Bicycle Mechanics - Newbie Thinking of building a bike

Moved to the Midwest from Seattle and picked up riding around town because of the lack of hills here. So now riding here and there for errands to the store that kind of thing has become a nice way to get a little exercise.

I started looking around for a bike of my own (been borrowing my GF’s) and since my needs are simple I thought I’d get an inexpensive crusier type. Well that led me to Electra bike. Which accidentally led me to a bare aluminum frame and forks they are selling which led to this thread. I Know I could just go with an el-cheapo huffy or something but...... well I haven't quite gotten old enough that "cool" isn't part of my reasoning. (Honestly I think I’d like a Bianchi Milano but cant afford to spend that much)

The mechanics of it look reasonably simple, I’m ok at do it yourself type stuff so that doesn’t worry me. Its more a question of how much more it would cost than buying a ready made bike.

I’ve been thinking weight is important to me because I’ll be moving back into the city soon and will then probably have to lug the thing around an apartment building. Also since I mostly do city type riding I wanted to go with either a single speed or internal hub 3-4 speed.

Anyway what I’m wondering is am I crazy for wanting to build it myself. It looks like the cost is at least a third higher than buying a complete bike.

Any advice on lower end but reasonable quality components would be greatly appreciated. Or if I really am crazy please talk me out of this.

Actually the main cost I have always found, is tools. Theres a few specialty tools that are must haves, and unfortunately quality bike tools can be expensive. Also, for someone who is new to bikes its often hard to know what works with what. Theres a lot of different sizes of a lot of different parts. A lot of parts that seem they should be compatible aren't, and a lot that you wouldn't expect to be compatible are.

Really for you I think a cool off the shelf bike would be a Van Dessel (www.vandesselsports.com)... they are kind of commuter oriented roadbikes with internal hubs or singlespeed. If you want to build a really versatile bike, I would recommend a Surly Karate Monkey (www.surlybikes.com), its a 29" (700c) wheeled touring/mountain/cross/commuter bike, and can be set up as a singlespeed, geared, or an internal hub. You can run pretty fat 29" tires, or something like a cyclocross 700c tire. Run drop bars or flat bars, whatever you want. For a build, definately recommend the Karate Monkey, off the shelf, check out Van Dessel.

Jon

WEll actually i thought ide build my own bike and what happened is that i ended up spending a lot more then i predicted, If you alreayd have a decent set of tools, socket wrencesh and allen keys and a few otehr htings there still is a few you need. But anyways what happened becuase things were boguht overtime with me and i kept doing research and changing my mind i end up buying more hten i thought and cuz it isnt one big expense at once it doesnt seem as expensive. BUt, i like my bike now and i had a great time building it.

I'm currently in the final stages of building up a frame for the first time, and I'd say that the important factor in deciding which route to take depends upon your access to parts and tools, how much time you want to give yourself, and how much you like working on bikes.

I work at a nonprofit bike shop--I teach low-income kids to fix bikes after school--and we have all sorts of good older parts which I can buy for cheap. Lotsa good SunTour stuff, small neccesities like cable guides, barrell adjustors, nets & bolts etc. I can also get stuff at, or close to, cost from our distributor. This drives the price way down, especially when you consider that markup for parts at bike shops is generally 100% or more. (I don't really know that standard markup for complete bikes). I also have access to tools, which is quite important. Don't even think about a bike DIY unless you have the following specialized bike tools:
-chain tool
-good cable cutters
-cone wrenches
-casette tools
-bottom bracket wrenches (pin spanners, tooth wrenches, OR a cartridge BB tool)
-crank puller
If you're building your own wheels, you need a good truing stand, spoke wrenches, and a dish stick.

Even with all this stuff, the cost is not that much less than an off-the-shelf bike. If you don't have access to cheap old parts and/or wholesale pricing, the costs may be a bit higher.

The main plus of building up a frame is that you can get custom specs--great if you are like me, and your ideal bike is one that nobody makes off-the-shelf.

