Building my own bike…

I have to agree with all the
I have to agree with all the comments here, it is quite easy, fun, and rewarding, most importantly you get to learn so many new skills. I started building my own bikes when I was still a kid as that was the only way of me getting a bike, I have 4 different builds going right now, just waiting for the parts to magically appear

I would suggest looking out for an older steel frame bike to start with, look around jumble sales and ebay for the parts you need and learn from your mistakes…if any. Once the build is complete, if you have any concerns, take it in to a LBS hand have the give it a once over.

I have some notes on my blog if you need inspiration, and on that note, I would encourage anyone doing this to write/blog about it http://jasontimothyjones.wordpress.com/tigger-bike-project/

I build all my own bikes, as
I build all my own bikes, as there is a great sense of satisfaction in riding the finished product. Also when you build your own bikes you get to know exactly how everything goes together, which in the long run means you are more likely to be able to fix things yourself when they eventually break or wear out (saving money on maintenance). I agree with earlier posts that Zinn and the art of bike maintenance is a must have if you intend to build your own bike, but also I have found that youtube has been a great source of advice when looking for how install/repair something.

The biggest problem you may have is with tools, items such as bottom brackets and headsets often required special tools, for your first build I would recommend using you LBS to install these items, the rest you should be able to do with a good set of allen keys and metric spanners, that said if you venture into the would of carbon fibre parts a torque wrench is a must (Zinn gives all the torque settings you are likely to need in his book).

I usually buy all the bits from the likes of wiggle et al, but find ebay is a great source for coloured anodised screws for bottle cages, dust caps, bar ends etc, and they are pretty cheap, these little touches can really make a custom build standout.

as others have said go for it, you might loose some finger skin and get stuck along the way (this is when forums come in handy) but in the end you will be glad that you have built something that is unique to you.

I took it one stage further
I took it one stage further and designed my own frame. I wanted a titanium frame but did not like the price in UK shops. I got my own frame built in China for substantially less. Firstly you need to know exactly what you want by way of a frame, and secondly how to recognise that on a drawing. Once it arrived I only had to get my LBS to face the headtube and fit the headset. The rest I built up myself without a hitch. There are endless hours of fun to be had searching for forks, wheels, groupset and finishing kit on ebay. Great fun when you finally get it together and go for a spin. Frame decals are available on ebay as well, so you can have a change of brand if you ever fell like a change.

I agree. Do it.
I’ve just
I agree. Do it.

I’ve just completed my first one, a fixed speed bitsa. I bought a (very cheap) frame off eBay, then gathered second-hand and new parts from eBay, a couple of retailers (Planet-X, Tredz, ProBike Kit, that sort of thing) and bike fora (I believe that’s the plural of forum), eg London Fixed Gear & SingleSpeed (they’re not exclusively fixed & SS).

It took a while – 10 months to be exact. But, that’s because I was trying to do it as cheaply as I could. Plus, I had bought a rather old frame for which certain parts: bottom bracket, hubs, were not easily sourced.

Sorry, I started rambling on.

The result is a bike that (OK I probably have bought cheaper and quicker) is all mine and brings a smile to my face every time I swing my leg over.

Super-satisfying!

I’ll be doing it again…

…when it’s safe to broach the subject with Mrs Jimbonic!!