Building my own bike

[pembo]

This place is such a fantastic hive of information I feel it is worth asking for a bit of help even though I may ask some stupid questions.

I've decided to build my own cyclocross bike, it will be mainly for commuting but I'd like to get into the racing side of things. Now the budget is quite tight but I've worked out that with some savvy searching and second hand parts I should be able to build myself a decent bike for a lot less than a complete bike would cost and I would probably end up upgrading parts in the end anyway.

So here's where I need the help, I need a complete list of the parts I will need to make the bike to make sure I don't miss anything (no matter how small) and have a finished bike that just isn't quite right :/

Here is my current list, please feel free to advise on any specific reasonably priced parts that I could look out for, if I have everything I need on the list could you let me know:
• Frame:
• Forks:
• Peddles:
• Crankset:
• BB:
• STI Levers:
• Rear Mech:
• Front Mech:
• Cassette:
• Chain:
• Wheels:
• Tyres:
• Headset:
• Brakes:
• Saddle:
• Handlebar:
• Grip:
• Stem:
• Seatpost:
• Cables:

I've never built a bike before but plan to learn by doing and like the idea of riding something I know well.

[nammynake]

Costs can easily spiral when building bikes...slight better groupset here, slight light wheels there....it all adds up and you end up spending far more than just getting a complete bike. Not saying it can't be done, but you have to be very self controlled and stick to your original budget. I'd say unless the VAST majority of the components are second hand then you wont get anywhere near the value of a brand new bike...especially from the likes of our German bike companies.

[itsnotarace]

You will also need to budget for tools unfortunately if you don't already own them

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0038XQRY4/ref=...
Cable cutters (decent set) £20
Workstand to build the bike from £60
Cassette whip
Cassette lockring tool & large adjustable spanner
Bottom bracket tools
Grease
Pliers/ crimping tool
Awl to round out the end of the outer lined brake and gear cables
Chain tool
etc etc

[Rouleur]

Pedals

The brake and gear cables will come with the levers. You might fiind a bargain groupset by looking around on Bike Radar's classifieds and ebay as people sometimes buy a bike and replace the group with something else. You'll want a CX-specific chainset though.

Here's an example, although it looks to have been sold http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40...

[pembo]

Rouleur said:

Pedals

Balls, I knew it didn't look right but in my haste I thought 'oh stuff it!' silly me

I understand that I'll need to get a few tools as well (I have some) but the man maths puts those in a different budget as we all love to collect tools!

I have found a complete cyclocross build kit that includes everything listed apart from the frame, fork and pedals for £380 and the groupset is Shimano Tiagra which I though was pretty good. I was using this as my base for what to look for and a benchmark to keep under.

So as a precautionary measure I should treat it like a house/car purchase and allow for going 50% over budget yeh?

[ewenm]

Spend the money up front on stuff that is not really upgradeable - frame firstly. Get a decent frame that fits you well and you can start by hanging average bits off it to stay in budget then upgrade them as and when funds allow. If you scrimp on the frame up front it doesn't matter how nice the rest of the bits are, you'll still regret it.

[Moikey Fortune]

Good Luck!

I recently did a similar thing..

You might need some inner tubes?

[pembo]

Haha, brilliant, I actually would have probably forgotten inner tubes!

As for a frame, would a Panet-X Uncle John be a decent base?

[Perec]

itsnotarace said:

You will also need to budget for tools unfortunately if you don't already own them

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0038XQRY4/ref=...
Cable cutters (decent set) £20
Workstand to build the bike from £60
Cassette whip
Cassette lockring tool & large adjustable spanner
Bottom bracket tools
Grease
Pliers/ crimping tool
Awl to round out the end of the outer lined brake and gear cables
Chain tool
etc etc

I once built a Roberts White Spider using almost exclusively the toolkit out an E36 328i BMW and a Cooltool.

Edited by Perec on Thursday 27th June 15:35

[GaryGlitter]

Cross top brake levers?

[pembo]

GaryGlitter said:

Cross top brake levers?

Are these essential or just a nice thing to have that I can add in the future?

[ShredderXLE]

If using canti brakes I think you should definitely have one of these

http://www.tektro.com/_english/01_products/01_prod...

Approx £8 - £12

[Jimbo.]

pembo said:

Are these essential or just a nice thing to have that I can add in the future?

A pain in the arse. Don't bother with them.

You don't -need- a CX specific crankset: the only difference is closer ratios, normally 36/46. It's rather nice, but it'll hinder your chances somewhat. If no 36/46s are around and a 34/50 appears and/or is cheaper, go for that.

[Bobley]

Sounds like a great project but if its your first bike I've be tempted to buy a working bike and upgrade bits. All the bottom bracket standards are a bit of a pain as one frame may be british screw many other CX bikes use BB30, this dictates your crankset, then you need to consider how many chain rings and what type of front and rear derailleur fits with those parts etc etc. I've found the Shimano Tech Docs website really useful as you can read the instructions for all the parts and find the specs so you know that a Shimano 5703 front mech wont work with a 30/39/52 crank but a 6703 will, and then you'll need a medium cage rear mech a CX 36/46 crank will be easier to match up I just wanted to give you an idea of what sort of thing to look out for...

