How to Build a Bike From Parts

When you purchase a bike the price you pay includes the parts, name and build of the bike. You end up paying a lot more than if you were to build it yourself as labor costs more than parts. You can also customize the bike to your personal style. Follow these steps to learn how to build your own bike from parts.

Things You'll Need

  • Frame
  • Fork
  • Handle bars
  • Tires and tubes
  • Headset
  • Rear derailleur
  • Brakes
  • Brake Levers
  • Shifters
  • Cable Guide
  • Derailleur cables - 2
  • 4-inch derailleur housing
  • 4-inch brake housing
  • Cranks
  • Bottom bracket
  • Pedals
  • Wheels
  • Cassette
  • Chain
  • Seat post
  • Seat clamp
  • Stem
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Instructions

    • 1

      Insert the seat clamp and the post into the bike frame using a lot of grease, then put the seat on. Install the headset with a bolt, washers and a nut. Lubricate the cups and secure the race on using a mallet to help force it in.

    • 2

      Assemble the headset, lubricate the bearings and attach the stem and any necessary spacers to the fork. Mark it then remove the fork and cut the steerer tube 3 mm below the mark. Thread the star-shaped nut onto the bolt and drive it in with a hammer about 1 cm.

    • 3

      Put the fork back together then secure the stem. Put in the bottom bracket by lubricating the threads and reverse threading it using your hands. Tighten the bottom bracket on the drive side until it fits snugly against the shell.

    • 4

      Install the cranks tightly. Put on the pedals using lubrication and a 15 mm wrench. Place a cable guide on the bottom bracket's shell. Put on the rear derailleur.

    • 5

      Add the brakes and install the chain. Place the small gear in the back and the large one in the front then push the pin in using your chain tool. Make the link looser by turning the inner step 1/8 of a turn.

    • 6

      Cut the cable housing for the brakes and shifters. Guide the cables to the brake and derailleur and set the limits using the two screws on the back of the derailleur. Tune up the derailleur with the barrel adjuster by lining up the teeth on the pulley.

    • 7

      Listen for knocks in the headset. If there are any then loosen the stem and make the top cap tighter until you no longer hear the knock. Check to make sure you've used all the parts, then take your bike for a test drive.