Bike build - Part 1

Recently I have been keen to build a bike from the frame up. I don't need another bike. I have a very good, almost new, bike already. This build is just for fun. It's been over 30 years since I last built a bike from scratch.

The Frame

I've been on the lookout for a while and last week I found a frame that I liked on eBay. I was after a full suspension frame with a thru-axle rather than dropouts. I also wanted one in a size that both Shelley and I could ride.

Model: Giant Trance

Year: 2014

Size: Medium

Wheel size: 27.5"

Type: Full suspension

Rear hub size: 142x12mm thru-axle

Steerer tube: Tapered (1-1/8" to 1-1/2")

Seat tube I/D: 30.9mm dia.

Bottom bracket: 41mm dia. push fit

The frame is designed for a 120mm to 140mm travel front suspension fork.

Respray

The plan is to paint the frame, so the first job was to completely strip it down.

I've removed the pivot bearings. I plan to replace them with new.

I sanded down the frame. Some areas needed more work to smooth out some minor scratches but the majority just needed the existing paint keyed ready for the new.

I then masked all the bits of the frame where I didn't want to get any paint. This included all of the bearing sockets and the threads.

The final job for the day was to add three layers of primer to the frame. I have some infra-red lamps that I use to warm up the shed when painting.

That's all I can do for a few days while the primer cures.

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Bike build - Next instalment

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