Well, at the ripe old age of forty four I figured I should finally learn how to build a bike up from scratch. Had a crappy 12 months with double Covid amongst other things and thought this could be a great thing to chill me out, learn a new skill and give me more appreciation of the bike I eventually end up riding.
First things first, choosing a bike. I bought a gravel bike after my first bout of long Covid and regretted it. The style of bike just wasn’t right for me. I’ve finally realised that drops and the position they give just isn’t for me. I wanted a bike that I liked the look of, could cover a few different things and most of all would make me smile.
I’ve ended up with a Stooge Dirtbomb in the decidedly retro mustardy yellowy colour. At this point I want to say a massive thank you to @jonestown. Not only does Andy make lovely bikes he’s a lovely chap to boot. He’s answered all my ridiculous questions pre and post buying the frame and fork and I’m sure he’ll be adding me to his spam filter in the near future! Basically if you’re Stooge curious just go for it.
Admittedly I’ve picked a ridiculous time to build a bike what with the scarcity of parts and all. I expected it to be worse than it was and shopping around for a mixture of used and new really paid off. Another big thanks to Andy for selling me a lightly used set of cranks with chain ring for a great price. Theo at Bikemonger also deserves a mention for answering my nonstop queries about wheel builds and tyre choice without getting annoyed. Finally decided on a wheelset and tyres (with another last minute change) and now just looking forward to them being built.
Everything bar the wheels, headset and gear cables are now with me. I bought a workstand and on Saturday installed my first ever BB and crankset. I know 99.9% of folk on here can build bikes in their sleep but, I figured it might be a good place to document my first build (and save Andy and Theo from being the only ones being asked daft questions). Just waiting on the headset before I can start the next phase.
Couple of images below. For the love of God do not look at the lawn! I say lawn, that’s stretching things a tad. First stupid question for the STW hive mind. Do you grease a dropper post or the seat tube before installing?
Argh! Not showing in forum. Will replying to myself work?
Edit - Yes, yes it will
Like the colour, bit of a fan of the Yellow 🙂
It's like a part-reveal with that big blanket covering half of the frame.
Lol - did have the towel rolled up but couldn’t get it to clamp too well. Applied some downtube and BB protection today. Made a complete arse of the top tube and had to remove the piece and bin it.
The colour is really nice. Looks yellow in some lights, mustard or green tinged in others. Going for silver headset, hubs and have a retro World Force BMX stem in silver too. The stem might be a bit too big but only time will tell.
Stooges (Stoogen? Stoogei?) look so cool to me. Maybe one day...
Anyway. Please keep posting pics so I can live vicariously 😊 and good luck with your build.
Do you grease a dropper post or the seat tube before installing?
Personally, yes, light greasing of dropper before inserting into the frame. Especially with a steel frame and a dropper post, you're unlikely to move the post in the frame much, and you don't want it sticking.
Thanks Tom and I’ll keep posting as I build.
Frame/Fence/Bin colours tied together by towel.... Nice touch!
Grease the post! Last thing you want is a corroded dropper stuck in there.
Welcome to the Stooge club 😜
First rule of Stooge club is tell everyone how good Stooges are.
Second rule of Stooge club is bask in the niche glow of other MTBers asking what is that thing?
Still waiting on the headset 😕 but just thinking about it will I need to grease the steerer or inside the headtube? Told you all that there would be stupid questions!
🙂
Grease everywhere for headsets for me.
Assuming it's a "pressed in cups + cartridge bearings" design, I would grease the cup/frame interface to help with the pressing in bit. Then I usually have a bit of grease around the bearing in the cup itself (a smear in the cup, bearing in, a smear on top) on the basis that every little helps when it comes to keeping water out the bearings.
The thing with stooges...
There is no thing, I definitely want one. And compared to a generic surly etc I just don't understand how you get the frame and fork so cheaply.
I quite likes the iron oxide painted proto but the yellow definitely ticks my box.
Also... The first and only time you'll bother to use a towel for the clamp 😁
Well jealous of your Dirtbomb.
Best thing about a self build is messing about with things like stem length and bar width. Did you get a pair of Stooge bars too? My Moto bars really made my Stooge ride better (more like a hooligan).
Happy build! Keep posting!
That is a bike frame I want a play on...
Enjoy the build - I guarantee you will have at least one part that is wrong size or didn't turn up! It's called 'bloody typical'...
I managed to build my Stooge up as a singlespeed 29er using parts from my spares box (except the seat clamp). Over time though I've changed the following:
- Built up a pair of 27.5+ wheels c/w 3" tyres
- Swapped my creaky old Middleburn cranks to a pair of XT
- Changed my brakes to Magura MT sport
- Been through 2 saddles, now on a Fabric one
- Fitted a shorter 35mm stem
- Swapped the bars to Stooge Moto bars
It's now more fun to ride if a little slower, I'd happily have another one though built up with a lightish xc build for longer rides.
Did you get a pair of Stooge bars too?
Got the 85mm Junker bar. Had it on the Speedball and it just felt so right and more importantly made me want to make motorbike and skidding noises. Really want to get out and play on it but, without wheels and a headset it’s going to be a tad tricky.
