Building a MTB with ZERO experience

[Gandalf]

Youtube.. everything is there.

[Jva]

Depending on the budget there are lots of frames to choose from, steel ,aluminium, carbon etc. Each material has pros and cons. Another factor will be what kind of riding will you be doing?

[geemobee]

(1st assumption made is that you are not talking about wheel build, just assembling the parts.)

 

From what I have learnt here are a few questions you can answer before you start:

 

1. Tools. Do you have any/the right tools? One can in most cases get away with only a BB-tool, grease, chain braker and L-entjie set if you get the heaset bearing pressed fitted by a LBS (here assuming you dont have press fitted BB too)

 

2. Make a list of all the components needed for a bike build (e.g frame [usually comes with rear shock], fork, headset [top and bottom], stem, handlebar, brakes, shifter(s), BB, cranks, pedals, wheel set, brake mounts, rotors, derailer(s), seat post, seat etc.)

 

3. now to fit the parts together to get their specifics. Like look at your frame. That will determine the headset you must buy, the BB, the rear brake mount, the fork etc etc etc

 

the fork and frame together also determine the head set

the frame determine the seat post

the frame also determines your rear hub on the rear wheel

the fork determines your hub on the front wheel

etc etc etc

 

 

Personally I think you can do it!

If you have done the above, come back here and ask.

 

Ah this is going to help a lot! BTW, your 1st assumption was correct.

 

So the first things to get are tools and then the bike parts.

[flat29]

Ah this is going to help a lot! BTW, your 1st assumption was correct.

 

So the first things to get are tools and then the bike parts.

 

First you must see what frame you want and then what bb BB30,PF30..... will fit and then the tool for it or when you have the frame and bb let your lbs put it in for you

Edited February 7, 2014 by flat29

[geemobee]

How do you know you will like that? Because all your friends have one?

 

Also a pre warning - it is more expensive to build your own than to buy complete (will it has been for me thus far)

 

Quite right, that is what I see most people riding. Why was it more expensive?

[hayleyearth]

Ah this is going to help a lot! BTW, your 1st assumption was correct.

 

So the first things to get are tools and then the bike parts.

 

No, now that you have figured out that you need different tools than just the general garage tool to build a bike you 1st have to determine the parts - they will determine the tool you need (like your cranks might only need a L-entjie (like with Truvative Descendents), or with like Saint or Shimano you need some funny flower looking thingy too)

[_bob_]

I built my first MTB a number of years ago. Had no experience but it wasn't that difficult. Also knew if I messed up I could take it to a LBS to sort out.

 

Got what I needed in terms of bike parts, got myself the Parktool blue book and tools and got on with it. Took longer that a pro would have done it, but learnt a lot in the process including that it's probably cheaper to buy pre-built

[geemobee]

First you must see what frame you want and then what bb BB30,PF30..... will fit and then the tool for it or when you have the frame and bb let your lbs put it in for you

 

Would you suggest that I buy the frame new?

 

Based on my height I would need a Medium sized frame.

[geemobee]

I built my first MTB a number of years ago. Had no experience but it wasn't that difficult. Also knew if I messed up I could take it to a LBS to sort out.

 

Got what I needed in terms of bike parts, got myself the Parktool blue book and tools and got on with it. Took longer that a pro would have done it, but learnt a lot in the process including that it's probably cheaper to buy pre-built

 

What I have in mind is, to learn something new and have a unique bike at the end of it all. To me this is worth the extra money.

[hayleyearth]

Quite right, that is what I see most people riding. Why was it more expensive?

 

ummm...i think you need to go do the sums too.

 

if you do not buy parts second hand, any build you do will be more than buying the complete thing from the dealer. (it is probably just the price you pay for getting exactly the build you want)

[geemobee]

ummm...i think you need to go do the sums too.

 

if you do not buy parts second hand, any build you do will be more than buying the complete thing from the dealer. (it is probably just the price you pay for getting exactly the build you want)

 

I hear you. What if I am able to see what's available second hand, would that be too risky?

[hayleyearth]

What I have in mind is, to learn something new and have a unique bike at the end of it all. To me this is worth the extra money.

 

unfortunatly even if you build your own as you like, after a few months of riding it you would like to do upgrades again.

 

9 months ago I built what I thought was a perfect bike - now I am in the process of making upgrades. the upgrades I will put on in the next week will cost around R4500 (cranks, chainring, ect). On top of that I really really want to put on a new fork and wheel set (around R15000 just for those two). ....(and this is not the only bike I am making changes to currently)

 

Oh boy, it never ends.

[geemobee]

What about this as a start?

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/76946-momsen-al829-medium-frame-new-price-drop/

[hayleyearth]

I hear you. What if I am able to see what's available second hand, would that be too risky?

 

No, it isnt too risky if you aint a gulable person.

Most people I know 'wheels-and-deals' in the secondhand market.

[_bob_]

What I have in mind is, to learn something new and have a unique bike at the end of it all. To me this is worth the extra money.

 

It's definitely worth it and you'll most likely end up recovering the money if you do your own services too.

[geemobee]

What about buying a cheap bike and upgrading the various parts to my liking?