r/Bikebuilding

Bear with me as I am gestating my next project, which is building a new bike altogether and NOT a conversion.

If I understand it correctly, since flatbar frame has longer top tube than a dropdown frame, installing a flat handlebar on a dropdown frame necessitates either 1) a shorter stem or 2) an dropdown frame that is one size larger than my usual. Is this correct?

edit: reworded for clarity

Hi everyone,

I’d like to get a second opinion from people with more experience building bikes.

I don’t have experience building a bike from a frameset. I originally started looking for a complete bike, but my requirements turned out to be unusual enough that I’ve gone fairly deep down the research rabbit hole and am now considering a custom build.

The bike would primarily be an everyday/utility bike. I’m 195 cm tall and around 95 kg. We also have a newborn, and once they’re old enough I may eventually use the bike with a child seat (Kindersitz), and later potentially tow a child trailer (Anhänger). So reliability, stability and having a decent load margin matter more to me than making the bike particularly light.

My main requirements are:

• Non-electric
• Suitable for a 195 cm rider
• Thick tires — 55 mm is my absolute minimum, preferably around 60–65 mm
• Full fenders with those tires
• Belt drive
• Internal gear hub
• Low-maintenance drivetrain
• Strong enough platform for rider + luggage/future family use
• Ability to mount an Old Man Mountain Divide on the front
• Comfortable and durable rather than fast/light
• Parts that are reasonably serviceable in Germany/Europe

After looking at Alfine, 3X3, Rohloff, etc., I’m currently leaning toward an Enviolo hub + Gates CDX. I initially liked Alfine because of the price, but the Enviolo gives me more flexibility with modern rear axle standards. I don't particularly want/need a Rohloff.

The frame I’ve currently settled on is a Salsa Fargo Steel XL, probably the 2025 or 2026 version depending on which I can get at a good price.

The rough build idea at the moment is:

Salsa Fargo Steel XL
29 × ~2.4–2.6" tires
Enviolo IGH
Gates CDX belt
Hydraulic disc brakes
Full fenders
OMM Divide mounted at the front using the appropriate axle/fit kit
Flat platform/case on the Divide
Possibly a child seat later, followed by a child trailer when appropriate

The Fargo appealed to me because it gives me a steel frame, huge tire clearance, adjustable Alternator dropouts, official Gates compatibility, lots of mounting points and a geometry/size that should work for someone my height. It also seems much closer to an expedition/utility platform than the urban bikes I originally considered.

My main question for experienced builders: does the Fargo actually make sense as the foundation for this bike?

I'm particularly interested in anything I might be overlooking regarding the Enviolo + Gates setup and beltline, Alternator dropouts, wheel/hub choice, fenders with ~60–65 mm tires, OMM Divide on the Fargo fork, and eventually using a child seat/trailer.

Would you build this around a Fargo, or is there another non-electric, belt-compatible, heavy-duty frame with ≥55 mm tire clearance that you think would be a better starting point?

Also, if there are components in this proposed build where a beginner is likely to make an expensive compatibility mistake, I’d really appreciate hearing about those before I start buying parts.

Thanks!

I’ve realized I don’t like drop bars and am never going to enjoy road bikes, so I’m selling mine. I have a few mountain bikes and slow cruisers but I want to build a sleeper fast commuter rig from a 90s MTB or 700c hybrid. Something that’ll get me to work quick but is actually fun to ride. Thinking a small front rack to strap a backpack.

Any recommendations on what frame to start with? What upgrades and modifications would you do for this build? Thanks and appreciate all the help!

Hi, I am pretty new to cycling, so any advice would be greatly appreciated

I currently own a SAVA A7L which as a carbon dropbar with internal routing and I want to switch it to a round alloy drop bar for aero clip-ons in preparation for an upcoming triathlon. I was wondering what the general procedure was and if this is something I can DIY or through a shop. Thanks!

I just bought a cheap tricycle that I want to upgrade. I need help on whether or not I can install a 1x7 or any other cassette to this? I eventually want to add a front wheel electric hub to it as well. Can anyone help me understand if I can convert this from single gear to multiple gear and where to find parts?

I bought a used Ibis Ripmo two years ago. It has easily been the best I have ever owned. It was basically new when I bought it. Unfortunately a month and a half ago while I was cleaning it, I noticed some cracks in the frame on the down tube where the shock mounts. Due to not being the original owner (so no warranty) I took it to a carbon repair shop. They were awesome, but unfortunately, it started cracking again in the exact same spot. Gave me a full refund and some advice what brands to focus on.

Basically, my two options are

1. strip the bike of its parts and try to find a frame that’s compatible with my fork and wheel set and build it up. Drive train, cockpit, and dropper post should be no issue as what I currently have should work on any frame.

2. sell all the parts and just buy a new complete bike.

I was a part of a pretty big layoff at my previous employer a couple months ago. Luckily I just got a job offer but start date is still about a month out and although we’re not in financial ruin, I don’t have $10k to blow on a new Yeti LT as much as I wish I could.

Curious, what would be my most cost-effective solution and if anyone who has been in a similar spot has some advice? Thanks!

what kind of tape do you to tie and organize your cables for a clean cockpit? thanks.

My BB5 brakes have seized over the years, and their “dials” have broken off to some extent. So I’m thinking of replacing them, but I wonder if BB7s would be an upgrade, or if they might not work at all with the Shimano levers I have installed. I’d be grateful for some practical accounts before I go shopping, please and thanks!

I've been considering revitalising my old trek 1.1 with rim brakes, mostly just for the sake of it. It currently has a very beat up Claris rd2400, and just about everything is due a replacement. I'll need to get a new wheelset and groupset, currently ive found a used ultegra r8000 which is is just shifters, derailleurs, and calipers. And that's about twice the price of a new L-TWOO RX rim brake with a cassette included. Ive seen the RX hydraulic has had some issues with QC, haven't found much said about the rim brake variant. Ive been on the lookout for 105 r7000 as well but there are very few used groupsets on sale around here, which is the main reason im looking at L-TWOO.

So is ultegra r8000 twice as good as L-TWOO RX?