There is something deeply satisfying about saving a classic steel frame from the scrap heap and building it up using a mix of smart budget buys and workshop resourcefulness.
Lately, I’ve had this classic 26-inch On-One Inbred frame up on the bike stand. My goal for this build? See how far I can get it by keeping additional spending down to an absolute minimum and utilizing the shop spares bin.
Here is how the project is shaping up so far:
The Story So Far: The Component Breakdown
The build is rolling along nicely, and the frame is starting to look like a proper bike again. Here is what has been installed so far:
- The Headset: Dropped in a fresh sealed bearing headset to keep the steering front-end solid and smooth.
- The Bottom Bracket: Installed a splined Shimano Octalink bottom bracket (the ones that look a bit like a mini MicroSpline interface).
- The Cockpit & Contact Points: Reused a set of bars and a stem I already had on hand to save cash. For contact points, I grabbed a set of grips from the shop for a tenner and paired them with a fresh £35 saddle.
- The Wheels: The rear wheel is built around a cup-and-cone Shimano FH-M475 rear hub. After stripping it down, the right side track cones were completely knackered. I’ve already fitted a fresh freehub body, but rather than buying a brand-new factory axle assembly, I’m pausing the wheel rebuild for a few days. The plan is to wait for a donor hub to roll through the shop doors so I can salvage the specific Shimano metal dust covers and spacing washers needed to hit that perfect 135mm alignment for £0.
Monday’s Bench List: Resourceful Engineering
This week is all about keeping the momentum going without overspending. Here’s what I’m tackling next at the bench:
- The 42t Chainring Grind: I’m running a fresh 32t narrow-wide chainring on the inside of the crank spider to keep perfect chain retention. Because my stock chainring bolts are the longer version, I’m salvaging an old 42t chainring from a junked triple crankset. I’ll be taking it to the bench grinder to take the teeth completely off, smoothing the outer edge to create a custom, zero-cost mini bashguard that clamps the whole assembly together perfectly.
- The Braking Setup: On the rear, I’ve got a Shimano hydraulic disc brake ready to go, which just needs a pad check and a quick fluid top-up at the lever reservoir. For the front, I’m planning to run a mechanical cable disc brake. To mock it up on Monday, I’ll be running an inner and outer brake cable through a salvaged brake lever and taping the line neatly down the leg of the RockShox fork so it’s measured and cut to length for when a caliper turns up.
- Drivetrain & Suspension: Once the brakes are mocked up, it’s time to go hunting through the cassette bins for a usable 9-speed setup to complete the drivetrain. As for the RockShox forks, they might need a rebuild down the line, but I won’t know for sure until the bike is fully built and I can get it out for a proper test ride.
The Waiting Game
Half the fun of a project like this is the resourcefulness it forces out of you. By executing clever fixes like grinding down dead chainrings and waiting out the parts bins for a front disc caliper, you build a bike with real character.
Stay tuned for the next update to see if the shop bins provide any 9-speed treasures by Wednesday!
Working Out of CERA Cycloan
This project is being built out of the workshop at CERA Cycloan in Stockport. It’s a fantastic space dedicated to getting people moving on two wheels, recycling old bikes, and keeping classic steel frames like this Inbred out of the scrap pile. If you are in the Greater Manchester area, they are well worth checking out for refurbished bikes and community cycling projects.
Need a Rebuild or Repair?
If your own bike is sitting in the shed needing an overhaul, a hub rebuild, or a custom drivetrain conversion, you don’t have to tackle it alone. I offer a full range of professional bike tuning and mechanic services. Head over to my Services & Mobile Repairs Page to see how I can bring your bike back to life, right at your doorstep.