koop

So I trashed my aluminum frame several weeks ago. I've bought a new frame and I need to change everything over. Now I've been doing mech work for years on cars and can tear an engine apart and put it back together, but for some reason I'm hesitant on my bike. I'm quite sure I'll have all the tools, full tx, full allen etc... but is there anything I should know, any particular parts to make sure are lubed well or any areas that need to be torqued to a certain spec? I'm going from an al giant TCR frame to a carbon TCR with the same geometry and size. The components are all Tiagra and I have new wheels as well so I will need to swap the cassette. The new rear wheel still has the hub on it. The only things I'm kind of wondering about are cable routing and the headset changeover, but any advice would be great for a complete bike mech newb. Thanks.

z415

You will need quite a few bike specific tools that might end up being costly including a chainwhip, a lockring tool, crown race tool if you need a fork swap, headset press if not integrated, headset remover, chain tool if no master link, etc. Some of these tools can be homemade, but I just wanted to let you know what you're getting into before you did - it might be less of a hassle and cheaper for a shop to do it, though way less fun.

Try searching through parktool.com and sheldonbrown.com for hints and tips.

PS, the tools I linked to are like the Snap-On of the bike world.... well, maybe S-K or Mac, so the prices may scare you, but they can be had for about half price using some store brands such as pricepoint.com's Torx branded stuff.

koop

I just remembered hearing something about grease from carbon parts too. Is there any real difference between a grease for carbon parts and ordinary lithium lube?