Mountain Biking - Building a Bike

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TroubleAhead
08-23-09, 04:53 PM
hey everyone so I'm posting because I'm curious about building a bike. i need a downhill bike for relatively cheap. I've been biking for a while now but I've been using a cheap Trek i've had for a while now and it is time for an upgrade.

the questions i have are:

What tools do i need to build a bike?
What are all of the parts i am going to need to buy?
What kind of Paint do you use for a bike frame?
is there somewhere i can see how to assemble my bike online?
Is it really worth building a bike over buying one assembled?
What recommendations do you have for parts for a 6'2'' 200 lb. beginner/intermediate college student not looking to spend an arm and a leg?

any help would be appreciated.

Vtolds
08-23-09, 06:35 PM
Downhill bike for less than 2 or 3 thousand will be tough to come by. It is possible you could get by using a all mountain bike like a Sette Ace, or Flite? Pricepoint has got a deal going on for the Venom http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/19316-175_SETVN9-3-Parts-60-Frames/Sette-Venom-Frame-W/Rockshox-Vivid-5.1.htm if your going to go that route you need to get a shock that is at least 180mm travel, 200mm max. That means look to drop at least 1,000 or more dollars just on the front shock. You can see how it could be expensive. But really if you dont plan on doing anything to extreme the Ace or the Flite that Sette makes may fit your needs. Here is a link to some Videos so you can see what the bikes are capable of. If you really want to tackle building a bike, there are lots of videos on youtube.com that can help. I would start at least buying this tool set http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14585-325_SET215-2-Accessories-42-Tools/Sette-Torx-ST-21-Tool-Kit---21-Tools.htm
helmut
08-23-09, 08:07 PM
Define what you mean by "relatively cheap". Wouldn't the Specialized BigHit be a pretty decent choice? $1900-2200 for a FR/DH bike with a 160mm or 180mm fork. You should check it out.