Yea I figure the cost is higher doing it this way. But I do like to tinker. As to the tools I was thinking that any specialised tools that were particularly expensive I'd just have a shop do that bit. I do wish I had the full set of snap-on tools I had at home when I was a kid.

In thinking about the project my worries center around learning some of the techniques I might need but I've looked at some books and online and that seems to be within my abilites to learn. The other worries are about creating a "parts list" so I get the things I need and also as you mentioned what will fit the frame I'm lusting after and what will go together as a kit etc.

So any advice on those would be appreciated. I'm thinking that a single speed for my first time is probably the way to go both from an expense and learning point of view. I looked at those bikes mentioned today and they are very cool, but even more expensive than the Bianchi I would buy if I could afford it. Which is one last reason I like the idea of building my own, the expense only happens over time as I have the money.

Someday I'd like to learn the art of wheelbuilding but for now that seems beyond what I'll be doing.

well ive never built singlesleed, but the basic tools are not overly expensive. GO for ebay, you can get some incredible deals. I payed 4 dollars for a crank extractor there. You dont even really need a chain whip although its nice, you can use an old chain and step on one end with your foot. cassette locking tool is like 5 -7 dollars. But if you have a nice adjustable wrench they seem to do well. Ide say go for it, i always found i like hte ibke more if i built it, just feels better.

If you like to tinker and build stuff then absolutely go for it. BUT as previously mentioned there are a half dozen or more tools that you simply must have. When I started I first bought a basic bike tool kit (~$50 on ebay, ~$100 new). Then I bought about a dozen grab bags odd lots of bike parts (also ebay) just to start understanding how things work (freewheel vs freehub, cup-and-cone bottom bracket vs sealed cartridge, what parts are left hand threaded, what are rear dropout measurements and how does that affect hubs and cassettes, etc). You might look for bikes being thrown out and rescue them as repair projects or source of parts. I've rescued expensive English racing frames off peoples garbage and sold them on ebay for hundred$. And many bike shops will toss out old bikes (especially dept store bikes) so you could go dumpster diving for some serious parts or complete bikes.

I've gone through several serious hobbies in my life and this one (building bikes) is absolutely the most rewarding. You work with your hands (there are no power tools in bike mechanics), you figure out gears and stuff, and when you're done you have a machine that gives you freedom, exercise, mobility, excitement, comraderie, satisfaction, and twenty more things you'll have to discover for yourself.

Singlespeeds are cool. I have a dozen different bikes now (built them all) and my singlespeed (30+ yr old Peugeot touring frame) is a favorite I use for cruising around suburban Chicago. Find an old road bike with a freewheel rear hub, and replace the sprockets with a singlespeed freewheel. You'll need one with horizontal dropouts on the rear. Stick with steel (cro-mo) frames to start with. They generally ride sweet.

I just ordered a Nova Frame 62cm with cabon fork from www.chucksbikes.com the total cost including
shipping is $126.
Bottom line is to decide whether or not you want to ride it NOW !! or you want to build slowly an correctly an ride it later.
I got more tools then sense, been doin it all my life but what I know about bike quality ya can put in a sewing thimble.
Only had 4 bikes all my life <50yrs> schwinn continental , a raleigh, a Mongoose and now a 1985 trek<soon to be boned up>.
Me, I waanna ride now, I take it apart every 3 days an put it all back together for hell of practice, GET SOME TOOLS !!
get tools or yer gonna eat parts with yer cheerios...!!!

I Scoot2 do U ??

I've put bicycle tools on my xmas wish list. I want to start building a commuting/touring bicycle next year, beginning with a touring frame. See my thread "Sticking My Toe In..." over in the commuting folder/forum.

I'd look for a used bike at thift stores, garage sales etceterras. You should be able to find a decent quality around town bike for under $50. That would be including an internal hub three speed. If you wanted to build it yourself, you'd end up searching all over town and the internet for bits and pieces to put it together. It could take a couple years to find what you'd need on your budget. If your budget weren't an issue and you just ordered what you need, you'll spend well over $1000 not including the frame and fork. So, my advice is: shop local, shop used, shop for a complete bike.

