Help in building a Mountain Bike.?

C

Christopher

New member
I'm a beginner at building bikes and im just wondering what are all the components needed to build a whole functional mountain bike. Also if its not too much trouble, can you tell me the difference between parts (ex. coil suspension and hydraulic suspension or disk brakes and the V-shaped brakes.) Also which companies are good and websites where i can buy the parts thanks. O and a side thing, do u need any special tools to put a bike together or can u just buy the tool from your local hardware store?
 
You need a frame and fork plus a component group. You will likely spend more than if you just bought a complete bike, as each component is marked up for profit, and not discounted like complete bikes are. The suspension is usually hydraulically damped front or rear similar to automobile shocks. The spring part can be a real coil spring (heavy but reliable) or compressed air spring system (light but expensive). A lockout lever can be part of the front fork system to enable more efficient climbing. V brakes are standard and inexpensive, but prone to collecting sand and grinding it into the rim, especially after crossing through a muddy stream. Disk brakes can be cable operated or hydraulic,the hydraulic is preferable for better modulation and feel. You do need some tools, best obtained from the bike shop- they are not expensive, maybe a bottom bracket installation tool, and a cassette lock ring tool, maybe a pedal wrench.
I put together a tandem bicycle this way, and was happy with the result. You do end up with a better understanding of your bike this way, though as I said, you won't be saving money.
 
I would recommend that you stop right here and go no further until you get a better understanding of what exactly you are getting yourself into. Building a bike from scratch can be a costly endeavor and you don't even sound like you have a frame to work with yet...Depending on how you plan to build a bike either a hard-tail or a full suspension will better determine cost of the build. Your component group does not have to be expensive for the lower end stuff out there but the higher end stuff will cost you $1,000 and up just for those components. I would recommend that you set yourself a budget and start from there. If this budget is anything under lets say, $400 then you are doomed to finding a used frame and reconditioning it with low end parts at best. Building a bike from scratch will cost 3X what you could pay for a bike already built in a shop!!! Unless you are building a bike to resell then I would be doing it with used parts and low end stuff as well....no real return for your money there!
 
first bike build eh....
stick with v brakes to start
i recommend hydraulic suspension

parts list:
wheel set, quick release skewers, fork, brakes front and rear, head set, stem, handlebars, grips, shifters, brake levers, cables, cable housing, potentially hydraulic oil and a bleed kit for hydraulic brakes, frame, seat post, seat post collar, seat, bottom bracket, crank arms (left and right), pedals, chain (appropriately sized), front derailleur, rear derailleur, cassette/ freewheel (depends on the wheels)
plus you are going to want to get the frame and fork first cause everything needs to fit on those

as per special tools you are going to need to go to a bike shop to get them

I would recommend just slowly piecing it together and buying everything as you need them and asking for advice at your local bike shop

pretty much every part has its own special tool you can buy a prepackaged kit from park tool with everything you will need and more for about $300
 
Why not buy a used bike on craigslist or something and then swap parts on it. It is a good way to start. There are probably some special tools you will need for the sprockets and such. I suggest getting the book I list under sources. It has worked well for me. It also helps to have a bike repair stand but you can get buy without one. I also linked to a tool set like the one I have(similar) Chain whip, chain link tool, and more. I have rebuilt several bikes using these tools and this book. Learn on a used bike then build one from scratch. Bike parts are very pricey. I get a lot of mine on ebay
 
Since the others answered most of your concerns, I'll answer one that they didn't...

Yes, you need some special tools to build a bike from scratch that won't be available at your local hardware store like a headset press, bottom bracket tool, starfangled nut installer, and other specialty tools depending on what you are putting on the bike. Figure about $900 for just the tools.
 
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