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anyone every priced out SS conversion on a steel hardtail

737 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Frs1661, Jun 25, 2009

ashwinearl

Discussion Starter · Jun 24, 2009

Does anyone have any actual prices on a frame conversion of a steel hardtail to SS specific
1) horizontal track ends
2) Paragon style sliders
3) EBB

Not including repaint.

Trying to compare this to going the ENO route.
$ hub+Rim+spokes+build+nice freewheel

With the frame conversion (horizontal track ends) will also need a SS specific wheel but can be had a lot cheaper than a ENO+freewheel.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

wv_bob

· #2 · Jun 24, 2009

Have you considered just buying one already set up for SS instead of going to the extreme of refitting the frame you've got?

If you're talking about a 26" bike, the steel Bianchis can be found at a decent price, and are a good solid platform to build around.

aka brad

· #3 · Jun 24, 2009

ashwinearl said:
Does anyone have any actual prices on a frame conversion of a steel hardtail to SS specific
1) horizontal track ends
2) Paragon style sliders
3) EBB

Not including repaint.

Trying to compare this to going the ENO route.
$ hub+Rim+spokes+build+nice freewheel

Check out Vulture Cycles; they charge $150 for track ends and EBB plus shipping.

ashwinearl

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 24, 2009

wv_bob said:
Have you considered just buying one already set up for SS instead of going to the extreme of refitting the frame you've got?

If you're talking about a 26" bike, the steel Bianchis can be found at a decent price, and are a good solid platform to build around.

custom steel frame near and dear to my heart.

henrymiller

· #5 · Jun 24, 2009

EBB
$150 for conversion (includes ebb)
$80 for shipping ($40 x 2)

Track Ends
$50 for conversion
$40 for dropouts (pauls)
No shipping as builder was local

Both conversions are about 4-5 years old, so I would factor in a price increase. Also, you have to ship twice.

Manicmtbr

· #6 · Jun 25, 2009

Had a friend who paid to have a steel frame converted with an EBB. Six months later, a crack developed around the seat tube and the frame was no longer usable. A factor with track ends is the original geometry of the frame may be compromised (chainstays may be longer, the new dropouts may alter the head/seat tube angle if the axle height is changed).

If you really like the way the bike rides, I would go ENO. Or one of those forward components EBB's - although both of these options have drawbacks too (ENO will slightly change geometry and the Forward Components EBB can only be used with certain cranks.

I am of no help to you. . . . .

Frs1661

· #7 · Jun 25, 2009

I'd get an ENO hub and be done with it. Track ends make removing the wheel with disk brakes kind of a pain, and you'll need a chain tug or bolt on hub. EBBs can slip and creak. Both are kind of a pain in my experience. Having never used an ENO, it may have issues all it's own, but it seems a good solution to me.

grundy

· #8 · Jun 25, 2009

Frs1661 said:
I'd get an ENO hub and be done with it. Track ends make removing the wheel with disk brakes kind of a pain, and you'll need a chain tug or bolt on hub. EBBs can slip and creak. Both are kind of a pain in my experience. Having never used an ENO, it may have issues all it's own, but it seems a good solution to me.

or a chain tensioner and be done with it...

Frs1661

· #9 · Jun 25, 2009

grundy said:
or a chain tensioner and be done with it...

Good point!

Not as clean but certainly the cheapest and easiest option.

Birdman

· #10 · Jun 25, 2009

Been there, done that

I've got a steel Soma Groove converted to SS using a basic tensioner kit - tensioner, spacers, 16t cog ($20 on sale). I also switched my front chainring to a Salsa non-ramped ring, maybe another $25 or so. I also went with a new chain, a 1/2 link, and shorter chainring bolts (add another $25).

I also have a 1991 CBO/Litespeed titanium frame set up with an ENO eccentric hub ($110 + spokes, I rebuilt the wheel myself), ENO freewheel ($70), and Salsa front ring ($25). Same deal - 1/2 link, SS specific chain, SS chainring bolts ($25).

My wife has a similar SS (Litespeed frame, ENO eccentric rear hub, etc.).

The ENO rear hub is a tad heavy, but very clean and does not slip. A slight adjustment of the brakes is required whenever you adjust for chain stretch, but other than that, maintenance free!

Right now on Jenson's site (closeouts), there are some 2006 and 2007 Jamis steel Exile SS frames for about $200, sliding dropouts. VERY tempting to pick one up for a future build and retask the Soma back to gears for townie duty.

JMJ

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ashwinearl

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 25, 2009

grundy said:
or a chain tensioner and be done with it...

Done the chain tensioner route b4. Turned me onto single speeding but was problematic losing the chain now and then.

this time around, I want the silence,the clean look, the whole package.

grundy

· #12 · Jun 25, 2009

sure, understood.

are you running discs or v-brakes? the ENO hub for v-brakes seems like a great solution, although I have no personal experience with it, many sing its praises. I've always wondered about the ENO with discs though, it seems to make thimgs complicated.

have you considered the EBB for standard frames? that too seems like an elegant solution.

p nut

· #13 · Jun 25, 2009

I was going to mention the $200 Jamis frame on JensonUSA, but Birdman (Pprrrrrr) beat me to it.

I'd much rather get a SS frame rather than chopping an old one up. You can get that for $200 then sell yours for $50. That's $150 total, which is pretty much what you'll be spending anyway.

boomn

· #14 · Jun 25, 2009

p nut said:
I was going to mention the $200 Jamis frame on JensonUSA, but Birdman (Pprrrrrr) beat me to it.

I'd much rather get a SS frame rather than chopping an old one up. You can get that for $200 then sell yours for $50. That's $150 total, which is pretty much what you'll be spending anyway.

The OP already said it was a very well-liked custom frame. Certainly wouldn't sell that for $50:eekster:

p nut

· #15 · Jun 25, 2009

Oops. Missed that part. Well, hacking up a custom frame isn't the smartest idea, either, IMO. Cost wise, it's very close to go either route, but if you choose to get a new frame, that means you'll have 2 bikes. I've learned that 2 is better than 1 a long time ago.

Birdman

· #16 · Jun 25, 2009

Ditto

p nut said:
I've learned that 2 is better than 1 a long time ago.

Definitely... and 3 is better than 2... LOL.

To recap my costs:

ENO setup - $230 plus spokes/wheelbuild, less if you go with a Shimano freewheel, keep the front ring, etc.

Tensioner setup - $70, but can be done for as little as $20 (spacers, magic ratio, etc).

Even if you get a frame with sliding dropouts or an EBB, a clean build still means a rear wheel rebuilt with a SS rear hub (no-dish wheel!).

Another option is the Forward Components EBB/SS rear hub combo with the OP's current frame. That would be pretty clean.

JMJ

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Frs1661

· #17 · Jun 25, 2009

One route not mentioned is a ghost ring. I've always wanted to try it b/c it looks cool, but I've no idea how well it works in reality :lol:

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