Have you built your own bike from a bare frame? I need advice.

hashde said:

Since I now have a great deal of knowledge with regard to what size frame, stem, etc., that I need, I have decided to put together a bike myself. I have everything I need, with the possible exception of a complete parts list, and a set of directions that describe in what order to assemble the bike. I am pretty sure that with the help of ebay, sales, and the VeloSwap, I can get a nice steel or Ti bike together for much less than a shop would charge, and I'd learn something as well.
Can anyone help?
Cheers,
Dan

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Yeah, many times. Order is pretty intuitive if you think about it. Give it a try.

hashde said:

Do you happen to have a complete parts list?
Does bar tape go on last? Bottom bracket first?
Dan

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I built up an entire bike with no prior knowledge...here's the order I used:

First, get your fork in your frame. Depends what kind of frame and fork you have, how you do this. My headset is integrated so...

Now put on spacers, mark where you want to cut the steer tube. Cut it, leaving 1-3 mm below where the top of the stem will be at. Pound in the star fangled nut, put on the stem, screw in the top cap.

Now put your handlebars on.

Now put the bottom bracket in.

Next get your tubes and tires on the wheels. Attach your cassette the the rear wheel. Now put those babies on the bike.

Put in your seatpost and seat.

Attach the crank and pedals.

Next attach brake calipers.

Next thing put on your shifters to the handlebars where you want them.

Put the derailleurs in the right spots.

Now put the chain on. You have to know how long you want it. String it big ring to big ring. You want to have one full link of overlap (I forgot, but I think). Lop it off there.

Hook up your brake cables.

Hook up the shifter cables, and get ready to play around with tuning.

Now you can put on grip tape...

And you're set. I don't think I forgot anything...somebody remind me if I did. If you have specific questions about any of the steps, just ask.

IMPORTANT: Do not forget to GREASE threads!!! This is mucho mucho important when assembling the bike yourself!

Tools you might need, that most people don't have:

(I forgot names but)
Special saw for cutting the steer tube.
Tool for pounding in star fangled nut.
Tool for pounding down crown race. (Slide punch)
Tool for attaching cassette.
Tool for bottom bracket.

Be careful puting the bottom bracket in. Plenty of guys have stripped the threads in their frame by getting this wrong. Most frames have a left hand thread on the right side, and plenty of people get confused and stuff it up. It's important to have the bottom bracket bracket very tight but some people interpret this as being 15,00000000 Newtons, so they obviously go too tight, stripping the thread. Some alu frames leave too much paint on the threads which can result in threads being damaged.

Just ask any bike shop guy about bottom bracket horror stories, and I'm sure they''ll have plenty.

In fact, I'd recommend getting someone to just put the BB in, only to be on the safe side. You'll also save a few bucks not having to buy the special tool.

If you have any other doubts I'd obviously recommend going straight to the shop. Most people get something wrong the first time 'round.

Just built my second bike this weekend. It's fun and I am sure you will appreciate your bike more once you have completed the work.

Tools: Make sure you have the proper tools. Performance, Nashbar and others have a $50 toolset that includes almost everything. Add to the box a pair of cable/casing cutters and you will be set.

The parts: Crankset (double or triple), Fork w/ heatset, Bottom Bracket matching the crankset (A bit wider for triple. They also come with different threading, either English or Italian. So check your frame first and get the correct one, wheels (w/rim tape), tires and tubes, cassette w/lockring, front and rear derailleurs, Shifters w/ cables and casings, Brake Calipers, Handlebar (w/tape), Stem, Seatpost, Pedals, and Saddle.

Small Extras: Cable Casing Ends, Rubber rings (to put around the brake cable running along the top tube and to protect that one), Cable caps.

Process: If you have a bike repair stand things will be easier but you can complete the process without. I do not have one.
1) Install the bottom bracket (if using an English type, the right side is reverse threaded, turn counter-clockwise to tighten), the headset, fork, stem, and handlebar.
2) Prepare the wheels (mount cassette on rear one w/ lockring, rim tape, tube, and tire. Install the wheels on the frame.
3) Install the crankset and pedals.
4) Install the derailleurs.
5) Install the chain. First cut it to the proper length. When the chain is on the largest chainring (front) and smallest cog (rear) you should have a line perpendicular, or close to it, to the ground going through the two wheels of the rear derailleur and the center of the cassette.
6) Install the seatpost and the saddle. Try to position it close to your optimum height.
7) Install the shifters on the handlebar. Sit on the saddle and lock the shifters where they fit the best. Play with the handlebar fit as well.
8) Install the brake calipers.
9) Install the brake casings and cables. They are the easiest to install. Do not forget casing ends and rubber rings to protect your frame. Make sure to properly measure the casing length before cutting, the handlebar should be able to freely turn left and rigth without stressing the casings.
10) If you are installing a Shimano system you may install the handlebar tape now. With Campagnolo you need to install the shifter cables first.
11) Install the Shifter cables. Start with the front one (left). Make sure you read the derailleur manufacturer's manual for proper cable routing and connections. Same warning for the casings, better start too long than too short.
12) Adjust the derailleurs so that shifting works smoothly.
13) Get on your bike for a spin around the block. Carry a screwdriver in your pocket so you can make some minor adjustments to the derailleur without having to go back home.

Voilà you did it and your bike feels more personal. Probably even better, if something brakes along the road you will know what to do to fix it.

