How to Build a Bike

Book excerpt: All the inspiration and information you need to build your own unique single speed bicycle! Get to know your bottom bracket from your brake lever, and your stem from your chain stays, and learn how fun, creative and satisfying making your own bike can be. This simple, straightforward and fun DIY manual will take you from complete bike building beginner to confident bike builder in a series of fully-illustrated instructions. With a few simple tools and a bit of inspiration, anyone can build a bicycle that will bring many years of happy riding. This book will teach you the right skills, how to choose the right components, use tools confidently and ace the technical bits to end up with a unique and totally bespoke single-speed bike. Learn how to dismantle a vintage bike for its frame and parts, measure it all for a perfect fit, assemble it with new parts into a safe and stylish new bike, and finally pop on a bell or basket. This is your complete guide to building your own ride.