Single Speed BLB Bike with coaster brakes

in howto •  7 years ago  (edited)

Hello Steemians,

I just bought a couple of old frames and forks, and decided to go full BLB on my next bike.
I wanted to do a single speed bike without brakes, but I don't really like fixies ...
So I was left with the only choice left for brakes, coaster brakes with a BMX style.

Here is a quick HOWTO i wanted to share with you :

I - Find used parts

In France we have leboncoin, in the US you have craiglist and anywhere else in the world you should have some similar websites where people are selling used stuffs.

Buy some used frames like those ones :

single_speed_02_001.jpg

II - Cleaning

When you are buying a 'raw' frame you need to remove all those little parts :

single_speed_02_002.jpg

You can use a pair of pliers to remove them, or a little steel saw :

single_speed_02_003.jpg

single_speed_02_004.jpg

single_speed_02_005.jpg

III - Paint Job

A - DIY

Since it's a DIY post, you think i am gonna advice you to get anti rust paint for two consecutive layers, then buy some spray paint cans to apply the color you want on the frame.
I have done that, but the hassle is just not worth the price.

  • It takes time
  • You need a dedicated outdoor place to actually paint the bike
  • Even well done, the paint quality will fall appart pretty quick
  • The frame will get marks pretty fast

B - Industrial Painting

There should be an industrial area near you where you can get extra high pressure sand on the frame to clean it then it can be painted with the color you like for something like 50$ overall (fork + frame).

  • Quick and no tools needed
  • High pressure sand on the frame and fork so they looks new
  • Anti rust layer included in the price
  • An incredible choice in colors (i chose black anyway)
  • Special paint finish (mat / brillant / ceramic / etc)
  • Almost no difference in price if you DIY

Here are the frames and forks coming back from the latest paint jobs :

single_speed_02_006.jpg

You can't really tell if the frame is new or used :

single_speed_02_007.jpg

IV - Bracket

I bought a new Shimano bracket :

single_speed_02_008.jpg

single_speed_02_009.jpg

V - Headset

I bought a new headset :

single_speed_02_0010.jpg

single_speed_02_0011.jpg

Then i attached the fork :

single_speed_02_0012.jpg

VI - Wheels

I bought a complete pair of new wheels which includes :

  • Coaster Brakes
  • Tires
  • Inner tubes
  • Rim tape

single_speed_02_0017.jpg

VII - Crankset

I bought a new BLB crankset :

single_speed_02_0019.jpg

single_speed_02_0018.jpg

VIII - Other parts

Finally I have added the following parts :

  • BLB pedals
  • BLB handlebar
  • BLB seat
  • BLB stem
  • BLB grips
  • Homemade chain

single_speed_02_0022.jpg

IX - Release the beast !

The beast in the wild :

single_speed_02_0023.jpg

single_speed_02_0024.jpg

single_speed_02_0025.jpg

single_speed_02_0026.jpg

single_speed_02_0027.jpg

X - Cost

This bike costs ~ 400$ to build.
I 'wanted' this bike to cost that much and being almost full BLB.
I could have bought cheaper/used parts, this way the bike would have cost half that price.

Your call.

Cheers,

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