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Will do

I'm 6ft 2.5in

Oh are brake cables not included with those Shimanos?

Yeah...I might need an explanation...

Thanks @Scrabble Those wheels look great! Do you know if I need to buy a freewheel to put on the hub, or does it come with? (Apologies for being idiotic)

Not quit sure yet, but I know that the size I'll need won't be available 'till July. Only 52cm and 54cm are in stock right now I think.

Yeah I did that on purpose with the tyres, because I think I will be able to reuse a spare pair or something. Likewise with pedals and saddle.

Yeah definitely. I'll message you

@ffm Haha

For those of you who don't know, I recently posted a conversation about how I was nervous about committing to a single speed. One of the big takeaways from it was that I shouldn't get a Mango Bike. While I was slightly upset that I shouldn't get get the bike which I coveted the most (in that price bracket), the Mango Point Blank, it gave me an idea: try and build a better bike for the same price.

Now compared to most people here, I know nothing about bikes, and I've never built one, so I decided I would make a thread to get advice on what parts I should be getting. Ideally I would like to base this off the Dolan FXE frameset (with carbon fork) as I find it the most aesthetically "pleasing", but I'm still opening to change. A flip-flop hub would be nice, but it isn't essential.

My main aims for the build are:

1. Keep it minimal (matte black for the win)
   
2. Keep it light
   
3. Keep it £400 or less
   
   

So far the parts list looks like:

1. Dolan FXE Frameset (with carbon fork and seat post, though I might downgrade from the carbon) - £215
   
2. Deda RHM01 Dropbars - £20
   
3. Extra Ahead Stem - £20
   
4. Tektro Aero Brake Levers - £20
   
5. 2 x Shimano R450 Brake Caliper - £54
   
6. Mango Bikes Rear Flip Flop Wheel and Front Wheel - £65 +£55 (respectively)
   I know this is the anti-mango bike, but their wheels look nice and have the hub already. This will probably change
   
7. Pure Fix Crankset 48T - £44
   
8. KMC B1 Chain - £4.50
   
   

I already have pedals and a saddle, so no need for those

Total - £497.5
Budget - £400
Over budget by £97.5 (Hopefully with your help we can get this down!)

I appreciate any advice on parts, and would also like to know whether the Dolan FXE is a worthwhile frame.

Thanks!

CJ

I tend to prefer backpacks so this is not really a problem. Also I'm a bit of an aesthete, and so I wouldn't really want to put a rack on the back.

No worries! Just reading what you guys were talking about has increased my understanding.

@853Superfly Thanks so much for your help. After all this great advice I've decided I'm going to ditch the Mango and try and build my own for the same budget. Hopefully it'll be a lot better! I'll probably make a thread in the projects section and see what people recommend for individual parts...

@853Superfly Can you explain to me what the numbers (42x18) are? Sorry to be an idiot again.

@bikes_knob Thanks for the advice! It's a shame because I really liked the goemetry of the frame, but I'm glad you guys have steered me in the right direction.

@dicki It's more I don't want to make the wrong investment :)

Hi I'm new to LFGSS so forgive me if I come across as a bit of an idiot.

I've been wanting to get a single speed bike for sometime for getting around London, as the benefits have always appealed to me, especially with regards to the minimal need for maintenance. Now I have an opportunity to get one (the Mango Bikes Point Blank to be precise), but I'm worried that I might be making the wrong choice. I've always ridden geared bikes, and I'm worried committing to a single speed will make life difficult getting around in London.

Does anyone have any personal experience to share on what it was like for them switching over to single speed and any bad experiences they've had in regards the the lack of gears?

I know I'm probably fussing over what could potentially be a good choice, but I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks,

CJ