Who Builds Up Their Own Bikes?

ridelikeaturtle

I love assembling bikes, as a hobby. Find a steel frame from the 1990s, dig through my "box o' crap" for whatever it's missing, acquire whatever new stuff it needs (drivetrain, bottom bracket, cables & housings etc). I always end up learning something new, and have a nice rider when it's done.

I'm currently waiting on final parts for a mid-90s steel Fondriest w/Columbus Gara tubing.

Does anyone else do this?

mamax

I've a 1985 steel raleigh frameset ready for paint, gonna be satin black and have 105 6700 groupset ready to to go on it, should look interesting

Alek

I do it.

Usually end up with frankenmonster builds that look like a random cluster of rescued and completely mismatched parts held together by the frame.

They are my bikes that only father can love.


(even had my 5 minutes of fame when GCN laughed at my SS conversion )

hesker

Bought a 1980 Peugeot Super Competition off a guy in Germany for not very much after his ebay sale got no offers. Almost perfect 531 frame with chrome like new.

Took off the parts and boxed them up. Put on a 94 Record 8 speed groupset and wheels. Had to spread the rear forks a little and realign the dropouts but was fairly straightforward.

Now have a really sweet running steel bike that I bike to work on during summer months.

Do those old bikes use cotter pins, or am I really showing my age?

letape

ridelikeaturtle wrote: »

I love assembling bikes, as a hobby. Find a steel frame from the 1990s, dig through my "box o' crap" for whatever it's missing, acquire whatever new stuff it needs (drivetrain, bottom bracket, cables & housings etc). I always end up learning something new, and have a nice rider when it's done.

I'm currently waiting on final parts for a mid-90s steel Fondriest w/Columbus Gara tubing.

Does anyone else do this?

You should post a picture up here when it’s complete. I have never bought a bike complete. For newer builds I’d source a frameset, groupset, wheelset and other parts myself. I have built a number of older bikes too (90s Carrera & Tommassini Tecno). Because of their age, finding the right parts is more of a challenge and it takes longer to buy the parts you want.

ridelikeaturtle

Aegir wrote: »

Do those old bikes use cotter pins, or am I really showing my age?

A 70's Bianchi I got a few years ago had cottered cranks. I sold them on. I always put a more modern BB in, but I like to stick with square-taper.

ednwireland

yep apart from wheels everything else no bother, huge box of tools going back 30 years (and i still cant find my park toils chain splitter)

ridelikeaturtle

letape wrote: »

You should post a picture up here when it’s complete. I have never bought a bike complete. For newer builds I’d source a frameset, groupset, wheelset and other parts myself. I have built a number of older bikes too (90s Carrera & Tommassini Tecno). Because of their age, finding the right parts is more of a challenge and it takes longer to buy the parts you want.

Yeah, I was gonna do that once it's done.

Oh yes, please post pics of the Tommassini!

Cetyl Palmitate

I have a bunch of old frames. Mostly crap except for a very nice Viner colombus job. Have all types of ideas for it. Always costs more than I expect as I struggle to post anything for sale to fund new parts!

letape

ridelikeaturtle wrote: »

Yeah, I was gonna do that once it's done.

Oh yes, please post pics of the Tommassini!

Here you go

Idleater

I've built and rebuilt several. Most recently moving a 3x xtr from one mtb to another and installing a 1x on it.

I generally strip and rebuild a bike once every few years and occasionally I'm "a frame" or something away from another bike with all the boys and pieces.

Idleater

I've built and rebuilt several. Most recently moving a 3x xtr from one mtb to another and installing a 1x on it.

I generally strip and rebuild a bike once every few years and occasionally I'm "a frame" or something away from another bike with all the boys and pieces.

8valve

I do this all the time. Love building neo retro bikes... Old steel frame with modern components. Best of both worlds imo

8valve

Cetyl Palmitate wrote: »

I have a bunch of old frames. Mostly crap except for a very nice Viner colombus job. Have all types of ideas for it. Always costs more than I expect as I struggle to post anything for sale to fund new parts!

I'm always interested in old steel, even crap lol
Keep me in mind if shifting/selling any.

hesker

Mine

magicbastarder

8valve wrote: »

I'm always interested in old steel, even crap lol
Keep me in mind if shifting/selling any.

carlton 531 frame here asking €60; not sure if he wants to sell everything at once though.

https://www.adverts.ie/bike-frames/raleigh-frames/18006730

8valve

magicbastarder wrote: »

carlton 531 frame here asking €60; not sure if he wants to sell everything at once though.

https://www.adverts.ie/bike-frames/raleigh-frames/18006730

Cheers, mb; only got one of those a couple of weeks ago from a friend who pulled it out of the shed.
Looking for a few old Raleighs at the moment as I plan to paint and build up a set of three in the various team colours, TI, Panasonic and Banana. 501, 531 or even pig iron 18-23 will be fine, from 56-59cm, ideally.

