'Building' a bike

[Bigtallfatbloke]

Ok..so what if I were to buy a decent frame and then 'build' my own bike from there? How easy is it? What are the pros/cons over buying an off the peg spec'd up bike? Is it cheaper?

I would need a simple list of all the components I would need to buy I guess..you know like:

x2 wheels
x 1 seat post
etc..

then I would ned to know which bits are best and compliment each other I suppose...

I'd learn more about bike maintenance i reckon, but it could end up getting costly and frustrating if I ballz it up (which I am sure to do).

Is there a good 'nobs guide to building a bike' anywhere?

 

[oxbob]

Hi BTFB, i built a bike for the 1st time last yr, it took about 4hrs to assemble then another 2/3hrs fettling. Unless you are buying end of line stuff or off ebay etc you wont save money, but if you plan it carefully you will have a one off bike that YOU built. As for parts i would look at frame/groupset/wheels in that order. Bob

 

[Globalti]

Generally it's not cheaper because bike manufacturers/assemblers buy groupsets in bulk and get big discounts. However if you are confident to buy cheap through Ebay it might workout cheaper for you. I built my last MTB myself but really I was trading up from a rim brake frame to a disc brake frame so it was mostly a straight swap of parts.

 

[oxbob]

Btw, this is my 1st effort

 

[andrew_s]

I'd recommend getting the headset and bottom bracket with the frame, ready fitted, by way of ensuring that the frame is fully prepared.
The proper tools for facing the head tube and BB shell, and pressing in the headset cups are not what you'd normally have, and are expensive.

 

[Oddjob62]

I bought an old Raleigh racer off ebay, replaced the bottom bracket, cranks and wheels and converted it into a single speed bike. Up until 2 months ago i had never done any bike maintenance, and very little bike riding. Sheldon Brown was a lot of help, and a few other sites like bicycletutor.com. I'm sure i could have got an OTP fixed gear for the same or less, but it's MY bike now

Main added expense will be the tools you will need, I've now got 2 freewheel removal tools, a double ended cone tool, pedal wrench, crank removal tool, hex set, hooked lockring removal tool, chain breaker, shimano BB tool and I'm sure I've forgotten a couple.

 

[fossyant]

The tools cost.....but if you are "in it" for the long haul.....it's well spent..... and you'll soon get the cost back, and save money as your bike will be well maintained....

Of my 3 bikes, only the commuter was off the shelf...that was soon in bits and re-assembled with good grease.....had it now 15 or more years....

The Herety was built for me and came as a frame (headset fitted - I'd dropped it into the shop), and a set of wheels (built by Frank) - I put the lot together.... aged about 20....

The Ribble is the hack, it's got bits of all ages on it..cranks and brake calipers of 22 years old....and varying bits in between - not much of it very new...

Get the tools, look after it...

I meet so many folk that have bikes costing £2k plus that have no clue how to fix it... scarey !!!!

 

[Mr Pig]

My mate built a mountain bike and it cost him a lot more than buying a bike of similar spec would have.

 

[Oddjob62]

The tools cost.....but if you are "in it" for the long haul.....it's well spent..... and you'll soon get the cost back, and save money as your bike will be well maintained....

Oh i'm not complaining. Just pointing out that you need quite a bit of extra toolage if you want to do most of the work yourself

I meet so many folk that have bikes costing £2k plus that have no clue how to fix it... scarey !!!!

Same in all walks of life, my mate calls himself a "car freak", has a Porsche Carrera and has just put a deposit down on a Ferrari California, yet doesn't know how to change a tyre, not that it would help if he did as he doesn't own a car jack hehe.

 

[fossyant]

Ah. but they complain about how much it costs to fix a bike - you buy a car it costs, same with a bike - time/hours etc - a full bike service will cost almost as much as many bikes cost.....

A bike is a simple piece of mechanical equipment, some with some fancy bits, but that's it....it's still a bike....... £100 or £5000 it's a bike....easy.......

 

[Mr Pig]

A bike is a simple piece of mechanical equipment, some with some fancy bits, but that's it.

Indeed. There isn't much that's too complicated on a bike.

 

[stoofa]

this is one i built

its good fun a bit stressfull at times

 

[ghitchen]

1. Decide what purpose the bike is for (so you know what sort of components to buy)
2. Make a list of all the components you need (once you've made the list, compare it to your current bike to check you haven't forgotten anything - little things like the cable guide under the bottom bracket etc. are easy to forget)
3. Decide which components to buy (this will be influenced by brand loyalty, price, function etc)
4. Don't forget that seat posts & clamps and front derailleur clamps are seat tube diameter specific.
5. Work out the specialist tools you are going to need (this will depend on what components you are going to buy - most manufacturers have tool lists on their install instructions online).
6. If you don't have much mechanical experience, buy (or borrow) a torque wrench. You will need one for the low torque bolts as used on stems and one for higher torque items like crank bolts and cassette lockrings. The latter can use a standard automotive torque wrench, the former need a precision unit
7. Buy a workstand. You can get a perfectly good one for under £60.
8. Buy everything you need. Use eBay (with care), the various online retailers (Ribble and PBK regularly have 10% or 15% reductions and everyone has sales or bargain sections) and your LBS if you can get a good deal.
9. Start building. Follow the manufacturers instructions, use the web (the Park Tool site can be useful, even if you aren't using their tools), ask questions on Cycle Chat. Don't force anything, measure cables twice before cutting once, don't rush and don't set yourself a deadline.
10. Sit back and admire the fruits of your labours!