fishigan

Hello to all. I am new here from Michigan. I know nothing about cycling, but have wanted to get into it for a while. Well, I need to drop a couple of pounds and since I live just a few miles from work I thought I'd get a bike and ride it.
I was wondering if someone could give me some direction. I was thinking about getting a Fetish frame and building a bike. Can anyone point me towards some good info on how to do this? I don't want to build wheels and all that. I just want to get a frame and put the stuff together as I get it.
I was able to find enough info to know that I should get around a 62-65mm. (I'm 6'3", so does this sound right?)
Here is some of the info on the frame.
SEAT POST SIZE – 27.2
FRONT DERAILLEUR SIZE – 31.8
SEAT COLLAR – 31.8
HEADSET – CANE CREEK IS 2
BOTTOM BRACKET – 68MM
SPACING WHEEL – 130

Seat Angle - 73.8
Head Angle - 74.5
Chain Stay - 41mm
Head Tube Length - 200mm

My true passion is is fly tying, fly fishing and rod making so the bulk of extra time and cash goes there.
I would really appreciate any and all help. Thanks.

genericbikedude

unless you want another hobby, and have time for one, take it to a bike shop. you'll get blown away by confusions, compatibilities, and crappy components that look nice on their face.

if you DO decide to build the bike, get a build kit from a trustworthy bike shop--show them the frame, let them measure it, and help tyhem get you the stuff and the tools.

just watch out, becuase about half of all lbs's out there make their money by ripping off newb's

seely

Just an FYI, its usually more expensive to build a bike than to buy it outright. If its something you want to do though, it is good experience. Theres a fair amount of specialty tools involved, however, so expect to have the bike shop do some stuff or be prepared to spend some $$$ on tools.

I don't know of any frame that is measured in millimeters, so I don't know what to tell you on that. Frame size is all dependent on your inseam and reach. Different brands seem sized differently too. My boss was a lanky 6'3" and rode a 19.5" Litespeed. I'm a lanky 6'1" and ride a 19" Specialized. If you are 6'3" you would more than likely be on a 20-21" mountain bike or a 58-62cm road frame.

I think the best advice is to go to a bike shop that understands fit, like the one I work at, and get properly measured and fitted to the bike. Its especially important to be fit properly to a road bike. You're also then getting a service warranty of some kind typically, and a manufacturers warranty.

Just out of curiosity, where in Michigan are you from?

seely

I would like to see where you get this "statistic".

But in the same post a good point is raised, most newb's wind up tearing out their hair with frustrations on part compatibility.

fishigan

Thanks for the prompt responses. My bad on the MM it's 62-65cm.(That was the opinion of one site.) I haven't had much luck finding good info on some of this stuff.
By the way I'm in Kalamazoo. I was using the fly tying and rod building mentality that it's generally cheaper to build than to buy complete.
Like I said, I don't know much about cycling. I was down right shocked at what a bike costs!!

oknups

I bet you thought feathers were expensive, until you started pricing bike components.
Good luck with the build, I am about 1/2 way through mine.
Frame custom built true temper oxy plat lugged
front hub DT Swiss 240 disc
rear hub Rohloff 500/14 oem disc
rims DT Swiss TK 7.1
spokes DT Swiss (forget which ones)
bars nitto mustache
head set Chris King no thread
seat post USE shokpost
saddle Brooks Champion special british racing green
brakes Avid Juicy sevens
tires undecided probably Schwalbe something or other
Crank set Race Face Deus xc
chain Rohloff slt99 8 speed
stem look ergo
pedals looking for some undecided


cost $3,000 and rising

KevinF

That sounds like an awfully big frame for somebody of your size. I'm 6'3", and I fit just fine on a 58cm stock Cannondale frame. Part of that is because I have long legs (even for my height), so the bike is more sized to my short torso length. Even so, I think I would have trouble with adequet standover clearance on anything much bigger then a 62cm frame.

As others have said though -- building up a bike from scratch is not a cost-saving thing to do. Compatability and installation issues are enough to give anybody a headache.

fishigan

I got a lot to learn here.
As for the costs I think that is going to be a hard hurdle to hop. I look at the cost of components and think, I could get that Hardy Angel and go on a trip to Nova Scotia.
But it's a hurdle I need to hop.
So what do you folks suggest for a good starter road bike? Something I could upgrade would be good. Based on the prices I have been seeing, I'm too ashamed to say what I want to initially spend. And it's twice what I thought I could get into the sport with.
But.... since we've known each other for so long......I want to stay under $500. As far under as I can and still get some qaulity.

fishigan

ps. I'll also recheck that measurement. Like I said, I went by the only info I could find on that.

oknups

$500 for the complete bike, or just the frame. Quality bike parts just like a Ross Reel are an expensive investment. My local LBS recommends Raliegh (spelling?) for a good budget starter bike. You might consider one if $500.00 is all you want to spend.