Canis Lupus

I find those old stems fugly

LollipopJimmy

Alek wrote: »

(even had my 5 minutes of fame when GCN laughed at my SS conversion )

Link to that?

My current bike I stripped to a bare frame apart from headset and changed everything. It's running like a dream and I know I took meticulous care with every little detail. I have built engines in my time so very handy on the tools but bikes are fairly easy to work on and so enjoyable

ridelikeaturtle

Everything came in late this week and it's now done! I sanded and resprayed the seatpost, and it turned out really well.



mid-90s Fondriest Squadra Corse, Columbus Gara tubing. Weighs in at just under 11kgs / around 23.5lbs.

8valve

ridelikeaturtle wrote: »

Everything came in late this week and it's now done! I sanded and resprayed the seatpost, and it turned out really well.

Attachment not found.

mid-90s Fondriest Squadra Corse, Columbus Gara tubing. Weighs in at just under 11kgs / around 23.5lbs.

Well done, that man.


Class looking machine.

ridelikeaturtle

I dunno why I listed the weight. I'm not hyper-conscious of bike weight, but I still like to know what a bike weighs.

magicbastarder

what groupset did you use?

ridelikeaturtle

magicbastarder wrote: »

what groupset did you use?

Mostly Campagnolo Mirage.

A full list of components...

* shifters, brake calipers, and rear derailleur = Mirage
* front derailleur = Shimano, not sure what, but it works fine.
* wheelset = Khamsin
* BB = Centaur (Italian)
* crankset = Daytona ( = Centaur)
* stem = 3TTT Evol 2002
* pedals = Shimano 105
* headset = Campagnolo (not sure what, it's not marked otherwise)

Cetyl Palmitate

8valve wrote: »

I'm always interested in old steel, even crap lol
Keep me in mind if shifting/selling any.

I have a mint Dura ace 7403 wheelset. Mavic argent 10 rims (Tubs). I'd be open to offers

8valve

Cetyl Palmitate wrote: »

I have a mint Dura ace 7403 wheelset. Mavic argent 10 rims (Tubs). I'd be open to offers

Pm me please or post pics if possible. I'm an awful hoor for old dura ace!

Cetyl Palmitate

8valve wrote: »

Pm me please or post pics if possible. I'm an awful hoor for old dura ace!

My commuting bike is off the road which has given me enough of a kick up the arse to get back working on this.
I swapped out the tubular rims for clinchers over the last few days.
Almost finished. Just waiting on a stepped ferrule for the rear cable hanger.

Cetyl Palmitate

8valve wrote: »

Pm me please or post pics if possible. I'm an awful hoor for old dura ace!

My commuting bike is off the road which has given me enough of a kick up the arse to get back working on this.
I swapped out the tubular rims for clinchers over the last few days.
Almost finished. Just waiting on a stepped ferrule for the rear cable hanger.



https://m.imgur.com/gallery/DV8dySG

outfox

Here's a project I did last year. It's great fun picking out the various components and colour scheme. I'd highly recommend it.



IMG]www.dropbox.com/s/j0g8njaz9adeid9/201905%20kealkil%205.JPG?dl=0[/IMG]

I give up. I can never seem to upload photos.

hesker

^outfox

Nice bike & build

Cee-Jay-Cee

I built up an S-Works Roubaix earlier this year. I bought the frame set and stripped my last bike and then sold that frame. I love the whole process. I am fairly confident with all aspects of a build, the only thing I have never done or attempted is wheel building:truing as I have never had the need to. I can strip and rebuild wheel freehubs/bearings/axles etc just not spokes/rims.

Over the last number of years I have accumulated a fairly large collection of bike tools (to add to the already massive collection of general DIY/car tools I have. Anything I needed I usually bought as I figured leaving the bike into a bike shop would always be more expensive than buying the tool/parts and doing it myself.

ridelikeaturtle

outfox wrote: »

Here's a project I did last year. It's great fun picking out the various components and colour scheme. I'd highly recommend it.



IMG]www.dropbox.com/s/j0g8njaz9adeid9/201905%20kealkil%205.JPG?dl=0[/IMG]

I give up. I can never seem to upload photos.

That is sweet, exactly how a bike should be to my mind. Great build.

LollipopJimmy

outfox wrote: »

Here's a project I did last year. It's great fun picking out the various components and colour scheme. I'd highly recommend it.



I give up. I can never seem to upload photos.

