Surly cross check Single speed

So a while back last year I was looking for a thrash about cyclocross bike to dip my toes into the mud, I came across a cross check frame on this forum and snatched it up. It was in pretty shabby condition, had barely any decals on it (most had been painted over) and the head badge had been brutalised, but it was still a surly cross check and was strangely unused. It spent its early life built up with cheap components and stuff from the parts bin.
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/thegiantpeanut/DSCF0264.jpg
This was fairly fun but soon the stuff on it started to die and it became less and less used.

So, in search of an excuse to buy more shiny things I have decided to make it into a well specced sscx bike, used for long rides on road and occasionally cyclocross and offroad stuff. The idea being that one good bike that does two jobs is better than two crap bikes (current status) that do a job each.
So began the strip and I searched for a nicer stem and spacer setup.
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/thegiantpeanut/IMG_0476.jpg

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/thegiantpeanut/AFADE2E9-A609-4CD9-93C1-1CA5735C86FC-1261-0000022964E70C74.jpg

The plan is to build this up with decent components, so these are on their way:
http://images.productserve.com/preview/2698/104376513.jpg
This was fairly cheap on sale and I though it would look a bit pro
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRSAVMKcCPpoB2ln-xFRZ1ty6P0wq9M4H7U5aKq2kgqaWaURSsN
Getting this second hand for cheap and have a gxp bottom bracket (shimano should fit sram cranks?)

Other parts I have from the origional build, brakes, bars (not the ones pictured, they are shit, have some compact ones) and other fiddly bits, so mostly just drivetrain.

So the issue I have now is wheels, this is something I need help with. I am on a fairly tight budget and only really want to spend about £150 on wheels.** I need some tough single speed wheels with 130mm rear hubs that are light enough for road use but can take a beating and a soaking. **
Here are my option

• Get some cheap ones off ebay that would work and have worked for me before.
  
• Get the shop to build some (what hubs, rims would I need? Where can i get stuff like this for cheap?)
  
• Use ss conversion kit on road wheels, this may defeat the point of single speed, but would be cheap as I have lots of road wheels.
  
• Get some 120mm ones and make/buy some spacer, this could throw chainline off especially as I plan to use a road crankset with single ring and I am not fond of putting the ring on the inside, looks gash.
  
  

To help the skimmers, the questions are in bold. Hopefully this build doesn't fall apart and I hope to keep you updated.

• Use ss conversion kit on road wheels, this may defeat the point of single speed, but would be cheap as I have lots of road wheels.
  
  

This ^

How would it defeat the point?

It would enable you to tweak the cog position to match the single chain ring too

I would have thought the stiffness would be compromised and the wheel isn't as strong, but I suppose it's just like a big freewheel. Would be much cheaper too and that is a Great point on cog movement and switching for road/cyclocross. I can always get some proper as wheels later. Anyone recommend ss conversion kits? I know there are a lot out there.

I've used multi speed hubs and conversion kits on all my singlespeed builds now. I like being able to get a perfect chainline without any hassle. I wouldn't worry about wheel strength. Downhill mtb's with geared hubs don't explode whenever they hit a bump :-)

As you have the option on a Cross check, I'd have thought you would use a 135mm rear hub? Mtb hubs tend to have better seals on them.

I have a converted geared hub on the inbred, no problems.

As you have the option on a Cross check, I'd have thought you would use a 135mm rear hub? Mtb hubs tend to have better seals on them.

Right you would be, just what I want. But that requires getting (probably building) new wheels. Ss conversion kit I can use with wheels I have, seeing as this will mostly be used on the road, I think it's not too bad. Surly's gnott wright spacing or whatever is 132.5 so it can take road and MTB hubs due to bendy steel. Probabally gonna us the fulcrum 7's as pictured (with better tyres and a bit of air). I don't want to screw up the fulcrums bearings too bad, so something to consider.

I'd be quite happy to convert the Fulcrums. They're fairly tough wheels as I recall.

Am I right in thinking that they have a steel freehub? This is always a bonus when running a single cog, due to the possibility of the cog digging in.

Unless of course you use the wide based cogs.

Should be using a 16t (42t front) so shouldn't be too bad. My brother had issues with digging on pro lite hubs, fulcrum hubs are steel so should be fine.

