Project Build A Bike

[DJPetrolHead]

So few reasons for doing this....
1) just bought a man cave with a few mates so have somewhere to do it
2) got spare set of Campagnolo Sirocco wheels with 10sp cassette
3) have a P1 road bike for dry days, a track bike for track/commute and MTB for muddy hills
So really want a steel framed project bike that is a good spec but fun to build and use in crappy conditions or go to the pub....
Problem: I am technically challenged. Seriously I don't have a single engineering bone on my body.... So who can help me.... What should I buy etc ?

[anonymous-user]

Easy.

Frame, headset, fork, seat post clamp, seat post. Often will come as a single package

Drivetrain: Ergos, brake callipers x2, bottom bracket, chainset, chain, cassette, cables and outers, front mech, rear mech

Wheels - you have them. Tyres and inners.

Stem, handlebars, possibly spacers, bar tape, bottle cages, saddle.

Pedals, shoes, cleats.

There is some tricky stuff in the detail: is your headset internal or external, is your front mech braze on or clip on, what bottom bracket do you need, how long should your cranks be, etc.

There are some tools that you may need to buy to fit the bottom bracket and crank arms.

[Watchman]

You should spend some time perusing Sheldon Brown's site and amassing some useful tools [see note]. Also, see if this helps:

http://www.koo-bikes.com/ebooks/Koo%20Bikes%20The%...


Note = You're going to need (not exhaustive):

1. metric spanners (Halfords professional)
2. medium adjustable spanner (Halfords professional)
3. cable crimper
4. cable snips
5. metric hex keys(Halfords professional)
6. bottom bracket removal tool (which type depends on your choice of BB - Park Tools)
7. crank removal tool (if you need to adjust the BB or remove the crank for any other reason - Park Tools)
8. cassette removal tool (if you need to remove - version depends on your choice of cassette - Park Tools)
9. chain whip for assisting with removal of cassette (generic Ebay special)
10. chain splitter tool (Park Tools - learn how to use it first or you'll brake it)
11. tyre levers (Park Tools plastic ones)
12. Track pump (should have both types of valve and a pressure gauge - generic Ebay special)
13. Screwdrivers for adjusting gear end stops

[Gizmoish]

Unless you buy a frameset with a matched pair and a headset already fitted, you'll need a headset tool I think.

[ecsrobin]

Gizmoish said:

Unless you buy a frameset with a matched pair and a headset already fitted, you'll need a headset tool I think.

What's a headset tool?? Block of wood and a hammer does the job

[Watchman]

ecsrobin said:

Gizmoish said:

Unless you buy a frameset with a matched pair and a headset already fitted, you'll need a headset tool I think.

What's a headset tool?? Block of wood and a hammer does the job

Agreed. Never failed me.

[tjdixon911]

ecsrobin said:

What's a headset tool?? Block of wood and a hammer does the job

This is my method too - just be careful though it caused me to dent the top tube of my frame in the process...

[DJPetrolHead]

Appreciate the help so far chaps - bidding on some frame sets at the moment as i need a large frame given my height (notice i didn't say size lol)

The wheels I have are obi campag and have a 10sp Miche cassette on there……. looking to prob spec Shimano 105 group set given its a hack bike…. now this is where (I have admitted) my limited knowledge hits a wall……. can i put a 105 on there with a Miche cassette and Capmpag wheels? Memory serves me that I can but i bow down to the fountains of knowledge (thats you lot)

Cheers DJ….. and beers for all that help

[anonymous-user]

DJPetrolHead said:

Appreciate the help so far chaps - bidding on some frame sets at the moment as i need a large frame given my height (notice i didn't say size lol)

The wheels I have are obi campag and have a 10sp Miche cassette on there……. looking to prob spec Shimano 105 group set given its a hack bike…. now this is where (I have admitted) my limited knowledge hits a wall……. can i put a 105 on there with a Miche cassette and Capmpag wheels? Memory serves me that I can but i bow down to the fountains of knowledge (thats you lot)

Cheers DJ….. and beers for all that help

Unlikely.

Remove the cassette and you'll see some splines on the freehub. Campy and Shimano use different spline patterns. Campy (or "made for Campy") cassettes won't go on a Shimano freehub and vice versa (SRAM will go on a Shimano freehub, but that's no use to you).

It's *possible* you're running Campy wheels that have a Shimano freehub. More likely it's a Campy freehub though, what with them being Campy wheels.

How to tell them apart? First, remove the cassette. For this you need a chain whip, a locking nut, and an open mouthed spanner that will fit the locking nut (it is possible that you can tell simply by trying locking nuts. Surprise, surprise, Campy and Shimano produce differently configured ones. I'm just not sure whether the Miche lockring is specific to the freehub).

Once the cassette is off, compare the splines to the pictures here: http://www.slowtwitch.com/Tech/Cassette_How-To_-_P...

If you have a Campy freehub, you have three options:

1. Build the bike with a Campy drivetrain. This is good, 'cos Campy is better than Shimano, and everyone on the internet, esp cyclists, agrees with this.
2. Change the freehub on the wheel to a Shimano freehub. Not sure whether this is possible.
3. Find a third party (such as Miche) who make a Shimano compatible cassette for a Campy freehub.

And in case you're wondering, it's not a great idea to run a Campy cassette with a Shimano drivetrain. Shimagnolo can be made to work, but it's a PITA, not least because the spacing between the sprockets on one doesn't match the lateral movement of the rear mech per shift on the other.

[DJPetrolHead]

Thanks for this - campag. So looks like I go the Veloce route which is the entry level I believe. Can pick up some cheap components on eBay by looks of it so just need to get my head into how I actually do this!! Can see a visit to my local mechanic and lots of web surfing coming up!!!