I’ve never built a bike from scratch before and always bought full bikes. I’m contemplating giving my first build a go. The only things stopping me are:
1: Will it end up costing pretty much the same? Bearing in mind I’d be looking for good quality used parts where possible.
2: Am I going to need to buy a bunch of tools, work-stand etc?
Fancy trying it, but I am a mechanically inept, short tempered, borderline imbecile with the attention span of a fish.
Advice and ridicule appreciated.
Buy exactly what you want.
Never add it up.
& buy spare cables, I cut one short every time.
Only ever purchased one complete bike the rest have all been built up from the frame, but i transfer as many old parts to the new frame as i can and only upgrade replace when needed.
Fancy trying it, but I am a mechanically inept, short tempered, borderline imbecile with the attention span of a fish.
I am too, just buy some extra cable and outer, invest in some good quality cable cutters - park ones will last you a lifetime - and measure everything twice whilst bearing in mind how much it cost e.g. when cutting the fork steerer.
Take your time. I find it very therapeutic and enjoyed getting to the finished bike, a real sense of achievement.
If you can find what you want as a complete bike, or reasonably close, that will be cheapest (assuming condition ok etc).
Builds are fun obvs, tho maybe not for unskilled, rushed, naive, fussy or short tempered.
You don't need a stand at all IMO, but some find it makes a big difference. You would need all the tools.
It's probably a decision based on risk/aversion and emotion.
build it!
Buy the parts, over all it's slightly less but it's irrelevant when the bikes finished exactly how you want it.
Tools - I have plenty if you're local - you can work in the shed too if it helps you (leeds)
if not lets start a tool library - I'll ship them to you
Stand, nah - kitchen table is good enough!
Look forward to the build thread
As above, I've only ever purchased one complete bike - the last 5 I've built.
Tools wise as a minimum you'll ideally need a stand (a cheap one will work fine), decent allen keys, decent torx drivers and decent cutters.
If you're friendly with the LBS you can get them to do head set and BB.
If you already have a brake bleeding kit then you'll just need a good hose cutter to sort the brakes out.
An old stem can be used as a hacksaw guide to cut the steerer tube - or get a pipe cutter.
If you're happy servicing and repairing your own bike then building one up isn't much of a leap.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Oh, and as above never add it up or compare to pre-built.
You get to build it to your own spec and add your own touches.
TBH it will cost about the same and will arguably be no better/worse than buying the whole bike.
You'll learn plenty though which is useful.
As above build it! If you've ever stripped down and built up a bike to take on a flight then you've done most of it already.
Tools: a set of Allen Keys; a set of Torx drivers(but it's likely you'll only need the T25 for rotor bolts); a quality set of cable cutters; Bottom bracket tool; pliers of various sorts - needle nosed, etc. If you want to treat yourself - a torque wrench.
The pliers, Allen keys and Torx drivers you can get from any hardware store or if you are going to be buying a lot then CRC/Wiggle's own brand are fine.
Plenty of videos - Park Tools and the like - showing what to do. Take your time, there's no rush.
The tricky bits would be the headset bearings and cutting the steerer tube. Might be best getting a trustworthy mechanic or LBS do these.
Edit: some bike shops/mechanics do "courses" where you do the building with them looking on showing you the tips and making sure you don't really mess things up. You get access to all the tools so you save on that though obviously the course will cost.
Fancy trying it, but I am a mechanically inept, short tempered, borderline imbecile with the attention span of a fish.
Another +1 here.
But somehow I've built close to 50 bikes over my career and I'm still breathing.
My MO is usually a bargain new or used frame, with parts transferred from outgoing bike - and the odd new bit if different size seatpost or whatever.
If you're starting from scratch I'd suggest new transmission parts and brakes, as these are relatively affordable, and secondhand for other stuff if money is tighter.
Usually manage to get forks on offer for £400ish, and I try to get frames with "old" shock sizes because then you have a wealth of premium used or discounted new shocks to choose from.
I have yet to buy a frame and headset where they wouldnt fit the headset for me for free, take your fork and they will probably cut that down for you as well.
I have never used a stand just not required, might make it a bit easier but thats it.
Just buy the tools as you go, and look for a frame with threaded BB just easier to do at home.
Do it.*
Its a great way to learn and once you have done it its "your" bike.