If you are serious into biking, then you will need the tools even if you buy a complete bike since you want to do some repairs and maintenance by yourself. So tools isn't really a issue. When it comes to budget, well roam ebay for NOS parts. It doesnt necessary cost you a fortune. And when it comes to knowledge... just look around at www.parktool.com , www.sheldonbrown.com , http://www.yarchive.net/bike/ (look for Jobst Brandt). Then you will pretty much learn everything you need. And when it comes to which parts to which frame, use a caliper. :D Good luck mate!

Thanks guys. I asked at the beginning to be talked out of it and you did. Well sort of the idea of starting with an inexpensive used bike is what I've decided to do. (Gonna save for a Milano or maybe a Rollo).

The tools thing strikes me kind of wierd though I was lucky to grow up in a house with excellent quality tools and stuff. But now in middle age I have basically a pair of pliers, some screwdrivers and a drill Doh! Anyway I understand about the specilized tools, Shoot we had a transmission jack growing up. So I get that part. But I looked at the Park website and to be honest it doesnt' screem quality. I noticed the wrenches and what not are quite thin. Is this a "bike" thing, as in so they will fit close tolerances or something or is it just to keep them lite so you can take them with you?

And now I'll keep my eye on a couple of inexpensive Italian jobs I've seen on ebay. Oh and more advice is surely appreciated.

Ok, I got a cheap mtb its an old CroMo Scott Montana, from the exage derailurs I'm guessing early 90's generall the mechanical bits are in decent shape as is the frame and the wheels at least don't rub tires are shot from dryrot looks like it was not ridden much at all probably purchased and then parked. Has weired (and slightly bent) arrow (sic) dymanmic type handle bars. Overall seems like a lower middle end bike. Thanks for all the adivice guys. now the fun starts.

... But I looked at the Park website and to be honest it doesnt' screem quality. I noticed the wrenches and what not are quite thin. Is this a "bike" thing, as in so they will fit close tolerances or something or is it just to keep them lite so you can take them with you?


Park makes GREAT tools (they aren't the only ones, of course). the "thin" wrenches are probably the cone wrenches and they are thin. They are used for disassembling the axle from the hub of the wheel. If you were to use them like "normal" wrenches, you'd ruin them. "Normal" wrenches, as others have said, should just be purchased at Sears, Lowe's, or Home Depot, etc.

It could take a couple years to find what you'd need on your budget. If your budget weren't an issue and you just ordered what you need, you'll spend well over $1000 not including the frame and fork. WHAT??? For a budget single speed? you gotta be kidding.

"Any advice on lower end but reasonable quality components would be greatly appreciated. Or if I really am crazy please talk me out of this."

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember amateurs built the first plane; the Titanic was built by professionals.

Got the time this weekend to start taking it apart, wow is it dirty. The chain rear der etchad an extreamly thick past of grime and whatever it had been lubed with. I'm not sure if the chain rings and cogs are worn out or not. From reading here I get the idea that the teeth shouldn't be to sharp (sign of wear). But I'm a little confused the teeth show no sign of a hook shape so does this mean they are ok?

Either way they will be what I run for the winter anyhow. Well after I get some more time to put it back together..... So far its been fun.

Doh! I forgot to ask the cranks are shimano exage 500, will it take a normal Shimano crank extractor to remove them? Or to be even less clear, Are there different sized Shimano crank extractors? Thanks for any help.

A normal non-isis crank remover will pull them fine. As for getting grime off, Simple Green and a brush does a good job.

Seely, thanks for the quick answer. I have to admit goofing around with the bike is fun and relaxing. Although since I'm starting out with essentialy no tools its kind of a drag waiting to buy each new tool.

Just go for it. I would also say that building your own frame is NEVER cheaper. Don't do it to save money, unless you already have the parts from, say, another bike that you just upgraded.

SB