Andy707

What is the best way to start learning how to assemble a bike. Should I learn from an lbs or get a book? STill a little cautious about putting a bike together myself. Going to probably have the LBS double-check my work the first couple of times. I want to start learnign so I can do more customizations without taking it to the bike shop all the time.

Tristan86

Buy a book, learn online, and just give it a shot. If you find you can't do something then you can go to the shop. I just built a bike for the first time and it was a very enjoyable experience.

zatopek

Start with a good manual like Lennard Zinn's and go from there. Most of it is pretty intuitive. Yes, there is technical stuff like proper torque, proprietary parts like some headsets and the like and having the correct tools for specific applications. But, your LBS can help with advice in these areas. Warning, this hobby can rapidly develop into an expensive addiction.

Andy707

I'm already addicted man. Anywayss where can I find this Lennard Zinn manual? Barnes n noble? Online? -Thanks

kleng

never underestimate the need to invest in a good quality toolset and the "right" tools for all parts, otherwise just let the LBS do it.

Randochap

Having the right tools for the job is paramount.

The Park Tool website is a good resource for tools and information on repairs and adjustments.

bhikkhu

Get a semi-used w-mart bike at a garage sale, and tear into it. The good part is you can probably tear it down and reassemble it better than the guys who put it together to begin with. The bad part is its still a piece of crap...

but seriously, taking things apart and putting them back together is basic experience; experience builds confidence, confidence leads to more practice and experience. Starting with "the cheap stuff" is just fine.

Pi}{ie

Buy a POS off of craigslist or a yard sale, take that ******* appart mix up the pieces, come back 2 weeks later put it back together like a real man! Men dont need manuals!

Atleast thats what I'm planning to do with my Royce Union in the Basement at some point.

mooxster

I know where he can get a crappy GMC Denali to practice on.

Pi}{ie

Hey now that thing is the Cadillac of the GMC bicycle squad, all it needs is some chrome fenders, and hydraulics and itll be all set. You cant take appart the crapillac that would be sacrilidge Yo!

mooxster

Think they make spinners for bicycles? That would make that thing even more bling. Kind of like the kids drivng around a POS Honda with toilet bowl mufflers and loud sterios.

Pi}{ie

Hey now my kid's Disney Princess bike has some really shiny princess things in the wheel and I'm telling you they spin and spin and spin all day. That shiot be shiny Yo, that would be perfect for the crapillac. Maybe some shiny streamers too...

mooxster

Don't MAKE me come over there!!! Poor kid spends his hard earned money and all you do is "that kmart peace of crap...." I outta smack your peezy ass

Pi}{ie

I said Crapillac not kmart piece of crap you lazy mofo. Now I needz to go out and get me some nice chrome bar tape to really bling up my Denali, that way when I jump with those hydraulics the shine will make yo *** go blind!

mooxster

that sounds fantastic! mom, is that you?

Treefox

Park Tools website and Sheldon Brown's site should be 99% of what you need.

But it helps to have a friend to ask when it just won't shift right, no matter what you do.

Pi}{ie

Yeah your eyez is gonna be like that kidz, they gonna done pop outta yo head, when you see me and my Denali come jumpin down the road . You ain never seen nothin so bangin in all yo dayz.

Pi}{ie

Andy sorry about the temporary hijacking, I couldnt help myself after his post. We're done now please carry on. And yes there really is a Denali Road bike.

Andy707

lol its all right. Anyways I think i might just experiment on my old ironhorse triumph, my caad9 should b coming to my lbs any time now.

coasting 

assembling a bike is fun. and most of it can be done with just a set of allen wrenches or even just 2 allen wrenches. The specialist tools where needed are important though and there are parts where it's worth leaving to lbs since the tool is expensive but hardly used (crown installation and steerer tube cutting in my case)

umd

my advice is what I did, which is gradually make adjustments myself, sometimes watch other people do things. Eventually I could do all of the work on my own bike, and then when I got a new bike I was able to do everything myself. I've now built 3 complete bikes and rebuilt/overhauled bikes a few times. I picked up all the necessary tools as needed. As someone said, mostly Allen wrenches, but a lockeing tool, chain whip, bb tool, cable cutters, cone wrenches, and a pedal wrench are useful as well.