Your build history

Many of us have a long and rich history of building bikes. So, having just completed my latest build, I'm interested in whether each bike just keeps getting more rewarding (expensive / better), or whether there is an apex in your journey.

Talk to me.

have you climaxed yet? did you climax straight away, or did it take some time?

If you haven't climaxed, do you think you might soon? Or maybe you believe you won't ever be able to...

Every bike is different and I love each and every one in different ways the sadest thing for me is I can't seem to find that one bike that I want to be with to the end of my days;

bikes are like girls/sex, you need a bit of variety otherwise is gets boring.

you must be pretty bored then.

There are always more out there... including the elusive perfect bike.

My first "build" in recent time was this "Long John" bike that I dumpstered, repainted (which was really fucking a pain in the ass since some idiot had "painted" it with some kind of tar anti-rust coating) and equipped with a internal geared MTB rear-wheel and a BMX front - still have this bike.. and it looks almost the same:

Then I heard about fixed gear from good ol' Sheldon.. and wondered what that would be like.. got a used fixed wheel and build this convert out of even more dumpster bike parts:

After a while I got a Vivalo, that turned out to be too small for me... and I got more taste and started disliking bullhorns.. and the frame will hopefully be sold on this Saturday.

While I had the Vivalo and used it for "Sunday rides" and for commuting in good weather, I ordered this black frame from the Copenhagen bikeshop TrackBikeShop.com, and upgraded my old black convert with it.. plus more parts (again mostly dumpstered parts), still have this bike and plan to keep it until it dies:

And because of the silly low value British Pounds have these days, and I had some spare money I had to build this thing (sorry about the crap photo) - needs a more modern disc for this, since the old white one flexes quite a bit:

Currently I'm looking for cheap/free parts to build up a cheapo "supermarked" LoPro-frame made from Reynolds 500-tubing.. It's going to be running a 26" MTB front wheel with 1.3" tyre and a 700c with 28c tyre.. And it's going to be ugly, can't really decide if I want to use really disgusting gangsta' effect paint or just strip the paint and let it rust. :)

And I want another bling-bike to put on my wall when the Vivalo is gone, since It's a bit silly to have Suzue Promax/Araya wheels and Dura-Ace cranks in boxes on the attic ;) .. something Japanese with a bling paintjob.. I guess.

the vivalos nice
not really into carbon

I think I climaxed with my race ready santa cruz downhill bike - riding fixed is soooo much cheaper! But once your used to riding good stuff you can't go back. I just got a fuji track as a winter/hack bike and the wheels/cranks feel soooo crap compared to dura ace and mavic ellipse on my sword. It's an addiction.

my geekhouse is my perfect bike.
the climax was my geared build, not due to price- but due to the fact it represented the culmination in my bike building knowledge.

Currently on my third build

First was a winter road bike based on a Ribble frame and mixture of new bits and parts from my older winter bike. Did that about three years ago now, felt really good the first time I took it out.

Last May I built up a singlespeed mountain bike on a Trek 8500, which I bought secondhand as a geared bike. It's a real blast to ride, really responsive, and it's surprising what climbs you can get up on the 32x16 gear.

My current build is a fixie based on a vintage steel frame, which I'm really looking forward to riding!

Having started building now, I think that I'm feeding an addiction. Building bikes and riding them is a fully holistic experience, you really feel the bike when you've assembled it from parts, or stripped it right down and rebuilt it.

most rewarding build was my reconditioned original S&M dirtbike as i used alot of lowtech installation methods such as block o wood and a hammer to get the bb bearings installed... and stripped the original paint prior to powdercoating.

easiest most precise build was my Look 555... but pretty simple as all the headset and bb were just slot in and screw in bb cups... and once you get cabling sorted tuning the gears on a 10speed set is easy...

the fixed build was fun but not finished swapping out parts yet.... i really need to learn how to build wheels as i think building them from scratch and then building the whole bike would be the most satisfying of all...