I guarantee you will have at least one part that is wrong size or didn’t turn up! It’s called ‘bloody typical’…
I’ve got a feeling that I may have purchased the wrong brake mount adapters 😄
My wheels have arrived! Big thanks to the Bikemonger for shipping with tubeless tyres installed.
This brings me nicely to stupid question 513... apply grease to the freehub body or cassette (not the rings) before attaching?
Just waiting on the headset now. Hopefully this week.
Lovely colour, reminds me of a late 90s Marin Team.
Nice choice 🙂 I love my Mk4
Shit! Will I need a spacer on the hub before installing the cassette. 11 speed cassette on a boost shimano freehub.
Awesome bike and a noble task. Can't wait to see the final build.
I am never happier than when I have a bike build project on the go. I hope you enjoy the process.
I've just bookmarked and am looking forward to seeing the progress 🙂 I like living vicariously through others!
Great first post, looking forward to seeing more.
Nope, no need to grease a freehub body, there's no moving interface to need lubrication and they don't corrode into place.
I enjoy building bikes up until I realise I'm missing a small part to finish it that I didn't count on (usually a spacer of some description).
With regards to the dropper post, I always use friction paste (aka carbon grease) so the seatpost clamp can be tightened to a lower torque setting.
Thanks for all the input so far. I’ve been using shimano grease that came in a comically small container. A little seems to go a very long way.
Well the headset is in the post and should be here tomorrow. Fitted the discs to the wheels this evening and installed the cassette. Had a mild panic when I couldn’t get the lock ring to thread but all sorted now. Forgot to take photos though so will get some over the weekend.
First cassette I’ve installed and although a tiny job I feel chuffed. Used the spacer that was attached with a little note basically saying ‘use me’ so that answered my ‘do I need a spacer behind the cassette’ question nicely.
The silver hubs look great with the frame colour. I also checked the brakes and I’m 99% sure I’ve got the correct mounts. Pleasantly surprised by how light the wheels and tyres are too.
Would love to have it done for Sunday. I reckon I’ll either come unstuck with headset, gears or dropper. That or realise I’ve not purchased a crucial part. Cutting the steerer has me worried just thinking about it 😀
Headset is in! That was nerve wracking but made a lot easier thanks to cb being kind enough to lend me his press. I’m not 100% sure on how all the bits go in to the headset/on to the fork but here goes
Hmm...forgot about the whole cutting the steerer thing. Have bunged two decent size spacers underneath and two small on top so I have enough room to dial in the height.
Stem was a real sod to get on, very tight but worth it for retro points!
If I wanted to cut the steerer so that it looks like the below where would I make the cut, part way down the top most spacer?
I’ve attached the brakes and they are working fine. Just having issues with the dropper (slightly too long for my ET legs), worried about setting up/attaching the gears and not too sure on best practice for cable routing. Think I’ll call that a day and watch some YouTube videos.
Yep I reckon the worst part of a build is pressing the headsets in,(i’ve put some in the freezer overnight before pressing.
I think the quality of the press and how well it locates the cups has a lot to to with this.
Have you got a pipe cutter/ to do the cutting ?
Does make it easier than a hacksaw.
Bought a cutting guide from Wiggle and have a hacksaw. Is a pipe cutter easier/better?
Definitely need a shorter dropper post. Although I suppose I could just keep it dropped slightly. Curse my stubby legs!
Spent a while trying to get the dropper to work this evening. Cable just won’t seem to pull. Think I’ve figured it out though. Have to have the post inserted all the way and don’t think there’s enough room left at the bottom for the cable to move properly.
Anybody have a 125mm drop 30.9 Brand X they fancy swapping for a 150mm? 😕
Those tyres are great by the way, got a set on my 29+ singlespeed for the summer and love how fast rolling and supple they are. Not sure how puncture resistant they are though yet.
On the dropper, can you reduce the travel internally on Brand X ones? Might be easier than trying to swap it for another one.
Just ordered a cheap standard post for the time being. Really want to get out for a ride soon. Will investigate the travel reduction or look at selling the 150mm dropper. Should’ve checked properly before covering it in grease.
The tyres do seem great and are set up tubeless so fingers crossed on the puncture front. Just need to install rear mech, shifter and set up gears. Put chain on and cut down the steerer. Not done any of that before so will set aside some time one evening.
Looking great 😃
Are they Stooge Junker bars?
Yep, they’re the Junker bars. Really nice shape and feel to them.
Yes regarding cutting the steerer, you need a few mm spare that will compress when you tighten the top cap. I use a pipe cutter but a cutting guide works fine as well.
It’s finally finished! Needed to rope in my amazing father in law to help me (retired mechanic) with a few bits. Been out for a couple of rides and loving it. Just need a dropper to suit my tiny legs and the jobs a good un
That. Looks. Fun.
🤙
Great job. Lovely looking bike and liking the No Shox sticker too.
It just looks right!
Usually not my cup of tea this type of bike, but I'd really like a go on that 🙂
If you’re anywhere near Macclesfield you’re welcome to have a go
That looks lovely 🙂 I'd like a go on it too...