You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
The downpour this morning made me really regret still having rim brakes on my commuter, so I'm looking out for a cheap light disc frameset to upgrade to.
The [url= https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/ZX301LONB/planet-x-london-road-frameset-and-fittings-bundle ]London Road[/url] is up at £299 which is a shame, as it would be spot on at the £150 they were knocking them out for a while back. PX do a [url= https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/ZX271XLAB/planet-x-xla-alloy-cyclocross-frame-and-carbon-fork-bundle ]XLA[/url] frameset too which looks pretty similar in a nicer colour, but is the same price as the London Road. Don't fancy the Kaffenbak as it's a bit porky.
Any other suggestions? I'll be putting flat bars on, not that it make much difference.
Cheers,
Pinnacle arkose framesets were on offer at Evans £250
Cotic road rat or escapade? Or an old disc MTB with 700 c wheels.
Cotic would be nice but I'm looking for cheapness! A lightweight rigid mtb would be fine - I'll maybe scour ebay for old Konas...
What size frame are you after? Kona dew's come up on eBay and are brilliant bikes.
Yeah I'd seen the Dews, they do seem to be quite cheap so assumed heavy? Will take a closer look, ta.
In exactly the same position I bought a Charge Plug disc frame off eBay (new) for £119. They still have some, only xs and small though now I think. Bargain! Only the frame though, but I also picked up some secondhand disc forks from a Planet X Kaffenback from here for £15. An old pair of 29er wheels and set of BB7s I had and all the bits off my truly knackered rim braked Dawes hybrid and it's brilliant!
There's a whole thread about the cheap eBay Plug frames somewhere, I still need to get a picture of mine up.
Edit: The frame is the lighter/better tubed Tange steel than the base level single speed Plug. Rides beautifully.
Extra edit: I run it with flat bars, guards and 32s now.
I love my Dew. Converted to drops it makes a brilliant and not at all slow road bike. You can't have it.
my salsa vaya in classifieds?
http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/fs-salsa-vaya-frameset-gravel-adventure-moster-cross-tourer
I have the previous version of the Plug (Filter) & would have another in a heartbeat for commuting if mine gave up the ghost - great frames- contemplating taking mine the flat-bar route after accidentally acquiring a couple of "proper" road bikes since I bought it 😀
Ribble are doing frames from £120.00
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/components/frames-forks/
Ah, sorry didn't realise it was disc only 😳
Boardman frames on eBay?
That £120 plug on ebay looks brilliant, as do the builds in the STW thread. Might hit buy this afternoon, it's hard to resist!
I'll sell you my 2012 Saracen Urban Studio 74 frameset for less than any of the above options!
[url= https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRPXFM/planet-x-the-full-monty-alloy-gravel-frame ]Full Monty[/url]
£199
Flat bars and disc brakes eh? My Tripster ACE what I am selling might be of interest :
[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/fs-kinesis-tripster-ace ]http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/fs-kinesis-tripster-ace[/url]
SaxonRider ought to buy that Vaya and chop the CX bike in.
How light a flatbar commuter bike are you wanting to build?
For bang for the buck, I think it is hard to look past buying a complete Voodoo Marasa for £320 before Topcashback or British Cycling membership discount.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/voodoo-marasa-hybrid-bike
Comes weighing in at ~12Kg, replace the default tyres; tubes; pedals and it is down to close to ~11Kg.
If it's like the Wazoo, replace the default stem; bars; fork for mostly carbon alternatives and that's another ~1.2Kg lost.
Again, going on the Wazoo's default ~700g combined weight of seatpost and saddle, there's more weight to lose there.
Current bike is an old Cannondale M900 (maybe M800?) and is pretty light - was top of the range in 1996. I'd like it to be at least as light as that, but not actually weighed it. I have a fair few bits and pieces lying around, so a frame-only will almost certainly be the cheapest way to go as there's not many parts I'd need to buy - just the brakes really, which will probably be cheapo Deore.
Plug frame is still looking like the best option right now but thanks for the other options and suggestions!
Cheers,
Buggered if I can get flickr to embed the image from my phone but here's a link to the Charge as it stands:
Really do love it, gets more miles than my other bikes put together. Rack on the front is used for Deliveroo as I got fed up with the giant backpack.
It's not the lightest (cheap 2kg Superstar wheels) but is strong and functional. Tiagra cranks, 1x9 XT, BB7s, cheap finishing kit etc
Plug frame ordered! Also some Chinese carbon forks, which I guess I may regret but couldn't find anything else carbon and reputable on sale at the moment. [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322679044932 ]Only £30[/url] so will do for setting up, and will look out for something better. Embarrassingly I've realised I've enough spare parts and retired bikes to complete the build without buying anything else, so all in all a pretty cheap upgrade.