Building A Bike Up From The Frame
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 62
Bikes: Fuji SL 25, Giant TCR Advanced SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Building A Bike Up From The Frame
Just curious to see if anyone has done it and what their experience was like. I'm thinking about doing one for the learning experience. I've seen a lot road and mountain bike builds but a tiny amount of hybrids. Seems like it'll probably cost more than buying a pre-made bike but was the effort worth it to build with one's own hands?
#2
Full Member
I haven't built a hybrid; however, I have built my road bike and highly modified 3 other hybrids.
That being said, I would say go for it.....with caution. If you're just wanting to go buy a bunch of parts and hope they go together, you will have frustration. Start with a noted or mental blueprint of the bike you want. Know what frame, wheels, tires, component set, handlebars, crankset and pedals, shifters, etc. and especially WHY you want those exact parts.
Could I have purchased a factory built Surly Pacer?...Yes. Was it what I wanted?...No. So I built it. At the time, the Pacers came with all 2x9 Tiagra drivetrain. I wanted, at a minimum, 105 components so I chose to build it myself and go with a 3x9 set up. It took longer to buy each individual piece but it truly is the exact bike I had envisioned. Other work on hybrids have been changing shifters, derailiers, brakesets, etc. For me, it's all relatively low cost, instant satisfaction work that can make a good machine a little better.
That being said, I would say go for it.....with caution. If you're just wanting to go buy a bunch of parts and hope they go together, you will have frustration. Start with a noted or mental blueprint of the bike you want. Know what frame, wheels, tires, component set, handlebars, crankset and pedals, shifters, etc. and especially WHY you want those exact parts.
Could I have purchased a factory built Surly Pacer?...Yes. Was it what I wanted?...No. So I built it. At the time, the Pacers came with all 2x9 Tiagra drivetrain. I wanted, at a minimum, 105 components so I chose to build it myself and go with a 3x9 set up. It took longer to buy each individual piece but it truly is the exact bike I had envisioned. Other work on hybrids have been changing shifters, derailiers, brakesets, etc. For me, it's all relatively low cost, instant satisfaction work that can make a good machine a little better.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 6,319
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Casseroll, 2009 Kona Blast
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1031 Post(s)
Liked 208 Times
in
146 Posts
How much are you looking to spend? IMO, the problem I see with such a project is, unless you have a huge collection of parts laying around, you could wind up spending way more on such a project than you would just buying a new or used hybrid and upgrading a couple of parts.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 62
Bikes: Fuji SL 25, Giant TCR Advanced SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I haven't built a hybrid; however, I have built my road bike and highly modified 3 other hybrids.
That being said, I would say go for it.....with caution. If you're just wanting to go buy a bunch of parts and hope they go together, you will have frustration. Start with a noted or mental blueprint of the bike you want. Know what frame, wheels, tires, component set, handlebars, crankset and pedals, shifters, etc. and especially WHY you want those exact parts.
Could I have purchased a factory built Surly Pacer?...Yes. Was it what I wanted?...No. So I built it. At the time, the Pacers came with all 2x9 Tiagra drivetrain. I wanted, at a minimum, 105 components so I chose to build it myself and go with a 3x9 set up. It took longer to buy each individual piece but it truly is the exact bike I had envisioned. Other work on hybrids have been changing shifters, derailiers, brakesets, etc. For me, it's all relatively low cost, instant satisfaction work that can make a good machine a little better.
That being said, I would say go for it.....with caution. If you're just wanting to go buy a bunch of parts and hope they go together, you will have frustration. Start with a noted or mental blueprint of the bike you want. Know what frame, wheels, tires, component set, handlebars, crankset and pedals, shifters, etc. and especially WHY you want those exact parts.
Could I have purchased a factory built Surly Pacer?...Yes. Was it what I wanted?...No. So I built it. At the time, the Pacers came with all 2x9 Tiagra drivetrain. I wanted, at a minimum, 105 components so I chose to build it myself and go with a 3x9 set up. It took longer to buy each individual piece but it truly is the exact bike I had envisioned. Other work on hybrids have been changing shifters, derailiers, brakesets, etc. For me, it's all relatively low cost, instant satisfaction work that can make a good machine a little better.
