Another Project: Performance Single-Speed Build-Up

My wife slipped a Performance Gift Card into my stocking, and I just cashed it in for one of these: an Ascent Single-Speed frame. I couldn't resist--it was already discounted to just $90, plus another 15% off for a weekend promo, and since I had it shipped to my local Performance store, shipping was free--I'm out just $75. I'll tackle it after I finish the Nashbar Touring Frame.

I ordered a 56cm, which is my usual size and should fit fine as far as top-tube-length goes, but the frame specs out a little tall-ish--note the head tube length, and the 605mm center-to-top measurement for the seat tube. It'll probably show a little less seatpost than I like, but no worries. At least the 'bars will be nice and high.

The Nashbar Touring Frame Build Is Finally Underway

I can't bear to put parts on a frame until the headset and fork are installed, so that's "square one" for the Nashbar Touring Frame (NTF from here on out). After a quick run to Hope Depot, I had everything I needed to make a quick-and-dirty headset press. There's all kinds of variations on the threaded-rod-and-washers theme, mine is about as simple as it gets. If you want to go deluxe, add brass reducers to center the cups. Otherwise, something like below is all you need.

As you can see, it's not brain surgery. You just thread everything together like below, hold the bottom nut while you tighten the top one, and the headset smooshes right in. Two tips: grease the headset cups and head tube (duh), and tighten slowly, checking the cups for straightness as you go. If a cup starts to tilt, tap the threaded rod toward the edge of the cup that needs to go in farther. I squeezed both cups in simultaneously, but it's best to install one and then the other. Follow my own advice? Nah.

Two minutes later, the headset is installed. If you're wondering, it's an inexpensive Necco unit from Porkchop BMX. Just $20, with a nice finish, aluminum compression ring (red anodized no less) sealed cartridge bearings, and a contact seal between the dust cover and top cup. Only downside: no silver option, but the gold looks pretty good with the NTF's dark metallic green paint. About that stem: it's just there to keep the fork from sliding out.

...and that's a wrap for today. Maybe more tomorrow? We'll see.

I Have a Nashbar Touring Frame

Yep, and it's been in my attic for about six months. But I finally got a fork (Nashbar again), a cheap headset, and thanks to a coupon, a set of "trekking" bars for next to nothing. They are ostensibly aluminum, but they feel like they're made of depleted plutonium. Hefty. The build begins this weekend. Not sure if I want to make my own headset press or just let the monkey at the shop squeeze it in there for me. Or maybe I'll break down and get the Pricepoint press.