Road Cycling - am I crazy to build my first bike?

Hi all -

I am (another) newbie to road bikes although I have been mtn biking for several years.

I have been doing some research and test riding and I have liked both the Specialized Allez Comp 18 and the comparable Klein (I can't remember the model # off-hand) although it was somewhat higher priced.

Anyway, after doing some digging it seems like you can pretty easily buy an S-Works frame and full Dura-Ace Bike Kit on the internet for around $2400-$2500 total. This is more than I wanted to spend, but it seems like a better overall deal than buying the Specialized bike noted above at a local dealer.

Of course, I would have to build it. Although I have never done it, I am pretty handy and a buddy of mine just build a mtn bike from the ground up and said a road bike should be easier. Alternatively, I could have a bike shop build it but I don't know if they like people bringing them stuff off the street. Any thoughts on the topic?

Thanks!

Yes, I've found road bikes (in general) to be easier to put together than mountain bikes. I've built up maybe 6 or more mountain bikes from parts, and then just completely rebuilt my road bike two years ago. It went much smoother. The same compatibility rules apply (BB/crank/shell, headset/steerer/stem, etc.) so you should be fine. If you buy a complete grouppo, then it will be even easier.

Dura-Ace? How about Chorus? :) You'd be amazed at the instant respect a Campy bike (not just Record) will get you! See Chicagoland Bicycle, www.cbike.com (and yes, if you have Campy you have to start using the word grouppo; I don't know why) Ha!

Unless you have a bike guru at a local shop, don't bother - some schooler could end up putting it together, and you'd be better off doing it yourself. You and your buddy and a 6 (or 12) pack will do fine.

Road bikes are easy to build up. I would allocate a couple of hundred $ for a decent bike stand and the basic tools for bike assembly. In particular you will nee the fluted cylinders used to install/remove the bottom bracket and cassette. Presumably the head tubes and BB tubes will have been faced ?, (milled flat and parallel). Setting star nuts for the headset (threadless) might require a tool also to make it set straight. Steve

You would be crazy if you didnt! I had so much fun building my cross bike... now i want to build a new mountain bike... and road bike... Honestly, it was much easier than i thought it would be. And my LBSs were very helpful if i got stuck. I had them install my BB and headset for me since i didnt have the tools for it.

I haven't built up a bike before, but I have a few comments anyway. Personally, I'm down with the Campy stuff as well, especially if you're going to build the bike up yourself (cause most bikes come factory with Shimano). That said, unless you are doing some serious racing, Record will probably not be the way to go. Chorus is a great group and significantly less money than the Record. I would have to assume the same applies to Dura-Ace/Ultegra. My wife has a Specialized Allez Comp 27 (2001) with full ultegra and she loves it (I like it too). The S-Works would be a nice bike to have though, I'd just build it up with Chorus over Record or Dura-Ace. Whichever way you go, I'm sure you're going to have fun!

It's alot of fun to build up a bike, but hardly ever is cheaper. I would look at chorus or record to :) I just like campy ( I dont' want to start a campy vs. shimano debate). A complete Chorus groupo 10sp tripple will cost you around $960. Then pick a nice set of wheels and you are all set to go. I don't think a road or mtb is harder about the same.

I'm also a Campy fan and a Chorus kit would be my first choice. I recently did a total rebuild of my Lemond BA with a mix of Campy Chorus and Centuar and other hand picked parts. The hardest part will be the tools you won't have. Things like a cassette lockring tool, bottom bracket tool, torque wrench, headset press, crown race setter, etc. Those are things that I doubt most people will have and you will probably have to have a shop help you with that part of it. Since I work at a shop and was a mechanic for 5 years it was easy for me, but for someone with out any experience it will be a challenge maybe. If you have a friend who knows how to work on bikes well and has built some that will help. As long as you take it slow and ask questions before you go ahead and do something your not sure about (thats the most common mistake I see) you should be fine. There is a nice sense of accomplishment if you build your bike from the ground up by yourself, especially if you plan on building the wheels too. Lots of fun.

I also build my own. A way to get around the expensive tools is to take the frame to your LBS and have them cut and face the BB shell and press in the headset. Should cost about $20-25 for both. Put everything together youself after that. I use Lennard Zinn's maintenance book for guidance, when in doubt. After all is done, if not satisfied, take back to the LBS for a final tune-up.

