Quote Originally Posted by surgtech1956 View Post
How many of you are 'bike builders'? I've seen quite of few showing off a new frame. I'm thinking about a winter project - building a bike. I would appreciate any advice. Is there a good book to get? What about tools? Thanks, Nancy
Last Fall I was injured and decided to build a frame to pass the time and wait for my body to heal. It was exciting. Fortunately I have a really good friend who was able to help me build it, but it was our second bike building experience together so I knew much more than I did the first time! If you have a friend who knows bikes, they will be a MUCH better helper than a book, but there are a LOT of good bike books to use -- Zinn's, Park Tools, Sheldon Brown, and Bicycle Magazine.

As for tools, start with the basics -- long handled Allen/Hex wrenches, screw drivers, cresten wrench, flat wrenches, lube, grease, wire cutters, pedal wrench, and drivetrain tools for your brand. No matter how prepared you be, you will end-up needing SOMETHING when you start building -- it goes with the territory!

Parts -- think MAIN parts and work from there: frame, fork, drivetrain (crank, derailleurs, shifters, cassette, bottom bracket), brakes, stem, handlebars, seatpost, saddle, wheels. Then, after you put that together, you will need to add cables, housing, spacers maybe, headset, cable caps. Of course, if you want to build your wheels too, that is a WHOLE other world of hubs, spokes, rims and the right type of rim tape! Like the tools, there is always SOMETHING you need to add/buy that you didn't think of to finish the bike!

Building a bike is fun and frustrating!!! Personally, I have LEARNED so much about bikes by working on them -- even if I don't get it right and have to redo it or have someone fix my fix! If you are interested in building a bike, I would encourage you to start building, even if you don't have EVERYTHING you need ... like Rome, a bike does not need to be built in a day!!