Building a Bike

[Flakes]

Hi,

Now that the season is dwindlying down, i have committed to selling my bike and then buying a new over over the winter or in early spring. I would like to do this buy buy the frame, fork, buildkit, etc... the only thing is I'm not sure if it is above my head. Iv'e done many repairs to my bike and know what all the parts are, I'm just not sure if there is more i need to know. Also i have heard i will need a headset press which i am not exactly sure what it is. Any comments or experiences building a bike would be great thanks!

[thedude]

Building up a bike from the frame is nice in that you can pick every part.......except that you will likely end up with a bike that costs you more than if you buy a complete bike.

You will only need a few special tools and you will go over budget but you will be happy in the end.

Think of it like raising a child. Take your time, have patience and use the upmost of care.

Special tools needed.

headset press - just pay 10 bucks and get it done properly with a press at the local bike shop where you will be buying the little parts you need like....grips, shifter cables...etc.

BB Tool to install the BB

Chain Whip and cassette tool for the cassette installation and removal.

Make a big list and check it twice then go to the shop and get everything in one shot. You will save money this way.

If you are in doubt of how something goes together get help i.e. bleeding brakes.

Most of all take your time in picking your parts and getting the bike together, also be willing to spend more than you think to get the parts you really want. Don't buy a $20 tire because you are short of cash when you would be better off getting the $60 tire in the first place.

[Sticky]

Getting the headset in is the hardest part. You won't even have to bleed the brake lines if your buying new part. It's not very hard, but is made much easier if you buy a workstand to do it on.
Just don't try to rush through, that's when stuff gets screwed up.

[Flakes]

From waht i can tell it isnt the most difficult thing to do.

Just one more question

What does the headset press do? does it jsut tighten it up and keep everything tight in the headtube? And can i get the headset pressed after putting everything together?

[sdwkubed]

You'll probably want to have the headset pressed as the very first thing that you do. A Headset Press presses the headset cups into the frame, it ensures that the cups go in squarely, so that your headtube doesnt split.

Take the bike to a shop and have them prepare the frame, by pressing in the headset and you may also want them to face the bottom bracket area and possibly the disk brake mounts, and they should also be able to tell you if you need to chase the bottom bracket threads.

Facing the bb, and disk mounts, and chasing the threads ensures that you remove all excess paint, and even welding slag in extreme cases. This may seem like extra unnecessary work, but it only costs a few extra dollars, and a properly prepped frame is much easier to build and the bike will potentially last longer.

Once the prep work is done... you can build away.

Have Fun
T
PS... You will love your own custom creation, it will cost a little more, but it will by your bike, and be perfect for you... I wont do it any other way.

[thedude]

10 bucks is all it costs.

Take the headset and the frame to a shop and get it done right.

The press puts it in straight and bottoms it on the frame properly without killing the bearing races.

I built up a Cove Stiffee with a King headset. I figure 10 bucks to get the headset in properly was worth it.

[TheGiggler]

even if it costs $20, let the mechs with the right tools do all your headset install/removal.

imagine how pissed you be if you damaged your frame... and without the headset press there's a decent chance of that.

[sanrensho]

I definitely recommend building up your own bike, especially if you already do most repairs yourself.

A headset press provides a pretty small return on investment, so just buy your headset from the LBS and ask them to install the cups for you. It literally takes them a few minutes to do and they will probably put it in for free.

I would also have your LBS do a quick check of the frame, dropout, and derailleur hanger alignment while they're at it. This will save you some potential headaches later on.

And don't forget to build your own wheels!:D

[Nelson]

Your best bet is to pick out what LBS you want to build a relationship with, and talkt o them about what parts you want, theyll have a good stack of deler catalogues with pricing and such listed. Pick out what you want, some things they will have, but others they wont. Then get them to work out a package deal on everything. Maybe get them to install your bb for you if youre not too familiar with mechanical stuff as you can mess up your threads if you dont know what youre doing. Definatley get them to press the headset for you. Id reccommend getting the BB and headset done, buying all the tools, a big tub of grease and going at her one weekend.

[TheGiggler]

definitely to to COVE if you're in the lower mainland.

they'll do a FULL custom bike for ya, and on a lot of the parts you get OEM pricing, which can save a lot of money. they have OEM pricing on SRAM, Race Face, Marzocchi, Maxis, etc...

[Slamigo]

to get done by the shop:

1. race/face the headset and bb
2. press in the headset
3. build the wheels

everything else is accomplished easily enough with a few relatively inexpensive tools

proper bb tool
chainwhip
cassette tool
crankarm extractor

the rest is pretty much just allen keys and wrenches

If you're serious, invest in a nice tourque wrench (it'll probably pay for itself by preventing you from cracking something expensive)

[Flakes]

Thanks for all the help. This is great. I called up my LBS and they said they will press the headset and generally check out the frame for $10. Since i havent done this before the guy gave me alot of pointers which was cool.

