I currently have a an IRO angus 59 built up and am realizing it is too big. I''m looking to purchase and Mark V pro 56. I talked to a shop to see what the labor would be to swap everything over to the mark v & want to charge $120. It seams to me that the most difficult thing to swap over would be the cranks and bottom bracket but I don't have the tools for that? I'm aware I have to get a new stem and headset for the mark V. I thought about joining the freewheel on hayes here in SF to make it all happen w/ their guidance. Does anyone have any insight?

you could do everything on your own then take the bike to the LBS and just have them swap the cranks and bb

I highly recommend those community workbenches. Freewheel's is bigger, but Box Dog's is just as good. There's a lot of DYI guides on the internet. That's how I learned how to do eveything. $120 spent on tools is a much better investment.

just go buy the tools youd need to do it. im certain all the required tools combined will not cost 120.

+1
All you need is a crank puller and a BB tool. Easy as pie.

When I bought my first bike as an adult, I took it apart completely. Dismantled the freehub (that's right - geared!) down to the pawls and springs and everything. I was so frustrated I couldn't crack the sealed BB. My point is that relative to just about any other machine, a bike is as about as simple as it gets. Go for it!

are you selling that 59?

yes, buy the tools yourself. you can get a good entry level kit for under fifty bucks.
i actually still have that kit, and it has what you need to pull cranks, swap bottom brackets, remove freewheels, remove pedals, break/reconnect chains, install/remove cogs and lockrings, overhaul hubs, and so on and so on and so on...
the only thing it won't enable you to do is remove your headset. i know you can diy, but seing as it's the one thing on your bike that doesn't screw into place (it has to be pressed), i'd rather take it to an LBS. this way, they'll face your frame and mount it properly.
do everything else yourself. it's all remarkably simple once you have the tools, and at $50 bucks you can't go wrong. If you're only servicing your own bike, high end tools are overkill so don't worry about buying the blue stuff.

use the park tool repair guide or sheldon brown's site (rip) for any questions. all of them will be answered at both sites.
if you realize you're in over your head, go to your LBS (don't worry, though-- with a complete set and those two resources, you can do everything you need).

Don't forget the headset, guys.

Honestly, buying bottom bracket and headset tools (popper and press) may not be worth it being that these are the least changed parts of all. Not to mention the hassle of doing it.

My suggestion:

- Strip the IRO down to the bottom bracket and headset.
- Take it and the new frame to a shop and don't pay more than $30 to have them move them over to the new bike.
- Reassemble the new bike.

PS
You may need a crank puller to get the cranks off and a chain breaker because your rear triangle will likely be smaller. But these are tools that you will definitely use more often than BB or headset tools.

I say pay the $120 and let the LBS do it. You have other things to do than get your hands dirty...

Oh yeah, headset. Well the old one can stay put. The new one you can do, but the tool (which can be made at home) is expensive. Take it in for that. It's really easy though, so it shouldn't cost you much.

Bottom bracket tool = 7 dollars, crank puller = 15 dollars.
Headset tools = a 1" piece of brass tubing, a block of wood and a mallet
Overall the tools are going to cost you...26 dollars? maybe 30? Plus a bottom bracket tool and crank pullers are something worth having around so you dont have to do what I do and bum em off friends

The 90 dollars you saved will buy you a new headset and a stem. If you buy the new frame from IRO see if they will sell you a headset and stem and they might install the parts for you.

How do you figure he should press the headset cups back in...with his teeth?

yes I'll be selling the Angus 59 once everything is swapped over.

if he buys a complete set for $50 bucks, he can take his frames to have the headsets swapped for $30, possibly less.
a headset isn't a bad thing to leave to people who do it every day.

- brass tubing $5
- Block of wood $2
- Mallet $8

oh and

- Headset press $50

https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...ls.php?id=8541

You are acquiring your brass tube at the wrong places, and your scrap wood as well. The wood should be free, the brass tube no more than 2 dollars, probably free and a rubber mallet can be found for 5 dollars at fred meyers. Besides, how many times do you change headsets, vs. how many times do rubber mallets come in handy? And the money being saved calculation was off the 120 the LBS was charging.

Also, I'm just being argumentative here...

But, we are also forgetting about liability. What if he mis-threads and cross threads his BB shell or bends a headset cup. This stuff happens every day. He is pretty much SOL if he does it. But the bike shop would have to take it on the chin and pay for replacements. I used to work at a few shops. I know how often it can happen...even by professionals.

Need a bike stand to do all of this?

Hey, I'm all about DIY. Sh*t I started the DIY thread. But there comes a time when you have to compare the cost (time, money, effort, education) to the benefits (headset and BB installed) and determine if it's worth it.

i don't know about others, but the mark v i just built i needed to face the headtube and bb and chase the bb threads to clean the paint overspray out. remember that too. and installing the headset is goes much more smoothly with the proper tools.

I as well am arguing for the sake of arguing. I should probably have pre-faced my original point with "if I was in your position..."
Agreeably, damages do happen and you make a good point, but 120 dollars seems steep for a bottom bracket/crank swap and a headset installation UNLESS they are cutting the steerer to the proper and getting the correct spacers put on etc.

DIY head set press

I think $120 was for a complete frame swap (wheels, chain, stem, brakes?, headset, BB, seatpost, tuneup) not just the headset and BB.

But, I agree $120 is still steep for even all of that. I think $50 would be fair for a 100% swap. $75 if the wheels are trued.

Wow a lot of great options. This place rules.
I'll probably strip down what I got and let the pros put in the headset and BB I don't want to F it up.
Seeing that I've never done that before and don't have a bike stand or the rest of the tools needed.
Even if I did acquire them I'd only be using them once.

if that first guy doesn't grab it, i'm interested

Since the OP has a coop available that seems the way to go.There he'll find tools and guidance,so less chance of ****ing things up and if he finds out that wrenching is not his thing(as some people do once they start)no money is wasted for tools that won't get used again.If he has a blast doing his build he can always get his own tools later.

my friend went to harbor freight on bought a bike tool kit for 20$... use the remainding 100$ for womens