Bicycle Mechanics - Building up a bike - difficult?

I just bought a Cervelo R2.5 frame and have been buying components and other gear to build it up.

Only thing is I've never built up a bike.

I've spent a lot of money on this new stuff and want to have the bike just right.

- Am I doing the wrong thing to try and build this myself?
- Should I leave it to the pros?
- If it is not that treacherous, is there any particular order in which you should install the components?

I have a very good book that illustrates and describes how to install each component, so I am willing to give it a try but do not want to damage anything.

Any advice would help.

Thanks

You are guaranteed to spend more money than you would buying a bike, but if you enjoy and can afford it, go for it. Your bike will be unique. Just be sure to be careful and don't do anything that may be even slightly sketchy (like cutting a steerer) before you know exactly what you are doing (ex: leaving room for spacers & headset stack height, and a small gap below the top of the stem).

Have fun

I think you will find that most of the installation is pretty straightforward. You will need a few special tools but they generally are not very expensive. The biggest exception is installing the headset. Although there are some instructions for homemade headset presses, I would recommend having an LBS do this job for you. They should do it for about $15-$20 labor. While their at it, if it's a new frame you might have them install the BB, or at least chase the threads with a tap to clear out any paint overspray Crossthreading a BB retainer will spoil your whole evening.

Other than that, most of the components simply bolt on. Get and use a torque wrench. Don't forget to lubricate dissimilar metal contact (steel screws in aluminum) and pay very close attention to the FD installation instructions if you are using a clamp on FD.

Take your time and enjoy the experience.

I think you should try it if you have the right tools and you shouldn't if you don't. Some things are difficult for a beginner like frame prep (face and chase BB shell, face head tube, cut crown race.) Installing a headset may be something tricky for a beginner. You may want to have your lbs do some of these things. The rest is just a matter of bolting things on and adjusting them. Be sure you have the right tools such as bottom bracket tools or cassette lockring tools, chain tool, cable and housing cutter etc. Also be sure you have a torque wrench and the hex tool sockets to fit it.

When it comes to the order of things, I usually start with the fork and headset installation. Then I mount the cassette on the rear hub and then mount the wheels on the frame. Then I install the bottom bracket and crankset followed by the derailleurs and chain. Then I set up the handlbar and shifters and install all that stuff. Finally, I put on the seatpost and saddle and do all the cabling. Then test and adjust. That's about it. Takes me about 3 hours or so from start to finish to do it carefully. If the frame is already prepped then cut that time in half.

I'm told the Taiwan factories can do a build in 15 minutes per frame on a production line. That's a whole lot faster than I go but I'm confident I do it better.

Anyone who is mechanically inclined, knows how to follow instructions, and have the patience can build a bike. But if you're all thumbs, you may have problems handling small parts..... :D

Agreed. Get some help with the headset/steerer tube length, and the bottom bracket installation. Those are the only areas where you can really ruin your frame. Everything else is pretty straightforward. Fine tuning may be a bit of trouble if you've never done it before. If all else fails, you've got your book, the Park Tools website, and your mates here at Bike Forums.

I did it this year for the first time. My friend owns a LBS so he basically taught me how to do the things I couldn't do before. I guess I was really lucky. It cost me much less than buying an equivalent bike at the time, and labour was free with discount on all the components. You WILL enjoy it though. It's so nice to have a unique bike these days.

Thanks everyone! This has been a BIG help. I love Bike Forums.

The bike setup will actually cost me less than buying the whole bike. What I purchased:

- Cervelo R2.5 Frame (with Fork Easton EC90 SL, Headset, Seatpost) $1599
- Dura-Ace component group new on e-Bay $800
- FSA stem/bars new $200 eBay
- DA Pedals $100 new eBay
- Kysrium SSC SL Wheels new $450 eBay
- Conti 3000 Tires new $70

TOTAL: $3219 plus I have the components I want

Buying the bike new built up: $3800

Do it yourself; you'll get exactly the bike you want, it's fun and, you'll also be very confident regarding regular maintainence/upgrades and troubleshooting problems. Remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions and refer to Park Tools' website-it's an excellent source for fine tuning things (brakes, derrailleurs) and installation tips and tricks.
I use an old bottom bracket to chase/face the bottom bracket shell, sandpaper or emory paper to remove any paint over spray in the head set, and a pipe cutter to cut the steerer tube (remember to leave enough length here). I also made a headset press out of; all-thread, washers, and nuts-patiently press the cups in individually with grease and you'll be fine. Everything else is just bolting stuff on. You'll also have the opportunity to treat the inside of the frame with any anti-corrosion agent you wish to use (I simply spray it with WD-40), in addition, I drill a drain hole in the bottom bracket shell (although you can do this at any point subsequent to the build).

I also size and install my own chains using the "biggest front ring, smallest back cog, vertical rr. derrailleur formula". Run the chain through the derrailleurs, around the biggest front ring, and the smallest rear cog. Pull the chain together, when the rr. derrailleur is vertical, cut the chain there (I believe some recommend leaving an additional 2 links).

I've built many bikes and have never had a serious problem. Have fun.

first time build on a carbon frame- PLEASE get a torque wrench and use it!

Learn as much as you can from reading, talking to, and play around with your older bike too. That's how I learned to do it. My first serious road bike was a Bianchi 12 speed with full Campy with bearings in the bb and easy to remove hubs. Love that bike. Then go build some rims, really decent ones. Set it up the way you want it and really discover your inner bike.

I've spent a lot of money on this new stuff and want to have the bike just right.

- Am I doing the wrong thing to try and build this myself?
- Should I leave it to the pros?
-

Any advice would help.

Thanks

Wrong or right depends on your temperament mostly. If you have patience, are not prone to force things together, don't mind research/problem solving and don't take it too hard when you make a mistake, then I'd say it's "right".

Al

Assuming the wheels are built, there's no reason you can't (or shouldn't!) do it yourself. Took me about 5-6 hours of work with little prior mechanical esperience...

It'd be worth having a shop check the derailleur hanger alignment. This is one of those hard-to-eyeball things that can make setting up your rear shifting a pain if it's off. Other than that, have fun! Bicycles really are pretty straightforward machines.

Bike building is very doable for the average person.

Use plenty of grease and anti-seize so you can disassemble/replace/service parts in the future. Otherwise parts tend to corrode and oxidize and stick together.

Pay close attention to threading. Pedals, cranks, and bottom brackets are often threaded "backwards".

Be careful not to overtighten, especially with carbon. Common areas of overtightening are seatposts and handlebars. Overtightening in these areas can lead to catastrophic failure.

Leave room on your steerer for future adjustment as you dial in your fit. If you leave your steerer too long, you can always cut it shorter later. If you cut your steerer too short, you are mostly screwed. (Leave the steerer a couple of inches longer than you think you need and use spacers above the stem as well as below. Get yourself fitted and only then cut the steerer accordingly.)

If you have a laptop, take it out to your workbench and go to the Parktool site for specific instructions on whatever it is you're working on so that it is on-hand while you're doing your build. If not, at least print out the directions and have them handy during the build. Take your time, read and re-read the directions.

Having the right tools is essential. Especially for the bottom bracket. Most everything else just requires a set of Allen wrenches. (The one exception is the headset and crown fork race. I suggest you have your LBS install the headset and crown races because the cost of the tools for this is not worth it unless you plan to do bike builds on a regular basis).

I've built up 4 bikes in the last 3 years, including several wheel builds, and each one gets easier and faster.

Bob