First build

So tried the brakes for size today and wouldn't you know it the cantilever brazeons are in the way :-((

Looks very likely that these will have to go :-))

Also picked up some DUO Brand Resilite pedals (in clear) which caught my eye in a local BMX shop:

http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h352/gazzajohnston/bike/52557C0B-94FC-45DF-B06A-7C09C26D6B20.png

Parts catalogue for this build is nearly complete with only a few more things to go. At this rate my mountain bike is only going to lose its saddle (which is a Selle Italia I've had for a long time).

You could just use cantis, i've never had any problems with them. just need to play around to get them working well.

you could take the bosses off, get yourself a hack saw, bastard file, some spare time and a few beers. its pretty easy :)

This:

You could just use cantis, i've never had any problems with them. just need to play around to get them working well.

But not this:

you could take the bosses off, get yourself a hack saw, bastard file, some spare time and a few beers. its pretty easy :)

^ haha! personally its not something that i would undertake, just putting it out there ;)

Yeah, I know. :)

OP seems determined to hack something of though... :(

OP seems determined to hack something of though... :(

if it ain't broke!

qwerty69 i have two sets of shimano cx70 brakes, one set boxed the other has been used but has kool stops. If you fancy a canti adventure let me know would be happy to give you a good price for either. really good brakes IMO and very very easy to set up.

I'm definitely not keen to hack anything off. Issue I have is I didn't think cantis would fit if I changed to 700c wheels.

Also not too concerned if I don't use the brakes I bought as I can keep them in my parts bin (maybe use them if I build another).

I'd be more than happy if I can get cantilever brakes that'll fit with the braze ons and the wheels I have.

well try some cantis, they have adjustable drop just like callipers. the cx70 look like they have a good 15mm to play with. my paul ones on the other hand only have 10mm (ish)

if it ain't broke!

qwerty69 i have two sets of shimano cx70 brakes, one set boxed the other has been used but has kool stops. If you fancy a canti adventure let me know would be happy to give you a good price for either. really good brakes IMO and very very easy to set up.

Give me an idea how much you'd be looking for. I may be interested.

u got PM

Was thinking cx50s might work. Anyone got any other suggestions for cantilever brakes I could look at?

Also this is likely to end up a single speed as oppose to a fixie (as I'd be quite apprehensive of riding fixed gear). Can anyone suggest a freewheel; I'm thinking Shimano dx or acs crossfire, any other recommendations?

Just been in touch with the person I bought the frame from. They still have the original cantilever brakes. Hopefully these are in good condition and will solve my braking problem.

Anyhow more updates to follow.

More parts arrived today.

Velosolo risers, stem and some Oury grips:

http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h352/gazzajohnston/bike/0F6C56BB-3D29-496B-8D34-9B9E0411012E.png
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h352/gazzajohnston/bike/B4D86E5D-F808-499E-BB38-6D41E0198647.jpg
http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h352/gazzajohnston/bike/7273E60F-CF68-4D97-A695-3ACAE0F77120.jpg

Also nearly forgot my Shimano freewheel also arrived:

http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h352/gazzajohnston/bike/9AAE8DF9-5A11-48E0-A278-BBD6EEAC1491.jpg

Opted to take the frame to my LBS (if you class 30 mile round trip as local) to have them remove the bottom bracket and check the alignment of rear drop outs.

Hopefully have it back by the time I get back from London next week. Should also have the original brakes by then and once I've confirmed everything fits I can then finalise the colour and get the frame and forks powder coated.

Thinking this thread may turn out to be more of a diary of the build. :-))

Can anyone explain Cup and cone bottom brackets to me?

My frame has been in a LBS to have the bottom bracket removed and the frame checked to see that the threads are good to receive another new BB.

Spoke to them today to hear that the existing BB was out but because it was cup and cone they were unable to replace to check the threads.

I'm going to pop in tomorrow to see what's what but any advice / thoughts would be appreciated.

I built my first bike this time last year, a 10 speed Dawes. I remember asking all the questions you have posted as there seemed to be a problem at every bolt.

I picked up a 700c aluminium fork from a 90s Giant road bike for £5 from the community LBS and slipped out the old canti 27" forks. Sprayed it black with £3 rattle can but the steerer was too long. A reciprocating saw and a thread chaser thingy worked well in cutting it down, a hacksaw would do fine but I wanted the excuse to use power tools. Later on I sold the frame set; as I had the matching forks unmolested it went for more than I paid for it originally.

(I got the itch after my first build. Only cure was more projects, more builds and more problems. I have been scouring eBay, learning the trade and meeting great folk since. I adopted the n+1 way of life, every room has a bike in it. Now have about 15 bikes in bits and pieces, constantly looking for the perfect build and enjoying every find.)

Can anyone explain Cup and cone bottom brackets to me?

My frame has been in a LBS to have the bottom bracket removed and the frame checked to see that the threads are good to receive another new BB.

its just an old style of BB, they have lock rings and often require peg spanners. Seeing as you are converting it to single speed, i would have thought you will probably need to get a different BB anyway to keep the chain line good.

any 68mm BB will fit just fine, just make sure it is compatible with the crankset you want.

...Spoke to them today to hear that the existing BB was out but because it was cup and cone they were unable to replace to check the threads...
I assume something was lost in translation, because that makes no sense.

You want the BB shell "chased and faced": the threads are "chased" to ensure they are clean and free; the outside of the shell is "faced" so that the surfaces are flat and parallel to each other.

All of this ensures that that the actual BB is easy to fit and functions properly.

I don't understand why they would want refit the current BB nor why they can't do so.

Hi, been off line for a while due to working overseas.

Making progress but it's slow as I'm never at home.

Reference the issue fitting another BB this was because one of the frame tubes was protruding inside the space where the BB goes and making it impossible to fit a new sealed bottom bracket as it was fowling on this piece of metal and wouldn't fit.

I had some time last week and have used my trusty Dremel to grind down the offending piece of metal so I should be ready to get the frame coated.

Still have a few bits and bobs to buy, a new sealed bottom bracket for one, and am thinking of doing a dry run of the build to make sure everything fits as expected before it goes off to the powder coaters.

Any advise on the type of Bottom Bracket I should go for? The existing one is stamped 126mm and I'm aiming to use a Miche crank I have; does this mean I need to buy a Miche Bottom bracket (in a similar size/length) or are there other options?

what crankset is it?

126mm is really wide, (probably used for triple crankset?) If this is going to be single speed you need something more like 110mm.

you dont need to use a Miche bb for Miche crank, you just need to make sure that the axle is the right kind - JIS/ISO

Shimano UN55: stupid cheap, bulletproof and available in practically every size known to man.

Had been originally thinking about the shimano but then started reading about jis/iso cranks and got confused as I don't know what the Miche cranks I have are.

My understanding is that it really doesn't matter it's just that the chain line will be moved by 3-4mm which won't make any odds as I'll just make sure to line everything up from the back end and pop in some spacers to keep everything right.

I've opted for a 110mm Shimano UN55 which should hopefully be there by the time I get back at the end of the week.

Quick dry build to check everything fits then its off to the painters.

I'm thinking orange frame (quite light) and either black or grey forks.

Any other suggestions for colour combinations?

Frame and forks went off for powder coat today. Took ages to decide on the final colour but in the end went for:

RAL 2004 Orange for the frame
RAL Black (can't remember number) for the forks

Both with added sparkles.

As I say I toyed with loads of other colours including turquoise, light blue and yellow but in the end I went with Orange as that's what I'd been thinking of in the first place.

Should be back in 7-10 days.

Can't wait :-))