woodcycl

Can someone who has done a build let me know if I am forgetting anything?

Frame
Fork
Headset
Seat Post
Stem
Handlebar
Wheels (tubes, tires, hubs, spokes, skewer, and cassette)
Component System (shifters, brakes, FD, RD, Crankset & BB, cables, cable housing, and chain)
Saddle
Pedals
Bar Tape
bottle cages

Is there something called a steerer tube for the headset/fork that I need? I'm from the old school where I only know the quill stems, etc. If building myself, what areas (i.e. a punch tool for the headset, bottom bracket & crank arms install, etc.) would need to be handled by my shop if all I have is a small number of tools (i.e. the Spindoctor $50 tool kit from Performance)?

I am considering purchasing a frame which includes fork and headset ... and need to spec out each and every other item so I can plan both on the purchase price and the specific make/model of each item.

Thanks for any feedback.

woodcycl

Wow .. no replies??

I just recieved my Zinn road bike maintenance book in the mail yesterday and it looks like I haven't missed anything.

Jinker

Hah! Seat post clamp!

-Greg

Jinker

And bar plugs!

I'm building a up a bike as well right now (Nashbar Framé aluminum frame, mixed 105 9 speed triple and Tiagra group) and am waiting one more box of parts to start the buildup.

What are you putting together?

Mo'Phat

Sorry for the no reply...I'm not checking BF from midnight to six on a Thursday...that's the skank shift.

The older style quill stem used to go into the inside of the fork steerer tube, which was buried in the head tube. The newer stems clamp on to the steerer tube which sticks up all the way through the head tube and out the top. Normally the steerer tube is long and you need to cut it down to size. Put the bike together, bolt the stem on, move it up and down to your desired fit, mark it, and take a hacksaw when you're sure you've got it perfect.

Some frames' head tubes are built with the headset cups already mounted and use sealed bearings. These are called 'integrated' headsets and you probably don't need a full-on headset like a Chris King.

For the rest of your list:

Stem spacers - Normally these are carbon or aluminum rings that go in between your stem and headset to raise the stem a little. They're cheap and come in different sizes, so get a selection. Having no stem spacers leaves you no room to adjust for fit later after you've cut your steerer tube to the right size.

Cheap cyclocomputer - You want to know how fast you're going on that hog, right?

Repair tools and parts - Spare tube, pump, multi-tool, etc., should be mandatory.

You'll need bottles to go in those cages.

You'll need a helmet for your dome.

Check the frame you buy to make sure it's got all the necessary nuts and bolts...if not, they can be bought. Also check for the seat post clamp. Normally these are not attached to the frame, but clamp the seat tube around the seat post. They can fall off and be lost if they aren't clamping down anything.

A 'Wheelset' is 100% complete with tires, tubes, hubs, cassette, nipples, spokes and skewers. If you're not too particular about hubs and spokes, a good wheelset is generally cheaper than building your own.

Have fun.

EDIT - Jinker beat me with the seat post clamp. Bar end plugs should come with the bar tape.

woodcycl

You guys are too funny!

I'm heavily leaning toward a Devinci CxSL Carbon Frame in Midnight Blue. Here is a photo (includes full build ... I am just getting the frame most likely):



I'll most likely build it with mostly Ultegra ... but I want a higher-end Carbon Crankset for the bling-bling look of it. I plan on getting all carbon seatpost, stem, and handlebar ... as well as bottle cages. I'll use my current Kysrium wheels given they cost me $800 a couple years ago. I'm thinking Ultegra Compact also.

Funny thing is ... I never cared much about the look of my bike in the past other than keeping it clean. Now, I all of a sudden care about the OCP/looks of my new bike/build!!

dstrong 

I think your list is complete as long for the bike but a computer might be desirable also. My terminology might be a little off, but the "steerer" or "steer" tube is the part of the frame that the fork's "steering" tube goes through. I built my first bike last year and the only job I had LBS do was to press in the bearing cups for my headset. On my bare frame they only charged $5. Everything else I did on my own and had to only purchase a few tools. I puchased a torque wrench (inch-pounds, not foot pounds), a bottom bracket and cassette lockring tool and some Park Tool wire/housing cutters.

When ordering parts make sure you know your dimensions. For instance, you have to know whether your frame's BB is english or italian thread as well as the diameter (26.8 versus uh...I forget). Know that the BB width is different if you're running a double or a triple. You have to know whether your front der. is a braze-on or clamp mount, and if clamp, the diameter. Headsets and stems are generally 1" or 1 1/8" and some handlebars have an "oversize" clamp area that requires and "oversize" stem clamp. Obviously, your seatpost diameter has to match your seattube diameter.

I'd be happy to answer to any questions although I'm sure there are many more qualified folks on this board that'll chime in also.

Mo'Phat

Booya! Carbon stem spacers and an integrated headset.

woodcycl

thanks for the tips ... I appreciate it!

I just noticed that my frame purchase will include:

1. Frame: Optimum C6 carbon monocoque road frame (1.1 kg / 2.42 lb)
2. Fork: Devinci Carbon Mc monocoque
3. Headset: FSA I SS (No.16/CC)
4. Seat Post: V2 Fusion carbon 31.6 mm
5. Seat Collar: Devinci bolt

Not too bad .. not real sure about the seat post or fork though ... have to wait until I get it to decide if I'll keep them or get different ones. Thoughts?

Does anyone from the U.S. ever had to deal with the Devinci company? I am just curious of customer service in case I need warranty work on the frame down the road. It is supposed to have a lifetime warranty on the frame.

Ostuni

bottle cage screws, aka brazeon screws....

Phantoj

1. Motobecane/Bikes Direct deal of the month ($1095, full Ultegra)
2. Frame of choice

(sell Moto frame after build is completed)

shabbasuraj

This is the right answer.

shabbasuraj

Devinci is a growing company that seems to stand behind their product.. They even offer a lifetime warranty on the FR and DH frames...

I test rode a CXsl for an hour and found the ride very compliant...

Is there a dealer near you?

Please post a pic of your final build as I am sure there are not that many Devinci's in your area...

good luck.

FatguyRacer

I just rebuilt mine friday. Its the little things that kill you.

Add cable housing ferrules and cable ends to your list. A good LBS should just give these too you for the asking. If you have exposed cables make sure to get the little black donuts that keep the cables from snapping at the frame. If you dont have one with your frame, the bottom bracket cable guide is nice to have too. Have some black electrical tape on hand too to set the cable house posisitons on the handlebars before wrapping them up. Its also handy as a bar wrap finish too.

oilman_15106

Don't forget the most essential bike build item : Money, more money, and still more money.

gm1230126

Rim Tape and most importantly..............eraser for changing brands three times before you make your final decision, Patience, potty breaks and TIME!

FatguyRacer

Dont forget the beer. At least a sixer.

jazzy_cyclist

I'm going through a somewhat similar build. Your list looks pretty good. The one thing I ended up doing was buying tools. In my case, the fork and headset didn't require any pressing, so that was easy. But since the frame is carbon and I'm petrified of over-torqueing things, I did end up buying a couple of torque wrenches. I would never have worried with steel or aluminum, or if I did enough of this that I knew how tight XYZ inch-pounds was in my sleep (I don't). Other tools were basic additions that are mostly useable on other bikes, although I did get the hollowtech bb/crank tool.

You will have fun! Take pix along the way.

Don't forget a laptop computer so that you can browse the ParkTool site liberally...

barba

Make sure you have a small budget for misc. parts and tools. Having the headset and fork already installed makes things a great deal easier. If you have never done it and it is a carbon steerer, I might consider having your LBS cut the fork to fit when you are ready.

Have fun.