I've just dropped around $2k at my bike shop over the summer, including a wheel build that turned out semi-acceptable, but still isn't holding true the way I'd like. For this build, I want some cheap ready made wheels. I'll check with them, and see what they have or can offer.
Dad's happy about the project. He even wants me to keep track of what I spend on it and pay me the cost of parts. Can't say no to that with two kids and bills to pay...!
Yes, I am scrapping the cottered crank setup and replacing the whole thing with something more modern. I'd guess that I'd want a basic square taper bb?
I haven't made the final decision on whether I'm going flat bar or drops on it.
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The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley