Building a road bike...

[Zagek]

Hi,

I've got a Raleigh Airlite 200 frame (2006 model) sitting in my garage and it has done so since it was given to me (vandals demolished just about everything but the frame).

Now, I really want to get it back in the light and be able to say that I built it, although I've no experience building a bike from frame up and I just don't know what parts to buy (e.g. what is good and what isn't for my budget).

I'm thinking about making it a fixed wheel as it seems easier.

Can anyone give me any good advice or websites about such a thing?

Thanks for your help!

 

[TheDoctor]

Hi there,

First off, looking at the frame, it has vertical drop outs. That means you can't slide the back wheel backwards and forwards to get the chain tight, so making a fixie is out. A single speed would be doable, using a tensioner to get the chain tight.

I'm assumming that all you have is the frame, yes?

To make a S/S, you'll need

A pair of wheels, tyres and tubes
A single chainset
s/s conversion kit - that's essentially a cog and a whole load of spacers
A chain
Brakes, brake levers and cables
Seat post and saddle
Bar, bar tape or grips and stem
Pedals.

And I'd go cheap or second-hand. Even cheap kit is pretty good these days.

I thinks that's everything. If you price that lot up on Wiggle, Ribble, Chain Reaction (other bike shops are available ) then that will give you an idea of the cost. Bear in mind that you can buy a new Airlite 200 for under £300, so don't think of spending anywhere near that (unless you want to!)

Caveat - This frame was given to you after it was vandalised. Are you certain it's the right size? If it isn't, there's absolutely no point starting.

 

[Zagek]

hey mate,

thank you for everything! Just the list I needed and I was lucky enough to of tested it while it was in working condition, that's why I ended up with this frame and he ended up with a new bike

 

[TheDoctor]

Forgot - a chain tensioner! Specially daft since I'd mentioned it only a paragraph earlier.