(Cheap) frame for single speed build.

snollup

I've been banging on about getting a single speed for a while now so finally decided to build one myself! Will be second bike as recently bought second has CB Chinok for daily commute.

I'm having a bit of trouble finding a suitable secondhand frame for ss build? Anyone point me in the right direction? I based in Dublin btw.

Thanks.

digitalage

Get in touch with these guys based in London http://www.tourdevillelondon.blogspot.com/ they have some frames for sale at the moment, going cheap http://www.londonfgss.com/thread9725.html I like the Venturelli white / red...keep your eye on that form plenty of good bargains to be had.

stuf

keep your eye on ebay - my frame cost £40 + £35 for delivery - you'd be hard pushed to get anything much cheaper. Remember that you're not the first to have the idea of building a cheap single speed so the demand for decent frames is quite high at the moment.

stuf

this might fit your requirements but now that it's posted here then you might have some competition:

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Viscount-tulsa-GL-frame-23-inches-fixed-singlespeed_W0QQitemZ250285566614QQihZ015QQcategoryZ22679QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

snollup

stuf wrote: »

this might fit your requirements but now that it's posted here then you might have some competition:

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Viscount-tulsa-GL-frame-23-inches-fixed-singlespeed_W0QQitemZ250285566614QQihZ015QQcategoryZ22679QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cheers stuf, have kicked the bidding off at 10 quid. Any idea what these generally end up selling for on ebay?

blorg

Might want to get in touch with the seller about the postage, note it is only free if you collect in person and he is in London. To find previous prices, use the eBay advanced search with "completed listings only" option.

penexpers

Looks like it has vertical dropouts too? Not ideal for single speed, but not a deal break either.

stuf

blorg wrote: »

Might want to get in touch with the seller about the postage, note it is only free if you collect in person and he is in London. To find previous prices, use the eBay advanced search with "completed listings only" option.

Well spotted there blorg - I just looked and it said collection in Ireland but the guy seems to have set it up wrong.

snollup - you might want to withdraw the bid because it's been misadvertised

penexpers - the dropouts are as horizontal as dropouts get on any racing frame that's not a track frame and perfect for fixie/single speed

Kinetic^

A single speed bike has intrigued me for a while now and I'll probably take the plunge soon enough. I found these 4 frames on ebay, all suitable I presume?

http://cgi.ebay.ie/53-cm-Mercier-531-frame_W0QQitemZ200248519084QQihZ010QQcategoryZ56197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

http://cgi.ebay.ie/1960s-70s-BIRD-OF-COLINDALE-24-frame-531-Campagnolo_W0QQitemZ320290419516QQihZ011QQcategoryZ56197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Colnago-Spiral-Conic-SLX-Road-Frame-58cm-23-c1991_W0QQitemZ120297970465QQihZ002QQcategoryZ22679QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.ie/HOLDSWORTH-TEAM-PROFESSIONAL-22in-FRAME-c1968-9_W0QQitemZ370080920906QQihZ024QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Gavin

yup, all have horizontal dropouts for easy conversion

Kinetic^

Cools, going to keep an eye out for some, will be a while though. Sorry for hijack btw, hopefully those links helped though.

stuf

keep an eye on the auctions and restrict your bidding until the last 10 minutes or so - you might catch someone out.

those frames certainly won't be cheap - can't believe the mercier is only at £8 with a day to go but I would imagine it'll shoot up tomorrow

Also make sure you know things like dropout size, state of bottom bracket and headset and whether it comes with a stem etc. These are all expenses you'll have to incur later.

British or Italian thread on the bottom bracket is ok - anything else is a problem - I almost bought a frame with french threads and you are then facing a lottery of trying to find a bb. There are threadless bb's available but they're reputed to be pretty crap on the fixie/ss boards - in cases like that though it could just be snobbery.

Would encourage you to go fixed when you do - I'm only 3 riding days into the fixed experience and I have a big silly grin on my face after every ride- haven't reached nirvana yet but it's still fantastic. Saying that I still have a flip-flop hub incase I need it - don't have a freewheel yet though so I wouldn't be tempted to wuss out