How to Build a Bike (in a Weekend)

by Alan Anderson, Lee John Phillips (Illustrator)

Overview

The bike that is most fun to ride is the bike that you have made yourself, and the good news is that anyone can do it. This simple guide walks you through the process, from working out what you need, creating the specification, sourcing parts, to the enjoyable weekend spent building your new bike from scratch. When your bike is finished it will need looking after, and the book includes equally clear maintenance guidelines; those expensive and inconvenient trips to the bike shop will become a thing of the past. Beautifully illustrated by Lee John Phillips, the book is a useful self-purchase and equally makes a great gift for cyclists and hobbyists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781786278944
Publisher:	Laurence King Publishing
Publication date:	04/20/2021
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 8.95(h) x 0.65(d)

About the Author

Alan Anderson has toured Europe and all over England, commuted to work in the countryside and across London, and written a successful book about cycle culture, history and sport. Passionate about the benefits of bike riding for all, he is also enthusiastic about the mindful joy of fixing, tuning and fettling a bicycle to perfection.

Table of Contents

Build a bike 5

About this book 8

Anatomy of a bike 10

1 Planning, Budgeting & Buying 13

1.1 New and old 14

1.2 Restoring a bike 15

1.3 What kind of bike do you want? 16

1.4 Choosing a frame 18

1.5 Frame material 20

1.6 Frame size and stem length 22

1.7 Frame shape and geometry 24

1.8 Frame and brake compatibility 26

1.9 Pannier and mudguard mounts 27

1.10 Forks and shock absorbers 28

1.11 Choosing handlebars 30

1.12 Wheels 32

1.13 What's in a groupset? 36

1.14 Choosing cassette and crankset 38

1.15 The chain 40

1.16 Seatpost and saddle 41

1.17 Pedals 42

1.18 The toolbox 43

2 The Build Day One 47

2.1 Your workspace and getting started 48

2.2 Fitting the bottom bracket 49

2.3 Crankset 52

2.4 Fitting the headset and fork crown 54

2.5 Fitting the fork crown race 56

2.6 Fitting forks with a threadless headset and a separate stem 57

2.7 Fitting threaded forks and a quill stem 60

2.8 Fitting handlebars to the stem 62

2.9 Fitting shifters and brake levers to drop handlebars 63

2.10 Fitting shifters and brakes levers to flat handlebars 64

2.11 The brakes 66

2.12 Front derailleur 68

2.13 Rear derailleur 70

2.14 Laying cables 72

2.15 Fitting the tyres 79

2.16 Tyre pressure 83

3 The Build Day Two 85

3.1 Fitting pedals 86

3.2 Freehub and cassette 88

3.3 Freewheel 90

3.4 Fitting the wheels 92

3.5 Chain measuring and fitting 94

3.6 Adjusting the rear derailleur 98

3.7 Adjusting the front derailleur 102

3.8 Tuning the brakes 104

3.9 Finding the perfect fit 108

3.10 First ride 111

3.11 Handlebar tape 112

4 Maintenance 117

4.1 Regular checks 118

4.2 Truing a wheel 120

Checklists 123

Further reading and reference 125

Index 126

Acknowledgements 128