blastguardgear said:
I'm thinking about buying all the parts to assemble a road bike. I've never assembled a bicycle, and wonder how difficult it is, and where I can find some detailed, off the hook, fresh instructions on how to do this
As
dabac notes, the information is available on the Internet ...
While buying components
a la carte is almost always more expensive unless you are a wise
eBay-shopper, Shimano 11-speed Road GROUPS are currently on sale for about half their MSRP ...
You will still need a wheelset, tires/tubes, frame/fork, headset, stem, handlebars, handlebar tape, seatpost, saddle, pedals ... air pump &
other tools.
IMO, the skill level that is required is about what one needs to remove-and-replace the lid from a jar of pickles ...
Of course, some people cannot do THAT!
However, the key to a successful venture is possibly in having the RIGHT
tools + choosing the RIGHT
frameset ...
Unlike the past, there are only a few bicycle specific tools which are needed, now -- for example, BB tool, Cassette lockring tool, chain tool,
etc.
And, generic equivalents from a retailer like HARBOR FREIGHT (
or equivalent if you are not in the States) which is probably 90% Chinese made stuff + 10% made elsewhere will do ...
BTW. With regard to the frameset, MY recommendation is that you try to locate-and-use a frame with an
English threaded BB shell + which uses a fork with a
standard (
NOT tapered) 1 1/8" steerer.
If you currently have a bike, then create-a-workspace if you don't already have a dedicated space and disassemble your bike one component at a time ...
loosen the front wheel quick release (nuts) & remove the front wheel
put it back on & adjust accordingly
loosen the rear wheel quick release (nuts) & remove the rear wheel
put it back on & adjust accordingly
loosen the seatpost bolt/clamp
put it back on & adjust accordingly
et cetera until you have removed and replaced all the components on your current bike.
IF you can remove-and-replace (
and adjust) all the components, then you can (
SHOULD BE ABLE TO) assemble a new bike from scratch.
IF you cannot but still want to, then consider getting some "wood shop" and/or "metal shop" skills at your community college.
BTW2. If there is an REI near you, then attend one of their bike maintenance sessions.
BTW3.
Another consideration is to update the components on your current bike (
presuming you have one) with the components which you prefer,
first, Then,
after you have successfully retrofitted the components on your current bike, buy the frameset of your choice & move the parts (or, another set of new components) to the
new frameset.