I'd say buy a stand, it will make building the bike much easier but will also make future maintenance and tinkering easier too.
Tools wise, the bike specific stuff you actually NEED is a pretty short list:
Cable cutters,
Cassette Tool,
Chain Tool,
Chain Whip,
BB Tool
Get a bike shop to press in the headset cups if its required
As for cost, if you go 2nd hand with the frame, fork and wheels you will probably end up cheaper than a new build.
*I actually bought my last bike as it was too good a deal to pass up.
Decent tools, good headset press is vital, my park tools one is a bit shonky and annoys me everytime I use it.
I've built a few now, usually transferring things across from the previous bike, or used what was in the shed. It's not that difficult to be honest. Agree with the don't add it up part though, I did that on the first one and I've not done it since!
Tools listed above should cover pretty much everything, make sure you keep them all together. I've managed to end up with two BB tools, two sets of cable cutters, and multiples of everything else. I think only thing not mentioned above is a cassette tool and possibly chainwhip if needed.
Thanks everyone, especially for the offer of space to work and tools. Unfortunately I’m down in Cheshire. Money being tight is the main reason for thinking of a build with mainly used parts (including frame) scouring eBay and here for parts as I go.
Will be selling the current bike to part fund, but there isn’t a great deal that I can swap over unfortunately. I’m friendly with a local bike mechanic and my FiL is a retired car/motorbike mechanic. so if anything goes wrong I have people on hand to run to.
I’m well versed in buying spare cables. Installed a KS Lev internal dropper on another bike and went through four cables before getting it right.
Just an idea at this stage as I’ve seen a frame I like the look of.
Most of my builds cost a good deal less that buying off the shelf, but you have to know where to look for heavily discounted bargins. Sometimes you just get lucky. It also helps to have an idea of the various standards so that you dont waste money on incompatable parts.
One of the main advantages of building is that it enables you to strip and service a bike quite easaily. All my family ride bikes and being dependent on LBS for servicing would be a logistical nightmare.
TBH, bikes are pretty simple, but we've all set out to do what looks like a straightforward job and found horrors lurking. Set aside some time where you're not having to rush off somewhere in a couple of hours. And do it methodically and check before you cut.
Building will likely cost more in general than buying fully built - unless you have a lot of patience to find decent second hand parts / wait for the likes of CRC to have random items on silly cheap prices.
Also, make sure you’re 100% on the standards your frame has - so many things are quirky and might not fit.
Other than that - go for it - it’s really satisfying building your own bike as you get to spec exactly what you want.
In terms of tools you could go mad or you could just get by with the minimum. I’d say minimum is a decent set of Allen keys, cable cutters and the relevant tool for your bottom bracket. You can bodge your headset in with some wood and a mallet if you’re careful - and buy some waterproof grease and copper anti seize grease to use in assembly of things.
Nice to haves are a torque wrench / headset press / brake bleed kit (if hydraulic brakes).
I've built loads and enjoy the process but the last two major purchases have been bought complete. In both cases they were a bargain (my fatbike cost less than I'd have paid for the components).
The danger with building your own is thst you get sucked into the creeping upgrade cycle where, for just a few quid more, you get a slightly shinier component. Apply that across the whole build and you end up well over budget 😉
Getting carried away with shiny parts is one of my major concerns. 😀
Building will likely cost more in general than buying fully built
My last two full builds both probably came in around a third the new value. Lightly used frames with a mix of new and used parts.
I think it’s more expensive if you start from scratch, and like me, if you’re a sucker for the latest and shiniest.
Once you build up a few spares it’s a lot better. I’ve recently worked out that due to upgrades to existing bikes I now have enough spare parts to literally build an entire new bike - all I need is a frame! Problem is - I don’t need a new bike 😂
Want to sell some parts then? 😉
Maybe, but never know when you might need them 😀
Just be careful where this can end up....
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Buying in theory is cheaper but only if you like the bike as it is off the shelf. The last full bike I bought I’d changed the tyres, saddle, stem, bars, grips and added pedals before it had moved. So whilst in theory it was cheaper, in practise there isn’t much in it.
