How long does it take to build a bike from scratch?

Cianos

Hey,
I was just wondering what kind of time investment would be needed to build a bike from absolute scratch? ie, if one has all the parts ready to go but it's a matter of putting them together correctly and aligning everything well?

I know the actual type of bike it is would matter, but let's say a mid range road bike.

And also, is it generally cheaper to build a bike from scratch or buy it from a manufacturer?

Thanks for any help!

DirkVoodoo

What do you consider midrange?

Assuming you have all the tools, which you might not (crown race setter, bottom bracket facing tool), then it shouldn't take too long if the frame is all prepared.

For cheaper bikes it generally tends to work out a lot more expensive buying everything separate, but you get the benefit of choosing parts. Although, being cheap, a customized cheap bike isn't really anything special and you would be better off with something off the peg.

If you don't have the tools, get someone like Mr.Skeffington to build it for you and he can explain it to you as he does it. If it's your first time (just guessing here) I think you are better served seeing someone experienced do it properly and using this as a blueprint for future builds.

kona

If you have some small experience, then try it and see how far you get.

If you dont have a clue how to remove a bottombracket or a cassette as said, bring it to somebody who does, and has the tools.


Its a kinda how long is a piece of string question, I can guarantee you thaqt unless you have done this before, you will have issues with parts not being correct.

Its can take maybe 1.5-2.5 hours for somebody with eperience to build up a frame, to a professional standard.

Cianos

Yeah it'd be my first time, I'm considering it as part of an import business...ie whether to order whole bikes or just the parts and then construct them. I have to look in to how viable the latter option is and was wondering how much time it'd take to factor that in as a consideration. I'd probably take days at my first one! But eventually I'd get the hang of it.

As I'm sure you can tell I'm not too knowledgeable about it yet but if I'm doing this I'll be eager to learn and yes I appreciate the pointer that the best way would be to watch a professional do it and learn from them.

blorg

For just about any bike it works out more expensive, unless you are getting the groupset second hand or the frame at a heavy discount, etc. If you are buying all the parts new it will be much more expensive.

As to how long, that really depends on you. Don't take it the wrong way but I'm not sure I would want to buy a bike from someone who didn't really know what they were doing regards assembly.

I'd certainly echo what Dirk said about watching Mr Skeffington assemble the first one.

Most bikes come from the manufacturers basically 90% assembled wherever you buy them, although there are exceptions. Generally it is just a matter of adding front wheel and bars, sometimes you need to stick on the brakes and adjust the gears as well.

kona

Cianos wrote: »

Yeah it'd be my first time, I'm considering it as part of an import business...ie whether to order whole bikes or just the parts and then construct them. I have to look in to how viable the latter option is and was wondering how much time it'd take to factor that in as a consideration. I'd probably take days at my first one! But eventually I'd get the hang of it.

As I'm sure you can tell I'm not too knowledgeable about it yet but if I'm doing this I'll be eager to learn and yes I appreciate the pointer that the best way would be to watch a professional do it and learn from them.

As part of a business, you would need to order them in in boxes much cheaper. Believe it or not they still need assembly but the donkey work is done. Most just need the Bars, Pedals, Front wheel fitted then the gears and brakes adjusted. Some manufacturers have different levels of Prebuild,usually can be from 75% to 90%.

Unless you are shifting a good few bikes a day, I'm not sure how viable it will be as you will need to get some experienced mechanics to do your builds, especially if you dont want to start out on the wrong foot(look at halfords).

short circuit

I had all the tools and parts ...

2 hours to put together everything
another 3 hours to get the front derailier to shift right ... and this was way late in the night and I was getting angrier by the minute when I finally gelled together.

It took me 45mins to fit the mud guards ... and they are still not right as the brake cable is too low to take them ... And also the rear does not shift very smoothly and the reason I think is because I cut the housing a little short and there is a tight bend to get to the derailer.

Headset and crown race is a pain to fit without the right tools. It took plenty of hair dryer and ice to get mine on.

