Thinking of building me a bike...

Initialised

I can't quite find what I'm looking for and I've built a kitchen, walls, stairs, PCs, done head gaskets and such on cars so I figured why not build a bike, how hard can it be?

Looking at this frame http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/J-L-Titanium- ... 542wt_1187 and I guess 50-100% more on bits to hang off it probably a 2x10 group set full hydraulic disc brakes and a carbon fork.

Or maybe something like these: http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic ... rigid-29er

What do you think is it a bad idea and looking at the geometry what size would you recommend I get, I am just under 6 foot tall with 33 inch inside leg.

I bounced it off the wife and she said "you'll have bits of bike everywhere" which is true really

Talk me into it...

bails87

Get a shop to face the BB and fit and face the headset, everything else can be done with a set of hex keys, a screwdriver, a hacksaw (if needed for the steerer) and a cable cutter.

It's fairly easy. Having a dedicated workspace makes things a lot easier, as does a workstand.

Do it!

Initialised

Work stand is a definite need. Not sure about dedicated space though.

What do you think of the frame and size options?

styxd

Facing the BB and headtube isnt really necessary, and if you're buying 2nd hnad it may have already been done anyway.

It sounds like you are pretty good with your hands so you can fit the headset with a hammer and a block of wood easy enough.

godders1

I am just under 6 foot tall with 33 inch inside leg.

Exactly the same as me. I have a Kinesis Racelight T2 size 57 and On One Pomnpetamine size large. A comparison with the geometrys of those should get you in the ball park for size (although not all frames are alike, more to sizing than just height and leg length etc etc).

http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/technical/racelight/t2

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROOPO135/o ... 2012_frame

I built my Kinesis and it was a doddle although the (cupless) integrated headset made life easier! On the subject of headsets I've seen ghetto pressses made from a threaded rod and a few nuts and washers. That said probably a pretty quick and cheap job for the LBS. As others have said everything else is quite manageable with a few basic tools.

Initialised

Thanks, Large it is then.

Headset looks easy enough: http://www.instructables.com/id/Install ... in-a-bike/

Anything I should know about hydraulic discs before committing?

bails87

Initialised wrote:

Thanks, Large it is then.

Headset looks easy enough: http://www.instructables.com/id/Install ... in-a-bike/

Anything I should know about hydraulic discs before committing?

DOT fluid strips paint, so don't spill any on the new frame!

Other than that, they may need bleeding. They WILL need bleeding if you shorten the hoses. But it's not a difficult job, just follow the relevant manual. Then they should be maintenance free and self adjusting, so you shouldn't really have to touch them. That's what I've found with hydro discs on MTBs.

Initialised

I won't be painting it:

But can't decide whether to anodise or not

ilish0704

Eat a piece of candy every day and tell yourself the day is sweet again.

IT66T

I'd go with the Gold frame and fit Black parts as i like that colour scheme as it would look unusual but it's all down to what your personal likes are really .

Initialised

'Gold' tends to look urine stained on Ti and controlling the colour is tricky, getting enough £ together for gold electro-plating isn't going to happen but it would look amazing. Probably leave it raw.

Was looking at their 29er frame instead. Is a 29er on drops feasible or would the CX frame take 29" wheels on skinnies anyway?

Is there a decent hydraulic disc brake set with suicide levers?

How important are rear mech hangars should I be looking at a frame with them?

bails87

Initialised wrote:

Was looking at their 29er frame instead. Is a 29er on drops feasible or would the CX frame take 29" wheels on skinnies anyway?

29 inch=700c wheels.
I've got wheels built around Crest 29er rims on my Boardman CX, with 25mm GP4seasons.

Initialised wrote:

Is there a decent hydraulic disc brake set with suicide levers?

Nope. There are some adaptors, that turn a cable pull from an sti type lever into a hydraulic action. Presumably that works with cross levers too, TRP make one. ££££££ though.

Initialised wrote:

How important are rear mech hangars should I be looking at a frame with them?

I know you can just bend steel back to the right shape, or get a replacement welded on, you can't with alu, not sure about titanium. If it's the same as steel then I'd say it doesn't matter.

Initialised

OK so no difference in size, just naming convention damn marketing, hydraulics don't come with levers so limited to mechanical discs for now and it's probably shagged if I bend the hangar. Hmmm.... maybe rethink the frame.

bails87

BB5s or 7s are fine for road use tbh. I'd rather have hydraulics just because they're nicer, but decent mechanicals are okay.

How about something from here: http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/c/q/frames/cyclocross

godders1

Yeah very pleased with the BB7s on my Pompetamine.