I've built a dozen or so mountain bikes over the last few years, but my current fix is the only road bike I've ever done. had a lot of fun though, picking out components in a new area of cycling! Hopefully be building up another soon, if I can find a suitable frame.

Built 7 with 3 almost ready. I stay content with the choice of components save for wheels, which I swap regularly for all kinds of reasons, weather speed likelihood of punctures weight and gear ratios. Currently building a Nag, Prince carbon with a new groupset, and rebuilding Pinar alu track. Don't really believe it's possible to peak, maybe listen a bit to comments and advice, then carry on as normal. I tend yo see a component that I like and build around it exprimenting.

The purple Condor is my first build and I love it, I planned on replacing the frame in 12/18 months but now it's all finished I think it's a keeper. Once the wheels have been spruced up, the front brake issues are sorted and I get hold of a DA aero seatpost I will be completely happy with it.

I only wish I had more space/money so I could start a new bike, I can't see that happening for a long time though.

I'll never climax.

Tantric FTW.

The purple Condor is my first build and I love it, I planned on replacing the frame in 12/18 months but now it's all finished I think it's a keeper. Once the wheels have been spruced up, the front brake issues are sorted and I get hold of a DA aero seatpost I will be completely happy with it.

I only wish I had more space/money so I could start a new bike, I can't see that happening for a long time though.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SHIMANO-DURA-ACE-ROAD-BIKE-AERO-SEATPOST-27-0mm_W0QQitemZ260352773329QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item260352773329&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

The purple Condor is my first build and I love it, I planned on replacing the frame in 12/18 months but now it's all finished I think it's a keeper. Once the wheels have been spruced up, the front brake issues are sorted and I get hold of a DA aero seatpost I will be completely happy with it.

I only wish I had more space/money so I could start a new bike, I can't see that happening for a long time though.

get that front brake sorted out before you worry about the wheels

I build out of necessity.. not fun and if I can I'll get someone else to do it.

Anyway, 2009 is all about rebuilding espresso machines.

I'll never climax.

Tantric FTW.
should of taught that pig

bikes are like girls/sex, you need a bit of variety otherwise is gets boring.

profound words. Is it different for boys and girls? I sneakily suspect that boys want to own as many different bikes as possible (at the same time) and girls want to settle down with one good reliable bike.

just puttin' it out there for debate...

The purple Condor is my first build and I love it, I planned on replacing the frame in 12/18 months but now it's all finished I think it's a keeper. Once the wheels have been spruced up, the front brake issues are sorted and I get hold of a DA aero seatpost I will be completely happy with it.

I only wish I had more space/money so I could start a new bike, I can't see that happening for a long time though.

blb bikes have many second hand DA seatposts for around 35 quid

Tika - I had a quick look in there last Sunday but nothing in the right diameter. I wasn't in there long so probably missed a few though.

Fred - A new caliper is currently on it's way from wiggle, I just hope it works.

So far i've built two bikes the Keirin Bridgestone being the latest the other an old beater.

Athough relatively new to biking and the fixed gear cycling the buzz for me is in the building and getting it together. I was gagging to get the Bridgestone done as it taken an age sourcing the bits, getting the finance scouring ebay bike jumbles but even before it was finished i was looking for another project.

I enjoy the bargin hunting, the errors which come with inexperience but yet teach for future builds, and the satisfaction when people recognise the effort you have put into it once its finished and the feel of it when you finally get it on the road.

I've built 1 bike so far, currently looking at building my second bike, which will be a SS mtb/dirtjumper. I think that my fixed road bike is really nice to ride, so don't really see the point of building another bike of the same kind.

i've lost count of how many bikes i've built. probably 10+ in the last year. now i do everything, wheels to installing bearings etc. still enjoy it and manage to find bits at basement prices. now i can build a bike and dial it in pretty much straight away. after lots of practice.