There's a certain pride in owning and maintaining your own bicycle, especially when you build it yourself. There's a certain pride that one carries on his sleeve everywhere he/she goes using the self-built bike. Believe me it's easy, but it's not..........there's a certain trial and error involved in a bike built; special tools are needed and certain components are better off installed and/or serviced by a bike shop until such time one is comfortable enough. The bottom bracket, for instance, needs a special tool, the cranks, and chain installation......all these components necessary for a safe ride, are better off adjusted by professionals. Not to say one shouldn't try it.
I built, for the first time ever, my current bike; I found a very good deal on Ebay for a Carbon Fiber Road Bike made by Bianchi. It is a 2007 928 L CF lugged frame, at 53cm, just the right size for me. After plenty of research and deciding on a budget I went for an all American componentry:
SRAM Force Carbon Fiber (CF) shifter/brake levers with white HUDZ covers.
SRAM Force front derailleur
SRAM Rival rear Derailleur
SRAM 10 speed cassette 11-28
SRAM 10 Speed Chain
TRUVATIV ELITA Carbon Crankset 50/36 with GXP Bottom Bracket
Oval 31.4 seatpost
Truvativ SRAM Alloy Stem white
Bianchi EC90 42cm Handlebar, shallow drop
Cane Creek Brake calipers
Jagwire Brake and shifter cables with white housing
Easton Ascent II wheel set - 1565 grams
Vittoria Tires
End weight: 15.7lbs w/o pedals
On my first ride the chain broke since it wasn't sized and installed properly, but I got through that and eventually upgraded it to a 10 speed.
But, there's nothing like a bike custom built by yourself!
I am now addicted, sort of, and hoping to build another one to keep me busy in the off season (winter).
I am intrigued in the re-emergence of custom built steel bicycles.
Perhaps this is what I should be pursuing.............
A few updates on this bike:
ReplyDeleteThe Mavic rear wheel was totaled after a car hit me, so now I have a pair of:
Easton Ascent II rims with Velomax hubs that weigh only 1500grams total. Now the bike weighs at a speedy 16.2lbs last check.
The seatpost used is an Oval System 31.4mm........very rare; only Bianchi will manufacture something like this.
New updates:
ReplyDeleteI bought a Carbon Fiber crankset:
TRUVATIV Elita 50/36 with GXP BB.
Gor rid of the creaking noises the Nashbar cranks made when I'm standing on the pedals. I also switched the Handlebars to a smaller Bianchi: 27.7 (?)mm instead of the typical 31.8mm.
The bike feels much lighter now and those oversized cranks and BB made the bike more responsive than before....especially on hills.