Building a HT commuter - Advice to a novice please??

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Building a HT commuter - Advice to a novice please??

20 posts & 14 voices | Started 2 years ago by Xan | Latest reply from bunnerscj

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Xan - Member

Got a load of old bit lying about and was wondering if they would suit a self build commuter. Want to keep this as cheap as possible, so was thinking of using old bits I've got lying about. Am I just wasting my time with the below. Will all be road miles, maybe a bit of canal path trails. What I have

Suntour SR 100mm fork
Deore Crank (triple ring)
SLX rear mech
Deore Front mech
9spd Deore shifters
Alexis Rim/Specialized stout wheels
Mechanical disk brakes (off an old Apollo)
Old set of flats.

Still need a

Frame
Bars/riser (cheap second hand ones will do)
New chain and Cassette (cheap LX one probably, it's only going to get rusty from road salt)
Seat and post
New BB.

So will the above work together OK for a commuter and what cheap/second hand frame would you recommend. Was thinking I could even go for rigid forks? also is there anything I am missing?

Posted 2 years ago #
TooTall - Member

er, slick tyres? Lock? Lights? Commute bag?

Posted 2 years ago #
cynic-al - Member

Don't see why not, would recommend a narrower ratio cassette, rigid forks fine, mudguards a must IMO.

Posted 2 years ago #
jackthedog - Member

Hi vis jacket, waterproof socks

Posted 2 years ago #
Xan - Member

er, slick tyres? Lock? Lights? Commute bag?

Doh knew I forgot something. Slicks are a definate. Lock and lights I've already got (although my DX might be a bit over kill for a commuter). Not sure about a commute bag. Was thikning of driving a few days a week and leaving a few shirts/suits. My commute will be 32 miles each way so not planning on doing every day. Maybe bike there and train back a day or two a week to start with, and build it up from there.

EDIT - As for clothes, I realise I'll probably need a whole new wardrope from my standard trail centre stuff. Assuming all reflective gear, Hi Viz jaket ect.

Posted 2 years ago #
mk1fan - Member

Personally I think the DX light is great for commuting through traffic. Stands out against all the lights on (un-needed) 'fully dipped' settings.

I turn my DX light on whilst filtering through stationary / slow moving traffic.

Posted 2 years ago #
mieszko - Member

I would sell the fork and get a rigid one. Suntour usually are crappy and will sooner or later stop working while still weighting a ton. Rigid fork is the way imo. If You intend to cycle in all weather than either good mudguards or full guards as putting a Crud on the back will still allow water to get on Your legs/feet and all the dirt from road onto the chain/front mech.

Bar ends would be good for a longer commute. I use my DX light for commute and is great but a set of normal LED lights that last ages on AA batteries on front would be good as You would probably have to charge the DX every day.
Disc brakes are fine, but will You be able to get spare pads for them?

I would count in some good clothes and waterproofs for the commute as You can have nice bike but if You'll be wet and cold it will still make the commute crap. If I would have a 64 mile commute I wouldn't want to have a backpack for that long so maybe get some panniers or a saddlebag for essential kit. Plus a nice, big lock that will stay at work so that You won't have to carry it with You.

Posted 2 years ago #
joemarshall - Member

For that kind of distance, if I was skint, I'd buy an old 10 speed racer for about £50. Reliable, low maintenance, drop bars (much better for riding in traffic & long distance comfort), typically come with 28mm or so tyres, which are fine if you want a bit of mild off road, towpaths etc. and best of all the old 5 speed rear casettes and chains last for tens of thousands of miles. If you can pick up one that is new enough to be 700c, then there is most choice of tyres, but they are going to cost slightly more - most bike shops will do old 27x1 1/4" tyres still (chain reaction sell a few too). Cheaper to buy a 2nd hand bike than a new frame & tyres.

Joe

Posted 2 years ago #
tthew - Member

64 miles total mileage!!?? That's going to take about 4 hours, with your 8 hour day(?) in between. I'd be looking for a road bike for that sort of trip, even it it is only occasional.

(actually, TBH, I think it's unlikey I'd bother at all, but props to you if you do)

Posted 2 years ago #
ourmaninthenorth - Member

Definitely ditch the Suntour fork in favour of a rigid one. If you're riding only on tarmac and canal paths, then a rigid fork is the perfect tool for the job.

Second the full mudguards point. You can get full guards for 26" wheels, so have a look at those. If the frame you pick up doesn't have mudguard eyes, you can use P-clips to attach the guard stays to the frame.

For a frame, post a wanted ad up here. There's always someone who's got a cheap HT frame to move on. You could get a bargain. Otherwise, look at the Merlin Malt 1.

