Building a Bike

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Permalink Reply by DanaW on November 2, 2009 at 11:21am

Seems steep, but I haven't bought a bike out of a shop in a decade. I'm in lakeview, and be more than happy to assemble for you for $50.

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Permalink Reply by Bikefreeek on November 2, 2009 at 11:56am

If you are interested in using the Frame Tools it should be done by appointment. This can often be scheduled before Open Shop. Keep in mind that facing frames runs around $30+ for each tube faced (bottom bracket shell, head tube) at most bike shops. The tools for facing are very expensive ($300+ per tool) and fragile, so we don't really like to bring them out in a crowded and busy shop, thus the need for an appointment.

Many frames don't really need to be faced and are fine from the factory to install a bottom bracket or headset. Certain parts, such as Chris King headsets, require the the frame to be faced and special propriatory tools to be used to be in compliance with their warranty. External bearing bottom brackets should have the bottom bracket faced for superior installation. However, the vast majority of new off the floor bikes built out of the box have not been faced (at the shop anyhow).

When building a bike it's important to invest in the build as well as the parts. Often top shelf parts have specific installation and it would be a shame to damage a pricey part just because you went cheap on putting the bike together. There is good reason to pay for skilled labor.

Barry said:

If I bring a new frame to west town can I use their frame prep tools? face the head tube, face / chase the bb?

Andrew said:

just go to west town during their open build... it'll cost a fraction of what a shop would charge

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Permalink Reply by Bikefreeek on November 2, 2009 at 12:25pm

Please do bring it in to Open Shop either on Tuesday, 7-10pm, or Saturday 12-6pm.

We ask for a suggested donation of $10 per hour. $10 per hour is pretty standard for what a bike mechanic's wage is at most shops. This is a real value if you consider that when you use the WTB shop you not only have access to a professional shop and tools you also get expert advice and instruction. Also consider that most shops charge $50-$60 per hour for labor you can see why it costs upto $100 to assemble a bike out of the box or more if it's a custom build.

West Town Bikes is a not-for-profit organization that's mission is promote bicycling in the city of Chicago, to educate youth with a focus on under-served populations, and to foster and serve Chicago's growing bicycling community. We strive to serve a broad constituency and accommodate everyone. Rarely (if ever) is money the sole determining factor of whether or not someone can participate and use our resources. However, it is a community resource that needs to be invested in by the individuals who use it for it to continue. I would discourage the idea or attitude that it is a place to do things on the cheap. This sort of response takes away from a resource that gives to the community and when used this way can not be expected to be sustainable or accessable in the future.

(note; I'm not saying that Andrew is promoting WTB as a place to do it on the cheap) ;-)

Andrew said:

just go to west town during their open build... it'll cost a fraction of what a shop would charge

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Permalink Reply by Ed on November 2, 2009 at 1:07pm

Wow, I take a long time to get to some things.... but I hope that, since this thread was started in April, the bike is already together!

Besides, a bike in a box usually just takes finishing assembly, not wheelbuilding or Bottom Bracket installation. The toughest part is the cable finishing, and that's a great way to learn how that works.

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