MTB Maintainence

Got my skins in the mail couple of days ago. The compression shorts by skins are really good.


The weather today here has been pretty bad, its too misty and cold for me to cycle back from work today. So a friend from work decided to give me a lift back home. I am happy I decided no to cycle home as I firstly didn't have enough layers and secondly the road was hardly visible.

I am yet to buy the tools and de-greaser and lube to carry out a maintenance. Although my bike really needs a good clean.

Recently I found this video on youtube that gave me an idea of how I could clean my bike.

*Note : NEVER EVER USE A HIGH PRESSURE SPRAY ON YOUR BIKE! (it will spoil the bearings)

Things you will need :

1. Rags (3) / Paper - Towels
2. Brushes 
3. De-Greaser 
4. Chain Lube 
5. Multipurpose - Spray cleaner 

Start by spraying the multi purpose cleaner on one of the rags and start wiping down your bike. (This is the quickest and easiest way, although dried mud is sometimes hard to clean out).
Use the Brushes to clean hard to reach areas.

Next step is to clean the chain. Set the rear tyre above ground. So that when you move the pedal the rear wheel moves. Spray the de-greaser onto a clean rag. Turn the pedals while holding the chain with the de-greaser cloth. After a few oscillations, use another clean cloth to lube up the chain. Using the same method as de-greasing.

I have yet to try this method out, but I will this week as my bike really needs a good clean.


Well thats all for now.

Thank you for reading.

Forks and Wheelset Just got Here!

After an anxious wait over the weekend, because I forgot to check the mail on campus last Friday due to work commitments. Also the stressful atmosphere at my campus due to its announcement of its closure in July 2013. None of the staff, faculty or students knew about this until it was announced in the news. Which is really unfair, the university was still taking students in for next semester which starts in August. The campus will shut with effect of 1st July 2013.


Anyways, I received the wheels and the fork. The fork is in remarkably really good condition they are a set of Marzocchi 1998 Bombers. After figuring out how the headset actually works I decided to fit in the crown race which I though I did not not have. After 10-15 minutes of research and another 10 minutes of fixing this is what I have.

Finally Figured how to fix it up

If you notice there is a half inch gap from the headset to the clamp, I need spacers.

 The 1/2 inch Gap

I I would like to apologize for the bad quality of the images, my digital camera just broke and I used my iPhone 4 to take these pictures at the best resolution I could. I don't want to have to cut the steerer tube, then I would have to install the star nut. Also would these spacers fit? FSA Spacer Carbon

Here are the wheels that I have acquired, they are brand new.

Novatechn D811SB QR Front, D*12SB QR Rear Hubs, DT Swiss Spokes with aluminium nipples, Alex XD Lite Rims with Bike ribbon tape.

Do take note the Cassette is not fixed in yet (I haven't ordered the tools yet)

Novatech Hub

The build is coming along really well so far, I just have to put in the order for the bottom bracket, tools and cranks this Wednesday. I really want to finish this build ASAP and start riding.

I'm planning to go down to my local LBS- YarraValleyCycles and get the tubes, tyre's, and brake pads sometime this week too.

Well thats all for now..




But before I end this post I would like to give a Special Thanks to : 
Bentnose from BicycleNetworkAustralia , for donating his 1998 Marzocchi Bomber's to my build.
I would also like to thank MTB Wannabe from Rotorburn forums for the wheel set.

Build update

Only managed to fix the seat clamp in today. For some reason the Front Derailleur cant be tightened.

Here are some pictures, realised the screw for the FD is pretty short. What should I do?

Tried pushing it together and that didn't work either. Also tried taking oit the spacers but even that made it too loose.


P.s if this post turns out badly I'm sorry I'm using the blogger app to upload this post on my iphone.

Frame and Brakes are Finally Here !

Finally I got the frame in the mail today. Literally rolled out of bed and went up to my uni to get the frame. Here are some pictures of the frame and parts that came with it.

Bars, saddles, seat post, seat post clamp, frame, headset and stem clamp AUD$200 (used but good as new) Special Thanks To : johno71 (Rotorburn) & eastie (Rotorburn)

Avid BB7 Brakes - Donated By eastie from RotorBurn.com
Condition : As good as new if you ask me 

The Frame : On-One Inbred 26er

On-One Saddle 

FSA Headset

No all I need to get is rotors and the Shimano crankset. I will have to order these things in next week.
The forks are still on the way in the mail.

