Bikes Built from Scratch
Have you ever wanted to try to build a bike from “start to finish”?
Reasons why it is “hard” to build a bike from scratch:
- Everything is “standard”. Nothing is “standard”.
- It is “usually more expensive” to build a bike from parts than buying a “pre-built new one” or a “used one from Craigslist“.
- An “old frame” is jammed with potential “project stoppers” that require parts or process you didn’t anticipate when you did the original “thought experiment of bike”.
- You don’t have a dedicated room of bike parts.
- Your skills might be limited to “novice” or “intermediate”.
Working 1-on-1 with Ryan to Design and Build a “Bike from Scratch” tackles all these ‘problems’ head-on. For instance, Standard Bike Repair has an entire “parts room” of “standard/normal” bike parts as well as “adapters” and “little known parts” that can convert a vintage frame into a “finished bike”.
Cost of Project: Thoughts and Musings
Even with components bought at wholesale rates, starting from scratch and using all new parts will be more than the cost of a new bike purchased in the store. The cost of a bike “built from scratch” starts at $1000. We use approximately $500 in “new bike parts” and a “used bike frame”.
You will go step by step from choosing a frame to ordering and installing the parts.
This program is for the customer who not only wants a custom bike, but also wants to learn how to build one.
In order for a custom bike to make financial sense, it is important to use at least a few recycled parts. For instance, depending on the frames in stock in the shop yard, the customer needs and parts available on-hand, decisions are made to make a complete bike within budget and make good decisions at every “fork in the road” of custom bike building.
You will participate in the dream-time brainstorm, making of the spreadsheet detailing bike parts, seeing the inner workings of bike part ordering and installing. For extra fun, you can choose to build the wheels from scratch.
How much does the most basic bike cost?
A single speed bike is the cheapest way to go. It doesn’t have to be a fixed gear. Single speeds with freewheels that give the cyclists the ability to coast is a great way to get around town.
Which parts do you recommend new vs. old?
Recommended New:
- Tires
- Tubes
- Wheels
- Brake Pads
- Headset
- Bottom Bracket
- Grips
- Saddle
Recommended Used:
- Frame
- Crank
- Stem
- Handlebar
- Brake Levers
- Brake Calipers
- Seatpost
Who is this program designed for?
The person who wants to learn how to build a bike.
The person that doesn’t have the time to wait for Community Cycles’ “Earn a bike” program.
The person that wants to start commuting.
The person that wants empowerment over the things that they own.
What kind of time requirement does it take to participate in a bike build?
Building wheels from scratch adds two sessions. In some cases, a bike can be built in two sessions: a consultation and a build. Generally, we recommend three sessions of two hours each.
How do I sign up?
Call or email Ryan to set up an appointment for a consultation. If you want to go through with the build, bring a check for half the amount you intend to spend.
What is the ideal budget for a bike?
If you have $2000, we can choose a lot of good stuff for your bike. If your limit is $500, we will have to build a single speed and not everything will be the finest ilk.
What kind of bicycles can we build?
If you can dream it, we can build it. Generally, the mores specific the taste, the more expensive the bill.
Bikes we have Built
- Road Bike: Racing style road frames are valuable and don’t usually land in some guy’s yard with a bike shop. Well built and cared for racing frames seem to last longer than diamonds. Depending on your size and color preferences, we have a select few in the stock yard. With your total budget in mind, we can often source one from the myriads of frame sources available locally and worldly. We can rebuild a racing frame from the Tour de France golden era or identify choices in carbon, titanium, aluminum, and steel. Road bikes range from $650 to $3,000 depending on the shifters and wheels.
Birthday gift to Mom: Build vintage Schwinn road bike - Fixed Gear: This is the easiest bike to build. Any frame can be turned into a single speed. Single speed bikes are cheaper to build than mountain bikes, road, or cyclocross bicycles.
Old Frame New Bike - Single Speed but not Fixed Gear: Bikes with brakes and a freewheel.
For a better bike:
#1 Take all the parts off.
#2 Re-build with one speed. - Cruiser: These are the best. Make them flashy or with poise. Make them for every Thursday.
Cruiser - Mountain Bike: Full-suspension or weekend warrior type bike.
- Cargo Bike: We do not weld on site or currently offer cargo bikes. Cargo Monster, Cruiser Boutique and Boulder Bikesmith are places to go for cargo.
- Cyclocross:
Lock your bike: stolen within an hour of finishing. - Recumbents: Next one will be the first.
- Special Projects: Imagine it and we will build it. Depending on your ideas, costs can be exorbitant. Ryan is good at helping you dream and fall within budget.
Do you weld bikes?
We do not weld frames. Boulder Bikesmith is a good place to start for custom welding.
Where do we get the Frame?
We can build a custom bike from a used frame in the yard, a new frame that we order or one that you bring in.
Who Builds the Bike?
You and Ryan.
What happens in the consultation?
We meet at Standard Bike Repair. We engage in a brainstorming session.
What is a bicycle brainstorm?
We talk about where you will be riding. We ask questions about your habits in cycling. We ask you what your favorite colors are. We ask where you want to put the bling. We make practical and stylistic choices. We discuss budget. We set up a calendar. Then we meet again.
What kind of time requirement is involved?
Expect to take 8 – 20 hours of time. From the consultation to shop build time, phone calls or email. If you want pre-built wheels, it takes half the time. Building your own wheels pushes the upper envelope of 20 hours.
Where do the Bike Parts come from?
We have a property full of bike parts. We have catalogs full of bike parts. Traditionally, we get orders once per week.
I want to build a bike. What’s next?
Call Ryan 720-837-8984
Draw pictures.
Have ideas.
What we sell and what we do:
- Watch/Help/Learn
- $60 per Hour, Charged by the Minute
- Learn how to Build a Wheel for the Shop
- Drop-Off Bike Repair
- Schedule an appointment with Ryan to schedule a “drop-off” and “pick-up” time
- Individual services breakdown and pricing sheet
- New and Used Parts
- The embedded Google Spreadsheets on these pages sample what Standard Bike Repair stocks
- Wheels for Sale and in Stock
- Custom Recycled Bikes
- For $2000, you can build a bike from scratch with Ryan
- Commercial Bike Shop Kits
- Bike Repair Service stations built for apartment buildings, breweries, restaurants and schools
