Burt Bacar
Is it very difficult to build a road bike from parts. I am interested in buying different parts for vintage road bikes over a long time and slowly piecing them together to build my own bike instead of just buying one.
Would this be tough for someone who does not have any specific bike-building training?
Answer
It sounds like this is something you want to do for the fun and achievement of building a bike. Not to try and save money.
What I have done before and suggest is not to build up the bike from scratch but to buy an old racing bike and work on it. If you get something with a good quality steel frame (Like a standard Reynolds 531 tubing) then you can slowly replace the parts.
What you need to understand is that you either need to stay authentic or you are likely to have problems. Many modern parts will not fit these old steel framed bikes. But it is still worth it. It is amazing how much NOS (New Old Stock) you can find on e-bay and can deck the bike out with authentic parts and have something fantastic to ride.
It is also a great way of learning about bikes and bike parts, and sure you will make mistakes and order the wrong parts from time to time but you will learn through your mistakes. It should be a labour of love otherwise you may as well just buy a new shop bought bike.
The other thing to mention about cost is that you will find yourself having to spend loads not on the parts, but on the tools to fit the parts. Unless you have access to a well stocked bike tool kit then it may be a little bit frustrating. I remember replacing my bottom bracket and having to spend nearly £50 on tools to replace it with a BB that cost £25.
But enjoy it, read the online articles about old bike and old parts. I recommend Sheldon Brown - http://www.sheldonbrown.com/articles.html
And if you do choose to do it, post some pics of what you have achieved.
O
It sounds like this is something you want to do for the fun and achievement of building a bike. Not to try and save money.
What I have done before and suggest is not to build up the bike from scratch but to buy an old racing bike and work on it. If you get something with a good quality steel frame (Like a standard Reynolds 531 tubing) then you can slowly replace the parts.
What you need to understand is that you either need to stay authentic or you are likely to have problems. Many modern parts will not fit these old steel framed bikes. But it is still worth it. It is amazing how much NOS (New Old Stock) you can find on e-bay and can deck the bike out with authentic parts and have something fantastic to ride.
It is also a great way of learning about bikes and bike parts, and sure you will make mistakes and order the wrong parts from time to time but you will learn through your mistakes. It should be a labour of love otherwise you may as well just buy a new shop bought bike.
The other thing to mention about cost is that you will find yourself having to spend loads not on the parts, but on the tools to fit the parts. Unless you have access to a well stocked bike tool kit then it may be a little bit frustrating. I remember replacing my bottom bracket and having to spend nearly £50 on tools to replace it with a BB that cost £25.
But enjoy it, read the online articles about old bike and old parts. I recommend Sheldon Brown - http://www.sheldonbrown.com/articles.html
And if you do choose to do it, post some pics of what you have achieved.
O
Compatibility issues when upgrading road bike parts?
mr c123
So I have a 2011 specialized allez. I rode alot out of it and I dont want a new bike mostly cause this is just a year old and I guess I have some emotional attachement to it. I want to upgrade it little by little. I was thinking of upgrading the frame to a carbon tarmac and the 2300 to ultegra. Is it honestly that easy? Can I just go on ebay or my LBS and order the parts, or are there certain compatibility issues I need to worry about that wont go together with the bike I currently have.
Answer
There are basically four places you might have issues:
1) The old fork may not fit well with the new frame. The steerer tubes are all the same size these days, but some forks are made for integrated headsets and some are not. My advice is to buy a frame and fork together to avoid this issue. Then it will be easier to sell your old frame.
2) The bottom bracket. 99% of road bikes use the same size BB so this usually isn't an issue unless you get some really exotic frame.
3) The seat post is dependent on the size of the seat tube. You may need to buy a new seat post to fit the new frame.
4) The front derailleur will most likely need to be replaced if it is the clamp style. Steel, aluminum, and titanium frames use a 31.8mm clamp and most carbon frames use a 34.9mm clamp.
There are basically four places you might have issues:
1) The old fork may not fit well with the new frame. The steerer tubes are all the same size these days, but some forks are made for integrated headsets and some are not. My advice is to buy a frame and fork together to avoid this issue. Then it will be easier to sell your old frame.
2) The bottom bracket. 99% of road bikes use the same size BB so this usually isn't an issue unless you get some really exotic frame.
3) The seat post is dependent on the size of the seat tube. You may need to buy a new seat post to fit the new frame.
4) The front derailleur will most likely need to be replaced if it is the clamp style. Steel, aluminum, and titanium frames use a 31.8mm clamp and most carbon frames use a 34.9mm clamp.
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