NotSoBigBen Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 I guess you can always look at it from the aspect of the movement of the pedal arm - the forward movement is to tighten, back pedaling is to loosen? Is that right? Nou 'smokkel jy met my kop' - can I just stay with the arrows on the shimano BB's and pedals
Daideron Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 I'm 64, trust me on this, building a bike is easy. Road bikes are fantasticly easy to build. And I must say that I find it therapeutic. Wheels on the other hand, thats quite tricky. I would not recommend trying that yourself. Spoke length, tension and dish are tricky things and some bike shops dont even get this right. But for the rest of the bike, easy peasy. Consider that most bike shops hire young kids fresh out of school, with no experience at all...and they spend their days building bikes! Really easy stuff.I also seem to think that if you buy new components, still boxed, they will contain most relevant instructions. If you want to be really thorough, keep them filed and on hand for future reference. Speedyburf 1
Tiny K Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 Nou 'smokkel jy met my kop' - can I just stay with the arrows on the shimano BB's and pedals Well I don't know / can't remember if there were arrows on my Sram BB Will have to go look tonight after my ride
walkerr Posted January 25, 2012 Author Posted January 25, 2012 (edited) If you want to be really thorough, keep them filed and on hand for future reference. I'm even sadder than that I'm afraid - I usually go online to their websites, download the PDFs, file them on my PC and even stick key ones on my phone so I have them wherever and whenever I need them. I've still got a complete set of 2004 manuals filed here for my old Marin Rock Springs. I guess that officially makes me a hoarder .... Edited January 25, 2012 by walkerr
ZakAttak Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 Bike builds are quite interesting, taping the handlebar will take a while before getting used to it, also, be careful when removing the tape should you have done it wrong the first time as the sticky bits can be quite sticky, this will cause a tearing in the tape.... It is fun, time consuming (first timers) but great fun for the technically minded..... Don't forget, you'll need a chain breaker for removing and redoing your chain too.... I recently rebuilt my bike but ended up with a few issues that i needed assistance with, tweaking the gears, taping the handlebar and torquing the necessary bits.... but, I can say that it was a great learning experience and fun... PS.. Wife wasn't too happy though..... my 2c......
walkerr Posted January 25, 2012 Author Posted January 25, 2012 Bike builds are quite interesting, taping the handlebar will take a while before getting used to it, also, be careful when removing the tape should you have done it wrong the first time as the sticky bits can be quite sticky, this will cause a tearing in the tape.... Funnily enough I was just wondering about bar taping whilst making coffee Don't forget, you'll need a chain breaker for removing and redoing your chain too.... Have got a couple chain breakers in the multi tools I keep on my other bikes - although I think I saw a quick link had appeared in my chain recently. Not sure if it was there all the time or LBS put it in after they swapped my crank for a compact Yeah - the unhappy wife scenario could be a problem here too .....
Tieffels Posted January 25, 2012 Posted January 25, 2012 Did not read everything, so hope I'm not reposting, but think I sussed out that it is a road bike? Which makes it easier in some aspects, esp. part compatibility which can be a nightmare with MTBs. That will be you biggest problem I rate, making sure everything is speced correctly, eg seat post size, BB standards etc etc. That can be very daunting when ordering over say CRC where the options and variants are endless.. If in doubt, or very unsure, wait for Johan Bornman to roll by the so called "colonies" and do his maintenance course, during which you'll end up building the whole bike. He's also handy with more specialist tools that you'll only use on a new build, head set press tools etc. That way you only need the basics, cable cutter, BB tool. Either way, and no matter what the costs of tools, it will be a worthwhile experience, that I can promise. Enjoy.
walkerr Posted January 25, 2012 Author Posted January 25, 2012 Did not read everything, so hope I'm not reposting, but think I sussed out that it is a road bike? Which makes it easier in some aspects, esp. part compatibility which can be a nightmare with MTBs. That will be you biggest problem I rate, making sure everything is speced correctly, eg seat post size, BB standards etc etc. That can be very daunting when ordering over say CRC where the options and variants are endless.. If in doubt, or very unsure, wait for Johan Bornman to roll by the so called "colonies" and do his maintenance course, during which you'll end up building the whole bike. He's also handy with more specialist tools that you'll only use on a new build, head set press tools etc. That way you only need the basics, cable cutter, BB tool. Either way, and no matter what the costs of tools, it will be a worthwhile experience, that I can promise. Enjoy. Interesting, thanks for the ideas - will keep an eye out for Mr Bornman gracing us with his presence - sounds like a handy course.
walkerr Posted April 20, 2012 Author Posted April 20, 2012 And here is the end result: https://www.bikehub.co.za/gallery/album/1049-jolly/ I chickened out slightly - got William to help with (aka "do most of") the build. Was impatient to get it altogether quickly, and after all the time and effort researching I figured a few extra bucks to be sure it was all done right was money well spent. It was enjoyable to see the process too. Tiny K 1
walkerr Posted April 20, 2012 Author Posted April 20, 2012 I'm the kinda guy that can take anything apart, putting it back together seems to be an issue. Totally - there's always that 1 part left over at the end .... Tiny K 1
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 Only 1, see you can do this !I took a fishing reel apart, was left with 4 extra washers. I took my mini's engine apart and was left with 4 nuts... had to strip it again to see where they went.
TNT1 Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 Of course different countries used different threads so it might be that both are right/normal! Not different countries. There's only English and Italian versions of thread when it comes to bicycles.
Tankman Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 Dude, it is not rocket science. It is actually easier than what you believe. I took my road bike (see spec in my signature), to my 'LBS' Williams Bike Shop in S/West and he allowed me to build it up there. I used all his tools and got advice when I needed it. Dude, I hope you gave William at least two cases of beer for his advice, expertise, use of equipment and disrupting his shop after "allowing" you to build it there! I'm checking the fridge in his office tomorrow! Tiny K 1
TNT1 Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 Dude, I hope you gave William at least two cases of beer for his advice, expertise, use of equipment and disrupting his shop after "allowing" you to build it there! Fark steaks. What do I owe the guy that spent 20 years (or more...) imparting his wisdom and experience on me?
Tiny K Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 Dude, I hope you gave William at least two cases of beer for his advice, expertise, use of equipment and disrupting his shop after "allowing" you to build it there! I'm checking the fridge in his office tomorrow! HAHA! boet, this was in Dec last year already...... before he went into the bushes for 3 weeks.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted April 20, 2012 Posted April 20, 2012 Fark steaks. What do I owe the guy that spent 20 years (or more...) imparting his wisdom and experience on me? A frontal lobotomy?
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