How much are you looking to spend? IMO, the problem I see with such a project is, unless you have a huge collection of parts laying around, you could wind up spending way more on such a project than you would just buying a new or used hybrid and upgrading a couple of parts.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 6,319
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Casseroll, 2009 Kona Blast
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1031 Post(s)
Liked 208 Times
in
146 Posts
Thanks for the advice. With hybrids you've modified, have you used road bike or mountain drivetrains/components?
It really isn't about the money for me. Just looking at wheels and groupsets lets me know that it will definitely be more expensive. I'm really more interested in learning about building and repairing. My long term goal is to be able to build up a carbon fiber road bike and maintain it myself. But I do like the idea of upgrading a used hybrid to start out with.
It really isn't about the money for me. Just looking at wheels and groupsets lets me know that it will definitely be more expensive. I'm really more interested in learning about building and repairing. My long term goal is to be able to build up a carbon fiber road bike and maintain it myself. But I do like the idea of upgrading a used hybrid to start out with.
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 62
Bikes: Fuji SL 25, Giant TCR Advanced SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Around $800 but can spend a little more as needed.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 56
Bikes: 2014 Trek Fuel EX8 29er / 2012 Trek 8.5 DS
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I did it with my 12 Trek 8.5 DS and would do it again given the chance. Keep in mind it can get expensive and depending on the level of parts you go with your $800.00 budget can go real fast. Just to give you an idea the Shimano XT/SLX group I used on my bike cost $330.00, my Bontrager seat was another $100.00, the FSA carbon seat post another $100.00, and that doesn't include the tires, stem or handlebars.
Even so I'd love to get my hands on a quality carbon fiber disc road frame and build that up. It's a lot of fun and so much more satisfying when you see the finished product.
Even so I'd love to get my hands on a quality carbon fiber disc road frame and build that up. It's a lot of fun and so much more satisfying when you see the finished product.
#8
Full Member
I've used both road and mountain parts with success. My hybrid came stock with a 7spd 11/28 cassette, long cage derailier canti brakes , and grip shifters. For modifications I used a 7spd 12/21 road cassette, Tiagra mid-length derailier, v-brakes, and switched the grip shifters for a 3x7 Shimano EF51 shifter/brake combo. All have worked flawlessly together and made the bike much more enjoyable to ride.
#9
Ha ha ha ha ha
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Gold Coast; Australia
Posts: 4,554
Bikes: 2004 ORBEA Mitis2 Plus Carbon, 2007 Cannondale Bad Boy Si Disc, 2012 Trek Gary Fisher Collection Marlin WSD 29er Aldi Big Box (Polygon) 650b
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
7 Posts
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 62
Bikes: Fuji SL 25, Giant TCR Advanced SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That's a very nice bike. Can you specify the frame that you used?
#11
Ha ha ha ha ha
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Gold Coast; Australia
Posts: 4,554
Bikes: 2004 ORBEA Mitis2 Plus Carbon, 2007 Cannondale Bad Boy Si Disc, 2012 Trek Gary Fisher Collection Marlin WSD 29er Aldi Big Box (Polygon) 650b
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
7 Posts
The frame is a 2007 Cannondale Badboy Rigid frame not the headshock frame.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 239
Bikes: s-works FSR stumpy, custom Lynskey, Trek Madone
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've done it. It took me about 8 months of saving, acquiring parts, research but for me it was fun. I did it more because I enjoy this sort of thing. I love figuring out what parts will go with what. I have a mix of DA, XTR, and Ultegra parts for the drivetrain. I'll caution that it gets expensive though. Just when you think you're done, you'll remember that you need another part. Make a list of all the parts on a spreadsheet and then check them off as you acquire them. I could have bought a bike that was already built for the cost that I did it. And I'm sure it would have ridden as well, but it wouldn't have been "mine".
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,411
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 55 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 32 Times
in
18 Posts
I bought a couple of $40-50 mountain bikes on Craigslist and pawn shops and then just started tearing them apart and overhauling them, one part at a time. I would watch videos, buy the tool(s) I needed and then ask questions here in the mechanics sub-forum. Some things are really easy and some take some practice. You'll probably need to invest about $100 in tools but it's very satisfying. I'm very unlikely to ever buy a complete bike because I have very specific tastes in what I want, component wise.
