Newly built single speed based on a mid-90’s Giant Iguana mountain bike.  Stripped the frame, painted, started slapping parts back on.  If I would have known I was going to post this somewhere, I would have taken pictures of the original beast, for she was not a pretty lady.  I got the ss conversion stuff on ebay for about $15, brake levers online for about $15, and the crank and bottom bracket from lbs for about $75.  Various other things, brake pads, spray paint, tape and shellac for grips, and the total investment in this bike is in the $120 to $140 range I would guess.  Not a bad total for a completely reliable, steel framed bike that is a blast to ride.  I feel like a kid on my first bmx again.

Pretty proud for my first full build, even if it was pretty basic.  Favorite parts about it:  Grips are yellow hockey tape, 5 layers, with 5 coats of amber shellac.  The bar plugs are Boulevard Beer Smokestack Series corks.  I also messed around with the rear cog and chain combination enough that I got it to roll nice n’ purdy with vertical dropouts and no chain tension device.  Dutch, the lab mix, approves of the bike as well.

All in all, it was a lot of fun.  I just spaced it out over a couple weekend nights, depending on if I had parts or not, and if our 4 year old wanted to “help” or not.  It also helped that I always had a cold one close at hand.  If you don’t have an old frame or bike, get on craigslist and pick up somebody’s old beater and make yourself a single speed.  I now have the perfect bar cruiser/ss mountain bike (if I actually get some legs).

*Special thanks go out to Zak for finally helping me figure out how to post pictures on this damn thing