19
votes
Accepted
Learning how to build a bike: Is it better to buy a used bike and disassemble it?
Messing with a used bike will teach you a lot (mostly through mistakes, but that's how the process works). There definitely is a huge advantage of having hands on experience figuring out how to adjust ...
- 75.9k
14
votes
Learning how to build a bike: Is it better to buy a used bike and disassemble it?
A used bike won’t teach you how to build a bike from the ground up but they are often in need of serious maintenance.
On a worn down and beaten bicycle you’ll likely have to replace:
Chain (sometimes ...
- 29.4k
10
votes
Accepted
Can I cut the steerer tube with a pipe cutter?
A pipe cutter is an excellent tool for this application. Properly used it results in a perfect, burr free cut that is 90° to the longitudinal axis of the steer tube. The outer aspect of the cut ...
- 11.3k
9
votes
Accepted
Choosing a rear derailleur for 11-42t cassette on a SRAM 10-speed 1x system
One confusing thing here is that SRAM themselves, that I know of at least, have never made or warranted a 10 speed 11-42 1x setup. So you're not going to hear from them or their product documentation ...
- 88.2k
9
votes
Accepted
Ideal distance between chainring and chain stay
4mm at the closest point is about the safe spot. 3mm is about the sane bare minimum you can go to if you want to push things. Less is asking for trouble. Note that frames, cranks, rings, and spindles ...
- 88.2k
9
votes
What are the benefits of purchasing a complete bike from a respectable brand? (Road cycling)
Warranty - buying one bike from one supplier means the whole thing is under warranty. New bike frames may have anything from one year to lifetime warranty, but often have a rider about "must be ...
- 131k
9
votes
Accepted
What does the DIN number refer to ...?
DIN stands for ‘Deutsches Institut für Normung’ which means ‘German Institute of Standardization’. DIN develops norms and standards as a service to industry, to the state and to society as a whole. It ...
- 24.4k
9
votes
Questions about Boost frames and cranksets
You are correct. The cassette hasn't moved, so the rear chainline hasn't changed, so you don't need to compensate for it.
Note however that a non-boost crank in a boost frame might have chainstay ...
- 538
8
votes
Accepted
Getting the right Bottom Bracket
If you have an idea of what model of frame it is, it would help. Otherwise, your best bet is to take it to a bike shop and try an ISO bottom bracket (gently) to see if it fits, or measure the threads ...
- 46.4k
8
votes
What are the times and costs involved in assembling a rideable bicycle from a salvaged frame?
This is the classic "how long is a piece of string" question, where almost any answer is valid.
At one end you have a frame. And enough skills and time to assemble a bike, along with the ...
- 131k
8
votes
Accepted
How to recognize a cheap from a quality steel frame
I would say that what you ask is an ability acquired with time and practice. It is difficult to "teach" by words alone.
And yes, one frame can have a very different ride characteristic when ...
- 13k
8
votes
How to recognize a cheap from a quality steel frame
One rule of thumb for identifying higher quality frames is the type of dropouts on the frame.
Generally, a frame with forged dropouts will be of higher quality than a frame with stamped drop outs. ...
- 24.4k
6
votes
Installing downtube shifters with no clamp
Without any additional knowledge on the bike, my advice would be don't drill into the down tube. You run the risk of making it structurally unsound. That being said, some bikes with downtube shifters ...
- 46.4k
6
votes
Accepted
Cross top Levers as primary brake
A lot of people do this, enough that at some points it's been a fashion on fixed gears. All you have to do is put the cable through the normal way with the head resting on the back side of the lever, ...
- 88.2k
6
votes
How to lace a 36 hole 4x9 grouped spokes?
I know this is an old thread but there's isn't much out there in terms of a solution for calculating spoke lengths for "quad" rims. I have a pair of hoops that are 4x8 (32h). The space ...
- 148
6
votes
Accepted
What do these headset specs mean?
They are telling you what size of lower headset you need in terms of the Standardized Headset Identification System (SHIS).
This is a naming system that tries to simplify headset standards in part by ...
- 88.2k
6
votes
Learning how to build a bike: Is it better to buy a used bike and disassemble it?
What are your thoughts on the subject? Should I buy a used and disassemble it, or start from scratch?
Buy a reasonable condition bike, ride it, and maintain it yourself. After few years, you will ...
- 21.3k
6
votes
Australia: I'd love to build a budget urban bike on a budget, where can I find parts like frames and wheels at prices comparable to bike shop builds?
I have done several builds with individual parts trying to beat the price of an assembled bike. It is difficult and time consuming. I was looking for fairly common parts, ten speed hubs, rim brakes, ...
- 19k
6
votes
How do I attach an axle/wheel to an aluminum frame using n55 DIY document?
They're glossing over the subject of trike hub and stub axle non-standardization.
Tadpole trikes use stub axle hubs. Stub axle hubs are anything where the axle is a protruding stub supported on only ...
- 88.2k
5
votes
When is it worth rebuilding a frame?
Unless the frame is unusually valuable, it is almost never "worth it" to buy new major parts, such as a new rear wheel (with cluster, et al).
A new rear wheel, once you've got the sprockets and tire ...
- 54k
5
votes
Accepted
What tool do I need to press fit a "Spanish" bottom bracket?
The rather trivial answer is look at the documentation for various bottom bracket presses and see if a bushing set for the BMX Spanish type is available.
For example the Park Tool BBP-1 documentation ...
- 75.9k
5
votes
Alternatives to Long Drop Calipers
One other idea in addition to the other perfectly good answers is utilizing a drop bolt. They can be bought but are also commonly made at home for situations like this. Here is a couple of images of ...
- 9,352
5
votes
Accepted
Shimano 105 RD-5501 on a six speed freewheel?
Friction shifters do not care what kind of derailleur is at the other end and do not care about the number of speeds on your cassette or freewheel; they just pull the cable. So long as the shifter can ...
- 46.4k
5
votes
What are the benefits of purchasing a complete bike from a respectable brand? (Road cycling)
Basic compatibility issues won't arise. You don't have to make sure the inner chainring won't hit the chainstay, for example.
There really isn't much other than that, but at the level of component ...
- 10.8k
5
votes
COVID bike build 2020 first timer
Before you commit to putting money and effort into a build ask yourself is this really the bike you want? Doing your own bike build can be fun and fulfilling but you want to end up with a bike you ...
- 75.9k
5
votes
Commuting road bike build
I can't give product recommendations as those are off topic here.
On a tight budget you should consider buying a complete bike. Building a bike up from components is generally more expensive than ...
- 75.9k
5
votes
Learning how to build a bike: Is it better to buy a used bike and disassemble it?
Disassembling a lot of bikes is a great way to learn how to use bike tools. This is exactly how I learned to build bikes. The place I learned is a non-profit organization that takes in a lot of used ...
- 241
5
votes
Can anyone help me identify this bicycle frame?
I managed to find a couple of similar frames on web search that suggest the 1987 Vintage Cannodale identification could be correct. The really unique way the top-tube intersects the downtube before ...
- 620
5
votes
Can I cut the steerer tube with a pipe cutter?
Yes, you can use this tool for aluminium and steel steerers.
Benefit: you get a very straight cut.
However, it usually leaves a lip that needs filing off to allow the spacers +stem to slide on nicely. ...
- 16k
5
votes
Accepted
Questions about Boost frames and cranksets
I think a slightly better solution is to sell the 142 wheel while you still can and replace it with a 148 wheel. Knowing your skills, you could probably rebuild it with just a 148 hub too. The ...
- 17.4k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible