Guide for Selecting/Sizing Build Components

[MartinYorkshire]

Dear all,

I've been here for many months now, reading and learning, posting in off topic mostly due to not feeling able to pass on much in the way of useful information concerning actual bikes. I think one of the main reasons I've been avoiding a build is simply due to lack of knowledge.

The idea appeals to me but its having the guts to take it on without fear of screwing everything up. I'm reasonably handy with a spanner but Im seriously out of my depth when it comes to selecting the right parts for a build.

It occurred to me today that what I need is a sort of "blueprint" for doing a build. What I mean by that is, how to size a frame, get the dimensions from the right places, then select the appropriate components in the correct size.

For example, lets say I bought a 1997 Hei Hei frame. As a newcomer, without posting individual questions on the forum, how would I be able to establish bottom brack size, headset type, steerer length/size, suitable cranks, forks and so on. What if I spot a nice ringle stem that I really like, but I've no idea if they will fit the bars I have? What is a 68mm bottom bracket shell with an English thread? What will it fit?

Obviously there are a great variety of parts, some of which are interchangeable on preference, but for a newbie attempting their first build, you could end up wasting a fortune on the wrong parts.

There cannot really be a definitive list due to the sheer variety of frames, sizes, parts and manufacturers but perhaps it is possible to compile some of the amazing amounts of information on the forum into a document/guide of sorts for newbies like myself.

I'd be willing to do this but I lack the experience do undertake such a task. If people know the location of relevant info, I will compile it into a PDF for download subject to approval by the contributors.

Sorry for the long post, does anyone have any input on the above? I feel so thick.

Regards,

Martin

 

[jimihendrix]

Dear all,
For example, lets say I bought a 1997 Hei Hei frame. As a newcomer, without posting individual questions on the forum, how would I be able to establish bottom brack size, headset type, steerer length/size, suitable cranks, forks and so on. What if I spot a nice ringle stem that I really like, but I've no idea if they will fit the bars I have? What is a 68mm bottom bracket shell with an English thread? What will it fit?

Fistly dont feel "thick" only thick people dont ask questions and it's great that you seem keen to learn.

Answering your questions in order, two mesurements to consider with the bottom bracket (square drive), shell width and axle width, two types of shell width 68mm and 73 mm, finding this out is simply a case of measuring the shell on the frame with an engineering ruller or if you are posh use a digital micrometer , axle length is determined by the cranks you are using, two common types of crank (as this is Retro well only consider five bolt square drive, it'll get too complicated with all the other types ISIS etc), compact drive 94 PCD and non compact 110mm PCD (pitch circle diameter, distance between the bolts) sometines called ATB, generaly the non CD are straight and the CD ones are offset, a 97 frame will almost certainly use CD cranks so will use an axle length of around 110-113, the earlier straight cranks will use a wider axle for the cranks to clear the chainstays.

Would'nt worry about different thread types, there is a different thread from standard but it's rare.

Headset, anything from about mid 90's onwards will almost certainly have used an Aheadset, early 90's you could have had a bike with 1", 1.1/8 or 1.1/4 size headtubes but 1.1/8 was pretty much standard by the late 90's, i'm not a Kona expert but i know your 97 example will be 1.1/8, if buying forks it's a case of making sure they have a long enough steerer, measure the headtube then add on for the headset stack height and stem, for example my Zaskar has a 110mm headtube, headset stack height is 25mm and the stem uses 40mm so the steerer needs to be at least 175mm, if i bought a set of forks with a 190mm steerer thats fine as they can be cut down to 175mm. Earlier threaded headsets are trickier with steerer length as the dont have the adjustability of the Ahead steerers, measurements need to be more exact with regards to the threaded portion of the steerer.

Seatpost size can be measured with an internal micrometer, again by the late 90's manufacturers had settled on standard sizes of around 27 - 27.2, earlier frames are trickier.

Hope this helps

 

[FluffyChicken]

The way to do this is not to have a list.
They are out there on the net most should be linked in the FAQ area already else what almost everyone does is.

I just bought xxx frame, not really sure what it is can you tell me more about it.

Then somebody comes along and after a collective guess there is often somebody that actually knows

You then find you're pointed to the relevant places or how to measure it or recommendations.
Most common one's will be to the Galley & Archive Section for catalogues etc.
Others may be to good old 'Sheldon Brown' 'Bikepro' 'fa-technik' 'mombat' 'sniperworks' and many other sites the specialise in area.
and my favourite is to use web.archive.org on the old websites

But this is just information to see what is what, not the little bits of knowledge that the 'search' or 'google search' can pull out of there or the web.

The problem of a 'how too' is well no one will post here

To be honest most should end up in the FAQ's but I don't know how and when post in there get put up.


I've not seen any 'silly post' or 'I feel dumb' post or just do you know post go unanswered. If somebody knows they will answer it.


As for the example
1997 Hei Hei
These are as common as much, so information is widely available.
1997 catalogues (konaretro, Archives) have lots of good info and a rough size to guiding is available in them as well. Checking webarchive on www.konaworld.com brings even more details on the frame and sizes.
After all that, we have Anthony who will fill you in with bits you never knew you wanted to know.

etc...

 

[stuartb74]

i started my build and finally took the bits i had it to the bike shop to be assembled safely only to find out the gt zaskar frame has a 1 1/8th headset tube
and i bought a 1"manitou cnc stem !
dont feel stupid just ask questions the people on here are genuinely nice fellas who know their stuff
i have no idea what i am doing really !
manitou stem anyone???!!!!

 

[JustKev]

The best suggestions I can make are to buy a frame first, and then find parts you like to fit that specific frame. Not the other way round. If in doubt ask questions - you'll be suprised how helpful some members can be.

And just as important - take your time. Don't just throw the build together with the first parts that come to hand in the right size.

Good luck

 

[FluffyChicken]

oh and if you're near any of the local bimbles (lowbrow rides) go on them OR just go to meet up.
You never know they might have some parts with them, or some oil to oil others chains when they squeak or can look at the frame and tell you all about them or at least measure it all up.

BUT you mentioned frame size, now that is a hard one, different bike manufacturers measure frames differently Rocky Mountain and Kona measure Centre of Bottom Bracket to Top of the Seat Tube (CTT), the likes of Marin measure Centre of Bottom Bracket to the Centre of the Top Tube (CTT)
Also some have a different reach (top tube length and may measure along it as is OR measure the effective length as if it was horizontal.
So again if you don't know you should go try some out, local meets are good for that.
or just ask and you'll have a best guess.

 

[perry]

Unlike many ,many other forums out there in interland we don't get pissed off with multiple questions , so ask away .

Most stuff on bicycles are just a matter of simple engineering principles and it often doesn't get any more complicated than measuring stuff . Buy a decent tape measure , digital vernier caliper and while your at it a thread pitch gauge wouldn't hurt .

 

[MartinYorkshire]

Guys, not sure what to say except a huge thank you to all of you.

Sometimes a bit of moral support is all that is needed to get the ball rolling!

 

[JeRkY]

Also very useful are site like www.sheldonbrown.com which help to pass down age old essential knowledge on how to size, measure and otherwise fondle various bike components.