Bicycle Mechanics - This is addicting

So I am new to doing work on my bike (the other day Iwas excited about changing a cassette). This moring I switched out half of the drivechain, Cables, Shifters, rear derailuer, chain. The chain took the most time, but I wanted to make sure I did it exaclty right. Thing is, now I want to by a frame and learn by building my own bike, how do I sell the wife on that idea?

Tell her the bicyclist's mantra is; "N+1" where "N" is the number of bikes you currently own. :)

...I switched out half of the drivechain, Cables, Shifters, rear derailuer, chain. The chain took the most time...

Half the drive chain? Maybe that's why it took longer than changing out the cables, shifters and derailleur? Changing out an entire chain takes maybe 5 minutes.

You have a local bike co-op near you? If you do, the only cost to build a bike up is your time. Granted, some of the bikes they have aren't that nice, but you'll get hands on experience of building a bike up from nothing for only the cost of your time.

Half the drive chain? Maybe that's why it took longer than changing out the cables, shifters and derailleur? Changing out an entire chain takes maybe 5 minutes.

Yes, replacing every other chain link takes some time.

Welcome to the world of those who do their own work. Once you develop the skill, you'll find that this is the best (and cheapest) to ensure that the bike is in tip top shape. When I'm bombing down a hill at 40+ mph wearing only a bit of lycra, It's nice to have 100% confidence in the machine.

The best advice I can give you is to know your limits, and make sure that what you do is done right. Then to expand the limits by getting good advice as you grow your skills.

One caution, building a bike from frame and parts can cost much more, than buying a bike. You'll almost always do better buying a complete bike, and upgrading as things wear out. Or you may buy a bike replace a few items immediately (still cheaper than frame and parts) and use the take-off parts to upgrade a cheap bike you buy used so make a "B" bike or commuter.

Half the drive chain? Maybe that's why it took longer than changing out the cables, shifters and derailleur? Changing out an entire chain takes maybe 5 minutes.

Thanks for pointing out my poor choice of words, I forgot that was the point of BF. Haha

Welcome to the world of those who do their own work. Once you develop the skill, you'll find that this is the best (and cheapest) to ensure that the bike is in tip top shape. When I'm bombing down a hill at 40+ mph wearing only a bit of lycra, It's nice to have 100% confidence in the machine.

The best advice I can give you is to know your limits, and make sure that what you do is done right. Then to expand the limits by getting good advice as you grow your skills.

One caution, building a bike from frame and parts can cost much more, than buying a bike. You'll almost always do better buying a complete bike, and upgrading as things wear out. Or you may buy a bike replace a few items immediately (still cheaper than frame and parts) and use the take-off parts to upgrade a cheap bike you buy used so make a "B" bike or commuter.


Yes, Looking to build a second bike with my "take off parts"

Thanks for pointing out my poor choice of words, I forgot that was the point of BF. Haha

Yes! That's the spirit.:thumb: However, there's a "poor choice of words" and then there is unintelligible. I think in this case you are straying toward the latter.

Wait till you start building your own wheels. What you have *now* is just good reefer. Wheel-work is like mainlining smack.

There's selling your wife on the expense of buying parts and then there's selling your wife on having bike parts on the kitchen table.

Regarding the expense, I recommend acquiring some parts through co-ops, yard sales, or talking to neighbors. But, if you have disposable income, by all means feel free to buy new parts. Not the cheapest route but very satisfying.

And, well, don't store your parts on the kitchen table. This will not make your wife like bikes more.

I've moved my repair center into the spare bedroom for the winter. A pleasant evening is tinkering with my bikes while watching one of a huge pile of recent movies I never got around to seeing in the theater. Basically, it's my man cave.

Yes! That's the spirit.:thumb: However, there's a "poor choice of words" and then there is unintelligible. I think in this case you are straying toward the latter.

I meant Drive train, my way of referring to the "stuff that make bike go and shift" front and rear derailleur, shifters, chain, crank, and BB. Dont know why I typed drivechain. Perhaps I was thinking of the sheldon brown method of chain cleaning
http://sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html

Wait till you start building your own wheels. What you have *now* is just good reefer. Wheel-work is like mainlining smack.

http://i.qkme.me/358g25.jpg

:thumb: Yeah, I went there. Sorry, couldn't be helped. :eek:

Wait till you start building your own wheels. What you have *now* is just good reefer. Wheel-work is like mainlining smack.

So... what would you call building your own frames?

Thing is, now I want to by a frame and learn by building my own bike, how do I sell the wife on that idea?

Build the bike for your wife. Or, better yet, build up a tandem for both of you.