Roll my own...?

even fitting a threaded headset ain't so hard- if you got access to the tools.
Those sunday morning open toolbox days are the way forward. Also he's a cycle mechanic so he'll be able to help.
I think that is one of the best ideas yet on the forum.

What ? Better than my email framing idea ?

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread2422.html

hey I didn't say best.

I'm an imposter on this site (I'm from Manc) otherwise I'd gladly take up the Open Toolbox - actualy a trip to the Big Smoke for a weekend could be in order - see the lights and all that.

I'll be fitting a threadless headset so will I guess I'll need to chop the steerer off at the correct height - that bit would give me the fear.

3mm below the top of the stem (with all the spacers in place) and your sorted.

no fear required.

measure twice, cut once.

check the park tools and sheldon brown sites for good tips and pictures

the most common balls-up with fork fitting is people forgetting to add the stem height and cutting the steerer too short

i put it all together, mark the top, take the fork out, measure, measure again, get confused by why my measurements are so different, and then cut.

As Chris Crash has said, buy Zinn and the art of road bike maintenance. I bought it sometime after I built my bike, but I wish I had bought it before. I pretty much read it cover to cover over a few days and felt very enlightened afterwards :) That, Park Tools web site and Sheldon Brown are all you need.

I recommend torque wrenches as well. Like Tynan said, makes it easier. You don't end up guessing. The last thing you want to do is over torque your shiny new cranks and fsck them up, or under torque them and have them wear out the BB or fall off when you're spinning them down a huge hill. The Park ones are good. I've only got the smaller park one (large one I nicked from my Dad), good value and does the job.

Just buy the proper tools, take your time, and do it properly the first time.

I had the fear and have had all my bikes built by shops.

Half of the time I regret it afterwards.

Half of the time I've had to strip the bike and start again myself.

That's why I'm scared to take mine to a bike shop. I'd end up taking the whole thing apart just to check they greased everything and would spend more time worrying that it's going to fall apart than riding :s

I'll be fitting a threadless headset so will I guess I'll need to chop the steerer off at the correct height - that bit would give me the fear.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=111

You don't need that fancy cutting tool. Measure twice, cut once. Just mark where you want to cut with a metal scribe or something, and cut down the side of the line, not cutting through the line. Lightly file any rough bits smooth after.

I'll be fitting a threadless headset so will I guess I'll need to chop the steerer off at the correct height - that bit would give me the fear.

Don't cut the steerer !

Buy a bunch of cheap spacers (free even if you beg at your local bike shop).
Put these extra spacers over the extra steerer that sticks out of the top of your stem and tighten up as normal.

When you have ridden around and are happy with the height, you can then chop down the steerer to 2-3mm below the top of the stem.

If you are not happy and want to move the stem up - move some of the spacers from above the stem to below - then ride and check - then chop.

Hope that all makes sense.

Great advice - cheers everyone. Definitely gonna do this myself now.

Still never changed a BB or headset, or taken a hub apart.

Good on you Dewi for taking the bull by the horns.

There's a group called Ride Manchester who run a DIY open workshop on Wednesdays.. they'll let you use tools and give advice.

I work at a similar project in Brighton.. they're good things. When I have time I'll make a list of similar projects around the UK.

Drop-in bike surgery

                On a wednesday afternoon, you can come to our                           workshop with your bike and use our tools and have                     access to spare                           parts and our knowledge. Please contact us for times                           and/or to book                   a supervised session.

• OCW here.
  good things indeed!
  

i like this advice! Pending on how my riser conversion works out, I may have to do this too.

I reckon DIYing is the way to go. although it is a pain if you get things wrong which "should" be avoided with proper research.

i'm still amazed when i see people post here saying "yeah i built this from parts and it all cost me £100"

i'm still amazed when i see people post here saying "yeah i built this from parts and it all cost me £100"

I would be amazed to read that too.