Also, if you build, bear in mind there are different levels of building. The first bike I built I paid the LBS to press in the headset (same would have applied to the BB if that was press fit too) and cut the steerer tube to length. Decide what you fancy having a crack at, most is easy and doesn’t need many tools, though a stand definitely makes things easier. But there are some things that are tricky and you may decide pay the LBS to do those bits.
Want to sell some parts then?
I'm actually in clearout mode so feel free to drop me a line if you're after anything specific.
Most of the bikes i've had I've built myself. I'm no mechanic and found it to be a simple process. Plus with youtube now you can just watch a video if you're not sure on something.
There is a sense of pride and attachment you get when you've built it yourself. My current bike is off the shelf so it feels less like its truly mine.
Replies as follows
1. Assuming exactly the same spec using new parts: If the bike you are intending to build costs less than three grand from a shop it will probably cost you more money to build it yourself. Above that budget, if you shop carefully, you can pass into the parity zone and maybe even into savings further up still.
2. Yes, but not as much as you think. You can nearly build a bike with a cassette tool, multitool and 4square meters of clear floor space. Some things like headsets, steerers, brake hoses you need to have tools and aptitude. If you can swap out a derailleur and set it up with less than ten profanities then you can probably build a bike.
I love building bikes btw.
I’m actually in clearout mode so feel free to drop me a line if you’re after anything specific.
Thanks chakaping.
@mick_r I’d say there’s a sixty percent chance of that happening!
Don't say I didn't warn you 🙂
You could buy a complete painted on one frame for less than that pile of tubes so it definitely isn't cheaper.
Impressive. Is that one frame Mick? Looks like a lot of tubes.
My last bike was the first I've built. Even that arguably had the hard bits (headset, bottom bracket insert) already set up. But the rest, yes. Was a bit stressful as I kind of wanted/needed it for an event with about 14 days of time to build.
Did give satisfaction to build though, and although it was a work in progress (cable length, steerer height) I did appreciate piecing it all together. Would now do it again.
Deff have a go at building, take your time, you rarely buy everything you actually need in one go.
A stand will make the build easier, you just leave the bike in it and keep coming back to it.
I love it and built 2 bikes for my son last week, a new road bike and a parts bin special to go to school on. Its great.
Wiggle are doing 12 months of next day delivery for £10. Might be worth it for emergency bits and bobs....
I bought a fully built bike once... ended up changing the forks, and rebuilding the wheels. Which was nice.
inept ✔
short tempered ✔
borderline imbecile ✔
attention span of a fish ✔
and I can build bikes! Give it a go.
Steerer tube cutting guide, one of these:
I wish I'd bought one years ago. Don't try to use a pipe cutter, you get an annoying lip which you then have to file off.
And good quality cable cutters.
@ Mick R, how did that end up?
Meh, I enjoy cutting steerer tubes freehand with a hacksaw, while blindfolded and drunk.
OK, just freehand with a hacksaw - but usually get a straight cut if I stay relaxed and pay attention.
1/ Everyone has to do it first time
2/ Buying the right bits is harder than fitting them. (Or let me reword.. once you are sure you have the right bit you are quite literally just screwing it in/on)
3/ Headsets/steerer.... not that hard but equally get them both done together at LBS if you are worried.
4) Tools .. yeah but as mentioned + BB/cassette tool... but once you have these and know how to use them it's a life investment.
Steerer tubes - I just use an old stem as a cutting guide. It doesn't have to be very accurate anyway.
I'm perfectly capable of building bikes, and do so. Not because I love it, because I'd rather not, but because I'm a picky bastard, and a bike shop can't possibly be expected to take the care or give the scrutiny I give during the build.
1: Will it end up costing pretty much the same? Bearing in mind I’d be looking for good quality used parts where possible.
Probably cost more if looking at like for like new components but as your saying you would be using used parts its a 'Who Knows' answer really, no idea how much you may get used parts for.
2: Am I going to need to buy a bunch of tools, work-stand etc?
Yes you will need a bunch of tools, and a work stand would be very handy. What tools you need to a degree depends on what it is your going to be building.
Fancy trying it, but I am a mechanically inept, short tempered, borderline imbecile with the attention span of a fish.
If that is your honest fair opinion of your skills then I would suggest its best to buy a ready built bike.
