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The thrill of the chase...
Let me say right of the bat that my bike-wrenching skills aren't the best.
Despite that, I recently decided to take an old Trek 520 touring frame and build it up into a gravel grinder. I've been scouring the web to find new and used parts at reasonable prices, and so far it's been a blast. I never thought I'd get this excited about a project I know will have its ups and downs. It probably helps that I "don't know what I don't know." I've been watching YouTube videos on the acts of mechanical mayhem I'll be committing -- installing a bottom bracket and crankset, redoing brake cables, centering the chainline, installing brake levers and bar-end shifters, converting from a threaded to a threadless headset, adjusting front and rear derailleurs, etc. I know that if I screw things up royally, my local bike shop has three expert-level mechanics who can show me the error of my ways. For the moment, though, I'm really excited to be learning new skills. If I manage to pull this off without hands-on help, I'm gonna be stoked... |
You should be stoked already just having the gumption to tackle just a fulfilling project. Just be careful, bike tweaking is addictive. Ask me how I know.
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The best part of building your own bike is being able to make it the way you want it and not a factory build. It is fun to track down a part or figure out how mix-n-match eras. John |
It's incredible how much time a person can spend on a project like this. And also how fast the time flies because it's so much fun.
The Youtube videos are a great resource, though the technical details are frequently wrong. They do however, let you envision the project, which is probably half the battle. Common sense and a few questions here will fill in the blanks. Happy wrenching! |
I finished my first real bike build about a year ago. It started with finding an abused, unloved Raleigh frame in a back alley scrap pile. All the cable guides had been ground off in a demented attempt to create a fixie out of a nice road frame. After some research, I worked out that it was a 1973 Raleigh Super Course. I decided to take on my first build. Gathering parts from Ebay, swap meets, and the back room of the LBS used parts bin, I was able to piece together a great riding bike. There is a lot of satisfaction in putting together a design and a dream of the bike of your own. The used parts weren't too much dollarwize. I stripped the ugly paint. had the frame cracks repaired, and rode it awhile to see if I liked it. I loved the ride and the fit was just perfect. I decided to have the cable guides replaced, frame painted and decaled professionally, which was the greatest expense. In the end, it was the most fun I've had in a long time researching everything here on Bikeforums, and elsewhere, and putting it all together. For a cast off frame, built out of a rag tag collection of parts built by a rookie bike mechanic, it turned out even better that I could have hoped. Good luck with yours. Bikeforums is the right place to start.
Bottom line, it cost more than it should, but what doesn't? https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3e67c5d70a.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8a603cb7a2.jpg Finished paint. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d17bb323f1.jpg My finished ride. |
Originally Posted by Slightspeed
(Post 20493559)
I finished my first real bike build about a year ago. It started with finding an abused, unloved Raleigh frame in a back alley scrap pile. All the cable guides had been ground off in a demented attempt to create a fixie out of a nice road frame. After some research, I worked out that it was a 1973 Raleigh Super Course. I decided to take on my first build. Gathering parts from Ebay, swap meets, and the back room of the LBS used parts bin, I was able to piece together a great riding bike. There is a lot of satisfaction in putting together a design and a dream of the bike of your own. The used parts weren't too much dollarwize. I stripped the ugly paint. had the frame cracks repaired, and rode it awhile to see if I liked it. I loved the ride and the fit was just perfect. I decided to have the cable guides replaced, frame painted and decaled professionally, which was the greatest expense. In the end, it was the most fun I've had in a long time researching everything here on Bikeforums, and elsewhere, and putting it all together. For a cast off frame, built out of a rag tag collection of parts built by a rookie bike mechanic, it turned out even better that I could have hoped. Good luck with yours. Bikeforums is the right place to start.
Bottom line, it cost more than it should, but what doesn't? https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3e67c5d70a.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8a603cb7a2.jpg Finished paint. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d17bb323f1.jpg My finished ride. |
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