Have you ever built your own bike or custom?

Trying to think of a tool checklist. I'll add to it if I remember more:

Allen keys - tightening bolts
Chain tool - cutting the chain to size and installing new chain
Cassette tool - installing the rear cassette
Cable cutters - cutting all of your cables neatly
Headset/bottom bracket press - pressing the BB and headset if needed. Research what kind of headset and BB you have
Hacksaw and fork saw guide - cutting the excess from your forks. This can be done with DIY tools
Torque wrench is highly recommended
 
There are some specialist sockets and tools you will need, cassette tool, chain whip, crank puller.
Other than that if you already have a decent tool kit, sockets, Allen keys etc, there's not much else you'll need. For the headset you might need a star fangled nut tool.

No I'm I'm not taking the **** lol!
 
Yes, star doofer headset nut tool. Although you will not need to worry if your forks have a carbon steerer. You shall need a carbon steerer bung instead which can be installed with allen keys.
 
^^ haha

I built my son's 29" carbon chinese frame bike. Thing weighs a smidge over 10kg dead, cost just over 1400EUR and is full XT group set with RC3 Pike shocks. Something I could not touch spec wise for that price! It's currently actually in the bike shop to route the internal cables as that's one thing I was like sod that, I don't want to do it.
 
Planet x stuff is pretty well priced for what it is, you just have to ignore the "was £xxx" price, because they offered it for that at 12:05 on Christmas day for 10 minutes.
 
I built my mountain bike a while back. Was relatively easy - the only bit I struggled with was the gearing and getting that perfect, but they are still spot on to this day.

Was good fun. More expensive than buying a pre-built off the shelf I reckon, but I know the thing back to front, inside out and could happily take it apart and re-build.

If you were to take your time and go 2nd hand with the more expensive stuff, I reckon you could build something quite impressive for minimal cost.
 
The other option to consider is selling or recycling a groupset from a lower spec'd bike that utilises the frame you're after, if not available as a frameset or in that colour. Did this with my Emonda ALR.
 
i've somewhat deterred myself from building a bike. Time & money and lack of knowledge. But around next year, around March, I'll get my first carbon on finance. Tempted to go into one of the show rooms these places have to try them and see fits!
From Planet X: http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIV22/planet-x-pro-carbon-sram-rival-11-road-bike
From Ribble: https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-evo-pro/#
Trying to compare, they're similar pricing and quality.
Is one better than the other? are there better places a carbon bike for money?
 
Saytan said:
the ribble frame is a newer design but I doubt there's a lot in it.
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Ribble for some reason, screams a bit more to me, like its a better/premium service. and Planet x, stock too much and mass produce and lose quality. Ribble feels somewhat more intimate with their smaller selection, Might just go for them!
 
lawrence281 said:
Ribble for some reason, screams a bit more to me, like its a better/premium service. and Planet x, stock too much and mass produce and lose quality. Ribble feels somewhat more intimate with their smaller selection, Might just go for them!
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Both are selling mass-produced chinese frames and sticking their own logos on them, the quality is likely to be the same for both. Customer service/aftersales may vary between them though.
 
touch said:
Both are selling mass-produced chinese frames and sticking their own logos on them, the quality is likely to be the same for both. Customer service/aftersales may vary between them though.
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Just to keep looking, would you recommend any other retailers for a carbon bike under £1100? or with discounts/sales making it more of a bargain? lol
 
I dont mean you should avoid those companies - there's nothing wrong with their frames. I have 2 carbon PlanetX frames myself. I was just making the point that you can't infer the build quality of the frames based on your perception of the company.
 
touch said:
I dont mean you should avoid those companies - there's nothing wrong with their frames. I have 2 carbon PlanetX frames myself. I was just making the point that you can't infer the build quality of the frames based on your perception of the company.
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Ahh fair enough. I've never spent more than 500 on a bike, so its a big step up for me, just want to make sure i make the right choice and get the right fit for me! :>
 
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