Building a bike
Discussion
My wife had her ridgeback hybrid stolen from our shed last week (scumbags) and she's pretty upset about it because I had bought it for her birthday a couple of years back.
It was nothing fancy but a decent bike from my LBS.
Been looking around and cash is a bit tight at the mo so buying a new one outright not really an option. Also not really cost effective to claim in the insurance given the excess and possible increased premiums.
I have found a frame in the right size and from the same model going fairly cheaply so was thinking about putting one together myself.
I have a little mechanical ability i.e. info my own simple maintenance on my own bike but I have taken it into my lbs in the past to have the bottom bracket replaced.
Parts seem to be available fairly cheaply on e-bay so my question is how difficult is it to build a bike from the frame up?
Are there any particular problem areas or things to look out for?
Many thanks
It was nothing fancy but a decent bike from my LBS.
Been looking around and cash is a bit tight at the mo so buying a new one outright not really an option. Also not really cost effective to claim in the insurance given the excess and possible increased premiums.
I have found a frame in the right size and from the same model going fairly cheaply so was thinking about putting one together myself.
I have a little mechanical ability i.e. info my own simple maintenance on my own bike but I have taken it into my lbs in the past to have the bottom bracket replaced.
Parts seem to be available fairly cheaply on e-bay so my question is how difficult is it to build a bike from the frame up?
Are there any particular problem areas or things to look out for?
Many thanks
I used to build my own OSBMXes from just component parts. The only things I had issues with were installing the bottom bracket cups and the headset. the can be difficult things to get on. People seem to use everything from vices and wooden blocks, to rubber mallets and all sorts in order to get them in, although there are tools especially for these jobs available.
Apart from that, it's remarkably easy. Admittedly, I never had to deal with derailleurs though.
Apart from that, it's remarkably easy. Admittedly, I never had to deal with derailleurs though.
As said the bottom bracket will be the main issue, most other jobs are sorted with allen keys and spanners, but all BB's need a special tool.
Gear indexing can be a bit of a black art too.
I suppose you could get an LBS to fit the BB and headset, you build up the rest and then if necessary take it back to the LBS for the final tinkering.
Gear indexing can be a bit of a black art too.
I suppose you could get an LBS to fit the BB and headset, you build up the rest and then if necessary take it back to the LBS for the final tinkering.
It doesn't say where you're based in your profile. If you're in N Yorks I'll do the headset and BB for you and set up the gears. Only takes half an hour with the right tools, which I've been slowly building up over the last few years.
The rest you can do with allen keys and an adjustable.
The rest you can do with allen keys and an adjustable.
like others have said you will need a special tool to fit the headset, bottom bracket (BB) and crown race. everything else can be done with allen keys, spanners and a few other tools.
facing the headtube and BB shell is recommended but not vital
after the BB and headset the main difficulty is in getting parts that will fit together correctly. due to the sheer number of different sizes and standards available these days it would take too long to go through everything in one go, so i'll start with the first bits that you'll be putting directly on to the frame:
facing the headtube and BB shell is recommended but not vital
after the BB and headset the main difficulty is in getting parts that will fit together correctly. due to the sheer number of different sizes and standards available these days it would take too long to go through everything in one go, so i'll start with the first bits that you'll be putting directly on to the frame:
- do you know what size wheels its meant for?
- do you know how many gears you are going to want to put on it?
- is the frame meant to take disc brakes or rim brakes, or if it can take either, which do you want to use?
- you need to measure the width of the bottom bracket shell. it will almost certainly be either 68 or 73 mm wide.
- you will need to measure both the internal and external diameters of the seat tube
- the internal diameter of the headtube will almost certainly be 1 and 1/8th of an inch with no threads cut into it, but you should probably check to make sure
Rhino - many thanks for the kind offer but I am in Cardiff so it would be a bit of a trek!
Having thought about it I think I'm going to go for the frame. The benefit is that I can buy bits as and when I have a bit of spare cash even if it takes 6 months. Good idea about talking it to my LBS top do gear indexing etc.
