A couple of questions about a new build

Hi guys,

I've decided to build a road bike from parts rather than buying an OTP

1. I was thinking about getting a campy Athena groupset... but i was wondering if it was easy to source parts when things need fixing/replacing, i don't know why but i have a feeling that it might be a pain in the arse and probably easier to get ultegra. Am i wrong?

2. I've only built up a track bike before, can anyone recommend a good person i can pay in cash/biscuits/sexual favours to help set it all up for me. I heard there's a guy called Chris (?) who has a shop around brick lane who will build it with you so you can learn.

Thanks for your time.

R

Robyn

I could help with the build, and show you how its done. Am not a professional mechanic but always willing to help and have most of the kit for the purpose. (No headset press or BB tools for campag or SRAM).

RE groupset, each manufacturer makes great groupsets for the price, so the most important thing is comfort of the contact points, so go and feel the Campy, Shimano and SRAM hoods.

1. You can buy all the bits separately
   
2. retro di corsa
   

Robyn, your thinking of Krisz who owns and is the mechanic at this place http://www.cyclelab.co.uk/
Nice guy and very good mechanic.

As for a groupset I'd not worry so much about spares as they are all pretty available in shops or online but most people find the shape of the hoods of the levers to be the reason they chose a groupset. See if you can try a few bikes with Campy/SRAM/Shimano and make an informewd choice. No matter what anyone tells you they all work pretty much as well as each other and if you in the Athena/Ultegra/Force price range they are all quality.

Oh and Krisz also runs mechanic courses look here for info:
http://www.cyclelab.co.uk/index.php?cid=10&title=Park Tool School

the other option for learning mechanical skills is the CTUK courses

you'd learn nearly everything you need on the basic and intermediate ones, the only thing they do not cover is headset installation, but if you ask nicely they'd include that too.

http://www.lfgss.com/thread48608.html#post1644643

Thanks so much for all your suggestions guys, i've tried campag hoods and did find them comfy, as well as ultegra. The only one i haven't tried is SRAM...

The frame isn''t going to arrive for a little while so i've got a few days to mull it over

thanks again,

Robin

Did you actually ride the bike or just sit on it to try the hoods? IMO it is far better to ride the bike to try out the reach of the leavers, how they fit your hands, the action of the shifters.

Have fun with the build.

yeah i took a few bikes for test rides when i was looking for an OTP, i think i preferred the Campy hoods.

Build it yourself, if you're at all mechanically minded and can follow instruction you'll be fine.

Read the instruction manuals and Park Tool website, SRAM also provide video titorials if you choose to 'make the leap', if not there are many other campag instructionals on youtube.

You'll never learn if you don't try and in truth there's nothing you'll break, worst case you get it wrong, give up then ask someone for help.

Like Braker...

^ Exactly this. I'm building up my new road bike myself this week, borrowing some tools, and buying others that I think I'll use again. The SRAM youtube videos are great, can basically install things in real-time by following along with the clip.