First time lightweight project build
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 11:36 am
Hey All,
I'm going to start by giving a bit of back story, it might help to clarify my motives for this project later on. Not so long ago a friend was selling for a good price a single speed Marin Inverness. I hadn't cycled for a good while but I was instantly taken by it, decided I could start cycle commuting in London and bought the bike. Largely I liked the fact that it was around 8.2kg (supposedly) which made it very easy to lug about. Unfortunately I had it for about three weeks before it got stolen from outside of my work in central London. There seems to be something empty about the idea of just biting the bullet and buying a new bike, so I decided to build a completely new one; still single speed with freewheel but to make it as light as possible within a budget. It'll be a challenge as well as a good winter project with a ridable end product to boot.
Looks are no object and scratches / cosmetic damage are of no concern. I'm happy to drill and make modifications etc and of course I expect most parts to be second hand / from eBay.
Now for the big question, no matter how subjective the answer may be: For a budget of £350 - £400, how light could I build such a bike? I was hypothesising 6kg but that could be pure fantasy! If anyone has part recommendations or any other relevant advice I would greatly appreciate it!
Cheers,
Tom
I'm going to start by giving a bit of back story, it might help to clarify my motives for this project later on. Not so long ago a friend was selling for a good price a single speed Marin Inverness. I hadn't cycled for a good while but I was instantly taken by it, decided I could start cycle commuting in London and bought the bike. Largely I liked the fact that it was around 8.2kg (supposedly) which made it very easy to lug about. Unfortunately I had it for about three weeks before it got stolen from outside of my work in central London. There seems to be something empty about the idea of just biting the bullet and buying a new bike, so I decided to build a completely new one; still single speed with freewheel but to make it as light as possible within a budget. It'll be a challenge as well as a good winter project with a ridable end product to boot.
Looks are no object and scratches / cosmetic damage are of no concern. I'm happy to drill and make modifications etc and of course I expect most parts to be second hand / from eBay.
Now for the big question, no matter how subjective the answer may be: For a budget of £350 - £400, how light could I build such a bike? I was hypothesising 6kg but that could be pure fantasy! If anyone has part recommendations or any other relevant advice I would greatly appreciate it!
Cheers,
Tom