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[Closed] how long to build a bike?

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[#4780128]

New brake hoses
O ring and oil change in forks
New inners and outers
Plus the usual?


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 8:08 am
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20 mins including tea break? Any longer and your LBS is taking the piss


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 8:11 am
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usually 4-5 days as you find out all the bits you thought would fit, actually don't.


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 8:40 am
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If you're asking an LBS to do this, they could justifiably charge an hours labour just to do the forks, and I think that would be fair.
To build a bike AND do those things I'd reckon on around 3hr labour, if its from a pile of parts to,a full bike. I can build a bike out of a box in 35mins, but there's not much to assemble these days
Add in a fork strip and the other bits and it'll take a while

More seriously, if you're within striking distance of Farnborough, Hampshire, give me a shout. I have time and tools on my hands. Email in profile. 🙂


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 8:42 am
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These are time estimates from working in a bike shop (well Halfords anyway).

New brake hoses - about an hour
O ring and oil change in forks - about an hour, really depends on what fork and how much you want stripping down.
New inners and outers - 30 mins max
Plus the usual? - checking all the nuts and bolts are tight etc. about 30mins

A spotlessly clean bike is much easier to work on and therefore costs less. If you're bike is covered in mud then the cost will go up as the mechanic will need to clean everything carefully before reassembly - especially the forks and brakes.

These days I'm in my garage so everything takes a bit longer.


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 9:08 am
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For me, 3-4 hours for a standard build. Couple more for forks, couple more for brake hoses.
Something always goes awry and needs fettling, stuff always needs cleaning up and degreasing and you often have to pop out for more beer.


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 9:20 am
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3 hours plus minus a bit for dirty vs clean, in bits vs not.


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 9:21 am
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usually 4-5 days as you find out all the bits you thought would fit, actually don't.

this

plus a couple hours for cleaning any old parts that are being re-cycled


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 9:28 am
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No its me doing it - i am reckoning on 3hrs inc beer and biccies


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 9:43 am
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All parts are cleaned and ready to bolt on


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 9:43 am
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It's like Jamie's 30 minute meals. If you have all the right parts and tools laid out in front of you, plenty of practice and no distractions you'll get it done in no time. In the real world, 2014.


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 9:48 am
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If you are doing it yourself, time is not important.... Good biscuits, good beer, good music, and a good job is what matters. Screw time.


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 10:02 am
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What Charlie said.

Building a bike is a pleasure not a chore. Add in beer and tunes and it is truly a thing to savour.


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 10:07 am
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Anyone telling you it only takes 20mins is taking the piss too.


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 10:08 am
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strip clean and rebuild 2hrs my mechanic does start to finish... but we use a parts washer!


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 10:13 am
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I know its a great thing to do but just trying to work out what time i will get to bed tonight 🙂


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 10:15 am
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The major time issues is finding out you haven't got the correct part out or that the band size is incorrect etc etc,
But if everything is present and correct then what people saying above 3-4 hours sounds about right


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 10:18 am
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no band size issue (1x10)


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 10:19 am
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oh if you are doing it at home in the ling room without stand and proper tools id say 5 hrs with tea and watching telly/ procrastinating


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 10:19 am
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4hrs less if it's all ready to go and fits. More if things don't go well or bits turn out to need fettling


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 10:20 am
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Got the right tools (sockets)for the forks?
And bits for the brake bleed olives etc


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 10:21 am
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About 2 - 3 hours including checking afterwards


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 10:26 am
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What's the bike?


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 10:33 am
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http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/anyone-got-a-spesh-pitch-pics-please


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 10:34 am
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just built my first bike - ideally as most say 3 to 5 hrs provided you have all the right parts, tools, some cold beer and no kids around! enjoy 🙂


 
Posted : 22/01/2013 11:08 am
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Hmmm 2 hours in and it looks bike shaped BUT i still need to do the following jobs:

To do:
Bleed front and back brakes – 30 mins
Set up gears and chain device – 10 mins
Sag on shock – 5 mins
Outer for seatpost – 5mins
Cut down steerer – 10 mins
Change seals in forks – 60 mins

Total 2 hours

Working outside with an Inspection Lamp is not the future!!


 
Posted : 23/01/2013 10:06 pm
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I know its a great thing to do but just trying to work out what time i will get to bed tonight

IME it's considerably quicker if you're not trying to post on an internet forum at the same time...

If I had a workshop, all the tools and no distractions, sub 3hrs.
Working at home - anything from 3hrs to a week!

Personally, like charlie says, I like to take my time over things like that. Little bit here and there, slowly slowly catchy monkey. 🙂


 
Posted : 23/01/2013 10:12 pm
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have a day off, get sme nice coffee and choccy hobnobs, some nice music,
take your time and enjoy it.

i never do any of the above when building a bike, and i make a right mess of em..... 😀


 
Posted : 23/01/2013 10:17 pm
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Wow some of these times are alot longer than I expected.. (But then I don't change fork seals. I have someone re-build the fork for me usually.)

I can build a HT bike, including hoses, bleeding etc.. In about 90 minutes tops and strip down in 15.

The only things that slow me down are if threads are dirty or anything like that.
My last FS bike was my V10 and when I'd gotten the new coil spring on the shock (Took 2 hours because it was as long as the shock.) It took me around 60 minutes too do the rest.


 
Posted : 23/01/2013 10:23 pm
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Understand what you are saying crazylegs but not ridden an MTB for 3 weeks i am getting desperate!!


 
Posted : 23/01/2013 10:26 pm
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is it finished yet?


 
Posted : 23/01/2013 10:41 pm
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packed up for tonight


 
Posted : 23/01/2013 10:44 pm