List of everything you need to build your first bike

David9694 wrote:

David9694 wrote:

What could possibly go wrong??

At least we don’t have a PM that hides at the first sign of things going wrong.

We’ve been countering on here

We’ve been chuntering on here about Rose bikes stopping deliveries to the UK – sign of things to come, perhaps? 

Can’t  apologise enough for our current round of stuipidity – we’re going to make Kent, the closest county to France, permit only for lorries – it’s all in a good cause, a brighter future, towards completing our EU Exit in the middle of a pandemic in the depths of winter.  What could possibly go wrong??

I just went to one of the

I just went to one of the local Decathlon stores in Berlin and took a bike from a showroom. It’s simple with Decathlon but it’s not that simple with Genesis. Currently they do not deliver outside of the UK. And as far as I know, other British manufacturers don’t do that, too. But I have at least a whole year to order this frameset, hopefully things will get better this year. And meanwhile, I can enjoy my cheapo Triban. The plan right now is to build the bike either this winter or next one. 

Good luck – it’s great fun as

Good luck – it’s great fun as long as you have the time, don’t rush things (that way lies cross-threaded BB shells and additional swearing) and read the manual. Shimano Dealer Manuals are very comprehensive and fairly easy to follow. And there’s always the awesome Calvin from Park Tools to help.

I’ve self-built two bikes from scratch and done complete groupset swaps on a few more. Always external BBs or square taper so I haven’t had to deal with press-fit BBs. The only thing I’ve had my LBS do is cut the steerer for me once I was happy with my position. 

Once you’ve done one and got the tools together suddenly you can start looking around at race frames with basic kit, swap your better group over, sell the Claris/Sora stuff, and have a race-ready bike for half the price of pre-built. Focus, Specialized, Giant, Trek, they all tend to use the same frame and just differentiate price based on finishing kit and groupset level.

I’ve just completed an upgrade on my new MTB, going from Acera/Altus to Deore 11sp and a double to 1x. As my first MTB I would probably have gone with an high spec off-the-shelf build but they simply weren’t available earlier this year. Only additional skill I need to learn for MTB fettling is bleeding hydro brakes. 

Hurrah for build it yourself.

Hurrah for build it yourself.  I enjoy it – at last, something practical that I’m good at! I like a bit of on-line comparison shopping and I’m also a sucker for parcels arriving.

I wonder about the economics of all this vs say a new buy or buying a B’Twin and stripping down and replacing and undesirable / short cut bits.  I suspect that if you’re DIYing you’re not going to use the manufacturer standard tricks of scrimping on certain unsexy parts.  

I built a frame (at Downland Cycles, heavily supervised) a few years ago and have built me two pairs of wheels (that’s where you’ll find me after Boxing  Day).  I’ve got my own head badge design and brand name for my refurbs. what a way to pee money up the wall – take an old Condor frame and with just some wet & dry and a rattle can, re-style it as something no-one’s ever heard of!

Procedure

Procedure

1. Facing if you’re inclined to; Install headset and bottom bracket bearings

2. Assemble wheels – rim tape, tyres, tubes, skewers – discs if using, rear cassette

3, install seat tube, collar/ bolt and then saddle; downtube bosses or levers; cable guides if using

4. prep the forks – crown race, decide whether you’re cutting the steerer, measure twice, cut  the steerer; install star nut or compression thing

5 install the forks, spacers, and stem, top cap and bolt

6, handle bars next, then brake levers; if installing brifters, reflect that many people’s whole bike costs less than these

7 install calliper brakes or install disc calipers  and mudguards if using; 

8 install wheel assembly, adjust calliper brakes to rims; inflate tyres

9. Connect up brake cables, gear cables; check you haven’t got any headset play

9A disc users – get annoying chatter for the first time that’s going to be with you a long time

10 Install chain-set (see also 6)

11 install front mech (a.  carefully if carbon frame, b. ignore a. Get sickening crunch sound, being the sound of the laminate cracking;) rear mech, chain;  

12. Pedals, fine-tune positioning of levers, install handlebar tape

13 bottle cages, and then front light fork bracket, saddlebag loops if you’re from the 1950s and /or belong to CTC

 

 

Dart22 wrote:

Dart22 wrote:

What is the best company/place to buy all of the required parts from? Does building your own bike work out cheaper than buying one?

Thanks

Plenty stores online..
Parts needed listed above.
If looking into regarding quality at low price.
Gum tree seconds are awesome..
Some might need a vinegar bath and a lube.
But years before fancy dancy materials, effort from high prestige of sport leaders went into production with the materials they had use of.
Found a (rides like a new one) chromoly double butted frame combination complete bike with $100+ retail lighting. $100. No way I can build cheaper than that. Lights cost more than purchase price.
Got home.. Put wheels on, inflated tyres.. Little finger picked it up.. Compared it to a 7kg racer.. Not much in it but noticeable.. (To my pinkie finger).

If building own.. Another source is used.. Often the find of high quality (hope it doesn’t get rusty) artwork.

When building it is almost nearly more expensive or cheaper.. Rarely is the cost the same.

What is the best company
What is the best company/place to buy all of the required parts from? Does building your own bike work out cheaper than buying one?

Thanks