CapitalCyclist

This thread is for everything to do with building up a bike.

FBinNY 

I don't get it. Are you looking for help? Or is this an attempt to consolidate questions in one place?

If the first, ask your question. If the second, understand that this hasn't been the modus operandi here. Instead people ask specific questions, and those who can offer specific help.

Posting a question under a descriptive headline is the easiest way for someone to get people's attention and answers. The system works, and I (for one) don't see the logic for changing it.

JonathanGennick 

I kind of agree with FB. These "for everything" threads in other forums become quite long and ungainly. I end up missing a lot, participating far less (close to not at all, actually), and searching out specific topics becomes difficult.

mconlonx

I built this bike:

andr0id

I build all my bikes. Here it is in a few easy steps.

Decide on frame builder ( this may take a few months )
Figure out where the money will come from ( this may take a few years and some clever explanation to the wife )
Decide what color it should be ( agonizing decision that takes several days )
Contact builder, discuss details, order frame
Wait for frame to arrive
Decide on components
Order components
Wait for frame some more
Component start to arrive
Build wheels ( I do this myself from hubs, spokes, rims )
Wait for frame
Frame arrives
Have headset pressed by LBS
Bolt on components
Test ride
make adjustments
Wrap handlebars
Ride it all around

FBinNY 

Nice wheels, but a small semantics, or working definition question.

Did you build it, meaning braze or welding tubing to make a frame?
or
Did you build it up, meaning, hang components onto a finished frame and fork?

It's not that I care either way, but I hear so many people describe as having built a bike, when they only mean building it up, and I wanted to showcase the difference.

Likewise the term "custom bike" has become muddied. Whereas it used to mean a custom built frame, many today use it to mean a bike they built up to their own specifications (of components), as in a custom built Surly.
or did

obed7

True. I have never built a bike, but I have "assembled" a few.

FBinNY 

Another term with imprecise meaning these days. We used to speak of bike assembly as taking a bike out of a box and completing the assembly and adjustments, as in "some assembly required" or assembling from a kit.

So you've added the third step in a sequence.

Build --- a frame
build up --- a bike from frame and components
assemble --- a bike that came in a box

mconlonx

Meant what I said: I built it. I appreciate the difference though, thanks for bringing up the issue.

Geekhouse 1-week frame building course, I cut tubing, MTAWed tubing together, brazed on braze-ons. Marty welded the fork. I did the powder coating at their facilities. This is a custom frame based on their Woodville geometry.

I faced and chased the frame, built the wheels from components, sourced all the parts and assembled them into a finished bike.

With the brake/shfiters, this is the third configuration -- first was bar end shifters and Nitto Noodle bars, second was flat bars, this is compact bars with Shimano 105 10sp STI and I am finally really satisfied with the build.

Highlights:
- Brooks Alpe D'Huez Ltd Ed Professional saddle
- VO Constructeur front rack
- VO 26" fenders
- VO Grand Cru 48/34 crank
- SRAM 11-36 10sp cass.
- Shimano Ultegra FD, 9sp XT RD
- Velocity Synergy rims, brass nipples, DT Swiss Competition DB spokes, Velocity rear hub, Shimano dynamo front hub
- Supernova E3 lights
- Bailey Works ltd ed bar bag
- Chris King headset (saved this from being stolen from the shop by some scumbag)
- Other: Shimano A530 pedals, Panaracer RiBMo 26 x 1.5 tires, VO Tall Stack stem

Built this as my "ultimate commuter" and love it.

SquidPuppet

What would be the correct way to describe "creating" a wheel set?

I'm thinking "build up" since we don't make the rims, spokes or hubs.

FBinNY 

I was just giving you a setup line so you could expand on your post.

But I do hear "built" use so often by folks who bought a frame and wheels. Builders who actually build frames deserve their own word.

This also applies to everyone in the bike business, where the line between a "producer" who actually makes stuff, ie. owns a factory, and one who designs stuff and has it made to spec. and, lastly, one who simply relabels something already made by someone else. In many ways, there's overlap between the first two, since nobody smelts their own metal, but the third category is really about marketing, not production.

BTW- Bruce Gordon started giving awards at Interbike to people who actually make their own ****, and later went on to found SOPWAMTOS continue his mission to recognize those who fit the description.

mconlonx

Here's some recent-ish bikes I built up...:

FBinNY 

Proper syntax and word choice is usually dependent on history and tradition. It's long been understood, that building rims implies assembling rims, spokes and hubs into wheels. So there's no issue there. I raised the point in the context of bikes and frames because Build has long referred to making a frame, not assembling a bike.

So going back to wheels, we make (or manufacturer or whatever) rims, spokes or hubs, then we build wheels. I don't think there's much potential for confusion, so no need to clarify.

LesterOfPuppets

Refresh my memory on which frameset that is...

mconlonx

Handsome Cycles Shop Bike.

Huh -- I just went to their site to link it up, and it appears they are out of stock on/no longer offering the Shop Bike... Bummer.

LesterOfPuppets

Dang. Missed out.

I was slobbering over a complete Asylum Hank the other day. Maybe they'll have a sale this winter.

Even at $450 complete, seems like an OK deal. I'd guess a tad heavier than the Handsome, though.

cny-bikeman

You're correct that you listed the easy steps, but building up a bike is not easy. You left out several critical steps, such as:

• Evaluate what one will gain vs. the time, money and skill required to build up vs. purchasing stock and modifying.
• Decide on numerous aspects of the frame, (geometry, materials, compatibility with such things as racks, disc/cantilever brakes, bottom bracket, etc.)
• Research whether frame requirements can be met with stock frame or will require a custom build.
• Choose components that are compatible and that meet your needs (assuming you know what your needs are as opposed to wants). Factors that affect ones needs would include strength/reliability, geometry/fit, gear range (and which system best addresses it for you), terrain, road and weather conditions.
• Properly install (vs. bolt on) components using correct tools, torque specs, lubrication and adjustment.

mconlonx

I like the segmented fork on the Shop Bike a lot, but the Asylum frame with the second tt has some style. Seems like a decent deal on that bike. All in, I think I was right at $450 for the Shop Bike.

I was lusting after the Transition Klunker or the Kona Humuhumu, and then found the Shop Bike frame on close out pricing. Set of close-out cruiser wheels from Trek, judicious use of personal parts inventory...

If you can stand an aluminum frame, check out the Moto 1 and 3 from Electra as well.

southpier

maybe I can make some sense out of this and not have to start another thread:

I took apart a bike and painted the frame. now I want to re-assemble but am not sure of the sequence.

so far:

forks on/ stem & handlebars / seatpost on

front & rear derailleurs on

new tires & tube installed/ wheels trued - Thanks Jim Walsh @ Stedman's - wheels on frame

bottom bracket/ cranks/ pedals on

brakes on

left to go: saddle/ brake cables/ shift cables/ racks/ fenders/ brake hoods/ wrap bars

everything on is snug but not socked down tight

what's next?

thanks

alcjphil

Start another thread. Resurrecting years old threads is annoying and you will get obsolete information. Let this die

southpier

oh. I did a search and this popped up. figured if a started a thread some doo-dah would tell me to do a search. harrumph.

Gresp15C

There's no sequence. Whatever works, and whatever you're interested in installing next.

A friend of mine who's involved in auto racing said, "never temporary-tighten a fastener." Either fully tighten it or leave it apart. You will forget to tighten one of them.

Litespud

Builders who actually build frames deserve their own word.

Uh, frame builders?