Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

Hi folks

Has been a while since i've graced these forums, but i thought that this was worth making a comeback for. Nearly posted this in the MTB forum, but thought you folks would appreciate the single-speediness of it more than them

The project:

To build a 29er rigid single speed belt driven mountain bike, from scratch (with the exclusion of the frame). The frame i'm getting fitted with a headset by the builder, but will otherwise be naked. I've purchased a fair amount of the parts required so far, with not too many bits to go - though the build itself won't begin until early-mid August, due to my current travel plans.

Anyway, you probably want to know what parts i'll be using...

Frame: Pipedream Skookum (Reynolds 853 chromo steel)
Fork: Ritchey WCS Carbon Mountain rigid 29"
'Bars: Easton EC70 Carbon
Headset: Hope Pick'n'Mix
Bottom Bracket/Chainset: Shimano XT M780 Triple (soon to be a single...)
Seatpost: Easton EC70 Carbon
Brakes: Avid Elixir 7 160mm
Hubs: White Industries MI6
Rims: Velocity Blunt SL 29er 32h
Spokes: DT Swiss Champion
Chainring: 42t Gates CDX
Sprocket: 20t Gates CDX
Pedals:Crank Brothers Eggbeater 3


Original budget was "Under $3000" (of which, the frame takes up ~$800), and i'm sure i'm going to go over by about $500... So far have spent $1900+, and have about $1500 to go i suggest. In reality, you could get away with an under $2000 bike based on this frame, if you drop the spec on them a bit, and take a bit of a hit as far as weight goes.

Based on the parts list above, the weight should come in under 10kilograms, hopefully somewhere closer to (or under) 9kg when in 'commuter mode' using 700x28mm tyres.

The combination of a 42t/20t chainset and sprocket should mean that i can use the same belt if i move it down to a 39t/24t system for off-road use, according to the gates belt drive calculator (on their website).

Whilst i've never 'built' (built-up is probably more accurate) my own bike before, i do 99% of my own bike maintenance, and have done ever since i was a youngin'. So none of the parts are all that of a worry for me. That said, i have fixed/replaced spokes on my wheels before, but i've never built them from scratch as i will be here. I have no doubt that Sheldon Brown (the saint that he is) will be of great assistance there


Anyway, that's about all for now.... Just can't wait to build it up! (and ofcourse, ride it)

Nice!

Is teh belt drive the one with the guide rib on the pulleys and the matching slot down the middle of the belt? Very interested to hear how that goes.

Yeah, that's the one. Seems to be a much better system than the original belt drive system. The older system was prone to throwing belts if the chainline wasn't perfect, got mud/rocks in it, etc..



Was talking to Stuart from Pipedream (the frame manufacturer) about it, and chainline/etc a few days ago - he even said that small variances in chainline were acceptable (though should still be avoided, obviously) as a result of the centre guide.

Will be sourcing the gates carbon drive equipment from The Flying Machine, here in perth. Nearly bought a frame from them (the UCX or U29), but decided against it due to lack of tyre clearance for wider tyres.

Build is slowly progressing now... Have the fork on, but haven't cut the (carbon) steerer yet... have just finished up lacing the wheels, just need to true them up now and they're good to go... Have the BB on as well... So getting there! More pics will follow soon

More pics?
Sorry, I think I missed the first lot

Haha, yeah, fair point

Here we go...

Thanks for including the hairy leg! Lol!
Looks like it will be a beauty when it's done!
Andrew

Thanks for including the hairy leg! Lol!
Looks like it will be a beauty when it's done!
Andrew

Thanks for including the hairy leg! Lol!
Looks like it will be a beauty when it's done!
Andrew

We heard you the first time, Andrew
This 'quick reply' box can be a bit of a trap.

Sorry about that Andrew....


I'll shave for you next time

Sorry guys - something went a bit wonky with Tapatalk... It wasn't funny enough to say 3 times!

My GLW loves those wheels!

Caelum, that workstand: Is the QR on the clamp factory or did you MacGyver it?

Shaun

A bit of both...

There was a QR on the bike stand... but it didn't clamp in place and stay there... So it's just tightened up with a wing-nut... Works alright through, for the price.

Thanks mate

Unboxing heaven

Just out of interest i put the wheels on the scales, to see what they weighed in at...

Front: 0.858kg
Rear: 1.006kg

Total: 1.864kg

To reiterate the components used:

Front Hub: White Industries MI6
Rear Hub: White Industries MI6 (shimano)
Rims: Velocity Blunt SL 32h
Spokes: DT Swiss double butted 2/1.8/2mm
Nipples: Brass 12mm

Caelum wrote:Just out of interest i put the wheels on the scales, to see what they weighed in at...

Front: 0.858kg
Rear: 1.006kg

Total: 1.864kg

To reiterate the components used:

Front Hub: White Industries MI6
Rear Hub: White Industries MI6 (shimano)
Rims: Velocity Blunt SL 36h
Spokes: DT Swiss double butted 2/1.8/2mm
Nipples: Brass 12mm

Looks good. I am planning to have a similar wheelset to be built by XLR8. Now I know how much weight to expect.

Ah, good... Information should be free


Also, just spotted a typo/error in my post... The rims/hubs are 32h, not 36h.

36 hole rims? What do you weigh?

Note the correction, above...

Weigh in at about 90kg

Looks like a fun build. I had a 29er Spot belt drive, the original belt before the one you have. It was so good to ride but the alignment was an issue and the belt would slip on the teeth and make a horrible sound. Once it was nice and straight it was great to ride. Oh I also had to tighten the piss out of it to keep it from making a horrible noise when I climbed up steep hills and there was heaps of pressure being put on the belt.
Apart from that the belt was awesome, quiet and instant responsive. I'd definitely get another one.

I suppose i should post an update to this...


She's now on the road, however haven't got the belt on it yet - i should have some time in the coming weeks to get that sorted though, thankfully

Pictured below in road-bike boots.... But have got some 29er knobblies to throw on it as well, for the rough stuff. Rides like an absolute dream!

Hi, any chance of a further update? I am considering one of these frames, and would love to hear how it's going. Mine would be a traditional build with derailleurs, but still keen for any info.