Really can't wait to start riding.


Problems Faced 

I am kind of not sure what kind of Rotors I should get with these specifications. There are a wide range of rotors from 160mm - 200mm++ … pretty clueless at this moment. Is it recommended to buy used rotors? 

Would love your help in this overcoming this problem.   

These are the specifications of the wheels I have just bought off Rotorburn.

Novatech D811SB qr/D812SB Qr rear, Hubs, DT Swiss Comp spokes with aluminium nipples, Alex XD Lite Rims , Bike ribbon tape

Just Recieved Three Packages in The Mail

I just received three packages in the mail today. Parts and tools for my build have arrived.

These are all used parts and tools from Rotorburn.

The Parts and Tools I received today 2nd July 2012

SRAM X0 Shifters, Shimano Deore XT Front Derailleur, SRAM 11-34 Cassette , SRAM X0, 9 Speed Rear Derailleur 

Tools donated to the build by Steve from Rotorburn

Funn Black Souljam pedals 

SRAM Grips 

 I still have not ordered my Bottom Bracket and Cranks yet, will have to buy a few tools off ChainReactionCycles. These would be more bike specific tools such as a chain whip and a cassette tool. I'm guessing that all I would need for now.



Special Thanks To: 
I would like to thank Steve from Rotorburn, for donating his used tools and some parts. A great help on his part advising me on my build, and types of parts that I will need. Thanks so much for you help Steve.

Detailed Updated Parts Listing - Excluding Brakes

So far the search for parts has been coming along pretty well, and in these past few weeks I have learnt a great deal about mountain bikes and bicycles in general.

These are parts that I have recently purchased and waiting for them to be shipped/arrive, they should all be getting here some time next week since most of the parts are coming within Australia.

Except for the Shimano Deore M590 Chainset with BB - 170mm,22,32,44t which was bought on ChainReactionCycles.com , the rest of the parts are all from forums such as BicycleNetworkAustralia and Rotorburn.



Parts List 

• One-one inbred 26er 16” frame (new)
• Seat Post(new)
• Seat Clamps(New)
• Bars (new)
• 90mm truvatic stem(new)
• Headset (new)
• On-One Saddle
• Marzocchi 1998 Bomber fork (Used)
• SRAM PG970 cassette (brand new seller bought wrong one)
• SRAM X0 9 Speed rear derailleur (used)
• SRAM X0 Twist Shifters
• Funn Souljam Pedals (used)
• Shimano XT from mech – 28.6mm clamp (used)
• Wheels : Novatech D811SB qr/D812SB Qr read, Hubs, DT Swiss Comp spokes with aluminium nipples, Alex XD Lite Rims , Bike ribbon tape (New)
• Shimano Deore M590 Chainset with BB -170mm, 22,32,44t (New)

I have not decided on which brakes I am going to get definitely its going to be a disc brake set.It would be wise to go for an Avid brake system since it comes so highly recommended by so many people in the forums that have been teaching me so much about building a mountain bike. Recently I received several offers on brakes on Rotorburn.com hopefully I get a good deal in the next two weeks.

Latest Updates - SRAM Cassette and Shimano Front Derailleur Received

Hi Guys!

I just received my first order today. Parts which I purchased off a user on Rotorburn.com 

All the items received in good condition, really fast shipping by the seller. 

(Shimano FD M750 XT Front Derailleur and SRAM PG970 12-26 Cassette)

Only problem now is that the front derailleur that I bought is not compatible with my frame. My frame (On-One Inbred 26er 16") is a front pull and the Shimano FD M750 XT isn't a front pull system. (This is what happens when I get too excited scouring for parts). Total cost of FD and Cassette was $65 free shipping.

Still waiting on my frame and other parts. 

Do all cassettes use the same tool or do sizes vary with different cassettes? (I want to get a cassette tightening tool but I'm not too sure which one to get. Eventually did look around on several sites but some say that they only work for Shimano cassettes. Would this tool work? (X-Tools Cassette Lockring Tool - ChainReactionCycles.com) 

Chainset/Crankset
Looking at getting a Chainset or Crankset below $100 and also Nukeproof pedals. I was recommended a Shimano Deore Crankset (Shimano Deore M590 Triple Chainset - ChainReactionCycles), also came across the FSA Afterburner BB30 Chainset but I'm still not sure which one would be a better choice.

