Starting from scratch
 

Hi again.
Prologue:
I am not very experienced with bike mechanics
but now I want to build my own touring bike,
not really build it myself but to choose my own unique
favourite parts and when I have all the parts I'll go
to the LBS and have it assembled there.

My problem is this, I'm not sure about what fits what.
Like I posted earlier about the Vbrakes and the V-compatible
levers (the Dia-compe 287)- thanks for your help there.
I want to build a tourer, the frame will be either the Fuji-touring
frame or the Jamis-Aurora or the Cannondale touring, I'll see what
I can get and for how much.next think is the crankset.
What I need is a good crankset with 48-36-24t chainrings ,
and as I understand, this size is not available with shimano's.
Any suggestions for a good crankset with these sizes of chainrings ?
Ok now, let's say that I have the crankset,do I have to buy a BB of the same manufacturer as the crankset ? what are my options here ?
And after having that solved, how would I know if that particular
BB fits the frame I chose.
Do all BBs fit all frames ?
Ok there are many more questions but this is enough for a starter.
If you have read this far, I thank you already and if you can share
any of your related knowledge I'd be even more grateful.

Thanks.

you must get a BB specific to your frame and cranks. BB's have differnt shell sizing (width) which is normally specified by the frame manufacturer (or you could measure), you must also get a matching spline for your crank, i.e. octalink, square taper, isis. Finally you must get a BB which matches the threading on your frame, english, french, italian etc....

http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_bo-z.html#bottom

p.s. why not order your parts from your LBS step by step as they could help you along the way and you would be supporting your local shop?

Try www.branfordbike.com for cranksets.Sugino makes some decent, inexpensive mtb types that would meet your specs. Branford may also hve the correct BB for it if you know your frame threading, and BB shell width.

Thanks.I will go to the LBS but I wanted to get
some info in advance.
There's also a chance that I'll buy the frame on ebay and I can't get much assistance there.

very true, ebay is buyer beware... good luck in building up your new bike :)

Building your bike from parts is poor value compared to a factory-built version.
Your LBS should be expert at integrating stuff. If you let them suggest the parts, they will carry the risk.
You can modify a factory bike, eg with lower gearing, for a low cost, if your LBS is amenable.
If you just hand some parts to the LBS, they will charge assembly, but make no money on retail sales. Dont expect any discount. I think this is a bad way to treat your LBS.

That's just not always true. And, FWIW, many so called wrenches at LBS have no clue about 'integrating stuff'. They are nothing but parts changers. But, given the questions this poster is asking, he/she just ought to buy a built bike.

FWIW the frames you mention all have the same BB
thread and shell. Italian frames are the major outliers
and many of these are sold with English threading as
are all frames sourced in the US and from the far East
that are shipped to the US. There will be outliers and
oddities, but this generalization is valid especially at the
low and midrange frame level for frames made in the last 10yrs or so. If using an older frame then outliers are more likely if the frame is European in origin. Campy square taper is slightly different from the other European square taper BB but usually not enough to be a problem. If you stick to East Asian BB then this will not be a problem. Steve

When I decided to throw my hand at building my own cycle - it was a single speed... got the frame second hand from a place in Cambridge - but nearly everything else came from Harris Cyclery and Jay there was quite helpful in getting me the right parts, making recomendations and giving me hints on how to put it together... I'd go the LBS route if its you first... might be a little more expensive, but its worth it.

You probably need to know the difference between ISO and JIS taper. Campy is no different than any other ISO.There are also ISO BB taper from the orient.

Agreed, and I would go this route especially if you're still in stages of understanding components, compatability, etc....
Your LBS will gladly work with you as far as swapping parts on a complete bike purchase to suit your needs.

George

Getting a bikeshop to put together a bike with a mongrelized set of components from different time periods is asking for problems. I would do the work myself for the most part, leaving only things such as sizing the bottom bracket and other such tricky things for the bike shop.

Bike parts tend to be easy to understand, the only problem is in the lack of standardization. I would be particularly wary of BB size and seatpost size. Both of those places, there are no real standards and fit is important. For instance, in the seatpost area, the diameters come in .1 mm increments.

If you are not mechanical, I would bring in just a few major components (i.e. frame, cranks, seat, etc) and buy all the smaller components such as BB, brakes, levers, handlebars, and so on from the bike shop. That way they can put something together that will fit, and if they scratch something trying to install it, it is on their hands.

In Seattle, we have a bike shop named Recycled Cycles which has a multitude of used and new components. If you can find a reputable used bike shop like that, then that would probably be your best bet. Make sure they have a good mechanic working there, not just some summer job teenager.

I have also done some business with Harris Cyclery http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/ and have heard that the owner of the shop (Sheldon Brown) gives intelligent answers to bike mechanic type questions if you email him. He also stocks a lot of non-standard equipment; you can go there for your chainrings if you want. I managed to get a 49 tooth chainring which will fit on a Shimano crank from him.

BR