Mountain Biking - When you upgrade your bike...

Should you be able to do the installation yourself?

i ask because i'm a total hop-up junkie (weaned on other hobbies), and i can't wait to start upgrading my bike as i get into the sport more. and because i haven't been able to find any bike maintenance workshops or classes in my area.

most of the upgrade installations are very simple. the only think that you might have trouble is the crankset (at least that's for me). I say that is because you need a torque wrench ($80-$100)and other stuff to do the job right. Other than that, I really cant think of upgrades that you might have any difficulties with.

To your question...yes and no.

To upgrade basic parts like stem, handlebars, seat, seat post etc anyone can do that. To upgrade the fork, that is also easy as you just use allen keys, however you may need additional spacers etc to overcome any longer steerer tube lengths. Brakes are easy, installing new wheels easy, new tyres easy. Bascially up to this point its not too hard.

However once you get to the drivetrain it gets more difficult. You need tools to get the crank off, bottom bracket off and tools to clean the bottom bracket. You need special tools to remove the cassette and a chain breaker etc.

To your question...yes and no.

To upgrade basic parts like stem, handlebars, seat, seat post etc anyone can do that. To upgrade the fork, that is also easy as you just use allen keys, however you may need additional spacers etc to overcome any longer steerer tube lengths. Brakes are easy, installing new wheels easy, new tyres easy. Bascially up to this point its not too hard.

However once you get to the drivetrain it gets more difficult. You need tools to get the crank off, bottom bracket off and tools to clean the bottom bracket. You need special tools to remove the cassette and a chain breaker etc.

You're forgetting crown race tools for fork R & R. Granted, tons of stuff on a bike can be done with basic allen wrenches and stuff, but there's a crapload of stuff on a bike is gonna need some kinda special tool.

Cassette tool, chain whip, spanners, cone wrenches, crown race setter/remover, shims for some applications, chain breaker...the list goes on.

Just get 'em as you replace stuff. Park Tools website has good tech tips.

Anything thats not building a wheel, installing a headset/BB, is pretty do-able with a few special tools.
With the execption of the FD, which is and will always be a mystery to me in any indexed system.
They make a number of books on bike repair, pick one up.
This doesn't mean you have to do it all yourself. I'm having a shop do some realativly simple, but time consuming work on my bike, cause I just don't wanna think about it. However, its reallyt nice to know how to do it.

I upgrade whenever I need to, or whenever I have the money. Somethings to put on are easy to put on yourself.

example: Brakes, just installed my Magura SL Freeride on my bike.

you just gotta get the will power from yourself being a cheap skate... i've bled my brakes usin a 1 dollar bottle of mineral oil from the grocery store and bag and a tube. I've put in my headset with a rubber mallet and a soft wood board. i just use my smarts :) and my dads smarts because he is a know it all dweeb ;) and someone is gonna say omg dude!! thats not how you do it. i really dont care how i put in my 30 dollar headset lol, maybe if it was a chris king i would use a press, but screw it :P i've never had my bike in the shop, except when i self operated on it in the shop using their tools :p