Building a singlespeed commuter!

OllyUK

I'm planning on building up a singlespeed bike for commuting at uni this winter but don't know much about the componentry in this area.

I can get hold of a steel frame (and fork) with horizontal drop outs (130mm)
I already have seatpost/handlebars etc just from old spares.

However I'm not sure which wheels/ crankset to go for.

Should I just buy some normal 700c wheels and use spacers in place of the cassette? Or would using a specialised hub be easier? What sort of crankset/bb would people reccomend? (I dont wan't to spend over £70 on the cranks/bb)

What gear ratio is a good starting one, I don't need the low ratio you would need on a ss mtb but still want to be able to get up the hills? 3:1? 42:16ish?

wgwarburton

Hi,
It's down to budget and expertise. If you know what you're doing you can find bits on eBay and cobble together a serviceable winter hack for well under fifty quid. If you want a nice bike, new parts etc and/or you don't know what will work and what won't then it's going to cost a bit more.
The crankset isn't critical, as long as you can get a BB axle the right length and chainring(s) in the size(s) you need. You can choose the freewheel to get the gear you want, so the size isn't that important either- somewhere from 42 to 48 is likely and can be made to work.

A wheel designed for a cassette is weaker than a SS one, because it needs to be dished. Better to get one with a threaded body, either a dedicated SS/fixed one or a redished wheel from the days before freehubs. Budget and expertise, again...

I'd advise a lowish gear, but that's a personal thing. 42x16 (~70") should work, though I'd probably go lower. 48x19, 46x18 and 44x17 are roughly the same, for reference.
I started on 38x16 (64") and went to 42x16 when I got fitter (and that's on a fixie: with a SS you can freewheel). I'm still running the equivalent (52x22) on my winter hack... Others prefer to push harder on slower turning cranks...

Cheers,
W.

mtbhenry888

I have just biult up a new single speed, here are the photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31409255@N ... otostream/

it cost me £120 all in, original bike came from ebay then i bought, bar tape, levers, bottle cage, tyres and freewheel from ribble cycles (excellent place)

i would definately look on ebay for a frame but i'm not sure if you can get 130mm frames with track dropouts?

The frame i have has 130mm rear axle but has a screw on cassette hub so fits BMX freewheels which works great however it will also fit modern road wheels

I have another bike with spacers on the cassette hub and this works great so long as they are properly secured.

Hope this helps

Henry