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 62
Bikes: Fuji SL 25, Giant TCR Advanced SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I was riding with a friend and I let her use my Motobecane Elite Sport. While she was riding, the bike was making a sound like it's shifting when it was not. So I want to perform some upgrades on it so it rides better and people enjoy it more.
As a way of getting my feet wet with working on bikes, I want to replace the crankset/cassette from 3x7 to 3x9 although I'm not sure if the bike can actually handle 3x9. As such, I'll need to replace the front and rear derailleurs. I don't want to spend too much on this in case I mess up.
So I've been looking at Microshift's mtb groupsets but there aren't too many reviews. Any opinion on going with Microshift instead of Shimano? I can't imagine them being any worse than the Tourney and Altus combo I currently have.
Thanks again for all the help.
As a way of getting my feet wet with working on bikes, I want to replace the crankset/cassette from 3x7 to 3x9 although I'm not sure if the bike can actually handle 3x9. As such, I'll need to replace the front and rear derailleurs. I don't want to spend too much on this in case I mess up.
So I've been looking at Microshift's mtb groupsets but there aren't too many reviews. Any opinion on going with Microshift instead of Shimano? I can't imagine them being any worse than the Tourney and Altus combo I currently have.
Thanks again for all the help.
#15
Theflatbarguy!
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 475
Bikes: Custom Giant Anyroad Flatbar, Custom Raw Steel Raleigh XXIX SS
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 40 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have built a hybrid from the frame up. Unfortunately, my wheelset alone exceeded your budget. Lol!
https://www.bikeforums.net/hybrid-bic...rbon-disc.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/hybrid-bic...rbon-disc.html
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 202
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus Sport, Kona Kahuna 29er, Santa Cruz Nickel 650b, Cannondale CAAD 10
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
its great fun building a your own bike just keep in mind you may have to buy some tools every now and then. I had to buy bottom bracket tools, brake and shifting housing cutters, as well as wrenches. Overall I've learned a lot and never have to take my bikes for a tune up now that I know my way around a bike. Good luck!
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,600
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18320 Post(s)
Liked 4,489 Times
in
3,338 Posts
It really isn't about the money for me. Just looking at wheels and groupsets lets me know that it will definitely be more expensive. I'm really more interested in learning about building and repairing. My long term goal is to be able to build up a carbon fiber road bike and maintain it myself. But I do like the idea of upgrading a used hybrid to start out with.
Why not put the $800 towards a nice road bike?
There are quite a few cheap CF frames out there if you hunt around a bit.
For the hybrid, I suppose it depends on what you wish to end up with. With a lot of things, one can do much better with buying a "donor bike" for most of the parts you'll need. But then again, I'm quite familiar with the shortcomings of the Dept store bikes that are all so common in the hybrid market.
For $800, however, you could do a very nice Cyclocross to flat bar conversion if that is what you desire.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Texas panhandle
Posts: 524
Bikes: 1987 Schwinn Circuit, 1986 Schwinn Passage, 1987 Shogun Katana, 2018 Giant Anyroad Advanced, 2013 Karate Monkey
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 125 Post(s)
Liked 269 Times
in
93 Posts
I was riding with a friend and I let her use my Motobecane Elite Sport. While she was riding, the bike was making a sound like it's shifting when it was not. So I want to perform some upgrades on it so it rides better and people enjoy it more.
As a way of getting my feet wet with working on bikes, I want to replace the crankset/cassette from 3x7 to 3x9 although I'm not sure if the bike can actually handle 3x9. As such, I'll need to replace the front and rear derailleurs. I don't want to spend too much on this in case I mess up.
So I've been looking at Microshift's mtb groupsets but there aren't too many reviews. Any opinion on going with Microshift instead of Shimano? I can't imagine them being any worse than the Tourney and Altus combo I currently have.
Thanks again for all the help.
As a way of getting my feet wet with working on bikes, I want to replace the crankset/cassette from 3x7 to 3x9 although I'm not sure if the bike can actually handle 3x9. As such, I'll need to replace the front and rear derailleurs. I don't want to spend too much on this in case I mess up.
So I've been looking at Microshift's mtb groupsets but there aren't too many reviews. Any opinion on going with Microshift instead of Shimano? I can't imagine them being any worse than the Tourney and Altus combo I currently have.
Thanks again for all the help.