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Looking for some good pointers
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Hello chaps/chapesses
Something of an exciting time for me as I'm finally getting the opportunity to build my own bike (Hardtail, with gears etc). All the parts are ordered (Lot's and lots of shiny) and on their way but I was wondering if any of you out there had and words of wisdom for a would be bike builders. Do's and don'ts, hints and tips, all that kind of thing.
Any information you can supply would be very much apprecaited. As an aside i'm going to put together a photo gallery / how to / blog type thingy as I've found information sparse on the web.
Cheers,
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Lot's of online video tutorials here: http://bicycletutor.com/
Also check around on Youtube, there's usually a video or two of how to fix the thing you're trying to fix
After having just completely rebuilt my bike, is suck it up and take in to a trusted LBS if you get so far & can't get any further with the tools you have without getting a steel headed mallet out.
I couldn't get a headset cup out, and a pedal was totally stuck. I broke the head off a 6mm hex spanner in that one (and yes, I was unscrewing it the correct way). That's when I decided to take everything in to the LBS and spend 5% of the cost of the parts to get them to finish the job.
Before you do that, if you are lucky enough to have a laptop computer or your repair shop is near your PC, hit up Youtube for bike maintenance videos (search for your specific parts or the task). There's tons of stuff out there and I've been saved from embarrassment a couple of times by downloading vids onto my $500 laptop and taking it into the garage...
Have fun - it's a great feeling knowing you've "designed" a complete bike..
Try this book. It is quite cheap at about $30 from memory and has step by step instructions. Websites mentioned above are great but the advantage of the book is you can have it open on the garage floor as you go. If you've purchased brand new parts then most will come with instructions. Shimano always supply easy instructions.
There are plenty of traps for the inexperienced. My biggest tip is don't overtighten anything. You will be surprised how little torque most parts require (5Nm). Most complete stuff ups come from overtightening and stripping threads.
Best bike book I've ever bought. Saved me a fortune in bike shop labour and stupid mistakes.
Jonathon thinks I'm a bike wizard, but all I do is quickly look up the relevant chapter in Zinn before he arrives and viola! I'm the instant expert.
A decent selection of quality bike tools and a torque wrench of the appropriate range is a good idea as well. The latter is still on my shopping list.
If you are going to do it yourself get the right tools. Do not try without them.
Personally I do all my own stuff but have spent a small fortune on tools, depends if you want to do it again afterwards.
and the torque wrench is a great idea, I'll get around to buying one soon.
Most of it is pretty easy these days, just need some good allen keys. The hardest bit is pressing in the headset properly. The trickiest bit is tuning the gears and centering the brakes (hydraulic). You'll need two special tools for the bb, a spanner for the outer bracket and a small plastic disk for the left crank.
Good luck and have fun.
Oh yeah I forgot about Zinn. Zinn is excellent too.
Hey Everyone
Thanks for the feedback, it's very much appreciated. Looks like I'm heading down the right track, I have a pristine copy of Zinn sitting by my bed for bedtime reading and in the fevered throws of buying many, many shiny bike parts managed to pick up a headset press, torque wrench and BB tool. I also got a crown setting tool which I can only describe as the most phallic tool one could possibly purchase.
Have to save I'm very exited about getting this build underway, all I need to do now is fly across to the UK and pick up the frame.
we know where to come to borrow a headset press. So much more civillised than 2 blocks of wood and a hammer.