Building new bike, easy?

Looking to build a new bike soon/hardtail, and wondering how easy it will be, and what i might need so that im ready for it.

I havnt built before but i been told building a bike is quite easy and isnt very hard, but i wondering what your thoughts are+advice.

Atm tools wise, i have no idea what is NEEDED, but i have a typical toolbox, with my bike multi-tool.

Also wondering if i need to set-aside funds for tools and things i might need and if so how much?

Easy as pie, prob best to get bike shop to fit headset & bottom bracket if you are a total novice & because of cost of tools but otherwise find a local STWer & ply them with beer to come round & assist you with tips & tools 😉

The only “squeaky bum” bit IMO is fitting the headset and cutting the fork steerer to length – everything else can be done with a good set of allen keys, some cable cutters, & tools to fit cassette and bb.

LBS can do the headset/forks if you’re in any way worried, otherwise just take your time and it’s no problem (need a decent hacksaw, steady hand for the cutting and a press (bought or DIY) or rubber mallet/block of wood for headset fitting.

Park Tools website has pretty much all you’ll need in the way of tips for fitting/adjusting http://www.parktool.com

Biggest headaches are actually sourcing bits that are the right size (BB, headset, seatpost, etc) then there are not entirely necessary but nice jobs like shortening hydraulic brake hoses.

Figure out what jobs need which tools, anything you’re not likely to get enough use from the tools (like headset pressing), get your local shop to do.

Once you’ve got all the right bits, it’s pretty easy. Grease all the threads as you go though – easy to do a dry fit together then forget to pull it apart to grease properly.

Echo the above, with a little frustration thrown in (setting gears/brakes up etc). Many on here will say “What? That’s a piece of cake”, but can be a bit frustrating if you don’t do it a lot.

I will say though, that it will teach you a LOT about how it all works/goes together, and it can only get even easier when you do it again! (You will, trust me…)

It is very easy, I’ve managed it, so it must be. 😉
Also it’ll improve you confidence on general bike maintenance, as you realise it not black magic..

The hard part is making sure you have everything you need and it’s all compatible. Get this right before you start and your on to a winner. So investigate the stuff like gear compatibility (seemingly more niggly nowadays with 10 speed stuff) seatpost sizing, front mech size, fork steerer length, what brake adapters (& maybe shims) your going to need throughly, buy the right kit and bolt it all together, dead easy

Tools, a decent and I mean really good set of allen (hex) keys are a great start (£20 Halford Professional set for me). A set of cable cutters, doesn’t have to be bike specific (screwfix £6) is useful.
Edit: As I’ve missed the obvious cassette tool & chainwhip… though mine came in a cheap kit but have last ages & work fine.

Headsets can be fitted using a mallet (if your brave) or DIY tools like this[/url], though the BB will require a special tool of some sort (HT II normally) & I’d suggest buying one of those.

This site dead useful for guides on how to do stuff:
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

the only real specialist bike tool you really need is a BB adapter or wrench and chain whip for the cassette. normal tools will suffice for everything else. Get your self a good multi tool too.

It’s really not hard and there are no real pitfalls you should encounter if you plan your assembly.

have fun

thanks for speedy posts, i have a cassette tool and chain whip as i have replaced my cassette before without issue 🙂

I would probably get the LSB to fit my Fork+headset, though BB wise would i need the frame faced given its a new frame?(frame in question im looking into is a Cotic Soul/456 carbon)

Other than that, i relise id need grease and stuff ect, but is setting up the gears very hard?(i asume brake horses are pretty easy too cut )

I think i change my bike so regularly just so i can have the pleasure of an evening building and fettling.

It is pretty easy and it will teach you the sources of squeaks, creaks and clunks once somehting goes wrong further down the line. Give it a bash. if you come across any problems a post on here will have you an answer in the time it takes to put the kettle on… Good luck

Its well worth buying a headset race puller/ press, you’ll definitely get your moneys worth over a few years, plus its much less hassle than going to the bikeshop for whats really just a 2 min job. Same goes for headset cup remover, although you can also use a BB axle and a hammer if youre careful.

Normally I do all the ‘assembly’ myself, then pay the bikeshop £20 to fit cables and set up the gears, cos its a job I hate and they do a better job anyway.

Just buy one of the cheap (£30ish) bike tool kits from Merlin etc and have a go. It’s good fun and gives you a sense of “I did that” when it’s finished. I made a DIY headset press with a really long bolt and a couple of square flat metal plates which works a treat. You can find instructions for making one on line. Enjoy and post pics when it’s done.

Dingabell, I’d totally agree if he had no tools at all, as I started with one and think they are great value, I still use the chain whip and cassette tool from it, but he has those already.
So I suggest just buying good version of the tools he does need.. decent allen/hex keys (have I mentioned about getting good ones yet 😉 , please do not rely on old cheap ones, they end up costing you more money trying to fix what you knackered with them) & a BB tool

I tried diy headset press and it was a proper PIA, bought one of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cyclus-headset-press/ great bit of kit for the money.
Have also bought some of the Superstar tools and they are very good too,
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/index.php?cPath=36&osCsid=76a4a02867bd0fd0e51c50c739557187

I’ve done a few and it always takes longer than expected but it’s VERY rewarding. Mentioned above it also teaches you plenty about how everything works together which helps no end when things go wrong in the middle of nowhere.

Forks are worrying because it’s so expensive if you do it wrong, measure, measure and measure again before you cut.

