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HELP: I want to build a bike that looks/does what the Surly Lowside can for <$500

3767 Views 19 Replies 11 Participants Last post by BicyclesOnMain, Dec 24, 2021

nsblakley

Discussion Starter · Dec 22, 2021

I'm Nick from Birmingham, AL. I am a complete novice. I haven't owned a bike since grade school (Mongoose ??). I like the State Klunker and I like the Retrospec Sully but I LOVE the Surly Lowside. It just happens to be way out my price range.

How can I parts-bin something that looks like the Surly Lowside and has the same basic functionality for a price point below $500? I like the general BMX or mountain bike style frames, low maintenance rigid forks, knobby tires (26 or 27.5), caliper brakes are fine (I don't think I need the more expensive/better performing disc brakes), and single speed. I want something light but it's not a deal breaker at my price constraint. What are the best options for parts? Specific brands?

I don't even know where to start when doing something from the ground up like this. I need to hear from you (the experts) on what frame/drivetrain/tires/brakes/etc to buy/use. I'm not opposed to using used parts as long as they are of good quality -- but I don't know who makes good stuff and who doesn't. I am clueless and eager to ride. Thanks.

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

MudderNutter

· #2 · Dec 22, 2021

Building a bike is much more expensive than buying a complete bike... if you currently do not have close to enough parts to piece together a bike. Your best bet is to look heavily on the used market for a complete bike. Look for used surlys and salsas.... a lot of them can be found with rigid forks.

Your position of entering the world of biking and trying to figure out a way to do it cheaper is a common one. I was there for sure. The problem is it's hard to realize how many parts you need to build a bike until you actually make a spreadsheet. Parts like.... cranks, headset, bb, axles, tires, blah blah really blow the budget out of the window. A good way to go is to find a good used single speed for sale that has the potential to be upgraded down the line if you wish. That way you don't have to pay for all of the drivetrain bits right off the bat.

Reactions: 2

mack_turtle

· #3 · Dec 22, 2021 (Edited)

look for used bikes because sourcing new parts is going to cost a LOT more than a Lowside. try to find a 26" Redline Monocog, one of the many Bianchi singlespeeds from the years, old Kona Unit, etc.
Bikesdirect has some Gravity brand bikes that are pretty darn cheap.
Framed has some bikes that might suit you.
with those low prices, you get what you pay for.

Reactions: 1

Harold

· #4 · Dec 22, 2021

First question is if you have a parts bin of your own to work from.

The used market is pretty stupid right now, though it was worse a year ago. So it's going to be really hard to put something together.

You could find a bike co-op in your area that might have a collection of random used stuff you could use. You're going to have to be creative and patient.

Reactions: 1

OneSpeed

· #5 · Dec 22, 2021

I recently saw a Redline Monocog on my local CL for $150. Smokin' deal and would make a perfect base for a klunker type build, just add riser bars. I only wish it was my size.

Reactions: 1

Sidney Porter

· #6 · Dec 22, 2021

Looking at the surly lowside a ridge MTB from the 90s should meet your needs. Craiglist $100-$200

orvil

· #7 · Dec 22, 2021

I'm in Decatur. I just looked on B'ham CL and there's a Trek Mountain Track 820 listed for $75. It's a 26" steel framed bike with a rigid fork that could potentially get you under your budget and be a lot of fun. Granted it's old technology with a 1" steerer but you can add a quill stem adapter and use any stem/bar combo you like. I have one just like that converted to singlespeed which is easy since these bikes have semi-horizontal dropouts. You can convert the cantilever brakes to v-brakes easily as well. You might take a trip to Cahaba Cycles and talk to the guys there about any used bikes they have or know of.

nsblakley

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 22, 2021

orvil said:
I'm in Decatur. I just looked on B'ham CL and there's a Trek Mountain Track 820 listed for $75. It's a 26" steel framed bike with a rigid fork that could potentially get you under your budget and be a lot of fun. Granted it's old technology with a 1" steerer but you can add a quill stem adapter and use any stem/bar combo you like. I have one just like that converted to singlespeed which is easy since these bikes have semi-horizontal dropouts. You can convert the cantilever brakes to v-brakes easily as well. You might take a trip to Cahaba Cycles and talk to the guys there about any used bikes they have or know of.

