TarmacDude

I am going to be building a bike from scratch. I will be buying a complete road bike online, but I will have to assemble it myself. Is this a pretty tough task for someone that has never done it before. I would say I am some what mechanically inclined.

d2create

Usually complete bikes are shipped mostly assembled and all you have to do is attach the handlebars to the stem and throw on the wheels and pedals.

Ingleside

With the proper tools, time and some good music you shouldn't have any problems.
It will be pretty rewarding once you are all finished.


What kind of build are you going to do?

steppinthefunk 

There will be a couple of things you might need help with such as the headset, bottom bracket and final tune up but aside from that it's a breeze and its lots of fun.

Hammertoe

Get a book or two...

Go to the Park tool web site...

Google some specific questions...

And you will have no trouble....


Just take your time...

Be patient...

And if you get frustrated, walk away for a while...


This is the way I learned...

halfspeed

If it is sold as "complete", then it won't need to be assembled from scratch. It'll need some tuning which isn't that hard, but be prepared for noises and squeaks until you learn to dial it in. Have a competent bike shop check the tension and true on the wheels as that is the easiest for a n00b to make worse and for the manufacturer to cut corners.

The answer to most questions about how to do it can be found in the links in the third sticky at the top of this forum.

CardiacKid

I am not clear what you mean by "from scratch". If you are talking about a complete bike as it comes from the factory, in 1 box, it is not very difficult and can be done in about 1 hour. If you are talking about buying a frame and fork and the components separately, it is not extremely difficult, but will take some studying and a pretty good investment in tools. If i were you , I would first try taking apart an old bike and putting it back together.

liquefied

Just use this https://bicycletutor.com/guide/.

TarmacDude

It's going to be a bike from BD, but I'll have to assemble it. I assume that I would have to put everything together, but I'm not sure if it comes pre-assembled to a certain extent.

martinrjensen

I think you could do it. I don't think I would guarantee it though. Some of the things you should be aware of are:
You shuld have excellent mechanical ability and reasoning. Have you built other things before? I hope so.
A good assortment of small hand tools
There are lots of web sites to get information from; Sheldon Brown, Park tool. Definately use these sites.
You will need to buy a few special tools. Not a lot, but you will hae to buy some. A few you can make.

If you are doing this because you want to, I think it's great. If you are doing it to save money, stop. It's unlikely you will save any money, especially on a first build.

I tore down and rebuilt bikes years ago. I have now done this whth my last three bikes and I was surprised at the differences in the components from 25 years ago.

Black Shuck

BD bikes are pre-assembled, just fit the handlebars and wheels and some fine tuning. Building a bike up from scratch isn't too hard either but requires a few tools you might not have.

TarmacDude

Hardest thing I've done on a car was change the alternator, and adjusted the distributor and timings. I did have a motorcycle and replaced the rear wheel which was quite a ***** to be honest. I've changed the tubes and tires on my current road bike, but that's it.

I'm doing this to learn a bit more. I already have a nice tarmac, and am going to buy this cheaper bd bike to rough up and use as more of a training bike, saving the tarmac for those "epic" rides I guess. I plan to do my own maintenance and tuning on the bd bike. I have a big tool set, but no bike specific tools.

Doohickie

If you're doing it to learn, do it. If you're doing it to save money, you'll end up spending the money, possibly more, on tools. You can do it.

fbxcore

BD bikes come pre-assembled for the most part. It won't really be a big deal.

dcbikeguy

I wonder what other topics you can come up with to mention you're getting a BD bike?

Grumpy McTrumpy

torque wrench. one with a low range.

UmneyDurak

Speaking of assembling bikes. How much work is required to prep and assemble the PedalForce frames?

Thanks
UD

martinrjensen

Well I really didn't realize that you were buying a bike from BD. From what I have heard, you will have to bolt back on the handle bars (really easy with the new stems), the saddle, and pedals, and front wheel. Very easy to do. My inerpretation of "scratch" is what I did with 2 of my bikes. I bought stripped frames off eBay, then a groupo and wheels off eBay separately. I assembled the bike from the last bolt. That's very fun and very rewarding. I would not have it any other way. another bike I bought complete, then took apart, repaintedand reassembled with the same cleaned up parts. same feeling. good luck with your new BD bike. I'm sure it will be great. still, check out those sites I suggested. theya re great.

CardiacKid

This assumes the bike was built and assembled at the factory correctly. Even then, you still have to adjust all of the cables. There is also a good possiblity that the bike wasn't built and assembled correctly. It is often necessary to face the bottom bracket, align the FD, true the tires or God only knows what.

umd

It's not hard if you do much of your own maintenence. If you bring your bike to the shop for every little thing then you are SOL

kwrides

When I was new to bike maintenance I bought this book and I really like it. I use it at least once a month on one of my bikes. https://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Comp...9582880&sr=1-6

I've heard good things about the Park book, but bought the Bicycling book for the pictures. https://www.amazon.com/Big-Blue-Book-...9583050&sr=1-1

The Park website and Sheldon Brown's website are both great resources too.

DScott

Good info (Park, Zinn, etc), decent mechanical aptitude, and (most importantly) ability to follow directions will get the job done.

Or you could just upgrade the Tarmac for the price of the BD.

Me, I'd take the money you're going to piss away on the BD bike and add it to the money you get for selling your Tarmac, and get one good bike that's an upgrade to both.

What's the MSRP on "mediocre" these days, and what would up to 60% off of that be?

RichinPeoria

do it....call me if you have questions

TarmacDude

Well the point of the bd bike is to use it as a training bike, and for bad weather days as well when it rains, etc. So I plan to use that more. It's going to be a cheap bike. This will prolong the life of the tarmac and keep it in good shape I think.

TarmacDude

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.