s in the past week from Circuit City. One for my daughter and the other a replacement of mine (original was stolen) . They were both display models. I got one for $149 and the other for $189 (different stores). List price is $299, sale price was $215. Being in NY, you can probably find a great deal as well. The major difference between the new A75 and the old A70 in the size of the LCD screen, the 75 is 1.8", the 70 is 1.5". These cameras work great, especially for the money. I've bought four of them in the past year and have no regrets.
Phillip

[Matno]

i'm not a single speeder, nor a hardtailer but, i like it - i'm sure if you'd have had some of OP's 'dumpster diving' lessons,
you could have saved a few additional bucks. well done,
OP

I've been tempted to go diving more than once. There's a bike shop about a 2-3 minute ride from my house with a dumpster right out next to the sidewalk. However, I've never managed to find the time to go diving. Guess I'm getting lazy (or more serious about school).

As for the hard-tail, single speed thing, there are a few reasons I did it.
One, it's the only way I could convince my wife to let me build a "new" bike (low budget and doesn't have to be stored in the living room with our other bikes).
Two, I wanted a lighter mountain bike. It is lighter, in spite of the heavy cheapo frame. (I'd guess it's about 23 pounds).
Three, all the reasons that single speeders give for doing it are accurate. It actually IS nice (sometimes) to not worry about shifting; the gearing gives you a serious workout (I figured it would on the uphill, but never realized how much work really fast spinning is); there is somewhat less maintenance hassle to worry about.
Four, the hardtail and platform pedals were intended to improve my riding skills. I'm not sure how, but I think it might actually be working. My feet still keep coming off the pedals at inopportune moments, but I'm getting better. Definitely good practice for picking smooth lines. Then again, with my Proflex, I PREFER bad lines...
Five, I like having a bike I can leave locked up outside the hospital all day without worrying about missing parts when I get off my shift.
Six, hey, I didn't have one and I wanted one. Need I say more? (Okay, AND I could sort of afford it. Remember, an elephant for a quarter is only a steal if you need an elephant and have a quarter!) Now I can see for myself what all the hype is about.

[Scott]

Nice work-building AND buying  I've always thought the Caloi was a higher end frame, maybe the weight was with a few of the stock components on it still?  I picked up a HRM Cateye 100 for $10  on eBay and can attest to how much of a workout keeping your cadence at 100 and above can be-light on the pedals does not mean "easy".