BostonFixed

I would definitley stop in with a local bike shop (lbs) and talk to them for a bike they reccomend for a novice rider. They should also fit you to a bike, so you will get a comfortable bike.

If you want to save money on owning a bike, learn how to do some basic-intermediate bike maintainance. Things like changing flat tires, adjusting brakes and gears, etc. This will save you the labor costs from a bike shop, and will make you more self sufficient with your bike.
Some LBS's offer bike maint. classes, but there is alot of info online at the parktools website (parktool.com), sheldon brown's website (sheldonbrown.com). There are also books on bike maintainance. A popular book is zinn's guide to road bike maintainance.

halfspeed

The fitting information you're getting here is so vague as to be virtually useless. Based on the information you've given (your height), no meaningful guess to your size can be made.

"Frame size" is a hugely general approximation and varies significantly from manufacturer to manufacturer. As a newbie, you're not likely to be able to dial in a good road fitting on your own. You need to ride bikes, talk to an expert who understands your goals, and/or do lots and lots of research.

halfspeed

How much standover do you think you need? According to Cannondale's geometry charts, I've got over 2.5" of standover on a 58 and 2cm (nearly enough) on a 63. I'm six feet zero and I ride bikes, not stand over them.

roadfix

If this is a completely new hobby for you and your main goal for now are fitness and losing some pounds, I would just get a complete bike and enjoy the ride if I were you. I would not dive into building a complete bike with zero knowledge in bike mechanics.

DocF

Go to a good local bike shop and get their help regarding fit. You probably will find it much more practical to buy a built-up bike before you do it yourself. I built up one of my bikes using a very cheap Chinese frame and I still have about $400.00 in it. If I had the frame I really want, I would have over $800.00 in it.

I used to live in Grand Rapids and know this Kalamazoo shop.

Alfred E. Bike

Good luck,
Doc

fishigan

Thanks again for all of the info. I think to start I'll go to the shop and get a complete bike. Based on what I have heard here, and found in a days worth of net surfing, building a bike takes more knowledge of the sport.
I am a machinist so the work and mechanical stuff wouldn't be a problem. But I still don't know what a headset is.
Thanks for the link. I know where that is. I'll stop in this week and see what they have. I didn't want to just walk into a bike shop not knowing anything. I've seen what can happen to a guy and his wallet when he decides he wants to learn how to fly fish.

genericbikedude

A headset is the assembly of bearings, cups, races, and fasteners which both link the frame to the fork, and allow it to turn smoothly.

Also, if you're looking to spend $500, consider looking for a good-condition used 1980's road bike--something that was very nice in it's day.

Al1943

You'll spend more building a bike than buying a complete bike off the showroom floor.
But the learning experience may be worth it.

Brian

I'd say a low end Jamis or Giant is probably the best bang for your 500 bucks if you want a new bike, and there are always plenty of decent used bikes if you know where to look. Fit is very important though, so know your size before you buy. You can raise/lower your seat, adjust it fore/aft a bit, and swap stems too. But a frame that's too tall, or a top tube that's too long is never going to fit right.

[edit] Oh, a headset plugs into your phone so you can talk hands free.

seely

If you're in/near Grand Rapids stop in at any of the Village Bike Shop stores. We have some deals on Giant OCR road bikes right now, and others as well. We just had our annual huge sale though last week Anyways, we do a free fit & measurements before you even test ride the bike. Also, if you buy the bike and decide its uncomfortable/you don't like it/whatever, as long as its in new condition we will take it back/make adjustments/swap parts within 30 days. Ok, enough shameless promotion for now!

Raiyn

Wow such a ringing endorsement of the industry. So exactly what do you base this nugget of pseudoinformation on?

Doctor Morbius

So let me get this right. You're brand new to cycling (i.e. know nothing about it), just want to lose a few pounds and get fit, have no prior experience building bikes, and are asking about frame fit and what a headset is, yet you're ready to tackle building your own rig? Does that about cover it?

You're already in over your head.

Raiyn

Maybe, just maybe he could pull it off. Yeah, and maybe I'm a Chinese jet pilot.

Doctor Morbius

I like your style! Hail to the king!

Raiyn

Shop smart, shop S-mart!