Tips and Tricks for new players

Hi - Found this site through a tweet from Guitar Ted.

I've recently started building up an old road frame that I had sitting in the garage into a gravel capable bike. Not ideal, but that's what I've got. Building it up with various parts that I have lying around.

Have read Guitar Ted's sites, as well as this one http://therewillbedirt.blogspot.com.au/ and I am keen to start riding more off the bitumen.

I've built bikes up before, but just wondering what your best tips and tricks are for new players? What is something really obvious that you wish you knew when building up your first bike?

Seth wrote:Hi - Found this site through a tweet from Guitar Ted.

I've recently started building up an old road frame that I had sitting in the garage into a gravel capable bike. Not ideal, but that's what I've got. Building it up with various parts that I have lying around.

Have read Guitar Ted's sites, as well as this one http://therewillbedirt.blogspot.com.au/ and I am keen to start riding more off the bitumen.

I've built bikes up before, but just wondering what your best tips and tricks are for new players? What is something really obvious that you wish you knew when building up your first bike?

What kind of parts are you working with? I'm assuming that you are working with quality (not necessarily lightweight and "fast"...) parts. It's obvious, but start with moving parts - bottom bracket, hubs, headset. Make sure they're smooth and ready to go. The other changes - chainrings, ders, chain, etc. are quicker fixes if stuff brakes or you want to swap out.

Parts are a mix of Shimano - Sora, 105 and Ultegra. Salvaged from various bikes I've had and either stripped down or broken.

What's the minimum tyre width you'd run?  I may be maxed out at 28mm due to my brakes.

Personally I wouldn't want to go skinnier than 35mm but, I prefer a little more cushion. 

There were plenty of people running pretty skinny tires at Pedal 50 on Saturday. At lease one guy I saw was on some regular road tires - not sure of exact width. But, that course was in phenomenal shape and the gravel was pretty packed and tame for the most part. So, if you're riding just bike paths with connector trails to some fairly tame gravel to shorter all gravel, you should be totally fine. If you plan on doing longer rides, I'd personally go wider too, just to avoid flats, not to mention, comfort.

You might be able to convert to 650b (or 650a) wheels and tires and get a little more width. There's lots of resources on making the conversion. This would be the way to go if you're attached to your current frame for sentimental reasons.

I converted my Salsa Vaya to 650B, and it was worth the effort.  You can find info here.

No attachment. it's just what i have around.

drwelby wrote:You might be able to convert to 650b (or 650a) wheels and tires and get a little more width. There's lots of resources on making the conversion. This would be the way to go if you're attached to your current frame for sentimental reasons.

I put the wheels on the frame last night to check clearances. Even a 28mm schwalbe marathon tyre could be too tight.

650 conversion looks like the way to go when funds allow.

Seth,

My advice is to use what you have and go ride. Instead of scraping together funds, spend your time figuring out what works best for you, on your roads. 

Your time (and wallet) are best served by making small adjustments to the bike you have. Most of those adjustments require no money: tire pressure, saddle position, brake lever position. 

My point is to just ride more. Look for others who enjoy the same sort of riding in your area. Then you'll be learning from their experiences as well. 

Have fun!