[Closed] TIPS FOR BIKE BUILDING

Dont cut the steerer on the fork until you have ridden it with a few spacers on at least.

Double and triple check you don't cross thread the bottom bracket!

Don't get a few beers in and try to build it on a Friday night before a Glentress trip on Saturday morning. Que shuffling around the workshop on your hands and knees looking for pawls and springs!

as @soma rich says - Just be very careful with bottom brkt, might be worth getting a lbs to chase the threads. The bottom brkt should go most of the way just using fingers, any more pressure and I'd back off and check the threads. I very nearly knackered my brand new alpine 160 frame on Monday! Frame protectors on early, as long as you know where to put 'em.

Take your time.
Don't allow new build excitement to get the better of you.

Be really anal about it if you have to and list what you require if it helps do things smoothly.

Oh, and don't bodge things.. get it right first time.

Tub of this:

[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARLUBE-LM2-MULTI-PURPOSE-LM-LITHIUM-GREASE-500G-/140505425167?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Car_Care_Cleaning&hash=item20b6c6a50f#ht_635wt_842 ]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARLUBE-LM2-MULTI-PURPOSE-LM-LITHIUM-GREASE-500G-/140505425167?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Car_Care_Cleaning&hash=item20b6c6a50f#ht_635wt_842[/url]

(Although I'm sure someone will disagree)

and a dog bowl:

[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAGNETIC-PARTS-DISH-MAGNETIC-TRAY-MAGNETIC-DISH-4-TIDY-NUTS-SCREWS-BOLTS-NEW-/270818337157?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f0e07e185#ht_1727wt_852 ]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAGNETIC-PARTS-DISH-MAGNETIC-TRAY-MAGNETIC-DISH-4-TIDY-NUTS-SCREWS-BOLTS-NEW-/270818337157?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f0e07e185#ht_1727wt_852[/url]

Plus a torque wrench is handy if you don't have one, otherwise it's pretty straight forward really. Most things on a bike are simple to do once you've read the instructions. Some things you can afford to break, and buy again the amount bike shops charge now a days. Evans wanted £60 to swap and bleed brakes!

Have a look at the Park Tools website for tips on how to set things up.

Do you have a workstand? Not essential, but certainly helpful. My first bike build was done in the kitchen floor of my flat - made some things a bit fiddly.

Mow your lawn.

It'll pay dividends when you post your 'my new bike' pictures later on.

do it on a nice flat surface or a tarp, not on a gravel drive or similair, for when you drop stuff.

Get some torque wrenches so you don't overtighten things.

Get a swear box. Keep it beside you. You'll have enough pounds in it to buy a complete bike once you're finished.

Good luck! 😀

Clean and check the seat tube for internal burrs...or you may get that attractive diamond-back finish on your new seatpost.
Clean and chase the BB threads.
Clean and check the head tube before fitting the cups with lots of grease....giving you a sporting chance of getting them out undamaged later.
Fit full-length outers for gear cables, preferably SP41 with sealed ferrules and stainless XT/XTR inners.
Remove and grease the replaceable mech hanger bolts.
Grease the pedal threads before fitting.
Take your time...and get it right first time.
It is not a race.

Old carpet or a blanket underneath bike for when you drop stuff, stops damage & bolts etc wont bounce off under the fridge.

Spend a few £ on decent allen keys.

Grease everything that isnt loctited.

Dont overtighten bolts, a little nip usually suffices.

+1 for Blanket/Tarp

Went to tighten a bolt on a bit of decking, allen key landed at the perfect angle and fell between the wood. Swear box was full after that.

Most of it's been said, but an extra pair of hands is err...handy too.

Accept that you may need to take it to your LBS. No shame in that. If in doubt, take it in to show them the problem. Most mechanics will be happy to give you some advice / help.

Better than ruining a frame or expensive component 😯

if it doesn't fit, use a bigger hammer....

scruff - Member

Dont overtighten bolts, a little nip usually suffices.

Some of those Japs are very strong and could easily over tighten a bolt. I bet Bruce Lee in his day had ultra strong fingers and could do bolts up really tight, maybe too tight!

Also consider a local Halford superstore - one with a bikehut.

If you need to resort to the LBS it will probably be less embarassing to go there, or it may be cheaper for things like pressing headsets in/crownraces on.

If your LBS is Evans it may be that the enthusiatic kids at Halfords know more as well ???

Some of those Japs are very strong

I thought about making a racist joke as well, but decided STW had had it's fill of them for the moment 🙂

snakebite - Member

Some of those Japs are very strong and could easily over tighten a bolt. I bet Bruce Lee in his day had ultra strong fingers and could do bolts up really tight, maybe too tight!

Do not under any circumstances when you have finish refer to the bike as a [i]"Custom Build"[/i].

It is a bike which you assembled yourself and nothing more...

Just take your time, if in doubt ask someone.

p.s. the "Need" for BB/HT facing is a myth, invented by cash strapped LBS owners....

Take your time
Use the right tools (although I've fitted many a headset with wood and hammer)
Measure things carefully especially steerer
Use good cable cutters, useful to stick an old bit of inner in when you are cutting your outers as it stops them squashing
Put your tyres on the right way round
Grease what needs greasing and threadlock what needs it.
Dont force things as that usually ends up expensive.

It's pretty much obligatory to ride it before you actually finished building it 😉

The odd gear cable, bar grip or even a saddle missing shouldn't get in the way of that first pootle down the drive

Don't forget about those pesky reverse threads (drive side Bottom Bracket, Non-drive pedal).

Get a shop to fit the headset if you are in any doubt about your ability to successfully bodge it.