thenomad

I was inspired to post my CX bike build by Toddorado, who posted his build because he was inspired by Lectron who posted his build because...


I built a Redline Conquest Team for myself, and I love it so much that I'm going around insulting everyone's bikes and telling them to get CX bikes. So my brother fell for it and he wants a bike that "does it all" for his limited riding times, street, trail, commute.

I sold his old Trek road bike he never rode and sold his old GT mountain bike he never rode and am using the money to build a 'Cross bike he'll probably never ride.

I'm planning on spending enough of his money to convince him it's a cool bike, and then I'll spend the rest on beer.

So I wasn't finding any decent deals on ebay for frames in his size so I went to Bike Island and got the new Motobecane Fantom CX aluminum frame with steel fork and headset included.

$199 shipped, no tax.


For $30 more I could have gotten the Scattante frame with CF fork but I'd have tax on top of that... and that's about 3 cases of beer. Sorry bro... priorities.


For those of you just tuning in... don't get your hopes up, this one's on a budget.

Sourpuss Magee

It's rarely mentioned, but this is one of the best things about any new bike purchase.

thenomad

Had some things collecting dust:

OS Felt 44cm road bars with Bontrager Race stem.

Bontrager seatpost and Trek saddle.

SPD offbrand pedals.

Black water bottle cage.

Yeah, I think a color scheme is coming together.

thenomad

Also put together a few more things, a few requiring actual purchases!

Cinelli bar tape

Tektro Mini-v brakes for the front. I'll just run them on the front so he has no shudder or squeal to contend with. I'd never hear the end of it.

DiaCompe levers from a Lemond Poprad I parted out.

Heck, I even found a Cateye computer for him in a sassy PINK.

Damage today: $18

thenomad

plan A was to use a full MTB drivetrain, triple and all but I'm still waiting on
USPS to stop playing soccer with the box and kick it my way.

I still might be able to swing a 9 speed setup so we'll see.

For now I'll just install the Shimano Sora drivetrain I pilfered off the Poprad. You'd think you buy a Poprad you'd get something better than Sora, but it'll work and should be "heavy" duty.
I think I'll take stickers off, for street cred.

Cranks were looking pitiful so they got sanded and I'll polish, or paint them.

8 speed barcons for the retro mojo!

thenomad

Do I get an award for longest post to myself?


So had to buy wheels, ended up seeing a set of $100 wheelset at the LBS looking lonely.

They were shocked when I told them I was going to BUY something. Usually all I get is cable for vintage bike flips. Figured I owed them this one. "Merry Christmas fellas, no thanks, I have tires already."

Had some foldable tires, good for a little of everything.
They'll clean up to "like new".

Bontrager Jones CX

Total build to date:
$320 + parts

Quijibo187

ccccccombo breaker!

needed to get in there before you posted something else.

Looks like a fun build.

thenomad

Sweet! Someone accidentally read my post.

If anyone reading this has a front derailleur pulley you are not using and want to toss it my way let me know on PM.
In the mean time I guess I'll go to Home Depot and get a sliding door track pulley!

Lectron

We all know beer is an important factor of the cyclocross community

thenomad

Anyone know where I can get an install kit for these Brakes? Have the vintage Ritchey pads too.

I'd like to use them as they've been in the bottom of my box but they need some sort of adjustment/mounting adaptor.
Any Canti experts help me out?

RT

Then one think I dislike about top tube cable routing.

Andy_K 

That's a very...um...creative solution. I suppose it fits the character of this build. I was just looking at the pictures of this on the BD site, and I've got to say their pulley solution doesn't strike me as terribly elegant either.

As long as you're going with a double chain ring setup, couldn't you just use a top-pull front derailleur? I've got a C101 in my parts drawer that would do the trick.

thenomad

I only had a bottom pull FD in my bin but yes, a top pull would be great. Maybe we can work a trade?
The only thing is that I'm still crossing my fingers waiting for a supposed box-o-parts that should have a mountain triple and FD. I'd originally planned a full mountain drivetrain.

Dustintendo

haha id probably build my brother the best possible bike within his budget but my brother is the coolest kid ever

thenomad

so is mine, this is actually going over his budget

thenomad

Here's the latest incarnation. It's coming together.
A few more details to go. Cassette, wires and cables are ready, bar tape and then chain.
I'm hoping to do some revisions for better gearing in the future.

I'm still thinking I may paint the cranks black just for kicks.

RT

Lookin' good Can't wait to get mine partially assembled tomorrow, Have you used mini V's before?

thenomad

no, never used them. Have read they eliminate chatter and squeal and just need to be adjusted a bit closer to the rim if a travel agent isn't used. Because this will be for mainly street and light trail I figure it'd be a good setup.
I'll be taking off my bike's front cantis for use on his rear, and then put miniv's on my front. If i don;t like them I can always get travel agents or some other options for rather cheap.

RT

I am installing mini V's on my build. After much research, it appears you won't need any additional hardware. The V's on my road bike are always adjusted close to the rim with no chatter or squeal. Will see how the new carbon fork behaves.

thenomad

swapping some parts, will end up with some 8 speed Sora brifters, 0-setback seatpost and 11-32 8 speed cassette.
I think it'll be a better direction for the budget build and for a new rider.

cs1

Been a week since the last post. Anything new on the build front?

thenomad

Funny you mention it. I had to take some time away from the kids and just finish it up.
8 speed brifters, saddle, seatpost, platform pedals and other parts came in. Hooked em all up and got the mini-v brakes hooking up nicely. He'll probably want to start on the platforms before moving to clipless.

One nagging thing left is the FD pulley I need to get on there, none of the top pulls seemed to fit right. I'm also waiting on a new longer chain and then I'll be totally done.

Here's the bike all purty and new. It won't look any different after I hook the FD so this is the Fantom:

thenomad

Wheels trued and tensioned, brakes adjusted, FD hooked up, new 8sp chain installed.
Delivered and done.
The build went over budget if I put value on each part I had on hand, but they were truly free parts for me.


Nice bike and it fits my brother like a glove, now finally the fun part can begin... the ride!

Andy_K 

Sweet!

GipsyKing

Hilariious thread and sweet bike, dude. Congrats on a fine build!