That Trek 820 is exactly why I asked if it was possible to do some type of conversion. I'm 6'0" tall/185lbs and that bike is listed as a Medium. I just don't know if that is the right size without looking at it -- and I definitely don't want to spend $75 (if it is big enough) just to find out I can't change the tires and gearing the way I want. And I'd want to know if its possible before shelling out more $$$. Great tip though - I've been looking at CL and FB for something I (in my endless knowledge and experience) think can be used as a good base.

orvil

· #9 · Dec 22, 2021

I'm 6'-2" and 218 and the Trek I have is a medium as well. Granted it's not my everyday bike but I have no issues with the size. That bike has a 7-speed cassette and would need a later 8-10 speed hub rear wheel if you want more gearing. Tires aren't an issue; you'll be running 26 x 1.95s or 2.10s and they'll work on the stock alloy rims.. If you decide to run SS you'll only need a SS cog and spacer kit. You can beat the crap out of this bike and it will not break.

Reactions: 1

slapheadmofo

· #10 · Dec 22, 2021

orvil said:
I'm 6'-2" and 218 and the Trek I have is a medium as well. Granted it's not my everyday bike but I have no issues with the size. ... If you decide to run SS you'll only need a SS cog and spacer kit.

6-2 is way big for a medium. 6' is pushing it as well.
You'd have to get really lucky not to need some sort of chain tensioner for a vert dropout SS conversion.

OP - best bet is to buy one of those bikes you like that are in your price range, then ride it while you save up more $$
Or buy something used, complete that you don't have to mess with much and ride that while you save up.
Or save up longer and buy the Lowside.

Building something up will end up costing you more and getting you less.

Reactions: 1

orvil

· #11 · Dec 22, 2021

I agree with the size reference, it is too small if it were my main bike or even ridden frequently. But for a SS beater it's no issue. The old steel Mountain Track has semi-horizontal rear dropouts which allows me to run a 32T chainring and a 18-20t cog without a tensioner.

GoldenPromise

· #12 · Dec 22, 2021

Save your cash, get a second/third job, mow some lawns, cut out extraneous expenses (beer, grass, lattes, or whatever you waste money on regularly) for awhile, whatever it takes. You'll have that Lowside in no time. Good luck!

BicyclesOnMain

· #13 · Dec 23, 2021

orvil said:
I agree with the size reference, it is too small if it were my main bike or even ridden frequently. But for a SS beater it's no issue. The old steel Mountain Track has semi-horizontal rear dropouts which allows me to run a 32T chainring and a 18-20t cog without a tensioner.

That's not how size works. The length of time you spend on the bike doesn't affect whether it fits you or not. This is a case of the blind leading the blind.

Reactions: 1

Harold

· #14 · Dec 23, 2021

BicyclesOnMain said:
That's not how size works. The length of time you spend on the bike doesn't affect whether it fits you or not. This is a case of the blind leading the blind.

liar. I wear small shoes when I'm only getting the mail. but when I will be wearing them all day, then I wear larger ones. The small shoes are just fine when I'm only wearing them for a few minutes.

Reactions: 1

slapheadmofo

· #15 · Dec 23, 2021

Harold said:
liar. I wear small shoes when I'm only getting the mail. but when I will be wearing them all day, then I wear larger ones. The small shoes are just fine when I'm only wearing them for a few minutes.

I ride a BMX bike sometimes.
And I take this one to the mailbox:

Tire Wheel Plant Automotive tire Tread

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BicyclesOnMain

· #16 · Dec 23, 2021

slapheadmofo said:
I ride a BMX bike sometimes.
And I take this one to the mailbox:

View attachment 1962372

Do you ride a tandem to do centuries?

slapheadmofo

· #17 · Dec 23, 2021

BicyclesOnMain said:
Do you ride a tandem to do centuries?

Tandem 'bent, of course.

Reactions: 1

eb1888

· #18 · Dec 23, 2021

Watch all the vids at Berm Peak for practical rebuild ideas.

https://www.youtube.com/c/SethsBikeHacks/videos

Reactions: 1

mack_turtle

· #19 · Dec 24, 2021

BicyclesOnMain said:
Do you ride a tandem to do centuries?

it only counts as a century if you actually ride it 200 miles.
200 miles ➗ 2 riders = 100 miles each.

Reactions: 1

BicyclesOnMain

· #20 · Dec 24, 2021

mack_turtle said:
it only counts as a century if you actually ride it 200 miles.
200 miles ➗ 2 riders = 100 miles each.

Who said I have a friend to be the stoker? I fly solo man.

Back to the subject at hand, do they make a tandem fat bike?

Reactions: 1

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