Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.
Hey, guys. I just found out about this forum while I was doing some planning of my next tour. Since my old bike is not really loaded-tour ready (I only did some light weekend touring with it) and I don't have high budget, I decided to custom build my own touring bike for the first time. So, I just have few questions.
1) I only have repair tools that I used for my light touring, are these enough to build a bike or do I need more tools?
2) Since I'm farely new to this, is there any website that can help me along?
3) I only have decided on Surly Long Haul Trucker frame for now. I gotta do tons of research on which parts to buy, but it would be awesome if you could recommend me some! I am a 150 lb and my loads will be around 50lb also. And my budget for the entire bike including racks and fender will be around 1200.
Thanks a bunch!
Oh btw, I'm going out to Australia for 2 months.
Devious Golden
03-18-05, 09:24 AM
Hi there!
You and me both, Tumba. I've never toured before, but I'm an avid commuter, and I'm looking to build up a Surly for touring. I'll share some of the advice I just learned.
1) As far as building a bike goes, having a repair stand will be infinitely helpful. At least something like the Spin Doctor Essential (bottom-bracket mount) stand you can get from Performance. Installing the headset will require a headset press to fit the cups into the steertube. Don't worry though, you can have a shop do this with their tools for cheap, and you can do the rest. Since you'll be using a threadless headset, you'll need to know exactly how short to cut the fork, because too much may render it unusuable, so check with a mechanic while you're there. You will need cable cutters to route everything cleanly also. If you're new to the whole process, it might be beneficial to bring specs you have to your local LBS and have them size up a bottom bracket to go with the cranks you want, and possibly install that for you. You'll also need a chain tool to cut the chain to length. I could be leaving something(s) out, but you can do most of the work at home with a set of L shaped metric allen wrenches, adjustable wrench, book/knowledge, and a stand.
2) If you search through the Park Tools site, there are "directions" on how to use their tools, which prove to be helpful. Bicycling magazine's repair guide is pretty thorough for a beginner/intermediate, and www.sheldonbrown.com has a lot of helpful hints as well.
3) I know that choosing flat/drop/moustache bars early on will help, as that can affect what style of brakes/shifters/levers you'll get. Don't be afraid to get a lot of mountain/tandem components, as I had the notion beforehand that touring bikes were just road bikes with extra braze-ons. It seems that cantilever brakes are still popular on touring bikes, and either bar-end shifters or downtube shifters are popular in the sense that they are reliable, inexpensive, and servicable. Look into the most bomb-proof wheels you can find that will fit mid-sized tires and not weigh you down to a great degree. I'm looking to use Sram derailleurs, but many use a 105 front/XT rear combination. Your call here.
Best of luck!