nak45z

I ordered a new groupset on a Ti frame that has be recently refinished. I got a few friends that offered to help me install the new groupset, but I am hestaiting on installing the new group by us. Would it be better just to have a professional install it? We (the friends and I) do the major cleaning ourselves, but not do a complete install. What do you guys think?

Bill Kapaun

Only you know your comfort/skill level.

cale

April fools!

Andrew R Stewart 

I often suggest that a customer do what ever he can and let the shop take over at the point the customer stops. On a frame up this might mean the shop installs the headset cups and race and the BB cups (or complete BB depending) as these areas are best done with the specific tools. Then the rest of the build up can be continued by the customer. The locations of seat, bars, stem, levers, cable routing and bar tape all dealt with by the customer. then the shop finishes up with the component/cable tuning. We love having customers try first. They learn more about their bike, they gain appreciation for our skills and sometimes we get even more $ as we end up undoing the wrong things. Andy.

qclabrat

if you are asking here, I'd suggest going to your LBS

Andrew and others have it pretty much spot on, do what you can within your comfort level

If this is your primary or only ride, have the shop do it all, a mistake may take weeks to get a replacement

while you're at the shop, you may want to get a fitting, good to know upfront if you need a longer or shorter stem

HillRider

Yep. My local auto mechanic's shop has a sign in the waiting room:

Our Labor Rates:

Labor - $60/hour
If you watch - $70/hour
If you help - $100/hour

wroomwroomoops

Do you mind if I put that in my sig?

andr0id

Just rebuilt a bike that came back from the painter last night.

I had the shop put in the headset since I don't have a Chris King press.

I installed a 6800 group and all the other bits in a couple of hours. I still have to tape the bars.
Shimano gives you most of the specialty tools in with the group

You need:
RD hangar alignment tool (shop can check this for you also, I always check building up a bare frame)
BB wrench + low profile adapter (Shimano part in with the BB)
Torque wrench + 5mm allen bit + crank preload tool (Shimano part in the box with the crank)
4mm 5mm allen keys to install FD, RD and brakes
Cable cutters for cutting brake and derailleur cables
Chain tool ( I use SmartLink rather Shimano pin)
Cassette lockring tool + torque wrench for installing cassette (40nm)
FD align tool (in the box with the FD)
#1 Philips screwdriver for derailleur stop adjustments
Torque wrench + 4mm bit for stem bolts

Go online to the Shimano dealer manual section and follow the instructions. It's not hard.

triplebutted

If you can get the Headset and BB in at the bike shop (maybe tell them that you want try it yourself with the other parts so they won't feel so bad), you can pretty do everything else. Countless vidoes out there for each part. But it will be so satisfying to do on your own. Besides presses for fork race, headset (if non integrated) and BB (in case you have PF or something new), it's really quite fun. And you will learn a lot.

nak45z

thanks guys for the advice. I took it to a local bike builder, but I should be giving a nice cleaning after a few uses.

davidad

Our thing is not watch building. Next time go to a site like Parktool.com and see how the parts are installed. You should think out the sequence before hand and follow it. BB and crank, front and rear der., headset and fork, etc.

HillRider

Go right ahead. I have no exclusive on it other than to appreciate the concept.

wroomwroomoops

Thank you for your kindness. Apparently I can't do that, though: too many lines.