Bicycle build thread

I don't have a car to post to a build thread on, but I am building up a mountain bike. Thought I would post about it here...

So I used to ride a mt bike offroad a lot. I live in Illinois so I'm hesitant to call it "mountain biking" cause there are no mountains. At some point about 5 years ago I lost interest and ended up building a commuter-style bike that I ride around town. But lately the bug has bitten me again and so I got out the unbuilt, unridden bike that I never got around to selling when I quit. I was never fast but I had a lot of fun; that's the goal here.

So first I got out my parts so I can figure out what I need to finish it.

Looks pretty good, not too much missing. I have sold some of the parts on Ebay which I should have kept, but at the time selling seemed like a better idea. Stupid hindsight.

Got out my workstand and, since I have a seatpost for it already, put the frame in.

And then I attached my rear derailleur.

And then it was time to order parts. Got everything I needed for about $400, which is not too bad. Some of this stuff is old, some is going to be new, but for the most part it's unused (the derailleur and seat were on a different bike).

Cool! I'm looking forward to this.

nice! there's more than a few pedal pushers here, so keep the updates coming.

Good stuff! I'll be following along!

I'll just leave this song here for inspiration. There's some NSFW lyrics, particularly the F-bomb.

Thanks guys! Wasn't sure how this one would go over.

petegossett, I like that song! That guitarist seems really good also. We do have a few trails here, but there is also a better than average chance that I will ride in Colorado/Utah/Arizona occasionally.

Also, I seem to have become a HalfDork with this post!

This is particularly interesting to me.

I just picked up a Trek 3700 and joined the local club, Low Country Fat Tire Freaks. I have got to get some exercise before I die and walking just plain sucks.

There are two super off road trails within a few miles of my house. Marrington Trail is 20 miles long and on the Naval Weapons Station, Wannamaker North is 8 miles long and a county park trail. For once, I live in the right place rather than hours away. Both trails are pretty flat but are supposed to be a lot of fun.

Video of a section of Wannamaker North

I've been itching to get out there since I bought the bike Monday, and it's rained so much, both trails are closed.

Nice! And I know the feeling about dying...

Wannamaker North looks very similar to the trails nearest me. I wish we could have features like that bridge though, that looks fun!

In reply to slowride:

What part of the state are you in? The trails here at Kickapoo park are some of the best in IL, Brown County over in IN seems to be the other good place to go.

I'm near Chicago, so the good trails near me are at Palos forest preserve. I've been to Kickapoo about 10 years ago, I just wish it was closer. I do want to hit Brown County at some point as well. I've also heard Peoria is pretty good. But... I gotta get the thing rideable first.

I live about 12 miles south of Peoria but have yet to hit any trails.

I picked up a Specialized Expedition Sport as something to tool around town and ride with the kids but, as I've gained riding endurance/strength, I keep coming back to wanting an actual mountain bike so I can hit some trails with the local club.

I'll definitely be watching this thread!

Nice! I'm waiting for my bike to come in still. I've only built one bike ever and don't trust myself on building a mountain bike

Sweet. When the parts order for my new race bike arrives, I'll take some pics of the build process. Which reminds me I need to order the headset soon... I was hoping the bike would be together by the first race in two weeks, but it looks like that won't happen. I have the frame (Intense 951 EVO) and a few odds and ends, but order for the bulk of the components (fork, brakes, wheels) through my team just went through. When built the bike will be epic. And orange. The frame is really orange...

Awesome. Bikes are fun. Mountain, road, commute - whatever.

Excellent! I race bikes and want to get back into MTB racing (bought a fancy 29'er) and enjoy every aspect of cycling. What better way for a gearhead to get into something fitness related...you are the engine and the healthier you are the better the engine is tuned so the faster you go! Enjoy the build!

Jed, I have a feeling you can find some good deals on Craigslist. It seems like people are abandoning the 26" wheel so if you're OK with having that you can probably get a good deal.

e46, the main thing you have to watch is the torque! Although I have made it through most of a ride with an open QR skewer before (luckily noticed before crashing).

Ian, that thing looks sweet! 8.5" travel, 62 degree head angle... seems like it would be a downhill beast!

Ultraclyde, agreed! I even enjoyed the recumbent I rode once. :)

zracre, and they can be very fiddly too! Thanks!

Now this forum has the two things I love most, cars and bikes. I manage a bike shop in Miami and I ride almost everyday. looking forward to your build. Are you going to be lacing up those rims yourself?

Sorry if this is spam and not allowed, but I have a set of custom handbuilt wheels in 26" flavor that I just put on ebay this morning that I'd let go of for a song... Really high end stuff- Stan's arch tubeless rims laced to Gold Hope Pro II hubs. I'm a boutique bike builder by 2nd/3rd job, so ask any questions and I'd be happy to provide insight!

Man, I wish the weather was nice enough here to ride every day! Yes, I'm planning to build the wheels myself. I've built I think 8 wheels (single, not sets) previously, but it's been a while...

golfduke, I appreciate the offer, but I've already got the rims and spokes, and hubs are on the way to me now. Plus, I think what you're describing, while awesome, is most likely too high end for this build.

My first project was building up a GT Team Avalanche frameset in 1996. I rode a lot through college, then less and less to the point the bike sat for about 8 years before my kids started learning how to ride. Last weekend, my 2 oldest children and I rode the Va Creeper for the second time. I have often thought of selling it and getting something newer, but the sentimental value is too strong.

Nice! I had a friend in college who had a Zaskar. Always liked those frames, but I never owned one. I would keep it too!

slowride wrote: Yes, I'm planning to build the wheels myself. I've built I think 8 wheels (single, not sets) previously, but it's been a while...

That's really cool. I built the wheels for both my road bikes and for some friends' bikes too, although like you its been a while. Please don't skimp on the details of that part of the build, I can't get enough of spoke length calcs, lacing patterns, tensioning, truing etc.

In reply to SEADave:

Sure thing! I think I will be starting the wheels this weekend, since the weather doesn't look like it will be great.

hand built wheels is becoming a lost art, giant machines do it now and faster than any human but the tension is always off and they cant lace crazy patterns like crows foot(which is the strongest pattern) I play bike polo and the second thing we break most are wheels(first being our mallets). 2 years ago I built a set of 48 spoke crows foot wheels and they have yet needed to be trued and I play once a week. They are hard to lace because you need 3 different spoke lengths in the same wheel.

Some bike porn: my polo bike

I like it! Is that a Screeching Weasel sticker I see?

I'm not planning anything too exotic, but I have worked on some machine-built wheels so I know exactly what you mean.