Is everyone capable of building a bike?

frankspencer1979

Ever since I bought my first bike last year, I've been spending all my free time thinking about what my next bike is going to be! Up until a few weeks ago I thought I'd get a full sus, but me and the missus are talking about getting a new gaff now so I can't justify spending 1000-2000 on a new bike!

So now I've been thinking that perhaps next year sometime, once I've got a garage or big shed (if the house sells!) I might build meself a nice bike.

I don't care how long it takes me, so I can spread the cost of the parts over time, I'm pretty certain I'll enjoy the process and I figure once I've got the confidence I can do it again in the future.

But..... I've never done much more than repair punctures, change tyres, change pedals, change bars & stem etc'. I've got no tools apart from several Allen key sets and a pedal spanner, and I'm frank spencer!

So I wonder, is it gonna be too much to take on? I think it could be a great way of learning how to do everything myself, or should I think about something else instead!?

386ka

If the frame-to-be has headset which doesn't require a headset press, and a BB which doesn't require facing, then you can probably get away with just a 40 pound worth toolbox.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=40997 + some cable cutters.
And, I think pretty much everyone is capable of building a bike. Just requires a little bit of patience, and a little bit of knowledge, which can be acquired for free from sites like sheldonbrown.com or park-tool.com.
Also, I would recommend building a bike yourself, you learn from it, and will save on servicing later on.

apple eater

as above a cheap but decent tool kit to start. You've already some basic removal and refitting of parts so you have basic skills to build on.

Do it, the satisfaction of DIY will be good. If you put it all together but can't do one fiddly bit like adjust gears, so what, take it to the bike shop and let them tweak it!

I'd like to have the money to do it.

1mancity2

Its easy if you take your time, I have a full tool kit and work stand if you need to borrow anything, as 386ka says headset and bb are the only areas you may struggle, put I have a headset press.

Your not far from me so if your stuck give me a shout.

lpretro1

I disagree - judging by some of the posts on this forum there are some folk who shouldn't be let anywhere near a bike build! But I'm sure the Op is not one of these. good luck anyway

frankspencer1979

Ok, so it sounds like giving it a bash is the order of the day! Could be some time before I start though, like I say, I've gotta buy a new house and sh!t.

Is there some sort of bike building bible (like a Haynes manual) that is recommended? I've seen various guides like Park tools website which look great, but you can't beat a manual. Quick look on amazon didn't come up with much suitable looking.

cooldad

All the info you need is on Parktools. It's really just a matter of bolting bits together. Easier than lego as most bits will only go on one way.

Darkstalker420

Hi mate as posted above it's not having the correct tools that will often be the problem. If you take your time have the tools you need and are prepared to ask for help (if needed ) and know which end of the screwdriver does the damage it's not that hard really. I (finally) finished building my new ride yesterday when the rest of the parts turned up from CRC.

I started purchasing bike tools as required so have over the years got most of the things needed. But snapping up a tool box of bike specific tools would be good if you can afford it. Imho there is nothing better than riding a bike that you constructed yourself from parts (and you will save a bomb on repair costs ). Good luck and if you try it remember to take your time. (And if you get stuck PUT THE TOOL DOWN and ask for help on here better to ask than strip threads/damage stuff).

Thanks.

The Rookie

I got back into cycling by buying a frame with a few bits and some forks, built that up, used it for 6 months and did some upgrades, then I built a commuter from literaly a bare frame up using many bits from that first bike and an MTB from a frame in the same start point. The only tools I have were from a Lidl £25 toolkit and some decent side cutters, for most headsets I use a hammer and a piece of wood to fit, for BB thread/facing I use the LBS, I've added a few more tools now like HT2 kit and pedal spanner.

Anyone could do it, if in doubt check, check and check again and do each stage carefully.

Build your own bike and you know it inside out, you also know the strong and weak points and where to upgrade in the future.

A16UYF

All right mate,

I have built a couple of bikes from scratch now and there is no better feeling than riding a bike you built yourself.
I spent about £10 on a basic bike tool kit from a market stall and have just added to it as and when i required different tools.

I leave fitting headsets and BB's to my LBS, just because they have the correct tools and they dont charge that much either.

jayson

Other than the headset and maybe the BB building a bike up is a piece of cake just take your time, be methodical and its plain sailing.

You should buy a set of good cable cutters though, its amazing how much easier they make the job and its only a 1 time buy.

Goodluck and have fun:-)

gezebo

It is easily possible to build a frame up from scratch with not much more than a multitool.

The area that most people seem to fail on are over-tightening everything and generally not understanding how things work.

Understand how it works first and go from there.

frankspencer1979

Well this is all pretty positive and pretty much what I wanted to hear! I'll keep on planning stuff in my head and hopefully later this year, early next year i'll actually get started. Perhaps in the meantime I'll keep my eyes peeled for bargains and start collecting vital parts

Having said all that, I've got a couple of issues with my brakes now that have me a bit stumped.

viewtopic.php?f=10004&t=12860872

nicklouse

to answer your original question. Nope.

have a read through this

viewtopic.php?f=10004&t=12650967

The Rookie

gezebo wrote:

It is easily possible to build a frame up from scratch with not much more than a multitool.

Dammit I thought I'd need a welder for that or I'd have built my own frame to build a bike up with!