Best way to buy/build a cheapish single speed

guy.spartacus

Looking at buying/building a cheapish single speed/flip flop commuter

What’s the best way? Buy complete or build myself?

Any recommendations up to around £350-400?

Matthewfalle

buy/acquire the frame you want as cheap as poss.

buy/acquire/find the bars, stem, cranks, etc you want as cheap as poss.

if you want freewheel s/s, fit any wheelset and just space out the cog. if you want fixed/flip flop do the same but fixed/flip flop.

sub £200 is easy doors for this. £250 will get you the frameset and all finishing kit powdercoated to your colour choice.

Or look second hand - I got my mint Felt Despatch for £140. These things aren't that expensive new tbh.

guy.spartacus

Yeah - I’m keeping my eye on eBay etc

craigus89

If you want SS and not fixed then just buy any bike that you want, remove derailleurs, remove chain ring, shorten chain and replace cassette with a single cog with spacers at a cost of 10 quid.

cycleclinic

Buy s second hand one. I paid £225 for mine. A planet x holdsworth is good condition. It needed no work.

cycleclinic

Craigus89 wrote:

If you want SS and not fixed then just buy any bike that you want, remove derailleurs, remove chain ring, shorten chain and replace cassette with a single cog with spacers at a cost of 10 quid.

Chain wear will make the chain slack and then it skips. Not every bike can accept a magic gear. Chain tensioners can help but your better off starting with a single speed frame. Plenty about.