[Jimbo.]

Bobley said:

Sounds like a great project but if its your first bike I've be tempted to buy a working bike and upgrade bits. All the bottom bracket standards are a bit of a pain as one frame may be british screw many other CX bikes use BB30, this dictates your crankset, then you need to consider how many chain rings and what type of front and rear derailleur fits with those parts etc etc. I've found the Shimano Tech Docs website really useful as you can read the instructions for all the parts and find the specs so you know that a Shimano 5703 front mech wont work with a 30/39/52 crank but a 6703 will, and then you'll need a medium cage rear mech a CX 36/46 crank will be easier to match up I just wanted to give you an idea of what sort of thing to look out for...

Chances are any cheap/SH CX frame within budget will be yer' normal BSA bottom bracket. And I'd make a point of seeking them out even if BB30s were within budget: much more choice both of frames and chainsets.

Planet-X Kaffenback (for versatility) or Uncle John. £150ish new.

[Fozziebear]

Built my last MTB and have started collecting parts for my disc brake CX monster. Best bit of advice I can give you is take your time, don't rush into buying the best of everything. I managed to get a no branded carbon frame for £200, then 2nd hand wheels, discs, callipers etc.

[MadDad]

I built a Ragley Blue Pig a couple of years ago, there is something very rewarding about turning up at a trail centre or meeting someone on an XC jaunt with a bespoke bike.

As has already been said, take your time buying the bits, spend lots of time surfing for deals - I bought a lot of my stuff from obscure bike shops with tiny web sites offering 'specials' - aside from the wheels I bought everything at a significant discount.....

[Fat Albert]

I have built my own Mountain Bike and then one for my Daughter, the list of parts for mine was:
New/SH Description Cost Full/New Price
S Carrera Frame 30 100
N Rockshox XC30 Forks 103 150
S Rear Mech - Shimano Deore Shadow Long Cage 23 37
S Front Mech - Deore 17 31.49
S Chain - 9 Speed Deore 8 12.99
S Shifters - 9 & 3 Speed Deore 23 55
S Clarks Mechanical disk brake & 160mm rotor (as new) 18 28
S Shimano Deore Brake Levers (pair) 10 35
S Shimano PD-A530 Pedal 20 28
S Bontrager Stem - 105mm / 15 degree rise 5 22
S Bigfoot Front Wheel 2.19 39.99
S Shimano Rear Wheel 9 29.99
N Ritchey Headset 20 20
N Shimano Deore Bottom Bracket 15 15
N FSA XC Handlebars 16.99 20.99
N Charge Seat Post 17.5 35
N Charge Spoon Saddle 14.99 24.99
N Seat Post Clamp 4.25 4.99
N Schwalbe Smart Sam Tyres 35 40
S Shimano Deore M552 chainset 43.07 59
S Shimano 11-32t Rear Cassette 12.16 20
N Cables 13.01 22
N Shimano Acera Rear Brake 9.48 19.99
N Crivit Ergo Handgrips & Bar-ends 10.97 25
N Sundries 13 14

Total 493.61 890.42

Mixture of eBay, Mate's bits and Wiggle Sales, a front wheel for £2 was my real bargain!

My Daughter's bike cost £550 and was mainly new parts:

[Perec]

Fat Albert said:

I have built my own Mountain Bike and then one for my Daughter, the list of parts for mine was:
New/SH Description Cost Full/New Price
S Carrera Frame 30 100
N Rockshox XC30 Forks 103 150
S Rear Mech - Shimano Deore Shadow Long Cage 23 37
S Front Mech - Deore 17 31.49
S Chain - 9 Speed Deore 8 12.99
S Shifters - 9 & 3 Speed Deore 23 55
S Clarks Mechanical disk brake & 160mm rotor (as new) 18 28
S Shimano Deore Brake Levers (pair) 10 35
S Shimano PD-A530 Pedal 20 28
S Bontrager Stem - 105mm / 15 degree rise 5 22
S Bigfoot Front Wheel 2.19 39.99
S Shimano Rear Wheel 9 29.99
N Ritchey Headset 20 20
N Shimano Deore Bottom Bracket 15 15
N FSA XC Handlebars 16.99 20.99
N Charge Seat Post 17.5 35
N Charge Spoon Saddle 14.99 24.99
N Seat Post Clamp 4.25 4.99
N Schwalbe Smart Sam Tyres 35 40
S Shimano Deore M552 chainset 43.07 59
S Shimano 11-32t Rear Cassette 12.16 20
N Cables 13.01 22
N Shimano Acera Rear Brake 9.48 19.99
N Crivit Ergo Handgrips & Bar-ends 10.97 25
N Sundries 13 14

Total 493.61 890.42

Mixture of eBay, Mate's bits and Wiggle Sales, a front wheel for £2 was my real bargain!

My Daughter's bike cost £550 and was mainly new parts:

I don't mean to be rude, but you could have bought a better bike new from a shop and probably had some change.

[itsnotarace]

Did it get dressed in the dark?