Build Your Next Bike
A disclaimer: what I’m suggesting in this post will almost certainly be costlier and more annoying than the obvious alternative. Nevertheless I stand by this recommendation, in service of your long-term enjoyment of the sport.
The next time you get a new bike, you should build it from scratch. Especially if you race it. And absolutely if you plan to go on adventures with it.
Fitting a fresh Chris King headset to my new Moots Vamoots RSL
Get to know the machine
The Safety Bicycle is a miracle. As a tool, it extends our physical capacity to get around by a factor of ~8x. More efficient than planes, trains, automobiles, buses, and walking; more efficient than birds! And even with all the improvements that we’ve made over the years, the efficiency of a well-maintained bicycle from the 1980s is not substantially different from today’s fastest bicycles.
It’s a machine worth knowing. And while there are endless customizations and standards (which I’ll get to in a minute), it’s a fairly simple machine even with the addition of hydraulic braking systems and electronic derailleurs. Knowing how it works is valuable on face value – each part is a bit of history, with design and engineering lessons packed inside – and has a number of knock-on effects that I will describe below.
Make better choices
When you build a bike from scratch, you will likely be guided toward frames, components and manufacturers that encourage repairability and simplicity. Even if your friends don't guide you away from building up a fully integrated aero frame with proprietary this, and special-order that, you will have a hard time enough time figuring out what goes with what that you will inevitably choose something easier to build. You will opt for parts that require fewer special tools. You might even pick a bike that requires rim brakes, English-threaded BBs, and round 27.2mm seatposts – parts that are easy to find, service, replace, and sell.
Field service
Once you go through the process of building a bike from scratch – a process that requires quite a bit of research, even if you’ve done it before – you will be able to service it in the field. You will know which tools to bring, and which are unnecessary. You will understand which problems are catastrophic, and which can be ridden (gingerly) home. You will be able to adjust things that have gone out of whack. You will become self-sufficient. This is especially the case if you have made good choices, and can walk your bike to any bike shop, anywhere, and find a replacement part that conforms to widely adopted standards. (These are also known more simply as "standards.")
Help others
As much as we wish it wasn’t the case, we cyclists are unloved by everyone else not on a bike. So we’ve got to stick together and build a strong community. Armed with knowledge about the inner workings of your bicycle, you will be able to contribute to the community by lending your knowledge to others. Through this process, you will discover the truly excellent, helpful bike shops and mechanics in your area. Through trial and inevitable error, you will learn which tools, parts and brands are reliable. All of this can be passed down to others and will knit the community together.
Contribute to a better industry
It's no coincidence that Specialized is dropping press-fit bottom brackets in favor of now-antiquated threaded designs. BBs that press into frames, even with the tightest manufacturing tolerances, start out noisy and eventually become insufferable. Threaded designs do not. But Specialized (and Moots, as it would happen) are responding to pressure from riders. When you buy good, reusable, repairable bikes and components, you signal to shops and manufacturers that this stuff is desirable.
When you grow your knowledge of bike parts and how they work together (or don't), you can have more informed conversations with mechanics and retailers. When more mechanics and retailers have more of these conversations, they will be happier, and they'll be more helpful to new cyclists. Your relationship with your shop will improve, especially after you're very nice and very thankful about having them repair something you've screwed up when you build your own bike the first time.
The worst, scariest part of building a bike
Where to start
Get a basic frame and fork. I recommend buying new from Fairdale, All-City, Surly, or Velo Orange. Check that it conforms to recent but/and not weird standards if you’re buying used. English BB; 1 ⅛ steerer; 27.2 seatpost diameter. 100mm front spacing for thru-axle and quick-release; 142mm rear for TA and 130mm rear for QR. 12mm axle diameter for TA.
Have a shop do the headset installation and the cutting of the steerer tube. You do not need to buy these tools, ever.
When it comes to tools, remember: buy cheap, buy twice. Good tools last a lifetime. Good tools will help you to make fewer mistakes: they’re made to better tolerances and from better materials.
You will need (or eventually want): good quality metric hex keys and Torx keys; a torque wrench and bits for 4mm and 5mm hex and T25 Torx; BB installation tool; locking pliers; cable clippers; a good flat-head and Philips screwdriver; probably a pedal wrench; cassette tool; chain whip; chain breaker; master-link pliers; tire levers; a pump; a ratcheting socket wrench; calipers.
Also important: grease; chain lube; degreaser; isopropyl alcohol.
I will leave parts-picking to you, but check twice that the standards match before you buy and ask your friends if something doesn’t seem right or is confusing.
Don’t force anything into place – it should go together like it was made to go together.
I mostly like cycling because I like stuff, and I like tinkering. The title for all of my posts here should be, “I made a bunch of mistakes so you don’t have to: [Topic] Edition.”
I’d love to review your product. Say hi: clay@tobedetermined.cc.
