Just how realistic is it for me to build my own bike?

[RaRa]

I've had a bit of a crazy idea that the best way to learn about bike maintenance would be to build my own from scratch. I already own a road bike and MTB but I'm totally reliant on the LBS for servicing as I know next to nothing about the mechanics and various "bits and bobs". I'm finding the thought of 100 quid for a basic service a bit steep especially when I add the OH's bikes into the mix - we could end up spending 400 quid between us!

I'd be on a fairly tight budget so would be sourcing things 2nd hand and from ebay. Current thinking is to go for a winter/audax bike set up.

So just how difficult is it? I'm not totally incapable but can be somewhat clumsy - I have punched myself in the face changing a tire before

Has anyone else had a go and emerged the other side a mechanical genius with a beautiful bike who can now take it apart and reassmble it blindfolded in under 3 minutes ?

 

[Dave Davenport]

It's really not difficult and would be a good way for you to learn, the Park tools site is worth a look.

 

[screenman]

I have but I was 10 at the time.

 

[musa]

Its certainly not unrealistic if you have the time and budget for it then why not?

 

[stumpy66]

Its certainly not unrealistic if you have the time and budget for it then why not?

And patience, its certainly rewarding a gives a good sense of achievement

 

[musa]

Yes, indeed patience more than anything

 

[accountantpete]

You need to learn how to do quite a few things and I'd try and minimise what you need to deal with at first go.

Get a frame with forks and headset so you just need to learn how to fit what you have.

After that you need to get a major component and then build the rest of the bike around that - so if you get 9spd wheels then the rest will follow.

Good luck.

 

[tyred]

The best thing to do is to teach yourself. It's not rocket science really. Go and pull a bike out of a skip somewhere and take it to bits and rebuild it as practice before you start on your real project.

 

[smutchin]

I'm not sure it would work as a money-saving exercise. Consumer prices for groupsets are considerably higher than what mass-manufacturers pay, so even if you got a decent deal on a groupset from ebay, it would probably be more expensive than buying the same groupset already fitted to a complete new bike bought from a shop.

And exactly how dirty do you want to get your hands? Jobs like fitting headsets require expensive specialist tools...

The kind of stuff that gets done on a "basic service" is all very doable youself without much in the way of specialist equipment. I reckon it would be cheaper to buy a new or second-hand complete bike and teach yourself the skills to do routine maintenance jobs as and when they need to be done by looking at the Park website or similar.

d.

 

[amasidlover]

I've recently gone from having 90% off stuff done by the LBS to building/re-building my own bikes; the only thing I haven't done is fit a headset.

Youtube, park tools, this site etc. all have good advice on specific jobs, but, in my opinion, the thing that makes the difference between a nightmare job and an easy job is the right tool - I'd start with a good basic bike tool kit (I have the Edinburgh cycles one) and a set of cable cutters. DO NOT skip the cable cutters... I've mangled many a cable in the past with, pliers, tin snips, electrical cable cutters, stanley knives etc. nothing apart from proper bike cable cutters has ever worked nicely for me.

Finally; starting with separate parts is a good idea - you almost certainly won't save any money on the bike, but you will learn to save yourself servcing/part fitting costs. And if you start with separate parts you stand no danger of getting a second hand bike with seized in parts - seized in parts are a nightmare, particularly when you're not 100% sure you're doing it right. Plus when putting it together grease the threads of BB and pedals, the quill of the stem (if a quill stem), the seat post and the quick release spindles... That's my current list of things that have seized in place on me...

 

[BrazingSaddles]

Why should it be you? Get your OH on a course!! Check locally for short/evening courses or drop-in sessions. Failing that ask a friend - my OH has often shown mates how to sort their bikes out. And acquire more cycling buddies so they can 'donate' parts to you/swap shop....!

 

[smokeysmoo]

It's simple enough. I've built three bikes bikes now and loved every experience. I've done two full on Peugeot restoration builds, and my current commuter is a Ribble framed self build as well.

There is something extremely satisfying about looking at your own bike and knowing you built it

 

[Ian H]

I tend to buy bits and build my bikes myself.That way I get exactly what I want in set-up and components.

The last complete bike I bought was a cheap second-hand mtb. All I had to do was replace the frame.

 

[BrazingSaddles]

Am I allowed to be uber smug and say that I REALLY built mine? Dave Yates course last year - built (mitred/brazed etc) my commuter.....Now that's a great way to learn how a bike goes together, teamed with the fact the frame will be a perfect fit. (Yeah okay, the novelty still hasn't worn off!)

 

[derrick]

It ain't rocket science, but watch the vidio's read the books, and ask on here if you have a problem.