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The thrill of the chase...

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The thrill of the chase...

Old 08-06-18, 05:22 PM
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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...
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Old 08-06-18, 07:39 PM
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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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Old 08-07-18, 08:11 AM
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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
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Old 08-07-18, 08:17 AM
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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!
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Old 08-07-18, 12:48 PM
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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?




Finished paint.



My finished ride.

Last edited by Slightspeed; 08-07-18 at 12:55 PM.
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Old 08-07-18, 03:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Slightspeed
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?




Finished paint.



My finished ride.
Wow! If my build goes one-tenth that well, I'll consider it a rousing success. Great job on that Raleigh!
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