The P.B.S (Parts Bin Special)

Ok so this all started off because of a set of Kona project 2 rigid forks that I had in my parts store. I was going to ebay them, but during my research into how much I could expect for them, I stumbled upon the murky world of single speed mtbing, as many of the folks who partake in this madness run rigid forks to continue with the simple low maintenance aesthetic.

Now this was not a new discovery, having owned a fair few bikes with only one gear including a fixie, but re-kindled the desire to sample that pure simplified riding experience of not having a whole bag of gears to choose from.

There was however a problem, I had spent a fair amount on the refurb of my Dialled bikes P.A. and also have my big BMX gathering dust on the wall at home most of the time, I couldn't justify spending a heap of cash on another ride!

So I set myself a challenge to build a half decent single speed MTB for under £100. No mean feat as my last rear hub alone cost substantially more than that.
I had cranks,  a chainring, pedals, headset, forks, brakes, a seatpost and a saddle plus grips and cables going spare but that still left a fair bit of bike to find for not much cash.

Step in the members of AMBS and the very generous Ben at Venture Bikes.

I had mentioned to Ben ages ago that I was after a pub/hack bike and that if a decent sized (read massive) frame should cross his path to let me know. He came up with the goods in the shape of a classic mid nineties 20" GT Tempest triple triangle frame in one of my favourite military green hues. No longer a pub bike (although it will probably be used for going to the pub on more than one occasion)! It was now the basis of the £100 build. Ben also rustled up a set of Semi slick tyres and a set of bars, nice one.

A chance conversation with AMBS member Pete produced a set of LX Hubbed and Mavic rimmed V brake ready wheels and fellow member Lloyd handed over a virtually new Easton stem, things were coming together nicely and so far I had spent the princely sum of a fiver!

It was at this point that  I decided to start putting the dream machine together, feeling quite chuffed with my progress so far and lack of expense. This was when disaster struck!

I had committed a school boy error, the steerer on the Kona forks that had started all this were too short for the frame!!! Not willing to give up on the GT beauty, I decided the only choice was to buy a set of forks with a longer steerer as I was now itching to get it all together. A quick flick through the offerings on Ebay and I had secured a set of "Insane" formally a division of OnOne bikes, chromoly forks that I planned to remove the hideous graphics from (Mistake number two, they are lacquered over so will be staying until I can find some suitable stickers to cover them).

The purchase of a half link chain and chain tensioner and I was back in business. I completed the build today and after a quick test run up and down the road I can confirm it is possible, with a little help from your friends, to build a bike that flies for very little cash. I will be going on a full test ride tomorrow morning and will report back on how it performs.

Full specs, cost and pic of build below.

Thanks to Ben @ Venture bikes, Pete, Lloyd, Rory and the wonders of Ebay.

Frame -20" GT Tempest   donated by Ben
Forks  - Insane rigid chromoly   £40
Wheelset - Mavic rims on Shimano LX Hubs  donated by Pete
Singlespeed kit - DMR already owned
Tyres - Kenda semi slick   donated by Ben
Cranks - Primo Powerbite 3 piece   already owned
Chainring - Profile Imperial 33 tooth   already owned
Pedals - Wellgo magnesium   already owned
Chain - Clarks Half link   £15
Chain Tensioner - Gusset Bachelor   £15
Headset - Solid BMX   already owned
Stem - Easton EA30 100mm   donated by Lloyd
Bars - Easton EA 50   £5
Grips - Lock Ons   already owned
Saddle -  Unknown brand   donated by Rory
Seatpost - Push 27.2   already owned
Levers - Odd Avid Speed dials   already owned
Brakes - Shimano DX and Avid Speed dial   already owned
Cables - Clarks   already owned

Total cost £75 (All expense was funded by ebay sales of other bike tat so you could almost say that it cost nothing but think thats pushing it!!!)