I am also a Campy person and think it is better gear than Shimano. Record, Chorus or Centaur would be excellent. But go for the Wipperman SS chain and Phil Wood BB. Enjoy!!

I know I had my LBS install my Headset and cut the fork. That is the one thing I did not want to do myself, if you cut the fork to short you are pretty much SOL.

I built 2 this past year, and it figured about a third of the LBS. Shop ebay and the online stores for specials, it doesn't take much.

Thanks for all the responses! I am going to dive in and do it myself!

Good on ya. Its more than worth it.
I built up mine except for the headset which I had the
LBS do (I didn't want to buy a headset press which I'd
use maybe once every 3 years.
There is an immense satisfaction riding a bike that you
built.

Serotta
Campy Chorus
Mavic GP4 tubular rims (built them myself!)

besides its another excuse to buy tools, and we all
know you can never have too many tools.


Marty

Originally posted by lotek
I didn't want to buy a headset press which I'd
use maybe once every 3 years. ...
besides its another excuse to buy tools, and we all
know you can never have too many tools.


Marty

Maybe what we should encourage is local cycling clubs to start bike building subgroups, and have members chip in to buy occasional use tools. Thee tools could be shared by owners, or acquired through dues, assessments or rentals.

I installed a headset with a board and a hammer, worked pretty good.

you can do it if you aleady have good mechanical knowledge of building a mtb. I would not say that a road bike is easier, just different both tasks require a good amount of work and patience....

the best part about building your own bike is when you tell someone they normally say "wow you built your own bike!?" :p

Originally posted by gattm99
I installed a headset with a board and a hammer, worked pretty good.

Here here. headsets are NOT some kind of magical fragile bike part that only professionals can install.
Here's my headset puller. 12" pvc pipe quartered and spread out slightly.
http://www.bikemojo.com/speak/attachment.php?s=&postid=64466
and this is my press. 12" threaded rod with 4 washers and 2 nuts
http://www.bikemojo.com/speak/attachment.php?s=&postid=64879

works like a charm and costs less than $5.

I built my road bike took about three hours, not counting the tweeking. Shimano parts come with very detailed instilation guides. Needed a botom bracket tool >$6.00 and a few metric allen wrenches. Lots of fun.

Excellent tools above (The Toninator). I have installed several with the threaded rod variation, but the puller (driver) will be one of those I will need sometime and will have to remember that great idea. I agree, the LBS people want you to believe they are the only ones who can work on or sell a bike.... hogwash! I would rather spend $ buying the tool to do a job (and then have it for next time) than pay them to do it...

at least thats one mans opinion.....

Lotek........here's my $3 headset press/installer......works every time.....

(hope attached photo shows up)

That is beautiful. I just yesterday I was pondering the idea of plopping down a hundred bucks for a Park press. What was I thinking!?!?!?

And the PVC puller is a stroke of genius.

Ok listen to this, I got my new frame Friday, after work I had to spend time with the wife, then go to a graduation. At 10:00 I started building. At 1:30 I got dissoriented and disenhearted when I cut a cable to short and lost the ends for it. I went to bed. Was up at 7:30 adjusting and finetunning and cutting another cable.

Took the bike on it's maiden voyage at 10:00 to Giant City State park near Makanda IL. Some of the steppest roads in the entire state. 50 mph+ First downhill Ithought for sure I was going to die, but didn't in fact bike did great whole trip.

Building a bike is the only way to really become a WHEELMAN, Shops are nice but your a fool if you run to one evertime your rear derailueir stops indexing right. Build a bike to get a better understanding of this great sport.

Or at least to make a Post in a bikeforum!

GHOLSON

Hey.....congratulations for putting together that new bike of your's. Sounds like you've got a winner. You're right, I can never understand why someone would run to a bike shop even for minor adjustments unless this person is a total mechanical klutz. I know many riders with superb riding and racing skills but have absolutely no idea how to set limiting screws or tweek spokes, for example. For me, this hobby is 80% riding and 20% building and tinkering. Thank you.

A buddy of mine raced at Texas A&M when I was at the University of Oklahoma. We'd ride together occasionally and his bike was always (yes, always) in horrible shape. Chain was usually black and shiny from reapplied layers of tri flo, wheels were out of true, etc. Just sad.

I have bought a Frame, now I am thinking of building it at home, I know I can do it but, I will just let the wrench make some money, if I still do their job, I wiill be bigger in the wallet....I am thinking of going Campy, coz' my other bike a dura Ace euippe