Am I wasting my time

So I've started collecting the bits to get a beater / polo bike together.
I'm wondering if this frame is a waste of time as it turns out to be an 'all terrain' bike rather than a racer.
The dropout size is 140mm which I thought I'd do a home coldset on, but I don't think i have the right tools to get the cranks off as after removing the bolt, there's a screw there and my tool is for cobbled.
Then the brakes are some kind of center pull business with a cable going through the stem. Will I be able to replace these?
I'm basically having to do this on the cheap as my funds are required elsewhere, but I'm keen to get in to polo.

Is this frame a non-starter?

It's a Raleigh Montage and it was free.

Should be fine - try asking in the polo sub forum. You may need to be a member but I think you just ask.

I am selling my Polo bike - 55cm Claude Butler conversion with a custom paint job. its a proper beater that is out on loan but it's cheap if you need something to get you started.

but that will make a good polo bike - worst case you can build it, try it then if it doesn't work strip it and add the parts to a new frame that does work

thats a perfect beater polo bike, some kind of centrepull business? thats cantilever brakes donut. the cable doesnt have to go through the stem. getting the cranks off jsut needs a normal crank puller,

I had a Raleigh Montage!

It cost £275 about 18 years ago, came with Suntour components and despite me really liking it, was shit.

I am selling my Polo bike - 55cm Claude Butler conversion with a custom paint job. its a proper beater that is out on loan but it's cheap if you need something to get you started.

but that will make a good polo bike - worst case you can build it, try it then if it doesn't work strip it and add the parts to a new frame that does work

Cheers Greasy, I'd be spending more time on the Guardian Soulmates forum if I were to buy another bike. Thanks anyway.

I'll persevere then and like you say, add to another frame if no good.
Just out of interest, how much for your beater?

thats a perfect beater polo bike, some kind of centrepull business? thats cantilever brakes donut. the cable doesnt have to go through the stem. getting the cranks off jsut needs a normal crank puller,

Aren't they old skool cantis tho?

Clearly I don't know what I"m doing or what I'm talking about however.
Will go on the hunt for a normal crank puller.

I kinda like it for a beater.

Cheers for your input matey.

Ultimately I think we're all wasting our time... Aren't we?

Yes.

Christs, that's profound.
I think I may be addicted though.

That's fine for a beater.

In my experience its all the 'bits' that add the cost (you've got most of them - bars, stem, etc.)

RE coldsetting - depending how well you want it done, its either ridiculously easy or not that hard.

I just did it with a long piece of wood - not hard... but that was only for a few mm's - with 140mm it maybe better/easier just to go down to 135mm and then use a suitible hub.

;]
Frame looks fine for polo...

that will make a DOPE polo bike, looks like the forks are drilled for calliper brakes as well..

take drive side off, remove outer and inner rings, put cheap flip flop on back

700s should fit fine too

RE coldsetting, stand on it!

^^ +1

Also with those brakes - everyone seems to say if you set up canti's they're fine.... and remember to get some new pads - you'll be amazed the difference it makes.

lots of poloers moving to cantis cos they're better!

I miss the V brakes on my hybrid...

...good brakes = faster

Ha, cheers guys, I do have a certain fondness for it.
I'll stick with the cantis then. Smooth.

Had thought of getting a 130mm skewer and squashing it down 5mm on each side, very roughly, with a plank and or my weight.

The chainrings are fooked though, they're nowhere near round and the BB rattles from side to side, so I'm guess I need to replace. Also since I've bought a cheap 16t sprocket I'll need about a 26t for polo. Would like a flipflop hub but it all depends what comes out of the bargain bucket on the forum.
Encouraging words though, thanks guys. You're beautiful.

post in the bike polo section and we'll help you get on court

Moved to Polo. Cheers Max and others.
Really appreciate all the help.

mtb frames are the way to go for polo, mine is so solid and stable (without being too boaty) I love it.

From memory the chainrings that this bike came with were oval, so would need binning no matter what the wear was like.

mtb frames are the way to go for polo, mine is so solid and stable (without being too boaty) I love it.

I think this is pre MTB's so it's somewhere between the two, which I hopefully will be ideal.

I love it when a plan comes together.

It was sold as a Mountain Bike- I probably still have the catalogue at home.

Ha, you're right, they are oval and in the bin.

Feel like a proper amateur knowing that I got a MTB instead of a racer.