Rebuilding a bike

[manbearpig]

I don't agree about the LBS thing. Unless you got a race coming up soon do it yourself. Use common sense, be meticulous about everything. Do one thing at a time and if you get stuck ask on the hub about one specific thing every day. It is not rocket science. You will learn a lot and in future you wont be at the mercy of your LBS. If it costs you R300 - R400 for the extra tools (BB & Casette) it will be worth it in the long run. Chances are you will get some things wrong but that is the only way you are going to learn anything useful.

The other alternative is to take it to a bike shop where they will put some apprentice on your bike to do a half assed job and you will have to take it back 2 or 3 times until its right.

So short term it might cost you more to do it yourself, medium term it might be better to get your LBS to do it but long term the knowledge you gain from the experience is worth much more.

I do all my own stuff on my bike now and when i didn't know something I asked. It really is not that difficult.

[Edge_Design]

While we're on the topic... Can someone give me some advice on whether there is anything special to know about fitting a headset to a carbon frame (it's a MTB if that makes a difference!)

[Mutt]

Do it yourself - Only go to the LBS as a last resort. Post the progress here - this could wind up being entertaining.

[Acidfreak]

There is one thing that is kind of a thinker for me... How do you transfer the handle bars? Do you leave the brake levers and shifters on and take each cable over one by one or do I remove everything from the hadlebars (including the grips to be able to remove) and do each component one by one?

[Tumbleweed]

There is one thing that is kind of a thinker for me... How do you transfer the handle bars? Do you leave the brake levers and shifters on and take each cable over one by one or do I remove everything from the hadlebars (including the grips to be able to remove) and do each component one by one?

 

are you using the same stem and bar? just un-bolt it and the calipers and move it across in one go.

[Edge_Design]

Anyone with some insight into fitting a headset to my frame?

[Tumbleweed]

Anyone with some insight into fitting a headset to my frame?

 

the two sticky-out bits must point down, the single sticky-out bit must go through the hole in the frame that's at the front.  

[Edge_Design]

Anyone with some insight into fitting a headset to my frame?

 

the two sticky-out bits must point down' date=' the single sticky-out bit must go through the hole in the frame that's at the front.  

[/quote']

 

Love the explanation... will have a look at it when I get home and see if I can find all the "sticky-out bits"!

[Tumbleweed]

Anyone with some insight into fitting a headset to my frame?

 

the two sticky-out bits must point down' date=' the single sticky-out bit must go through the hole in the frame that's at the front.  

[/quote']

 

Love the explanation... will have a look at it when I get home and see if I can find all the "sticky-out bits"!

 

sorry?i'm assuming the cups are in the frame? it's pretty straightforward otherwise. you do have grease at home?

[Acidfreak]

haha... nice explanation, I actually understand the sticky out bits, don't know if I would have understood if you used the correct terms...

[linnega]

Anyone with some insight into fitting a headset to my frame?

 

the two sticky-out bits must point down' date=' the single sticky-out bit must go through the hole in the frame that's at the front.  

[/quote']

 

Love the explanation... will have a look at it when I get home and see if I can find all the "sticky-out bits"!

 

sorry?i'm assuming the cups are in the frame? it's pretty straightforward otherwise. you do have grease at home?

Is it a new headset or old? Is it the right headset type for your frame?  If you have a new headset (or old) that fits the headtube then it should be simply a case of pushing the cups into the frame.  Generally the cups with the shiny bits on top and branding etc go on top and the other part underneath.  If the cups are already in, then slide in steerer tube (the "single sticky out bit") from the bottom.  Add spacers, slide on stem, attach bolt to starnut and tighten until everything is properly in place.  Then tighten stem bolts.  If anything is carbon use a torque wrench for the bolt tightening (even if not use a torque wrench anyway).

[stewie911]

Acid, what size seatpost do you need. I have one that I only used for 3 rides.

Size is around 28mm. Will check tonight

[Edge_Design]

Ok, now I am starting to understand where the sticky out bits came into this picture ... the cups aren't in the frame yet, but that part sounds easy now (really don't want to damage anything here!). Where does the grease come into all of this now and is normal ol' grease suitable or do you need fancy expensive bicycle grease?

[Acidfreak]

Thanks stewie, I will have to check... How much? All I know at this stage it the one it thick and the other is thin.. haha.. The new one is the thin one...

[Tumbleweed]

Ok' date=' now I am starting to understand where the sticky out bits came into this picture ... the cups aren't in the frame yet, but that part sounds easy now (really don't want to damage anything here!). Where does the grease come into all of this now and is normal ol' grease suitable or do you need fancy expensive bicycle grease?[/quote']

 

marine grease will do the trick.

[Cassie]

While we're on the topic... Can someone give me some advice on whether there is anything special to know about fitting a headset to a carbon frame (it's a MTB if that makes a difference!)

It seem everyone missed your question....I think yes...the carbon option: steerer tube lenght is slightly longer i.e sticks out a few mm....in the other option (normal MTB frames) the steerer tube must be slightly recessed i.e cople on mmm shorter ...

 

This info, if I remember correctly comes from ParkTools big Blue Book of Bicycle maintenance...man, makes for great bedtime rweading - especially if you are a newby at this stuff!!

 

Definatelt do it yourself!!  I agree with the comments that were made to ratehr bite the bullet and do it yourself!