Listen to the wise Fat Hack:

The only problem I had when putting my bike together was the bottom bracket. Make sure the BB shell is faced and the threads are reamed/chased. You may regret/pay for it later if you choose to neglect it. The threads of the BB shell on my frame required reaming/chasing (especially if the frame is new). But probably like you, I really desired to put the entire bike together myself and so attempted to put the BB in myself. After a lot of time and energy (and worrying whether I messed something up) I took it to my better LBS and had it "proffessionally" installed. It was the only part I had someone else install, and I'm glad I did. Unlike most things on your bike, the BB shell is close virtually irreplaceable, and the BB itself could even be considered the heart of your bike, so make sure it's installed right, if not by you, then by an actual proffessional. Besides, it only cost me $20 for them to prep and properly install the BB, which is a small price to pay when dealing with what might be a thousand-plus dollar frame, and no one but you has to know you didn't do it all yourself.

P.S. If you've never wrapped bar tape, buy more than one set, it will take just a little practice to learn the art.

GOOD LUCK, and make sure you post some pictures of your creation once its complete.

Listen to Fat Hack!!!

I am one of the idiotic few that screwed my BB thread by over tightening my BB. I was not a happy camper whatsoever ......go to your LBS...

hashde said:

Since I now have a great deal of knowledge with regard to what size frame, stem, etc., that I need, I have decided to put together a bike myself. I have everything I need, with the possible exception of a complete parts list, and a set of directions that describe in what order to assemble the bike. I am pretty sure that with the help of ebay, sales, and the VeloSwap, I can get a nice steel or Ti bike together for much less than a shop would charge, and I'd learn something as well.
Can anyone help?
Cheers,
Dan

Click to expand...

Attaining the tools and skills to use them can be part of the challenge. However, it is good to know what you are getting into before doing it.
Park Tool site has good sections on nearly everything you might need... and tools to address it:

<http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml>

TommyGunn said:

Listen to Fat Hack!!!

I am one of the idiotic few that screwed my BB thread by over tightening my BB. I was not a happy camper whatsoever ......go to your LBS...

Click to expand...

You guys are a real scream. A BB is just a threaded part,not rocket science.Anyone that cannot install a BB shouldn't even touch a bike.

hashde said:

Since I now have a great deal of knowledge with regard to what size frame, stem, etc., that I need, I have decided to put together a bike myself. I have everything I need, with the possible exception of a complete parts list, and a set of directions that describe in what order to assemble the bike. I am pretty sure that with the help of ebay, sales, and the VeloSwap, I can get a nice steel or Ti bike together for much less than a shop would charge, and I'd learn something as well.
Can anyone help?
Cheers,
Dan

Click to expand...

fwiw, I built-up my first road bike in May and it was a great experience and really is quite easy with modern parts. I never found an "official" list of steps, but here are a few tips and the order in which I did things if that helps:
http://home.earthlink.net/~rivromulus/tips.html

TommyGunn said:

Listen to Fat Hack!!!

I am one of the idiotic few that screwed my BB thread by over tightening my BB. I was not a happy camper whatsoever ......go to your LBS...

Click to expand...

two words: "Torque Wrench" 30-40 lb-ft is probably less than you think.

also, you might get the head-tube faced and reamed to make sure the ends are parallel . . . just in case.

that's all i had the LBS do and then put the rest together.

oh, i also had them cut the carbon steerer tube on one fork too . . . all that talk of carbon dust being carcinogenic and all. though a friend told me to just wrap it in masking tape and wear a surgical mask . . .

You may also wish to cut the steerer a little on the long side, so you have room for spacers and can adjust your stem up and down for testing, since this is largely preference. Then cut the steerer again to that preferred length, unless you already know what you want.

hashde said:

Thanks,
I will have to bookmark this thread, lots of great info. I have a Park Advanced Tool Kit, http://www.bikeworld.com/product/parktool/ak32.htm That does not have every tool I need, such as the BB tool, or the fork saw. So I may have the LBS do that, and do the rest myself, or just buy them and a torque wrench...
In the spirit of contribution, I'm attaching a .pdf on how to deal with tubular tires, rims and glue. It's so easy now, I'm not ever going back to tubes.
Cheers,

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i spy a BB tool just to the upper right of the pedal wrench!
"Cartridge Bottom Bracket Tool for Shimano BBT-2"

no fork saw, but that's just a hack-saw (or pipe-cutter) anyway. the "guide" is useful, but not essential.

tubulars . . . i need to read your .pdf, but i say you'll love them until you get a flat. use them for race wheels only.

hashde said:

I've had several flats, and I'm telling you it IS easier. Just pull up the part near the valve with a tire tool, rip the tire off, and on goes the new one. Align the sides, CO2, done. Those who have trouble, are IMHO using too much glue.

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nahh, i was talking about cutting open the casing, patching the tube/tire and sewing it back up. you mean you toss your tubies after one flat?!?

boudreaux said:

You guys are a real scream. A BB is just a threaded part,not rocket science.Anyone that cannot install a BB shouldn't even touch a bike.

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Yeah, but did you get the very first one you ever installed, exactly right? Exact Newtons? Dead straight?

In anticipation of your respones being, "yep; piece of p1ss" -- good on ya

531Aussie said:

Yeah, but did you get the very first one you ever installed, exactly right? Exact Newtons? Dead straight?

In anticipation of your respones being, "yep; piece of p1ss" -- good on ya

Click to expand...

Actually yes, and the only newtons I worry about are the fig kind.

I'm in the process of my first build right now. Fortunately my frame came already faced, reamed, and chased for the headset and bb. Just remember never to use a tool on something you can't thread in with your hand.