calgarc

Welp, I have been in hiding for the past 6 years attempting to comb my cycling addiction. Coming from custom race and touring bikes I have decided to put together a folding bike as I would like to store it on my Liveaboard. am using a department store bike I got used as my base.

Here is the base model as well as the bike with the branding/stickers removed.







The bike is being converted to a single speed cruiser. I have new tektro brake levers, grips, seatpost, and saddle now installed. waiting on the freewheel and new bottom bracket to arrive. I have also stripped the bike of all plastic, mudguards, rack and any excess weight (about 4.5lb shaved)

More pics to follow soon.

calgarc

I would want to source out a new handlebar and crankset at some point too, but that will be done at a later date.

3speedslow

Sounds like a plan. One thing, if your frame has horizontal or track dropouts then you will not need a tensioner on the chain. If the dropout is vertical, a tensioner is needed to keep the chain taunt.

Eager to see more of your project! I am converting one of my Dahon to a SS ride.

calgarc

hopefully the freewheel and bb come in by friday. I never realized how bad the brakes are on cheap bikes, simply changing the levers made a world of a difference.

post pics of your ride.

3speedslow

Posted just to show the bare frame.

How I had it built up as a regular geared folder.

I have no pics of the progress. It’s in a place I can’t get to for a year, guarded by an evil dragon.

calgarc

the BB and freewheel arrived. I still have to source new brakes and crankset at some point. should some new pics tomorrow

calgarc

nice frame

calgarc

The conversion is pretty much done, although I still need to source new brakes and a lightweight crankset.

calgarc

I shaved nearly 8lb off the bike. the RD, cassette, and BB alone made about 2.5lb!!! The bike is now sitting pretty at 26.09lb, I have to install the new Alivio brakes I bought, and source a crankset.

Geepig

Nice, and I am impressed by how much all that gear you took off weighed!
I have a couple of chainstore Romet Wigry 3s, and one has been stripped down to the essentials. I have no idea how much lighter it is, but you notice when ride how much sharper it steers and accelerates.

calgarc

Oh yeah. the bike accelerates and tops out very quickly. Passing road and mountain cyclists on the road C:

calgarc

New pedals increased the power and performance I get out of the gearing. I shall report back with some numbers see what average speeds I am getting.

calgarc

19km/h average on flat city road with mellow hills + several stop lights. I would say that's fairly decent all things considering. Bike accelerates quickly and is nimble. hopping between lanes and vehicles is a breeze and the brakes quick and responsive. Current weight is just shy of 26lb.


EDIT: strava recording from today gave me an average of 21.2 kmh and a top speed of 38,9 c:

Geepig

I have nothing to weigh my bikes with at the moment, as wifie thought life would be better without a set of scales in the bathroom. How do you set about recording your speed - I am a duffer about that kind of thing as the last time I measured was using a cable driven speedo...

calgarc

I get my bikes weighed at the shops when ever I visit. as for speed I just use strava and record general types of rides and estimate. so far I am getting about 21km/h on city road and 17.5km/h on gravel with little to no effort in the pedal strokes C: I seem to top out at 39km/h on flat road ad 35.5 km/h on flat gravel