[jak]

Hey, I am in the same boat with Flakes, and found this info very helpful! Thx :D


"I would also have your LBS do a quick check of the frame, dropout, and derailleur hanger alignment while they're at it. This will save you some potential headaches later on."
Just wondering, do brand new frames need to be checked for this too? I am getting a new frame over the winter and I want to make sure it's done totally properly because its farking expensive :eek: :) Can anyone recommend any outstanding places (anywhere in vancouver/northvan/richmond) to get this prep work done? I had johnhenry's in mind, but I have never had any work there done personally; I just thought the shop looked real nice :)
Thanks! :D

[sdwkubed]

Originally posted by jak
Hey, I am in the same boat with Flakes, and found this info very helpful! Thx :D



Just wondering, do brand new frames need to be checked for this too? I am getting a new frame over the winter and I want to make sure it's done totally properly because its farking expensive :eek: :) Can anyone recommend any outstanding places (anywhere in vancouver/northvan/richmond) to get this prep work done? I had johnhenry's in mind, but I have never had any work there done personally; I just thought the shop looked real nice :)
Thanks! :D

Yes, have them check a new frame too... sometimes frames can twist during welding, shipping, etc, you can get overspray during the painting process etc, etc.

I think that any of the bike shops in NV are going to be a good bet, I personally have all my work done at BSP, they've been great for me, but I know you'll have peeps say the same thing for any of the bike shops in NV. Go there, talk to them, and go with who ever puts your mind at ease, and who you think will give you the best service (I dont take my stuff to JH only cuz there are too many mechanics, I like to talk to the guy working on my bike)

Have fun
T

[jak]

Originally posted by sdwkubed
Yes, have them check a new frame too... sometimes frames can twist during welding, shipping, etc, you can get overspray during the painting process etc, etc.

I think that any of the bike shops in NV are going to be a good bet, I personally have all my work done at BSP, they've been great for me, but I know you'll have peeps say the same thing for any of the bike shops in NV. Go there, talk to them, and go with who ever puts your mind at ease, and who you think will give you the best service (I dont take my stuff to JH only cuz there are too many mechanics, I like to talk to the guy working on my bike)

Have fun
T

Thanks sdwkubed! :coo:

[XXX_er]

its more $$, more work and more hassle rolling yer own than buying a tailor made , so you better be ok with that up front

A frame can come with misaligned disc tabs or the like cuz the factory just built the frame and shipped it off,they didnt have to make it work... so you gotta get out the file (I've had to do that)and dremel or take the frame in to a dealer and get charged to do the work

going back to the LBS for 1 silly part,a hassle if you don't drive,the lbs is far away

stuff not fitting,wrong stuff ordered,you name it and it can happen

just be prepared and go into it with yer eyes open and think twice if yer on a strict budget

Often a cheaper easier way is to get a bike close to what you want off the showroom floor and have the dealer upgrade/downgrade to your specs which they will often do for no labor charge

[jak]

Originally posted by XXX_er
Often a cheaper easier way is to get a bike close to what you want off the showroom floor and have the dealer upgrade/downgrade to your specs which they will often do for no labor charge

That sounds like a good way to go; but I have my eyes set on an evil DOC :) :thepimp:

[terrorfirma]

If you can...go to the shop that will let you hang around and ask questions while they press in the headset...before they do that they probably should face the headtube so it's square and then press it in. Also it never hurts to chase the BB threads even if there is no paint as well as facing the BB shell. If you get to see what they're doing, then you'll learn and can pass the information on to any other riders you know that use a hammer as a headset press and then call up the manufacturer or shop telling them that the headset is creaking....hahahaha [I've heard it soooo many times - what's a headset press?] you'll be doing all of us a favor. So thanks in advance!

[axx]

go to the lbs and watch what they do, pretty much all shops will let you do this. Ask them for some tips so next time you can buy the tools and do it your self. This way you will get a quality job done and you will also learn the proper way to do things.
Personally i dont think it is that nessecary to face the headtube and bb and chace the bb threads. Most frames come with this done good, but if you do notice the bb isnt screwing in by hand then you should chase the threads. Ive never had a problem with this stuff before, but i guess it isnt a bad idea to do it in the first place especially if your going to the lbs anyways.

[XXX_er]

If I didnt manage to scare you off the 1st time,you can make a head set press with a 8" lag bolt and some washers or wood scraps for pretty cheap .

[nouseforaname]

to save what maybe the cost of a starbucks coffee off teh total of a custom dream machine. :cutcorner.gif:

[XXX_er]

Originally posted by nouseforaname
to save what maybe the cost of a starbucks coffee off teh total of a custom dream machine. :cutcorner.gif:

and maybe more + the hassel if you gotta go to the lbs,they are not all just down the block from starbucks

a head set press is a good thing to have kicking around

http://www.parktool.com/tools/HHP_2.shtml

take a look at this and tell me it ain't just a very sophisticated bolt with a nut on the end to squish a headset onto a frame in an orderly fashion?

we have used ours probably half a doz times,peeps come over to have work done,sure it doesnt have the stepped locating surfaces or the quick release but it does the job...way better than the time honored hammer and piece of 2x4 method