cleon

Thinking I might try to build up my own bike from scratch, but want to avoid any real trouble spots for the newbie DIYer. My current assumption is that I should have an LBS install the Bottom Bracket and Headset.

Is that a correct assumption? And is there anything else that is beyond basic tools and youtube tutorials?

TIA!

guadzilla

Installing the BB isnt that hard if you have the correct tool (which isnt that expensive). Nor is installing the headset cups. I find the fork race to be a bit of a pain to install, but that's also doable.

Rocket-Sauce 

Installing a HS and BB are certainly within the reach of a home mech. Buy the right tools and take your time. There are lots of online resources (videos too) to teach you how to do it. I like the Parktools and Sheldon Brown's sites. Youtube has a lot too...

adclark

While I agree that both are within your reach. Personally, I will work on bottom brackets, but haven't put in headset cups. Just isn't worth the cost of the tool to use once, IMO.

SlimRider

Hi Cleon!

I've had BB problems in the past. The tool you're going to need, you're not going to need for the rest of your life because you won't have many more opportunities to use it.

- Slim

eippo1

Actually, I've found that having bb tools around have been really helpful because I choose to ride around in the rain, and so find a bit of bb removal and service to be essential in maintenance. I'd agree with adclark, though with the headset. Leave that to someone else. All the other stuff is really useful in general and putting your own bike together will teach you a ton about your bike.

adclark

If you are really worried about messing up a nice bike though, find a cheap older bike that may need a little bit of maintenance, and strip it down to the frame. Then, put everything back together correctly, adjust, and flip it. You get hands on maintenance experience fixing problems and building a bike up from scratch (with the exception of lacing and building the wheels). It can also help to finance the build if you make some money on it.

merlinextraligh

The BB on most frames these days come faced and chased. If that's true for your frame, the only tool you really need for the BB is the tool to tighten External cups (such as a Park BBT 19, assuming you're using an external bearing BB)

If you need to face the BB, you might want to have the LBS do that.

As for the headset, most frames these days have intergrated headsets, and the bearing races are already installed.

If I needed to press in headset races, I'd have the LBS do that, because I wouldn't want to buy (or make) a headset press for use once every few years.

merlinextraligh

There's a difference between a BB facing tool for around $500, and a tool to tighten and remove bearing cups for $8.


You need the $8 tool and a Allen wrench to service a BB.

You need the facing tool to prep the frame for the BB one time, if it hasn't been done.

So $8 for a tool that may see multiple uses makes lots of sense, $500, for a one time use, not so much.

hybridbkrdr

I read a square taper crankset needs to be torqued once at the correct torque or else it will creak. I mean if you stopped mid-way then resumed applying pressure, I'm assuming he meant that would develop the creak.

In any case, some shops do it cheap enough that the tools required may cost more than having it installed. Plus, they might have enough experience to do it better.

cleon

Yeah, my general premise if it's a specialty tool I'll only use once, and/or something I could really screw up, I'd rather just have the LBS do it. They'll do it for me while I wait, and are very reasonable.

hybridbkrdr

Wheelset already owned, risk is if the cones were tightened too much. Then there would be damage inside the hub.

105 vs Ultegra, I think it largely depends on what kind of deals you can find. heheh

I think I found a Crane Creek S2 on sale at Cambriabike. Lot of random deals on various sites.
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https://harriscyclery.net/page.cfm?PageID=49

just a general guide:
frame:
fork:
handlebars:
stem:
grips:
headset:
headset spacers:
seatpost:
seatpost clamp:
saddle:
crankset:
bottom bracket:
front derailleur:
rear derailleur:
brake levers:
brakes:
shifters:
cassette:
chain:
pedals:
rims:
front hub:
rear hub:
spokes:
nipples:
rim strip:
wheel reflectors:
spoke protector:
tubes:
tires:

GDA

IMO it is the same level of difficulty as installing or removing a cassette. All it takes is the proper tool to attach to your ratchet and torque wrench for final tightening.

Yaniel

like Merlin said, most frames these days came faced and chased and most headsets are integrated. If your frame fits this description, then I'd just buy the BB wrench and do it yourself. You'll eventually have to replace the BB so it's good to have the tool. The only thing I don't like doing myself, but still usually do, is cutting the steerer tube.

Rocket-Sauce 

If it is a one-time deal, you can make your own headset press for next to nothing with a threaded rod a few nuts and big washers. You can make a crown race tool with a length of PVC. This is what I have used to install several headsets. There are youtube tutorials on how to make these tools...

lechat

I made a headset press out of a long 1/2" carriage bolt, 2 fender washers, and a nut. worked fine. made a similar press for hub bearings.