Headsets are a bit tricky but putting the cups in the freezer ahead means you can slide it in almost by hand.

External BBs are quite easy, just make sure you get the threads right.

The one that gets me everytime is cable outer, getting it neat usually means I cut too much off the wrong bit, it’s good to see the last Shimano cable set I bought the outer comes as a spool rather than some pre-cut random sections.

Take you time, “slow and safe wins the race”.

Oh and parktool.com and stw are your friends!

Good info above.

But, if you’re in doubt….ask !

Better to ask a few questions on here than make a possible costly mistake.

Chris

I have built 2 bikes now from scratch, a Heckler and recently a Butcher. But I always get LBS to press headset in!
I llove building my own bikes as you have a real sense of satisfaction, but don’t rush it and have all the correct tools to hand, plenty of grease and a Beer.

thanks for the good advice all 🙂

from reading this it does sound like building a bike well worth it.

I looked up the Cotic Soul page and it seems they can “fit “parts for your frame, for example i could have the headset(Cane Creek S1) fitted for £27 and a hope Stainless steel BB fitted for £65

would this be a good idea given those tools you wouldnt really use that offen compared to a BB tool, and thus worth getting them to do the work?

If so that would just leave me with fitting everything else.

p.s a bandsaw with a metal saw peice would surfice for cutting the fork steerer correct?(i got some pretty decent high quality saws in the shed) 😀 ….which i might add need to be used before i get a bollocking from you know who lol

Only addition to the above would be that threaded stuff should go together easily. If it doesn’t, stop, take it apart and try again. Don’t rush it & strip a thread….that’ll get expensive

Getting the h/s b/b fitted by Cotic isn’t a bad idea, you can be sure they will do a good job.

When you cut the steerer remember to leave room for some spacers so you can fine tune the bar height,
don’t know what you mean by a bandsaw but have always done mine with a hacksaw, it’s not the actual cutting that’s usually an issue, more the measuring

When you cut the steerer remember to leave room for some spacers so you can fine tune the bar height,

i nearly forgot about that 😯 lol

The bandsaw is probably the best bet as it more accurate than using hacksaw and the cut is much cleaner meaning less need to file down the edges ect.

thanks again for advice all,
just to double check if i go with Cotic for fitting headset+BB what other tools are a MUST have for DIY building?

So far i have on my list
workstand….may help i guess 😛
BB tool
chainwhip/cassette tool
useal bike-multi tool gear, incl allens ect.
Grease( do i need different types or will parks POLO 1000 be ok for most?)
Cutters for cutting stuff

anything i missed that stands out bar the typical tool box things like hammer+cup of tea?
cheers

Measure twice, cut once. Remember that and you can’t go far wrong.

Anyway, personally £65 for a Hope BB is a rip off. Shimano ones are about £25 and the tool to fit it is about £10. Hope BB bearings don’t seem to last any longer either. Might be worthwhile getting Cotic to fit you a headset though.

Building bikes is only easy if you know what you’re doing. And we all have to start somewhere, so start now and it’ll be easy in no time! Well I say easy, setting up the front mech usually takes me 30 minutes on its own, when I’ve managed to assemble the whole of the rest of the bike in about the same time! I hate front mechs… Probably why I’ve got a chain device on my HT now with a single ring.

If your near Bradford I have a headset press.

I bought a Lifeline toolkit and stand, probably from Merlin which was full of odd things that I have since found I need!

A word of warning. You are about to set off down a very long, possibly expensive, definitely addictive road. Once you start building your own bikes you won’t be able to stop… 🙂

^^ im North london but thanks for the advice.

Atm im stuck in a rut with what bike to buy/DIY as every time i try get a test ride the shops seem to say “sorry but we currently dont offer a test ride but you are more than welcome to come down and have a look at our bikes ….”

👿

So untill i can test ride a built up Cotic soul or Boardman pro carbon i ant going anywhere sadly.

for those wondering i was considerng 456 carbon but given its a 3+hour drive it just isnt worth it, Rock lobster titanium was also in the books but 2.5hour drive to test ride is quite a dirve to test ride one bike…..

so thanks for advice all, but atm waiting for a bikeshop who actually lets you test ride bikes. 🙄

Just build it and then try it out.. If it aint right then change it!
I’ve seen some Rolson cutters online for about 6 quid.. Better than park ones and a fraction of the price.
Get some threadlock for brake related bolts too.
and the front mech is the only thing that’s not obvious how to fit. The rest is easy 🙂

It’s a good point. Buy a 2nd hand frame at the right price and think of it as a practice run if you don’t like it!

If you want a couple of pointers of an evening, I could help you out. Also in N London. (N4)

Worth getting cotic to fit headset if you go that way. I’ll bang a headset into my £400 frame with a mallet and some wood, but not anyone else’s! Having cotic do it means if it starts getting some play, the shop can’t say “ah, well, tolerances in the frame must have been off” and the manufacturer can’t say the shop mucked it up.

Re test ride on a soul: stick another thread up asking for a bash on someone’s off here. You might have to get yourself to Swinley or Peaslake and leave them with some ale and your bike or car keys.

Edit: and not use the word “bash”!

Edit: and not use the word “bash”!

also i guess not saying, “i going to bash one out around the woods”

Out of interest how hard is it to route the brakes?
i know some of them come “pre-bleed” but does that mean if i cut the horse to length then il have to re-bleed them?