I'm in Auburn and was wondering where a good shop is to have a new bike assembled. (affordable)
or
Just do it myself?
I work on m/c's all the time so mechanics don't scare me.
Is there something special I might miss doing a full assembly?
I am sure there are a lot of capable folks on this forum living down that way that would be willing to come over to advise and watch you build for a sixer. It's not that difficult. Setting up brakes and shifters are the biggest issue and maybe the right tension on your headset.
I say if you have good mechanic skills already then just build it up yourself. Most of the components will come with instructions so you could probably muddle through. You might have to take your frame to somebody to get bottom brackets and/or headsets pressed though. There's also lots of info online. Take a look at Park Tool. Park Tool Co.
Yeah, like nwbikur said there are a few bits that are hard to do right without expensive tools, especially installing the headset (steering bearings) into the frame. Installing bottom brackets and the sprocket cassette usually require a special nut as well.
Center Cycle in Renton (near IKEA) is a shop with a good reputation and there's Phil's Southside Cyclery in Federal Way which has been around for a long time but I don't know much about them.
If the frame has been properly prepped a long threaded rod, big washers and nuts and some careful elbow grease are all you need to install headset cups. Bottom brackets (internal or external) need a special tool, and you'll also want a cassette removal tool and a chain whip. The tools are fairly inexpensive and if you are going to maintain your own bike long-term you'll need them anyway.
I guess I'll just have to wait and see what shape it's in when I open the box. As of now, everything is guessing.
At the very least I do need to clean out a good spot for it.
No heat in the garage. The living room is looking pretty good about now.
what are you building up? do you need to cut the steer tube? Does the frame have a press fit or threaded bb? what brakes will you be running? A lot of the stuff can be easy with a few simple tools, but need special tools most people dont have.
They you have stuff like brakes. Shimano brakes are easy to shorten the lines and you dont need to bleed them. Avid brakes need to be bled if you look at them wrong.
Warmonkey* and I just tore the Avid Elixir brakes off my Ibis, and I offered to burn them to slag instead of taking them home in The Spare Parts Box. They may have even surpassed my hatred for the Mavic freehubs with suicidal plastic bits inside.
Pic from Dirty Fingers bike shop down in Hood River just to prove I'm not the only one (haven't made it down there but it's on my to-do list... bike shop w/ taps built into the counter, SCORE!):
*must fetch more beer for warmonkey- we destroyed his kitchen and stayed up until nearly midnight last Thursday swapping brakes, drivetrain, BB, cranks, front and back derailleurs, etc. I did whatever he told me to, he did most of the actual work.:band:
Mr. Lynch, the following I do know.
Foot brake, for now.
The fork will just slip in.
Tires, align chain, hook up the shifter & adjust, handlebars... not that much now that I think about it.
Can't forget the grease!!!!!!!!!!!
Most the stuff is pretty simple. I'm in Renton so if you get stuck or need I hand I can probably help out if I'm free. Just shoot me a PM if needed. It's alway fun to build up a bike!
I just cheated blcman out of sixer of IPA.
Brown came somewhat earlier than he normally does. He had his boy wonder helper with him.
Everything is done except for hooking up the shifter.
Still need to adjust the tightness on the chain and put the pedals on as well.
Making a run to Trek Bike in So. Center tomorrow for new pedals, though.
I'm also sharing this picture with everyone. If you don't laugh at what I did, well, you had a bad childhood.
ricksride, if you "ride like you stole it" as the saying goes, then IT never does stop! lol
Don't worry about the IPA for now, BUT I'll probably pass you at Duthie or Tiger sometime
when your bikes all busted to sh*t and THEN you'll PAY!!:eekster:
Mr. Lynch, I didn't know you were so cheap! Just building up my Pivot Mach 6 with XX1, XT, etc. I know you are very familiar with those parts and I may need some help! You may even enjoy helping with a build like this. Headset and PFBB are already installed. Still waiting on the wheels and trying to figure out which direction to go, but everything will be ready to build in the next few weeks. You are hired!
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