Fron Derailleur
If I get the cranksets as mentioned above what kind of FD (Front Derailleur) should I go for? This is kind of confusing, should the rear and front be the same brand? How would they be compatible? What are the compatibility issues I should consider?

Rear Derailleur
As for the rear derailleur at first I was going to go with  a Shimano, but I need to try something different and reviews on SRAM products seem pretty good. I was recommended the SRAM X0 9 Speed Rear Mech - ChainReactionCycles , and considering it.

Fork
A member from the BNA forum donated a 1998 Bomber Marzocchi suspension fork. It looks pretty old school, the owner said he will remove the V-brakes before shipping. I really don't need them because the frame is a disc-brake specific frame.

Here are a few pics I received from the owner:

All I had to do was pay for shipping, which seem to be a great deal!





Well that's all the updates I have for now, hope to read your comments on these products.


  

MTB Parts List

This is the list of parts that will be needed in order to build the mountain bike.
I came up with the list from the best ability of my memory. If I do miss anything in this list do let me know as soon as possible.

1. Front Derailleur
2. Rear Derailleur 
3. Cassette [9 spd]
4. Fork [100mm travel]
5. Handlebar - (clamp/stem)
6. Headset
7. Handle bar
8. Seat clamp
9. Seat post
10. Saddle 
11. Frame 
12. Tyres & Tube
13. Rims 
14. Handlebar caps (end-caps)
15. Gear Shifters 
16. Grips
17. Pedals
18. Brake System (full disc brake set)
19. Chainset
20. Bottom Bracket
21. Wheel Nipples
22. Spokes
23. Hubs (preferred brand - Hope, dude to lighter weight)
24. Chain 

Hope I remembered most of the parts by now.

The new tools

Here's a picture of the tools I purchased yesterday.

If I am still missing tools please let me know...

Latest Updates - Tool Shopping & Search for Parts

Welcome Back to my blog once again. 

This week has been a pretty interesting week in my search for parts for my new DIY Build. 

Rotorburn.com has many listing of used parts or sometimes even new, but they are not commercial sellers.  Just a few hours ago I found two new parts 

1. NEW SRAM 9spd PG970 12 - 26 cassette ($50)
2. Shimano FD M-750 XT Front Derailleur ($15)

 I just emailed the seller a about an hour ago regarding the sale of these two  items, hopefully he/she gets back to me as soon as possible. This would be a great deal, although I am not sure if getting the Shimano FD M-750 XT Front Derailleur is such a good idea. 

I'm still half hearted of putting a 2x or a 3x crankset in, initially this was the plan but however I did also want to make it a single speed to save some money and eventually upgrade it. Another problem that, I recently read about was on how a chain set / crank set could easily scrape the ground. I did not know that there was a length to consider. Please advise me on how would I find out what the length should be ? 

Frame Details

Frame Material	DN6 double butted 4130 chromoly steel
Approx. Frame Weight (g)	2500
Seatpost Size (mm)	27.2
Seat Clamp Size (mm)	29.8
Front Mech Clamp Size (mm)	28.6
Wheels	26" x 2.5 tyres will just about fit, but we recommend 2.0 – 2.3"" for best performance
Mudguard mounts	No
Rack Mounts	Yes.
Bottle Cage Bosses	1 set
Fork Travel	120mm MAX
Dropouts	Horizontal Taperlock
Bottom Bracket shell	68mm, English threaded

(source : On-One Inbred 26er Frame Specifications ) , please refer to the same link for frame geometry.

Payment for the On-One Inbred 26er 16" frame has been confirmed and the seller has emailed me regarding a few extras he may be throwing in. Sound like a massive bargain so I can't wait to see what I'm gonna be getting in the package when it arrives next week. 

I've looked at two Shimano bottom brackets for this frame and will be going for a Shimano XT/SLX/Zee Bottom Bracket - Chain Reaction Cycles . The other part that I am seriously also considering is Shimano XTR M971 9sp Rear Mech - ChainReactionCycles.com or Shimano XTR M972 Shadow 9sp Rear Mech - ChainReactionCycles.com  . The reviews on these three items seem pretty decent enough. 


