PlusVeggie27

Is there a kit I can buy online that has everything? I have no tools what so ever, and I'd prefer to have someone else do it, but there is no bike stores in my area, and my local target/sears, don't have any bikes that I like to purchase already made. Can I do it by myself, or should I settle for one already made in the store.

RaleighSport

Well I'm hoping you're wrong about no LBS, so where are you? But here's a tool kit https://www.ebay.com/itm/Park-Tools-A...059#vi-content

PlusVeggie27

I'm in NYC. I don't drive, and I have a toddler, and no way of bringing the box there. Thanks for the link.

PlusVeggie27

OMG, I just saw the price, that's crazy high! I remember my dad use to put the bike together with a wrench and probably something else. I will need something cheaper. Some bikes already come with tools.

RaleighSport

that kit seems fairly complete, but would probably be overkill, what kind of bike are you getting?

PlusVeggie27

A mountain bike/cruiser/comfort bike. Something fairly cheap 100-225.

RaleighSport

also there's this https://www.amazon.com/BIKE-BICYCLE-H.../dp/B0041RGHDC

RaleighSport

Are you ordering it from a box store online, or getting like a lower end bikesdirect bike?

PlusVeggie27

Now thats my kind of number. Lol.

SlimRider

If you're going to have to order a bike online, you're going to also need to know what size bike to order. Hopefully, you have a library nearby where you will have access to a bicycle DVD on repair and installations. If not, you'll just have to depend upon your INTERNET resources and use your video search box for specific types of installations. There are also bicycle repair websites that are accessible to you along with the help here at BF.

www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

- Slim

RaleighSport

I'm gonna open the chat room in another tab, if you want to pick my brain and not run up the post count on stupid stuff.

PlusVeggie27

Well I have been looking on target, sears, sports authority, toys r us, ebay, amazon etc. When I was looking for an e bike I found some local stores, when I say local, I'd have to see if I can leave my little one at a family members house to go buy it, and ride home (I might do that come weekend.) The two bikes stores that were local didn't have prices on their sites so I am assuming most want you to come in and buy instead of online. I will google to see if I can find a bike store that I can buy online and they deliver.

PlusVeggie27

Uhh, I will see if I know how to work it. I just joined today. I'm use to forums, just never been in a chat session.

RaleighSport

it's just towards the bottom of the main forum listings, just real time messaging instead of post updates.

PlusVeggie27

Crap I meant to quote the other person, not myself. Lol.

26 inch wheels. Any other measurement, thats a different story. I plan on getting the bike that has the seat that can be put on easily, not requiring tools. My main concern is the brakes, and handlebars being secure. So what youre saying is I have to have the bike first before I buy the tools for that particular bike?

PlusVeggie27

I'm in the room.

RaleighSport

26 is the most common hybrid/mountain size... as far as I know most of those styles break down into 3 sizes, small, reg, and large for the frame size, so your height will come into play there.

pg13

You could also buy a minitool which would be good enough for just putting a bike together and be able to carry it with you when you ride. Like the alien 2 same price as that kit or park tool or this topeak survival gear box which has tire levers and patches if you get a flat too.

https://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Alien-2...1575148&sr=1-1
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-MTB-...1575435&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

edit: Check craigslist too as youd get definitely more bike for your money there.
edit 2: Heard good things about this minitool too Blackburn Toolmanator https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=AI815W1WMD729

edit 3: Forgot to mention Sheldon Brown's website https://www.sheldonbrown.com/ He'll have alot of information you can use too.

Mithrandir

Good kit, you can find it cheaper on Amazon.com. I have it, but unfortunately it is not enough to assemble a bicycle with.

For example it has no headset tools in it, so you wouldn't be able to mount the headset and fork properly.

There's also no Torx wrenches, so doing anything with disc brakes is out.

I find a 4th hand puller to be helpful when tightening cables, but it's not necessary.

Additionally, you may want to purchase some torque wrenches so that you can properly tighten everything and make things safer. Of course, since most torque wrenches use a socket driver, you'll then need to purchase hex bits with a socket opening to use the torque wrenches.


I haven't built a bike yet, so there may be other tools missing that I haven't listed and don't know about yet.

michaelnel

https://bikesdirect.com/instructionhelp.htm

That's a good instruction sheet for what you might need to do to assemble a new mail-order bicycle. You probably don't need much in the way of tools. One of those Park Y wrenches with 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm allens would likely cover 99% of it.

https://www.parktool.com/product/3-way-hex-wrench-aws-1

If the bike doesn't have quick release skewers for the wheels, you will need a 15mm open end wrench. If the pedals aren't mounted, you need a 15mm wrench for that too, but it needs to be a thin one due to clearances. I have a special pedal wrench that is long and has a 15mm on one end and a 9/16" on the other, but you can get by with a less specialized 15mm wrench like this one:

https://www.parktool.com/product/15mm...-wrench-scw-15

michaelnel

She's buying a bike online, not a bare frame and doing all that assembly.

PlusVeggie27

Thanks, I'm going to look at all of those things after I give my eyeballs a rest. I've been looking at bikes and info all day. Btw, I'm a lady :-)

fietsbob

there are many bike shops in NYC given the many Burroughs included,
, bundle the kid up and go see a few.

..even Staten island, is a free ferry ride, you know..

the people at the shop will even outfit the completed bike with a child carrier seat,
and a helmet for the young sugar plum head

and with the subway system you don't need a car, millions don't either, there.

PlusVeggie27

Yes. The nearest one moved/closed. I have to go far to the nearest one.

RaleighSport

I'm back and I've been looking on your CL, I see a lot of promise actually in the used market...