Malvern Star Bronco

[jonsio]

I’m not sure if this is the right part of the forum so I apologise if it is. I am looking to buy an old mtb to convert to single speed given some older frames have horizontal dropouts.

I have found this Malvern Star bronco for sale and was hoping to get some information mainly on the frame. I’m waiting to confirm with the seller if it has horizontal drop outs but going by the photos I think it may. Anyone have any idea how old this may be?

[jonsio]

https://ibb.co/Vp5WQrR

[ldrcycles]

It would do the job, but the one piece (Ashtabula) cranks add a whole lot of weight compared to even the heaviest cranks for a threaded BB. They also have little to no protection for the bearings so even if you don't ride in the wet you'll need to strip them down and regrease them regularly.

[jonsio]

It would do the job, but the one piece (Ashtabula) cranks add a whole lot of weight compared to even the heaviest cranks for a threaded BB. They also have little to no protection for the bearings so even if you don't ride in the wet you'll need to strip them down and regrease them regularly.

Thanks a lot that helps. Are there any frames out there I should keep an eye out for which are decent for this type of thing? I have also been looking at a Konya bike which from what I have read are nothing special at all but for the price may be decent ($45-$50)

I’m trying to do this on a bit of a budget and not looking to break the bank.

[Bunged Knee]

I’m not sure if this is the right part of the forum so I apologise if it is. I am looking to buy an old mtb to convert to single speed given some older frames have horizontal dropouts.

I have found this Malvern Star bronco for sale and was hoping to get some information mainly on the frame. I’m waiting to confirm with the seller if it has horizontal drop outs but going by the photos I think it may. Anyone have any idea how old this may be?

Use the BBCode with full image.

[ldrcycles]

It would do the job, but the one piece (Ashtabula) cranks add a whole lot of weight compared to even the heaviest cranks for a threaded BB. They also have little to no protection for the bearings so even if you don't ride in the wet you'll need to strip them down and regrease them regularly.

Thanks a lot that helps. Are there any frames out there I should keep an eye out for which are decent for this type of thing? I have also been looking at a Konya bike which from what I have read are nothing special at all but for the price may be decent ($45-$50)

I’m trying to do this on a bit of a budget and not looking to break the bank.

An old steel GT would be a great option, hands down the best looking single speed MTB I've ever seen was a GT Timberline a bloke built up from a frameset I sold him. You shouldn't have any trouble picking up a steel GT of some sort on facebook marketplace or gumtree in your budget.

[jonsio]

Will keep an eye out. Also looking at a shogun trailblazer. The one I’m looking at has a cr-mo frame and appear to be decent by what I’ve read. Seen one in excellent condition for $90. Not sure if that’s too much, only thing is I’d need a tensioner as it doesn’t have horizontal dropouts.

[jonsio]

Ended up purchasing a shogun trail breaker which was in good condition and for a decent price. Was doing a lot of reading and the cr-mo frames of the shogun are pretty decent for this type of thing (apart from horizontal dropouts) so I’ll get a tensioner.

[ldrcycles]

That's a good choice, the old Shoguns have been popular for that at least as long as I've been in cycling (about 15 years now)