I love building bikes because.....
#1
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I love building bikes because.....
Fill in the blank. I was reading through a thread a couple days ago that was talking about why you love to ride. Well, I think I get a high off building bikes as well. I love building bikes because it lets your individuality and creativity show. It lets people have a chance to own something nice for not a ton of money in my case. I love watching it come into life. That's why I love building bikes.
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I just recently bought a bunch of tools for crank removal, etc. I love building/fixing/repairing because I get to have that much more pride in my bike because I worked on it myself.
#3
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As a gearhead on hiatus one thing that I really like about building bikes is the quickness with which I can go from thinking about building up X project to actual completion. Cars take literally years to get together and costa ton, but I would guess your average bike build is around 6mo. to a year, maybe?
#5
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The most frustrating part for me is I don't have enough ideas about kinds of bikes that I'd have fun building.
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because you build a love for your bike as well. you learn everything about it inside and out. you dont have to schedule an appointment with a "qualified mechanic", like you would with a car
#8
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you really get to know your bike when you build it up/maintain it yourself.
#9
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I love building/working on bikes.
In the past few weeks, I have overhauled the BB, hub, and headset of my commuter bike. Now, whenever I ride I can just envision exactly what is going on. I can imagine the BB spindle turning inside the bearings, picture the way the stem is wedged into the steerer tube, and practically feel the tightness/looseness of my hub.
Also, to be honest, I'm a better mechanic that most the guys who work at the shops, so I just like knowing that my bike isn't going to fall apart.
I work on anything that I can. I work on cars, dirt bikes, jet skis, bikes, etc. I would work on my own house if I had one. I'm just a grease monkey, I guess.
There is that element of immediate gratification w/ bikes, though. Everything else i've worked on takes much longer and is much more expensive. With bikes, I can do an entire build in one day for <$600. Shoot, the rear view mirror on some vintage cars costs that much alone!
In the past few weeks, I have overhauled the BB, hub, and headset of my commuter bike. Now, whenever I ride I can just envision exactly what is going on. I can imagine the BB spindle turning inside the bearings, picture the way the stem is wedged into the steerer tube, and practically feel the tightness/looseness of my hub.
Also, to be honest, I'm a better mechanic that most the guys who work at the shops, so I just like knowing that my bike isn't going to fall apart.
I work on anything that I can. I work on cars, dirt bikes, jet skis, bikes, etc. I would work on my own house if I had one. I'm just a grease monkey, I guess.
There is that element of immediate gratification w/ bikes, though. Everything else i've worked on takes much longer and is much more expensive. With bikes, I can do an entire build in one day for <$600. Shoot, the rear view mirror on some vintage cars costs that much alone!
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I am glad I have this in common with everyone. I literally can think of a build in a couple of minutes. Like today at work I thought of a build for my old high schools yearly auction. They typically only do high end type stuff so if I get the green light by the committee, I am going to build a sick "Regis High School" single speed.
I get such a joy out of figuring things out on my own and knowing they are done the right way, usually the first time. Recently acquiring my tools, I set everything up in my parents shop out back and have spent a lot of hours in there thus far. When I am focused on a build, time flies and I do not seem to tire.
Pure enjoyment.
I get such a joy out of figuring things out on my own and knowing they are done the right way, usually the first time. Recently acquiring my tools, I set everything up in my parents shop out back and have spent a lot of hours in there thus far. When I am focused on a build, time flies and I do not seem to tire.
Pure enjoyment.
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Fresh Garbage
#16
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For me it's ownership in something I built. Pluss it's cheaper
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Why not build a bike? Compared to other "completion" projects like boats, cars, furniture, etc, a bike is built quick and with relatively little cash, but with all the excitement upon completion.
#18
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I need to find a long reach brake without a ton of shipping fees for my latest project. It's an '84 Bridgestone 400. Will post pics upon completion.