Your latest bike project?

[hozn]

Have been meaning to start this thread for awhile.

I am working on a 24″ MTB project for my son.

Starting with a Kona Hula frame that was given by a friend.

Project goals:
– convert to disc brakes
– drop ~10lbs (original bike just under 30lbs, goal 20lbs)
– as much as possible do the build with my son — the recipient of this bike (including the wheels; he’s good at helping lace).

Original frame, stripped down:

This A2Z adapter looks promising. I might modify it and drill into frame dropout if I am not able to easily solve the unit rotating when braking while rolling backwards (I know this will be an issue otherwise):

Committed:

Topic

[ShawnoftheDread]

@dkel 158899 wrote:

Yeah, it’s twice as expensive, even after shipping on that Holdsworth from the UK. Also, “drink more water yellow” is not my fave color (but I really liked last year’s “monkey butt red”).

Oh right, you don’t want to look for a used frame.

[dkel]

@ShawnoftheDread 158903 wrote:

Oh right, you don’t want to look for a used frame.

Yep. I’m so lazy I’m not even gonna think of something snarky to say in response. :p

[hozn]

@dkel 158899 wrote:

Yeah, it’s twice as expensive, even after shipping on that Holdsworth from the UK. Also, “drink more water yellow” is not my fave color (but I really liked last year’s “monkey butt red”).

Looks like someone is selling a (black) 54cm Steam Roller complete bike on DC Used for $280 …

Sent from my LEX727 using Tapatalk

[dkel]

@hozn 158905 wrote:

Looks like someone is selling a (black) 54cm Steam Roller complete bike on DC Used for $280 …

So, I went ahead and scoured DC Used and didn’t find anything that quite suited me. I guess I’m picky. Anyway, I did go ahead and order that cheap Holdsworth frame and a headset and freewheel; I think everything else can come from the Schwinn build or the parts bin.

It should be fun to tinker with, and I should end up with a SS/FG bike that I can use to ride around my neighborhood (to pancakes and such) until I’m ready to really challenge my knees again. I’m still interested in trying out a wheel build with that kick-shift two-speed hub, just for…kicks. :rolleyes:

[hozn]

@dkel 158912 wrote:

I’m still interested in trying out a wheel build with that kick-shift two-speed hub, just for…kicks. :rolleyes:

Yes, do it! Lemme know if you need to borrow any wheel-building tools.

Sent from my LEX727 using Tapatalk

[dkel]

@hozn 158913 wrote:

Yes, do it! Lemme know if you need to borrow any wheel-building tools.

I will! That will be a project for later in the summer, I think. For now, though, how did you build your DIY headset press? I have now had three occasions to have the LBS do that job for me, and I think it’s time for me to get it done myself.

[hozn]

@dkel 158915 wrote:

I will! That will be a project for later in the summer, I think. For now, though, how did you build your DIY headset press? I have now had three occasions to have the LBS do that job for me, and I think it’s time for me to get it done myself.

Actually a friend built it for me (he made a few at he same time). It is just a threaded rod (I think you can buy at e.g. Home Depot?) with a couple of blocks of wood and washers + nuts to tighten it down. Check eBay too for the “MTB Tools” products. I recently did buy a set of the machined cups for tapered headsets since my blocks of wood weren’t quite cutting it. I just used those last night for the first time and they worked great.

E.g. here is a set of headset tools: http://www.ebay.com/itm/260475781192

[dkel]

I have a threaded axle from an old bike wheel that I tried at one point, but the thing really isn’t long enough, and anyway the washers I had on the ends started to deform before the headset was fully pressed in. I may go to the hardware store tomorrow afternoon and see if I can get a threaded rod of the proper length and a couple of blocks of hard wood. The frame is coming from the UK, so I have lots of time.

Aren’t bike builds great?!

[hozn]

And the build is done. I’ll break it in tomorrow.

[vvill]

Nice wheels!

[Vicegrip]

That is a right purty bike. Clean, unfussy with purpose built lines.

We need to find you a white garage door.

[dkel]

Last night I dreamt I was pressing in headsets.

[hozn]

@vvill 159040 wrote:

Nice wheels!

Thanks, viill! — Indeed they are nice wheels! Thanks for helping make this build possible. I will admit that I miss my loud hubs, though! . I’m sure I’ll end up with another Hope Pro (4?) wheelset, but even those aren’t as loud as my Pro 2 Evos.

I have a backorder for a set of the Gousseau Jante-RTD that’ll probably be my primary wheels when they ship (next month?). I think the Novatec hubs are loud enough.

[TwoWheelsDC]

Any concerns about repeated disassembly/packing/re-assembly and the hydros?

[hozn]

@TwoWheelsDC 159084 wrote:

Any concerns about repeated disassembly/packing/re-assembly and the hydros?

No, no concerns. The “cable stops” are all zip-tie stops, so taking the hoses (and RD cable) off is very quick. I don’t plan to disconnect hoses from calipers or levers, though, so no re-bleeding should be necessary. I’ll use the standard shims to ensure that the levers don’t get squeezed in-travel and push the pads in. This does mean needing to re-position my calipers when I put it back together, but that is quick enough. Especially with auto-centering hydro, I have some wiggle room there. I will swap out my fancy Avid T25 torx bolts for standard 5mm caliper bolts so I don’t need to have a T25 torx key along. (I’ll be using CL rotors.)

The change in pressure is apparently a non-issue for hydros, though that is a frequently asked question.

Of course a cable rim-brake bike would be a lot simpler for travel purposes, but I really won’t give up disc brakes — or hydro — to save a few minutes of re-assembly. (Especially given that I don’t expect to be traveling with this that often.)

[Author]

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