Godwin

If you've got a good bike co-op (I'd assume you would down there) pay them a visit, use their tools and expertise.

umd

If you can't even adjust your derailers what makes you think you could build a bike? Fortunately for you it sounds like "building" a bikes direct bike is like "cooking" a microwave dinner...

umd

That was my plan when I got my Tarmac was to keep riding my TCR and save my Tarmac for races, special events, etc. But I liked riding it so much more than my TCR I always rode it instead... so much for that plan

TarmacDude

Good point. I'm hoping that riding the BD bike more often will make my occasional rides on the Tarmac that much more special

I've never had a TV dinner, or ever prepared a TV dinner. I have microwaved popcorn, so I assume that is just as difficult as making a TV dinner.

TarmacDude

By learning how to I guess.

dcbikeguy

This is the greatest thread ever. And you, TarmacBDdude, are a very intelligent young man. I look forward eagerly to all of your future threads and posts. GREAT JOB!!









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TarmacDude

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Edit: Seriously stop trolling. You only demean yourself by doing it, and make yourself even look more stupid and childish in the process. Poor guy.

thirdin77

I don't believe there will be that much assembly required.

I used to work at REI where I saw many of the bikes removed from their boxes, mostly assembled. Attach the handlebars, seatpost/saddle, wheels.. then it's fine tuning of the drivetrain, mostly. You may or may not have to wrap the handlebars.

There's not that much to do.

BengeBoy 

+1

If I were buying a BD CF bike I'd "put it together" myself to make sure everything was basically OK, then pay a mechanic to go over it with a torque wrench to make sure it was assembled correctly.

Panthers007

I'd remove any assembled parts and overhaul the bearings with fresh grease. Do watch the videos suggested on bike tutor - they will help you greatly. From adjusting the bottom-bracket to the hubs to properly installing gear and brake cables/housing. A lot of people just ride it out of the box, and we get to hear the horror stories.

yogi13

The PedalForce bikes do not come assembled at all; you're doing the whole job of building the bike up, including cutting cable housing. If you're not buying one via a group buy they have a deal where they provide a rebate of (I think) $100 towards shop assembly.

So to do the job you need a few more specialized tools, including a bottom bracket socket and large torque wrench, cable cutters or dremel with cutting wheel, cable puller, cassette tool. It also helps if you have a work stand. Figure it will cost you $150-200 in tools not counting the work stand.

Having said that, it's not all that hard to build up a bike, pretty fun and very satisfying when it's your bike. Figure it will take you a few hours if you've never done it before.

TarmacDude

Well I guess I'll just get the tools as needed while I build the bike. I got a craftsman mechanics tool set already, it's the specialized tools that I'll have to get.

Nachoman

I can't think of one. But the suspense is killing me.

merlinextraligh

From other postings on this board, while the things you have to do to assemble the bike are pretty limited, I think there are a lot of things you'll want to do to get the bike properly adjusted, including going over all the stuff typically done in a tune up, checking the derailleurs and brakes, and headset, etc are properly adjusted.

And I'd check, or have checked that the wheels are properly tensioned.

DrPete 

Key things to remember:

1. If you don't have the right tool for the job, STOP.
2. If you're struggling, you're doing it wrong.
3. If you're building a CF bike, get a torque wrench and some carbon assembly paste (I like Tacx).
4. www.parktool.com has some great instructional pieces.
5. Get the wheels checked out by someone who knows--wheels seem simple until you jack them all up not knowing what you're doing.

jrobe

"The only thing I've ever done on my bike was change the tires and tire tubes as well. That's it. I do take it to the LBS for tune ups. "


The LBS is going to love it when the BD bike comes in for its tuneups.

waporvare

Depends on the shop. Some will tune up whatever and are just glad people are riding. Others are snarky snobs that think if you didn't drop $7000 on a bike you shouldn't step foot in their door.

millarj

Never understood that. I bought my car at one dealership and take it for service to another one. The second dealership doesn't mind taking my money at all. How does buying a BD bike and PAYING to have it serviced at a LBS differ from buying a bike from one LBS and getting it serviced at a different shop?

Besides, when I worked retail, we were told to push the accessories not the big ticket items. Big tickets == low profit margins. Accessories/service==almost ALL profit.

I guess some shops can afford to turn away paying customers. Good luck to 'em.

-j

DrPete 

I've never seen that personally, and there are some rich mo-fo's in the DC area with some fancy bikes.

I remember roadwarrior saying once that he welcomed the tune-ups on BD bikes, because labor requires almost no overhead and is almost pure profit for the shop. It would be crazy for them not to do it. Now would I give them the same priority as someone who bought their bike from my shop? No, but I'd gladly do it.

I think a lot of that kind of perception is fully a product of the customer--they walk into a bike shop and feel unfamiliar/insecure that they're not "a real cyclist" or whatever, and feel socially uncomfortable, leading to the perception that the shop is snubbing them or looking down on them.

EricB

Thats exactly right. I own a restaurant with a gift store, I would rather sell someone 10 cookies for 10 dollars than 1 lodge cast iron pan for 100. Because the cookies cost me 13cents to make and the lodge pan cost me 87 dolars! That and the cookies are perishable!

sced

I like to say that the first time you use a tool it pays for itself. While not always true, it is most of the time and you learn by doing. You can get inexpensive house brand tools that'll do the job at Nashbar and Probikekit. BTW: I find bikes easy to work on and you can get a lot of "how to" info off the internet or even searching and posting on the forums.

fix

You have to admit, they are getting more clever. This is a nice change from OPINIONS ON BOTTECHIA WINDSOR THE FANTOM UNO CROSS FOR $600 BELOW MSRP. I mean, I know we had that two days ago, but I appreciate the effort.