Anyone recommend ss conversion kits? I know there are a lot out there.

Oh, and I like these ones.

http://www.velosolo.co.uk/anoss.html

You can run a nice wide based cog.

http://www.velosolo.co.uk/andelss.html

Or a cheaper thin one to test out different ratios.

http://www.velosolo.co.uk/dxcog.html

Charliethebikemonger does some good kits too.

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/spacer-kits-228-c.asp

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/thegiantpeanut/15D47DB0-941F-4908-B68C-99FCF1995F31-245-0000001A69F53F61-1.jpg

I got the whole bar stem combo up and running. Using the deore v's I had on before, they perform well but need some new pads. Still waiting for the single speed spacers and cog as well as the cranks, Then it should be there.

So I got the tyres and the ss conversion kit which is looking good. However I am getting serious tyre deformation, so much so it feels like riding a horse. Haven't had this issue before and have scoured the net, tubes in soapy water, talc all haven't worked. Tyres are gator skins and have been used a fair bit on previous bikes, used different rim tape and tubes but still nothing. Anyone had this and can help?

When i did my mtb conversion i used a Gusset 1er cog and Halo spacers for the deore hub. Worked well, got a decent chain line. Apparently some people get the cog biting into the hub over time, unless its a more solid variety. No probs with mine, so far.
Your Surly is looking good.

So I havn't been able to get the apex cranks... so am using some "borrowed" bontrager square taper ones. Other than that, she is finished.

Shit iphone photos alert
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/thegiantpeanut/AC336CA5-4B3F-47BE-9F31-0C383CE786EE-1650-0000026FEF1B9CF9.jpg

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/thegiantpeanut/2CB4BAF2-E12C-4005-928F-00BE8D415652-1650-0000026FDC6D6D9C.jpg

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/thegiantpeanut/7EF3FD7D-840A-45C2-A064-05166181FCF6-1650-0000026FE1341CC6.jpg

Will try and get some better photos when there is more light about, probabally when I get the cranks it deserves. Thanks for the help with the single speed kit, works really well and got my chain line nice and cosy.

Sorted out the tyre issues by pumping tyres to about 200psi. I nearly shat myself but all is good now. Taking this for its first proper ride tomorrow.

So I got the sram cranks, done about 300 miles on this bike as a single speed now, maybe more. Yesterday I did the south downs cx sportive, great fun and a good opportunity to get the bike into mud mode. Used some Schwalbe cx comp tyres for this because of some roady bits and could not have wanted more. Chody stem was on there too for a bit more of an upright position but keeping my bars as low as was comfy. Will assess the damage tomorrow as havn't had time to clean the bike yet, bearings could be in trouble. Sorry for the crap photo, the nokia had to do!

Note to self, saddlebags get very wet and muddy off road, the rain jacket that was tucked away in there was more wet than me when it started to drizzle!

Brilliant. I lived down there for a couple of years. Theres some great on and off road riding. I miss hills.

I live around Portsmouth, great road riding when you go a little inland. Still exploring some of the local offroad, been on a few rides with the clubs mountain bike group and amazing at how good trails are just around the corner!

How was that CX sportive ride? I thought about doing the route and never got round to riding it...but still have it on my Garmin

Great route, really enjoyed it. A few road bits but looking at the map those could be cut with some trails. There were some brutal climbs that I wished for gears but nothing too super technical. Give it a go!

How are the Vs under heavy front wheel braking? any judder?

V brake should not have any judder due to lack of cable going from top of headset to fork.

V brake should not have any judder due to lack of cable going from top of headset to fork.

Depends on the fork, pads etc.

My old CX commuter used to judder like mad sometimes. The fork was just too flexi, and the pads too grabby. Heavy toe in of the pads, and regular cleaning of the braking surface was essiential.

Thanks to both, at the moment have a Alan Cross (carbonio) with alloy fork and even with Mafacs the grab is disconcernting at times. One of the reasons to go to Surly CC hence the question.

Why not get a fork mounted hanger?

No issues from the V brakes, no judder. Get some squealing from the pads but I think thats crap pads (had to bodge some old road ones on before the ride). Toeing in pads and cleaning them is vital or brakes die on you after a wed/muddy ride.
Considered getting cantis with a fork mounted hanger which should work the best but have decided not to as the V's work fine!