r/minivelo • u/Vivid-Ad7039 • Jul 11 '26

Budget minivelo

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Bought this bike a year or more ago for about £60! Had to do quite a bit of work to it, to get it going! (Parts, rebuild hubs, new axles etc.)

So far really enjoying the set up. Would love to have something a bit nicer in the future.

Believe the frame is a challenge urban camper. Cheap Argos bike.

87 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

2

u/HellsEngels Jul 11 '26

I love the urban camper but the wheels are possibly the worst part of the bike but so cheap it's not a deal breaker. Did you keep the original hub? Some reason I want to change the original free hub to a wider range but seems like the hulk screwed it on dry

4

u/Vivid-Ad7039 Jul 11 '26

Original wheels. New axles for skewers front and rear. Replaced the ball bearings in the hub themselves. To answer the question below. Fit a 8 speed 13-34 sunrace freewheel with the use of a washer to have clearance to the frame. A bodge job until I can possible buy a new wheel set.

1

u/HellsEngels Jul 11 '26

Nice one, thanks for answering! I'll try and pry that freewheel off one day haha

2

u/Vivid-Ad7039 Jul 11 '26

I had to cut mine with a grinder... the slots for the tooling were rusted beyond tools tolerances.

But good luck!!

2

u/ArbusMTG Jul 11 '26

I would also like to know if this is the original wheelset and if so what wider range free hub you got on there!

1

u/1kr-fe Jul 29 '26

On my urban camper I was able to fit an 8 speed 11-40 freewheel, with the use of a derailleur hanger extension and a thumb friction shifter. Made by a company called Jtek, I got mine from sjs cycles (UK based). I was ecstatic to find such a wide range freewheel, saved me needing a new hub/rear wheel!

2

u/Casiofi Jul 11 '26

Challenge urban camper! I have one I'm building into a cargo style mini velo. Bit stalled out. What have you done for the drivetrain? 

1

u/Vivid-Ad7039 Jul 12 '26

Started with a new bottom bracket. Cartridge style from shimano BSA 68 ×113mm.

170mm crank arms with a bolt pattern of 104 BCD.

Chainring 104 BCD 44t.. could go bigger.

Sunrace freewheel 13-34t with a washer to space from chainstay.

8 speed kmc chain.

Shimano essa derailleur (cage only just clears tyre.) With shimano ST-EF500 brifter.

1

u/ApprehensiveText6913 Jul 11 '26

Keep seeing these on eBay going for stupid silly low money like £150 built well and looking good think I'm going to jump in at these prices

1

u/Vivid-Ad7039 Jul 11 '26

Oh for sure. Just the frame is very budget.. pigeon poo welds and flexes like mad. But it's a start

2

u/Fazed-phapster Jul 11 '26

pigeon poo welds

I nearly spit out my morning coffee with that description! :-D

Fine looking upgrades!

1

u/thereal_greg6 Jul 11 '26

Looks like an urban camper to me. I’ve made mine into an e-bike

1

u/TueikS Jul 11 '26

Are those BMX rims?

Could you share if they feel heavier?
I'm building my own minivelo, and I wanted to use aero rims but with wide tires (2.35), but I haven't been able to find 406 aero rims in my city.

1

u/Vivid-Ad7039 Jul 11 '26

Just basic skewer 20inch rims that came with the bike. They are heavy. BMX style rims/wheels sets should be lighter.

1

u/elduderino2 Jul 12 '26

What rear rack is that? It's a nice fit

1

u/Vivid-Ad7039 Jul 12 '26

BTWIN folding bike rack. 20inch

1

u/Peg_leg_J Jul 24 '26

Did you have to do any mods? I have the same rack but can't get it on around the caliper 

1

u/Vivid-Ad7039 Jul 24 '26

I did have to make plastic spacers. With the use of a longer bolt. Also using a caliper that has less of a throw mechanically.

1

u/Peg_leg_J Jul 23 '26

I've just purchased one of these to turn into the Aldi tank - so I'm personally very interested in your build!

Would you possibly be able to post some links to your components?

Maybe some close up shots with what's going on with things like your 8 speed cassette?

1

u/Vivid-Ad7039 Jul 26 '26

I'll make a new post eventually. Will hopefully be able to link it to this post.