Bike shops are asking 100+£ for a bike assemble and it might be justified but its too much for my budget and I want to DIY it.
Is that risky to do by watching youtube videos and borrowing tools from friends?
I want to install an english threaded bottom branket with a squared tappered crankset, disc brakes (mechanical), headset (threadless including cutting stem).
Purely in terms of cost, it will cost you more than 100£ in tools and effort. However if you plan to work on bikes longer term it is worth it.
You will need a crank puller, hex wrenches, bottom bracket tool adjustable wrench (potentially a cheater bar as well), headset cup remover (bear in mind there are different sizes), plus probably some oils, lubricants etc
It isn’t massively hard but will take you time. If you plan to do this kind of thing more than once or twice, I strongly recommend doing so because it’s super fun
You need several tools. Setting up disc brakes poorly will result in forever noise. Setting up a headset is the most critical job in the mix. If you don’t get that just right, you will have a high speed wabble that can get you hurt.
The work is not particularly hard, there is just a right way to do it all. There are lots of little tricks that each mechanic may have. And in a shop, jobs like setting up a headset are easier because the mechanic has spares to simply swap parts if they need a shorter or longer stem bolt, or a spacer that is a few millimeters taller.
I think of all the tasks as super easy, but I’m also an advanced Maker type that has built hotrods, painted cars, and worked in machine shops.
Most bikes come mostly assembled. You’re paying for the peace of mind to have a solid riding experience from the start, and to know it is safe. Good tools go a long way too, and those are expensive relatively speaking.