If you really want to keep the crap off you, fit a chainguard over the chain ahnd front rings. If it's a low spec commuter, you probably won't clean it much, so you might as well keep the filth away from you.

Tyres - have a look at the Continental Sport Contacts. Puncture proof, and come in a decent size (1.3"), which is actually pretty good for commuting. They are a sod to get on and off, though.

Lights. Sounds like you have the suggesitons for the front covered. For the back, I use a Cateye LD1100 aka "the holy handgrenade". It's pretty bright, though be aware that it doesn't have a reflector, so needs one to be legal.

Bag - I prefer panniers for commuting (avoinds the sweaty back), so maybe a cheap pannier rack (if your frame will take one) and a cheap pannier (though I use my expensive Ortliebs).

Posted 2 years ago #
poppa - Member

There are some fairly decent quality Continental slicks on offer at the On-One site for £10 each at the mo if you are interested.

Posted 2 years ago #
DT78 - Member

I am in the process of doing this myself. It is actually surprising how quickly all the little bits and pieces add up. Really it would have only been a little bit more money to buy a new commuter via the c2w scheme for me - however I like the idea of resurrecting my old GT frame.

For rigid forks I went for Orange F8's for £55, I was looking to buy second hand but the prices people wanted (probably due to costly postage) were only a few quid less.

Also got Cont sport contact from on one and can concur they a pita to fit

Went for locking skewers for extra peace of mind

I'm setting it up 1x9 40t 11/34 as I really don't need a full spread of gears.

You'll also need a headset - I went for an FSA orbit

Posted 2 years ago #
Xan - Member

As I said not sure I would would cycle both ways. As you said 64 miles in one day is a lot. I think the 32 miles would take me about 2 hours (maybe less), as the road is pretty much flat and if I use the canal paths I wont have any problems with traffic. Going to try it one day when I'm not working andf see what it is like before I go commiting myself to anything.

Posted 2 years ago #
Xan - Member

So been thinking on this a bit more. The Orange F8's look a good choice at £55. I'm thinking of a new short cage mech and running 1x9 with a 36t on the front and 11 to 34 on the rear. Will this work OK?

I'm watching a 20" kona frame on flee bay and will be keeping my eye on the classifieds. Also looks like I might have been able to get my hands on an old seat post and maybe a set of bars and a riser for cheap/free.

I could be building this quicker than I first thought. The excitement of my first build is getting too much haha

Posted 2 years ago #
giantjason - Member

i might be changing my commuter and would have a kona unit frame and kona p2 rigid forks for sale.

let me know if your interested.

Posted 2 years ago #
Xan - Member

Can you email me across some detail I.e price, size, condition and pics please. Paulxan (@) hotmail.co.uk remove the bracket and spaces at th at

Posted 2 years ago #
bunnerscj - Member

Got a specialized hardrock disc which I can split, has 26,36,48 tooth Shimano LX Hollowtech 2 cranks so ideal for commuting, also Bontrager switchblade alu rigid forks here :
http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m4b195s125p3167&rs=gb

and the rest of the bike, bars stem, cable disc brakes, seat, post, sealed FSA headset,flat pedals dcecent set of Hope XC hubed wheels on Mavic XM321 rims black spokes etc etc

Posted 2 years ago #
Xan - Member

As above, do you have sixe, pics, price that you can email me?

I wouls be interested in frame, crank, headset, bars and stem.

Sorry are you saying you have forks as well, or were you recomending these ones? If you have them I would also be interested in getting a price for them. Can you please give me a price for the complete part and what the individual price is for each part?

Wont be starting using this till the spring so not in a huge rush at the moment tbh. Was hoping just to build bits up over the next few months and take my time with it.

Posted 2 years ago #
faint - Member

keep the weight to a minimum, I use 1x9 carry 2 tubes, levers, powerlinks in saddle pack, 1 bottle and pump then it's just phone and money/debit card . I tried slicks but seemed to get to many punctures, have now settled on the basic schwalbe marathon (not as heavy as the puncture proof and they fit my rims). I don't mind getting punctures but I hate tyres that won't come off the rim when your fingers are freezing. Don't forget a banana or chewy bar in case you run out of energy and flyweight jacket comes in handy)
I try and do my 24 mile e/w 2/3 times a week (weather dependent). It's always handy to know if there's someone you can phone if you need to bail otherwise a bit of cash and a debit card will get you most places.
Good Luck and I would suggest being as visible as possible.

Posted 2 years ago #
bunnerscj - Member

Xan,
I have the complete bike fitted with those forks, it is going to be split so the complete bike is available of just bits, pics tomorrow.
Its all got to go, either as a complete bike or bits.
Frame, forks, cranks, stem, headset bars - £130 posted, complete bike inc £100 wheels for £200

Posted 2 years ago #

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