b3nsonx

who here has built up their bike from scratch? like not buying a complete bike, but getting the frame and putting together all the parts. I was thinking about doing this because it seems like a fun project to take on. What do you guys think?

FuzzyRyder

building a bike is the way to go but its expencive

fuzzbox

I have, but from all your posts I don't recommend you doing so.

b3nsonx

fuzzbox

You think it is funny, but wait till you start making threads on how to get this and that on.

Street rider

dude every time i build a parts list on dans, the cheapest is like $1060. and thats with poverty parts that i probably wouldnt buy in real life. the one that i REALLY want would cost around $1300.

pc_1453

I had the shop deal with the crank, but I built the rest myself. I actually only spend like $150, cuz the frame is **** and was used. just get used bikes and mix 'n match parts.

Street rider

but to do that you have to know where each and every part came from. otherwise you dont know if its going to be any good. it could be almost dead, and you think you're gettin a good deal.

ascend

I've done it restoring an old 80s BMX, getting parts from ebay, tools from my local bike shop and doing all the wrenching myself with the help of sheldonbrown.com and google.

For reference, it's cost me about as much as a new Kink Roc so far, and I still haven't painted it cause I haven't found replacement decals. It took about 6-7 months to amass all the parts through ebay. It would be much quicker, but much more expensive, to just buy new parts and build a new bike.

I've only ridden it a few times; it's too old for abusive riding (particularly since replacement parts are hard to come across) and since it's a BMX it's not really suitable for commuting on, so it just sits around inside looking pretty. But it was totally worth it for what I've learned in the process.

If you don't mind just mixing and matching parts, you could do it a lot cheaper just scrounging around pawn shops/goodwill/trash collection for junk bikes, pulling them all down and seeing what you can fit back together. And that way if you arse it all up you aren't too out of pocket.

abowler10154

How much did it cost for the bike shop to do the cranks? Because when i get my new ian schwartz frame, idk how to do the cranks at all and dont have a crank arm puller. Im probably just gonna let the shop do that also.

b3nsonx

The reason why i want to start building a bike is because it seems like a fun project to take on. And as some of you mentioned, i can learn a lot in the process. I dont mind taking my time to find the right parts and bargains because i will have other bikes to ride while this one is being worked on. Thinking about going with a decent used frame and then going from there.

Maybe even the pro parts package from danscomp for 349, i know the parts arent good, but i dont except to break every single thing that comes in that package because i dont ride my bike that hard anyways. Whatever breaks, i can replace with something better.

Ryan k.

thats what my friend did he had a colony endevor or wutever its called and he took it apart and hes got a fit frame odyssey front rim primo back rim s and m bars and new pedals seat so he put it all together and he helps me with stuff

bmx2478

If you know what you are doing, the only thing that might give you trouble is the bb.

Street rider

and if you can figure out a way to press the bearings, then you're home free. when i got my madera's, they came with a piece of paper telling me how to press my bearings.

live4muzic2

Go ahead.

Have Fun.

Ryan k.

ya alot of the stuff isnt hard and if you cant do the bb's just take them and the frame to the bike shop and get them put in

FuzzyRyder

how can you not tap some bearing with a mallet.

fuzzbox

By being a noob. An easy way to get the bb bearings is an threaded axle type thing with a bunch of washers on each side and a nut to tighten it.

FuzzyRyder

just hammer it.

mack_turtle

i have found that it's easier to make parts for bmx bikes fit together than other kinds of bikes. for BMX, there are really only two kinds of headsets used anymore (standard and integrated), two kinds of bottom bracket (unless you are buying an old frame with a US bb or euro) and everything else pretty much fits. make sure you get a frame/fork to match your hub if you get 14mm hubs. seatposts and clamps are all pretty much one common size.

building a custom bike is a LOT more expensive. there are a lot of really nice completes out there that rival the nicest custom at a fraction of the price. i suggest you consider something like that first.

Street rider

thats what i do. wood block and a rubber mallet. simplest thing in the world.

b3nsonx

alright, thanks for the help guys.

fuzzbox

You don't have to have both dropouts be 14mm but the dropouts technically have to match your axles.

Ryan k.

well i was saying that just because what if someone just spends 1200 dollars on all new parts and they screw up the frame that would suck

fuzzbox

If someone is dumb enough to do that, they shouldn't be building up a bike. Am I right or am I right.