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

[smokeysmoo]

Am I allowed to be uber smug and say that I REALLY built mine?

Now that would be cool, and it is a good 'smug' boast, but for me I know my limitations, and bolting things in place and routing cables is enough, but good work fella

 

[BrazingSaddles]

Now that would be cool, and it is a good 'smug' boast, but for me I know my limitations, and bolting things in place and routing cables is enough, but good work fella

fella-ess!!

 

[smokeysmoo]

fella-ess!!

you have my humble apologies Madame

 

[Andy_R]

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


d.

If you have a little mechanical know how, you can make a lot of ""expensive specialist" tools yourself. My headset press cost around £5.00 to make and it's been used by myself and a few others to install around a dozen dozen headsets so far with no problems. It can also add to the whole smug feeling - not only did I build my bike, I made some of the tools to build it with

 

[PpPete]

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!)

You are entitled to be exceeding smug ! Frame-building is the only thing I have yet to undertake.
If I needed another bike, and had the spare time & ££, a Dave Yates course would be very high on my list.

In the meantime building my wheels for my own and family member's bikes will have to do. Immensely satisfying.

 

[bicyclos]

You have got to start at the basics and build up from there. Cleaning the bike, adjusting the brakes, changing the brake blocks, changing tyres and punctures, the list goes on......trial and error. I started with cycling at 10yrs old with my first bike from the local tip in 1970 and it has been a passion of mine ever since. Starting with basic tools and building up from there. A few years ago I built my own SWB recumbent from scratch from old bikes and learnt how to weld.

It can turn into an obsession. I have invested a decent lump of money in tools and equiptment so I can do anything on the bike. You have got to study every angle and dimension if you go into it deeper. It's not rocket science but you need to be hands on and get a feel for it. I have broken into wheel building now which I find gives me great satisfaction in doing. I will never go back to buying wheels off the peg as I can hunt the parts cheap and build them myself. The more you get familiar with how things work, the easier things become. You have got to look at this way, If you broke down with a puncture 10 or 15 miles away from home, Can you fix it? Building a bike from scratch ? that depends on you, tools, experience and knowledge.....It can be rewarding

 

[simon.r]

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!)

That's on my wish-list as well.

Generally, when people talk about 'building a bike' all they really mean is bolting a pile of bits together. Don't get me wrong, it's not that simple, bit it isn't that difficult either, given a degree of mechanical sympathy and a few fairly basic tools.

In answer to the OP - yes, it's emminently 'do-able' and if you're paying £200 for a service on 2 bikes you'll definitely save money in the medium term, even allowing for an initial outlay on tools.

 

[RaRa]

Thanks for all the comments. Luckily I have a friendly relative who assures me he has every possible bike tool i could ever want so I've decided to take the plunge and will now be on the look out for either a "pre-loved" bike or a suitable 2nd hand frame.

 

[pubrunner]

It can turn into an obsession.

Indeed it can !

You'll have a great deal of fun building your own bike; not to mention, buying the parts - and selling on the bits that don't fit or are unsuitable .

 

[Andy_R]

Indeed it can !

You'll have a great deal of fun building your own bike; not to mention, buying the parts - and selling on the bits that don't fit or are unsuitable .

Be prepared to buy two of everything...the one you want, and then the one you actually need.

 

[smokeysmoo]

it isn't that difficult either.

You Sir have clearly not tried to remove a seized seatpost or seized stem from an early 70's steel frame, or remove a rusted in BB, or source a 24mm seat post

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

...or source a 24mm seat post

Same aisle as Hen's Teeth and Scotch Mist... (yes: I'm still looking)

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

A sideways suggestion for the OP: have you considered buying a dog of an old MTB (£20, £30) and pulling that apart to learn the ropes, before doing a build?

 

[RaRa]

A sideways suggestion for the OP: have you considered buying a dog of an old MTB (£20, £30) and pulling that apart to learn the ropes, before doing a build?

I think that the way i'm leaning too, buy a dirt cheap or free mess and hopefully build up my skills and then move on to what i really want to build to keep.

 

[biggs682]

easy go for it , just dont rush