Building a Bike from scratch
Discussion
Just wondered what the PH cyclists think of building a bike from scratch eg buy a frame and fork and then take it from there. Have many of you done it? And if so what did you find to be the tricky bits?
I used to be able to strip a BMX down and build it back up again, but that was a while ago. My mountain bike maintenance skills are not great, but i am learning slowly. I have 'Zinn and the Art...' to guide me. Will this suffice, or am i likely to come unstuck at some point, and be trotting down to my nearest cycel shop with a bagful of bits asking for help?
greg
I used to be able to strip a BMX down and build it back up again, but that was a while ago. My mountain bike maintenance skills are not great, but i am learning slowly. I have 'Zinn and the Art...' to guide me. Will this suffice, or am i likely to come unstuck at some point, and be trotting down to my nearest cycel shop with a bagful of bits asking for help?
greg
I will never buy a complete bike again - Built my last 4 bikes up from frames.
Its not that difficult to be honest, however theres a few jobs you'll have to get your LBS to do - Facing the brake mounts, Facing the BB, and pressing the headset cups in.
Other than that, can all be done quite easily at home, and is the best way to learn about the bike.
Its a lot easier if you have a stand aswell.
Its not that difficult to be honest, however theres a few jobs you'll have to get your LBS to do - Facing the brake mounts, Facing the BB, and pressing the headset cups in.
Other than that, can all be done quite easily at home, and is the best way to learn about the bike.
Its a lot easier if you have a stand aswell.
It may be best to avoid the more exotic brands of kit, unless you have access to a machine shop.
Everyone claims compatability, but it seems with a pinch of salt.
E.g. On mine I chose to build up King hubs with XC4 brakes and ended up re machining the calipers and disks to make everything fit the fork and frame.
Not fun and now i'm pretty much scuppered when I need spares!
Good luck.
Everyone claims compatability, but it seems with a pinch of salt.
E.g. On mine I chose to build up King hubs with XC4 brakes and ended up re machining the calipers and disks to make everything fit the fork and frame.
Not fun and now i'm pretty much scuppered when I need spares!
Good luck.
One thing I still find a pain with certain "cheese metal" cranks is fitting pedals, cromoly into soft alloy, just got to be careful. Get all the advice you need on bottom bracket lengths for the frame of choice. I personally think you can fit a headset on the average frame at home if you have a length of threaded rod and a few washers and I've got a lot of rear disc brakes perfect without facing the mounts but these things along with the bottom bracket can be worth having the shop do as the tools can cost a fair bit.
Parktools website is the best free resource I know for up to date infomation on servicing/building and is very easy to follow.
Parktools website is the best free resource I know for up to date infomation on servicing/building and is very easy to follow.
gbbird said:
It would be a hardtail. quite like the look of the Cove Stiffee, even though a tad more expensive than i planned. What else is there out there?
My 2nd hand Titanium Litespeed frame(17.5" ) with Raceface headset, ti seatpost, ti stem and ti bars, BB and Pace rigid carbon fork..?http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9...
Edited by LRdriver II on Tuesday 5th June 11:30
My current Hardtail is a Dialledbikes Prince Albert.
They do a variety of different frames, mine is the Reynolds 853 version. I previously owned the slightly heavier 520 version. Both are really good value!
Mine is built up relatively cheaply, the frame weight is obviously more than alu race bike, but not at all hefty. The bonus though, is its fantastically comfortable, and very, very tough.
The one I've got now should last me many many years, and that includes lots of abuse from jumping it.
Nice fella to deal with aswell.
www.dialledbikes.co.uk
I've owned lots and lots of bikes, and this is the only hardtail I would truly, reccomend as being a bloody good bike for not much money.
They do a variety of different frames, mine is the Reynolds 853 version. I previously owned the slightly heavier 520 version. Both are really good value!
Mine is built up relatively cheaply, the frame weight is obviously more than alu race bike, but not at all hefty. The bonus though, is its fantastically comfortable, and very, very tough.
The one I've got now should last me many many years, and that includes lots of abuse from jumping it.
Nice fella to deal with aswell.
www.dialledbikes.co.uk
I've owned lots and lots of bikes, and this is the only hardtail I would truly, reccomend as being a bloody good bike for not much money.
gbbird said:
It would be a hardtail. quite like the look of the Cove Stiffee, even though a tad more expensive than i planned. What else is there out there?
The design for the Stiffee FR hasn't - essentially - changed since circa 2003. The frame has lost the V brake mounts and a new rear drop out design are the only significant changes in that time. IIRC, they tweaked the frame geometry for 2005 so that six inch forks could be accomodated. They got the design so spot on to begin with there has been no need to alter it.The frame is bullet proof so you can feel confident buying one from eBay - subject to the usual checks / conditons about buying off eBay.
Brilliant bike - here's mine
It is so good I don't feel the need to change to a FS trail bike.
Edited by mk1fan on Tuesday 5th June 13:05
LRdriver II said:
gbbird said:
It would be a hardtail. quite like the look of the Cove Stiffee, even though a tad more expensive than i planned. What else is there out there?
My 2nd hand Titanium Litespeed frame(17.5" ) with Raceface headset, ti seatpost, ti stem and ti bars, BB and Pace rigid carbon fork..?http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9...
Edited by LRdriver II on Tuesday 5th June 11:30
I recently completed my first ground-up bike build (wife's bike) using a combination of new and 'upgraded' parts from other projects.
I doubt it would actually work out any cheaper than buying a ready-made bike (except that I already had some parts) but is satisfying, particularly if you want something different/special.
I did have to buy a couple of specialist tools but they were cheap enough and always useful. The only job I didn't/wouldn't tackle was wheel building due to a past attempt ending in frustration and the fact that the local bike shop will do it properly for a tenner.
I doubt it would actually work out any cheaper than buying a ready-made bike (except that I already had some parts) but is satisfying, particularly if you want something different/special.
I did have to buy a couple of specialist tools but they were cheap enough and always useful. The only job I didn't/wouldn't tackle was wheel building due to a past attempt ending in frustration and the fact that the local bike shop will do it properly for a tenner.
gbbird said:
LRdriver II said:
gbbird said:
It would be a hardtail. quite like the look of the Cove Stiffee, even though a tad more expensive than i planned. What else is there out there?
My 2nd hand Titanium Litespeed frame(17.5" ) with Raceface headset, ti seatpost, ti stem and ti bars, BB and Pace rigid carbon fork..?http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9...
Edited by LRdriver II on Tuesday 5th June 11:30
pdV6 said:
gbbird said:
LRdriver II said:
gbbird said:
It would be a hardtail. quite like the look of the Cove Stiffee, even though a tad more expensive than i planned. What else is there out there?
My 2nd hand Titanium Litespeed frame(17.5" ) with Raceface headset, ti seatpost, ti stem and ti bars, BB and Pace rigid carbon fork..?http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9...
Edited by LRdriver II on Tuesday 5th June 11:30
i wish. 15 inches sir 
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff