I am about to buy this steel frameset to make myself an all round bike. I have never built a bike from the ground up, but I have access to most tools (all types of wrenches, cassette tools, BB tools).
I also have a spare Shimano GRX groupset, a set of DT Swiss wheels, and a non-integrated Zipp stem & bar. I know already I will need to get a seatpost.
Before I buy the frame, are there any things you would point out that would be useful for a noob to know?
I'm doing this project partly because I have this material lying around and want to use it, and also because I think I will find it satisfactory to ride a bike that I built?
Any advice, anecdotes, or pointers would really be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
by DiabeticSpaniard
9 Comments
probably useless to you with normal drivetrain, but if wanting singlespeed, pay attention to chaining. also pay attention to rin width to tyre width.
Don’t put cranks or bb on until the rest of the bike is almost assembled. They’re just annoying and can get in the way to routing cables or wiring. Save them for last.
If you can get the fork cut and installed and get the wheels on, it brings stability to the rest of the bike as you assemble other parts.
As someone who was in a shop for 10 years doing a bunch of custom builds, I went -> seatpost, fork, stem, brake lines, assembled wheels, derailleurs, bars, shifters, put it on the ground and assess shifter/bar/hose position, back in the stand, connect everything, bleed brakes, adjust brakes, (if mechanical shifters) run shift cables/housing as needed, install bb, install crank, install chain, electric tape hoses in position, adjust shifting, bar tape, put bike on ground and install saddle.
People like to jump to the easiest to install parts first but they usually get in the way and you have to do quite a bit before you can actually do any adjusting to them.
I personally would not recommend Standert, as they are rather pricey for what they offer!
Im about to do my first build too and after ordering everything had the thought to email where I bought the frame to see what it came with. I stupidly assumed it would come with the headset bits, which it doesn’t! Luckily that shop is sorting me out and putting together an order for all the right parts, but yeah check what the frame actually comes with!
My tips: Put a little transparent gel tape (ride wrap, helicopter tape, etc.) on the driveside chainstay, underside of the fork bridge, and back side of the seat tube when sand/gravel can be spit by the tires, chipping away at the paint.
Make sure your disc brake mounts, bottom bracket and headset are fully faced.
Use the appropriate anti-sieze, carbon paste or grease for the seatpost.
Give the internal steel tubes a good squirt od Boeshield, linseed oil or ‘framesaver’ to prevent internal corrosion.
Build with confidence!
I get your point to choose Standert: They really have some nice looking frames + they have lightweight 2kg steel frames which is very nice. The only other brand that I know off is Rennstahl. But they also both produce in Taiwan so I don’t think there is any difference in quality.
But the one in the picture is really bland and honestly I don’t see much difference in choosing a cheaper brand like Just Bikes which sell their frames for 300-500 Euros if that’s the look you want to go for
As with all construction patience is important! You dont want scratches on your new bike. Also I’m not sure I would go with GRX for a all round bike. I sometimes race on my gravelbike and have run out of lower gears (when going fast (downhill)). Really nice frame! Bit expensive though. But a steel bike is a good choice! I have two. .
Make sure you actually fit the frame, Standerts are quite sporty and low.
Dont strip the pedals/bb