Building a bike is fun and rewarding but you do need a decent skill level, a fair amount of patience, ability to fully read and understand specific installation instructions for various components and a good attention span to make sure each stage of the build is done properly and the ability to problem solve - all of these you confess to be somewhat lacking in. I'm not saying its really complicated or hard but its not easy either and dont forget to a degree your life may depend of certain things being done properly.
How did it end up? Eventually a bike after about a year.....
About two frames worth there (got to do a 29plus for a friend in USA sometime).
One bit got bent into a pair of curved seat tubes.
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Another got squished into an ovalised top tube.
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And after a lot of chainstay fabrication it eventually became
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Steerer tubes - freehand but I need a line to follow.
That's fantastic. Did think it looked like a lot of tubes, but you've made excellent use of them.
How does it ride?
It rides like.... A not too heavy steel 29er. Chainstays are 410mm so half the Internet says it will be unrideable and half says it will be great 🙂 Vertically the extra chainstay triangles make no difference - the back end of bikes are already a big stiff triangle to begin with. Skinny seatpost and relaxed angle does add a little comfort / visible flex.
But back to the OP - it all begins as bike maintenance. Then you maybe rebuild a bike. Then maybe a frame from bits. You burst a rim on holiday (back in the days of rim brakes wearing sidewalls thin). So you get a similar rim and swap the spokes across - amazingly it doesn't collapse. So you buy a book and make a few wheels from scratch. And then replace some dropouts to make a singlespeed. And then.... And then.... I'm just not sure where it will end.
My first proper MTB was bought as a frame & forks for me Xmas '90.
I then built it up with bits bought & borrowed. Saturday bike shop job helped!
My dad even helped me build my first set of wheels for it.
Very satisfying, but a slippery slope to N+1ism and upgraditis.
It's only 2 years ago that I bought my first ever complete bike!
If you shop about then it isn't necessarily more expensive than buying from standard but the major benefit is you can choose your compromises. Manufacturers tend to add increase the level of all kit in line so costs ramp up. In the builds I've done I've prioritised the suspension, wheels and brakes and down tuned the drivetrain, finishing kit. So for what I consider important the cost compared to an equivalent main manufacturers model is lower.
I’m probably 75/25 on built vs bought. As for the cost, more and more I’m noticing that there seems to be a lot less ‘economies of scale’ discounts from the big manufactures, and full builds aren’t really that good value compared to buying the same things separately (even at RRP), especially at the blingier end.
That said, If I do buy a full build, it tends to stay the same spec over its life, replacing what’s broken, but if I build bikes they’re never finished...
Well I’ve fallen at the first hurdle. A weapons grade cockwomble drove their car in to the house last night. Leaving a nice big hole in the living room wall! I’d found a nice frame too 😕 will need to hold on to the cash until insurance is sorted.
Tempted to get a 0% on purchases credit card to cheer myself up 😕
It’s bloody cold in my living room tonight. Piece of wood and expanding foam over the hole whilst I wait for insurers to get in touch. Looking at bikes and frames on eBay to cheer myself up
@funkmasterrap ... That's crap, sorry to hear about your house. Hope it gets sorted soon.
I started this thread a bit ago. If you're going to self build, worth going into it with your eyes open.
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/when-bike-building-doesnt-go-smoothly-%f0%9f%99%84/
I've semi-built a few bikes now. Some have gone easier than others, and I usually get my bike-mechanic-mate or the LBS to help for some bits that I can do, but not confidently or efficiently. Overall, satisfying and frustrating in equal measure for me.
Thanks for that. I’ve been reading your thread. If things get sorted quickly with the insurance I’m hoping I’ll still have the cash on hand to give this a go. Claim is underway and I’m just waiting for initial contact and to hear back from the police. Not expecting to hear anything until Monday now.
Luckily my neighbour is a well respected builder and renovator and also a good friend. He helped me tidy up and secure the hole from the elements. Just wood and expanding foam to start with. I dread to think what would’ve happened had the car not hit a parked car first. In that respect we were quite lucky.
Just have a lot going on right now and building a bike was going to be an attempt to distract me. These things happen though.
Christ, that's an unexpected left turn for a bike build thread.
Hope you get it sorted sharpish, what a PITA.
Thanks chakaping. It was literally a left turn too! I was pretty chilled about it to start with. Now I’m feeling pretty down and pissed off though to be honest. Not how I expected this thread to pan out.