At the end I can give her the bike that I built for her which hopefully will hold a bit more sentimental value and replace the one I bought her for her birthday.
Hopefully the pistonheads collective intelligence will be able to help me out should I get stuck - ill have to start a build thread!
Having thought about it I think I'm going to go for the frame. The benefit is that I can buy bits as and when I have a bit of spare cash even if it takes 6 months. Good idea about talking it to my LBS top do gear indexing etc.
At the end I can give her the bike that I built for her which hopefully will hold a bit more sentimental value and replace the one I bought her for her birthday.
Hopefully the pistonheads collective intelligence will be able to help me out should I get stuck - ill have to start a build thread!
Hi deadtom
The wheel size is 700c and the frame has fittings for v brakes. I suspect I'll fit a 7 cog cassette.
Not sure about the dimensions for the bottom bracket shell or the headset yet.
Im not looking to fit super duper components, she will only use it for recreational riding and only for about 10 miles at a time so was thinking about using A shimano acera group set.
The only thing I am struggling with at the moment is a fork. Back to the research!!
The wheel size is 700c and the frame has fittings for v brakes. I suspect I'll fit a 7 cog cassette.
Not sure about the dimensions for the bottom bracket shell or the headset yet.
Im not looking to fit super duper components, she will only use it for recreational riding and only for about 10 miles at a time so was thinking about using A shimano acera group set.
The only thing I am struggling with at the moment is a fork. Back to the research!!
just read my last post back and realised it sounds a bit patronising.
sorry, it wasnt meant to be
do you know if you'll go for a double or triple chainset at the front?
the only difference it makes other than the obvious needing a 2 or 3 speed front shifter is that with a double chainset you can get away with a medium length cage rear mech, but triple chainsets tend to require long cage.
and as you're not going for really high spec, im guessing you wont go for external bearing BB/crankset?
sorry, it wasnt meant to be
do you know if you'll go for a double or triple chainset at the front?
the only difference it makes other than the obvious needing a 2 or 3 speed front shifter is that with a double chainset you can get away with a medium length cage rear mech, but triple chainsets tend to require long cage.
and as you're not going for really high spec, im guessing you wont go for external bearing BB/crankset?
Khushy - thanks so much for the offer, very kind!
Sadly missed out on the frame i had my eye on through e-bay but nevertheless it got me thinking.
Really liking the idea of building one up from scratch. It will be a positive learning experience for me and hopefully Mrs Rhodz will be happy with the effort plus it will allow be to buy the bits and bobs as and when the cash is available and dip into my own spares box.
Been looking around tinternet for a hybrid frame and so far the front runner seems to be this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
The only reservation would be that the geometary is a bit more agressive that her previous ridgeback velocity. Can't argue with the price though.
Any other suggestions?
Sadly missed out on the frame i had my eye on through e-bay but nevertheless it got me thinking.
Really liking the idea of building one up from scratch. It will be a positive learning experience for me and hopefully Mrs Rhodz will be happy with the effort plus it will allow be to buy the bits and bobs as and when the cash is available and dip into my own spares box.
Been looking around tinternet for a hybrid frame and so far the front runner seems to be this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
The only reservation would be that the geometary is a bit more agressive that her previous ridgeback velocity. Can't argue with the price though.
Any other suggestions?
Specialized Sirrus has a great frame - ubiquitous, not too pricey & barely 1.2kg. I used one to build this light trail hybrid for my father with some old spare parts and cheap/lightweight/used ebay items. It has a single 39t chainring and 9sp 11-34 cassette, perfect for leisure riding.
Weighs around 8kg so really flies uphills & easy for lifting over styles, onto bike racks etc. Single ring, cheap carbon cx forks, folding cx tyres and my old race wheels help keep the weight low.
Weighs around 8kg so really flies uphills & easy for lifting over styles, onto bike racks etc. Single ring, cheap carbon cx forks, folding cx tyres and my old race wheels help keep the weight low.
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