So if its your first time, plan on 3 to 4 hours ... and be very very patient. Else go to Mr. Skeff.

Tools are expensive if this is a once off.

bbosco

I've done this a couple of times with no previous experience. You're looking at two aspects to it. One is the benefits of sourcing each part yourself and the other is the actual effort of putting the stuff together once you've got it all.

As mentioned above, you will pay more for components when you buy them separately. On the other hand, you get to pick exactly what you want and you may claw back a bit of your outlay in the medium to long term by reducing the desire to upgrade in the future. With most fully kitted out bikes there will something you'll have to compromise on be it gearing that doesn't quite suit, a saddle or bars that aren't right for you or a wheelset that isn't up to scratch. You'll likely replace these eventually and that will, of course, cost you.
A good alternative is the PlanetX -type approach which gives you quite a bit of freedom to configure your bike and still benefit from their economies of scale.

I would highly recommend building up as much of it yourself as you can. It's fun and educational and gives you a real sense of satisfaction. You can also bring it to a shop (or Mr. Skeff as I did) for a once over later on for reassurance. On both bikes, I got the lbs/frame supplier to do some of the work that I considered too difficult, such as fitting the headset. You should weigh up the cost of the required tools and the chance of messing it up against getting it done professionally. For example, on the first bike I fitted the BB myself, but wrecked the splines in my inexperienced enthousiasm. For the second bike I considered doing it myself again, but when I realised I needed a different tool I reckoned it was just easier to buy the BB from the framebuilder and get him to stick it in for me. Some things are worth it, for example, now that I have the tools, I often swap cassettes around and remove them for cleaning.
In general, there's not a whole lot that can go catastrophically wrong (unless you're dealing with carbon parts I suppose). The worst that happened to me was that I got distracted while cutting a cable-housing and cut it far too short. Cost me a couple of quid in the lbs for a replacement - no big deal.
Get a good book (like Zinn and the art of road bike maintenance or a Park tools book).
Get decent tools. A cheap electrician's cable cutter will not...errrr......cut it. Get a proper bike one.
When cutting your chain, doublecheck you have it the right length. Then doublecheck it again.
Get a workstand.
Be patient.



Edit: ummm just saw you're asking about this for a business. I suppose that's a whole other ball game.

blorg

If you are doing it as a business frankly you are going to need to either use qualified mechanics or buy all the tools and get yourself trained properly. It's not rocket science but there is a certain minimum standard expected. People will come back to you with any issues, etc.

DirkVoodoo

Yeah I don't mind using myself as a test dummy for tooling around with bikes, but I certainly wouldn't want to be liable for anyone else.

If you are selling these bikes over the internet expect questions on build quality. Being able to say "qualified bike mechanic with over x years experience" is a massive plus to the success of your business.

Ryaner

The frame you are assembling on makes a HUGE difference. My Cervelo took well over an hour just to get the cables run through the frame - it has internal cable routing. I'd guess other internal cable systems have similar problems.

gman2k

bbosco wrote: »

Get a workstand.
.

+1

Murph100

Finished my first bike last night and really enjoyed building it. You dont need that many tools, but yes as the lads have said, a GOOD workstand is essential.

Dont worry about facing off the bottom bracket as 99% of todays frames are ready to go, you can always ask the shop to make sure its fine. Get them to fit the crown race for you as well, even thought I managed fine with a piece of plastic piping ( Cheers Blorg ! ).

After that all you need is a decent torque wrench, set of long allen keys, flat, philips and Torx screwdrivers, pliers & snips.


.... oh and yer laptop, decent broadband and www.youtube.com

Murph100

Just back from my first spin on my first self build ... result ?... bloody brilliant, bike goes like stink ( when I'm able to push it ), even better 'cos I put it together myself, great feeling, chuffed even

FancyFrame €1,250

Fancy Groupset €1,200

Fancy Wheels €900

The look of absolute terror etched on your face hitting 60 + on your first descent on your first self build ..... PRICELESS !!