Since I just wrote out this email I might as well copy and paste it into this thread incase anyone else needs it.
Hey.
OK, few things to be aware of when buying used parts to put onto a frame.
Firstly steerer length and diameter. It has to be long enough to fit the frame and the right size diameter for the head tube. 3 main sizes of head tube 11/8th" 11/8th" intergrated, both take the same size steerer tube but use different head sets. And 1.5" headsets and steerer tubes. Measure the head tube see how long it is then add the headsets height to that.
Then you have the cranks / drive train, there are a few different sizes of BB spacing 68 / 73mm are very common and 83 / 100mm are a bit less so. If your running an Xtype BB more likely than not it will have spacers so will not matter if your frame is a 68mm or 73.
Brakes / hose length, if the brakes you buy have been off an XC frame or a frame with short travel forks you need to make sure the hoses are long enough. changing hoses can be a pain and it's cheaper to buy brakes with the right size hoses than it is to buy new hoses and fit them.
Seat post diameter, if the frame you have has a say 27.2mm seat post you won't have too much problems finding one if you have a say 26.8mm or odd size, it will be a bit more tricky to get a good one cheaply. also run the correct size post for the frame or you risk snapping the frame or getting the post stuck.
Then you have wheel sizing and hub spacing, if your thinking of buying wheels you need to know the wheel sizing usually 24" or 26" and the hub spacing of your frames rear end. I don't know all the specs for your frame so this is a broad spectrum guide. More likely than not your frame will run 135mm x9mm QR.
As for forks or other parts from ebay, one simple question you should always ask before bidding is this, does the item have any damage or issues not mentioned in the listing, don't give them any room to manuever, get the answer you need before you bid.
Lastly, if you want to know how a set of forks functions and can't find a PDF online or a youtube video to show you, call the UK distibutor and ask them. once you know check the adjustments on the forks as soon as they arrive or when you go to check them out. Check the rebound, travel adjust if any and all the other adjustments, by simply compressing the forks and seeing the different responces.
That's a few pointers for now, gotta go but see how you get on with that and give me a shout with what ever other questions you have or if you need any more advice.
Hopefully someone will have some use for that lot.
You want some tips?
Use decent bearings in the pivots. HTH OMG!!!WTF111
cynic-al - Member
You want some tips?Use decent bearings in the pivots. HTH OMG!!!WTF111
Since I have two of the best bearing ranges in the world, I think I have that covered! OMG WTF GAL YAD PFO
"Measure the head tube see how long it is then add the headsets height to that" = Wrong. Just measuring the head tube and headset stack height will give you the wrong steerer length. What about the stem height and any spacers that may be used?
steelfan - Member
Just measuring the head tube and headset stack height will give you the wrong steerer length. What about the stem height and any spacers that may be used?
Exactly! thanks for joining my thread.
You forgot about front mechs. And I think you are meant to pay to advertise here?
A few tips on building up a frame into a custom bike with used parts.
Can you explain how adding parts to a frame will make it a custom bike? I always thought it was the frame that was custom and and the parts, generally, are run of the mill.
it's cheaper to buy brakes with the right size hoses than it is to buy new hoses and fit them.
Not exactly. Easier maybe, but fitting a hose and bleeding a brake isn't rocket science...
don: if you build it yourself to your own spec it's custom, innit?
Really? So my Orbea Alma is a custom bike because it has all the components I wanted and I bought it ready assembled because I'm lazy, is it?
It's a custom build using stock parts and frame. A custom frame is a bespoke frame made to your requirement. Both custom though.
don that's an Orbea Alma. nice bike. You're lucky to get a bike with all the bits you wanted, I'd class that as astute purchasing.
Hopefully someone will have some use for that lot.
fat chance but if its therapy for you that is good
Oh, ok, I'd just call it a self build. Custom says to me that parts have been specifically designed and manufactured as a one off, possibly including a frame. But just bolting on a readily available groupset to a generic frame isn't.
Front wheel will be a 100mm axle x 9mm QR, rear should be 135mm x 9mm QR.
don that's an Orbea Alma. nice bike. You're lucky to get a bike with all the bits you wanted, I'd class that as astute purchasing.
Thanks, a very nice bike, I love it.
I was able to spec certain parts, X.0 over xtr. Formula Oro over whatever etc. Other parts I'm less fussy about, saddle or seat post.
Yet if I'd bought the frame and all the same parts separately, it would be a custom?
Two identical bikes, one from the factory one self built...
Cheaper to buy new brakes with the right length hoses? Bought new hoses for mine £40 - new brakes would have been£300. Cant see where you are coming from here tbh
I'd always personally considered a bike custom because of the[i] action[/i] of building it myself from a pile of parts that came from different sources
(unlike, say, a Santa Cruz bike which often arrives as a box into which SC have lobbed all the components, presumably hoping that the motion of the carriers van will make them all fall onto the frame and miraculously bolt themselves up :-))