Also came across the Shimano Saint M810 Shadow 9sp Rear Mech. The reviews on this item looks pretty good however, if you have used them please post a comment and tell me how you have found it.


Will make up my mind by next Wednesday and then put in the orders if I don't find a better deal on any of the forums. I still am on a look out for a fork, preferably RockShox, but prices seem pretty steed for the medium range forks. So far the only good deal for a RockShox fork I've come across is the RockShox Recon Silver TK Coil 100mm Fork With Lockout (approximately AUD$209-$210). 

My day at Bunnings was a pretty interesting one, even though I've never been to hardware stores as large as Bunnings. It was something new. I grew up with tools all around me, my dad is a contractor. So I knew what I was looking for and tried my best to stick within my $50 budget even though I think I did go a little over the budget. 

Tools purchased today :

1. Rubber Mallet = $7
2. Tube Cutter = $8
3. Gripwell Screwdriver set = $6 (was on special, couldn't help it)
4. Adjustable Wrench = $10
5. Allen Key Set = $5
6. Pliers Side Cut = 8
7. Pliers Combination = $10 

Approximate Total : $54

*(Note: This are estimated prices only) 

I have not looked at into buying any of the bicycle specific tools yet, but I will look online on several sites to get them eventually. 

Well, I guess that's all it is for now. 

Thank you for reading, please do feel free to leave your comments and suggestions. 

Fundamentals Mountain Bike Set Up Video

It's my day off so I was aimlessly surfing the net and ended up on youtube. 

Found this documentary on the Fundamentals of a Mountain bike. 

Pretty much most of the information I was looking for is on it. Do check it out !

YouTube-Fundamentals Mountain Bike Set Up 

About My Blog

Hi!

first and foremost I would like you to welcome you to my blog.

This is my first DIY Mountain Bike Build. I have cycled about 7 years ago on a regular basis however, I took a break from it when I grew out of my teenage years. One of the main reasons I stopped cycling was because someone had actually stolen my last bicycle when I was about 14-16 in Singapore.

Currently I am in Victoria, Australia studying at Swinburne University of Technology. It has been an interesting experience living and studying in melbourne. I live about 15 minutes from the train stations, and my home is roughly about an hour by train to the city. I recently got a job, one suburb away. As I have to do overnight shifts and stuff I decided that I needed an alternative mode of transportation. I do not have a drivers license and getting one here would take about six months. I decided to take up a motorbike license instead but realized that a motorbike would be way over my budget. Eventually a friend of mine suggested cycling to work. At that point I started doing research on prices of a full bicycles and the parts they came with. Almost every bike was above my budget and I was looking for a hard tail mountain bike.

Given that trailing would be something I want to pursue in future. I came across articles on the net about DIY builds.

That led me into joining two forums : Bicycles Network Australia and RotorBurn.com .

These are two great forums I found that is helping me in both getting parts and information. Some users trade parts, some sell, some give them for free. So if you are looking to build a bike or are looking for spare parts this is one of the best places I know so far of in Australia.

In one of my threads on BNA (Bicycles Network Australia), a user even offered to give me a frame for free but the frame was just too big. Obviously I would have to pay for the postage. Sometimes postage for large parts such as frames can be a little costly.

Always look at a few difference sources before buying parts online, as the prices are fairly competitive. If you are looking for superseded parts, a few online stores such as ChainReactionCycles.com and MerlinCycles.com. They have a good range of old parts on discount. I don't know why purchasing parts from stores in the UK seams cheaper than the USA.   

From my initial research, I realized that I was not very sure what parts I needed to get. So I started posting threads on the blogs asking for other cyclist for advise on parts that I would need and where I could source them from. All those links are based on replies in forums on my threads.

Just two days ago I made a purchase of an On-One Inbred 16'' 26er frame with a few extra parts used for $200 from the Bicycles Network Australia forum. Once the item has been received I will post pictures of them up.

I will have regular updates on my progress of my build with pictures. If you do have comments and suggestions, I would really love to hear them. Do also feel free to post links to stores internationally that you may have found to carry good deals.


Well that's all I have time for, for the first entry on my journey to building up a new mountain bike.