That's a beaut

letape

Very nice outfox. What Columbus tubing is the Zullo?

Edit: I like the use of later model Campagnolo record alloy skewers with the boras. My favourite skewers. Nice touch!

outfox

Cheers. Columbus SLX as far as I know (I'm away at the moment).

TheBlaaMan

outfox wrote: »

Here's a project I did last year. It's great fun picking out the various components and colour scheme. I'd highly recommend it.



IMG]www.dropbox.com/s/j0g8njaz9adeid9/201905%20kealkil%205.JPG?dl=0[/IMG]

I give up. I can never seem to upload photos.

I dont think Drop Box allow you to link to their storage - I downloaded you image and reloaded it to boards at the link below


Lovely bike. .......Boras FTW! I reckon they add a wow-factor to any bike

Dexif

Just ordered Ultegra R8020 groupset, 3T discus wheelset and loads of bits to build up a J. Guillem Major frameset which am going to order also. I now will have a week or so to wait to see what bits I have forgotten for the build!!

outfox

Thanks for that, Blaaman. Can anyone upload photos to boards.ie/vbulletin ?

hesker

outfox wrote: »

Thanks for that, Blaaman. Can anyone upload photos to boards.ie/vbulletin ?

You might need a minimum number of posts but yeah anyone can I think.

It’s fairly easy. Use the wizard to upload and before you close the wizard down if you hover over the uploaded image icon you get the URL that you can then enclose within the [IMG][/IMG] tags.

OleRodrigo

Built up a few years ago, frame picked up from @H.E Pennypacker. Wheels are TB14 rims\Novotec hubs from Cycle Clinic. Groupset is 10 speed Veloce.

Great bike for the good weather.

hesker

Nearly forgot. Picked up a really nice Guerc frame a couple of years back. It’s been sitting in the back of a closet since I bought it. Have a nice Athena groupset to put on it but just don’t have time to put it all together. Cromor tubing so not exactly high end but the paint job is perfect and price was reasonable so couldn’t resist.

Colour looks orange in photo but is red irl.

bsb1971

hesker wrote: »

Bought a 1980 Peugeot Super Competition off a guy in Germany for not very much after his ebay sale got no offers. Almost perfect 531 frame with chrome like new.

Took off the parts and boxed them up. Put on a 94 Record 8 speed groupset and wheels. Had to spread the rear forks a little and realign the dropouts but was fairly straightforward.

Now have a really sweet running steel bike that I bike to work on during summer months.

Would love to see some pics!

bsb1971

I'm always messing about with bikes when I have spare time (In a house with 2 year old twins not much lol)!! I've a Specialized sworks e5 aerotec frame and just bought a Litespeed Sirius off a guy in Australia (probably the so far nuttiest move I've made ). Have an sram force 11 speed and a 10 speed sram red partial groupsets which I bought on eBay. Wheels currently are my issue, want to buy some new ones but also have a mint set of dura ace 7800 wheels which I will either use or sell in order to fund wheels. Dilemma dilemma! Loads of bits and pieces for finishing kit to be sorted. I lovè it tbh! Was contemplating buying a caad12 frameset, ended up spending the budget on the above. Also have a Peugeot 531 frame to build up for general use.

McTigs

I have two going at the moment, a 70's Claud Butler and an 80's Viking.... first bought for €150 and the second found abandoned. Both 531


I have a third, a Triumph ladies racer, which is down the lbs getting finished, i'll post up a pic when its back, it's really lovely.


They are both taking me ages ( i am really good at dismantling, not so good at reassemble) but it's nice to have projects to fill any rare gaps in everyday life. Great learning experience too

Borderfox

Yeah love doing it, built everything I have ridden except for the current CAAD12. A nice hobby along with the cycling.

outfox

Those CAAD bikes are superb. I built up a CAAD10 last year. Great bike to ride, although it's lost some of its mojo since Plastik pointed out that Cannonadale should be in italics

bsb1971

Fab looking build!!!

outfox wrote: »

Those CAAD bikes are superb. I built up a CAAD10 last year. Great bike to ride, although it's lost some of its mojo since Plastik pointed out that Cannonadale should be in italics

Plastik

I think you were ahead of the curve outfox. Have you seen the current team bikes?

outfox

outfox wrote: »

Those CAAD bikes are superb. I built up a CAAD10 last year. Great bike to ride, although it's lost some of its mojo since Plastik pointed out that Cannonadale should be in italics

Shut up and take my money !!!!! Lovely bike.

outfox

Plastik wrote: »

I think you were ahead of the curve outfox. Have you seen the current team bikes?

If I had a legal team like Specialized, I'd sue their asses.