You are reading a single comment by @conquistador and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
@conquistador
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.)