Bike Build
New Frame
After cracks appeared in my Commencal Frame a few weeks ago, I’ve now got a brand new 2010 Meta 5.5 Frame from Commencal. It’s a different colour and a slightly different model but hopefully this one won’t crack.
I was expecting the stripping down of the old frame and the rebuilding of all the bits on the new one to take ages, but in the end it took me less than 2 hours.
Step 1 was to take off the chain, cranks and Bottom Bracket. I then fitted the new bottom bracket to the brand spanking new frame.
Chris King Bling
Step 2 was to take the rear shock off the old frame and put it on the new one.
On with the shock
Step 3 was the rear derailleur. First take off the cable then remove the derailleaur from the old frame and put it on the new one.
Step 4 was the same as step 3 but with the front derailleur.
I got carried away at this point and forgot to take any more photos!
Step 5 was to remove the rear brake caliper from the old frame but leave it attached to the hose and remove the hose from the hose guides on the old frame.
Step 6 was to remove the steam and forks from the old frame. I took these off complete with brake hoses, brake calipers and gear cables.
Step 7 was to remove the headset, clean and lube it and put it into the new frame.
Step 8 was to put the forks, stem and associated brake hose, calipers and gear cables onto the new frame.
Step 9 was the route the cables through the new frame and into their respective places and also attach the rear brake caliper.
Step 10 was to replace cranks and the chain.
Step 11 was to adjust the brakes and gears so that it was ready to ride.
Ready to ride
Eleven easy steps and less than two hours and all was ready to go. Easy really! I could do with some protective tape in a few places and I will give it a once over to check that everything is tight and secure before riding it in earnest but it was certainly a lot less hassle than I had expected.
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Should also have pointed out that the seat tube on the new frame is a wider diameter so I need a new seat post and collar and also the rear mech hanger and dropouts are different so the spares I have for the old frame are now no use to me.
I’ll have to get some spares for the new frame I suppose.
Al.
Aha – New seat post and collar has arrived from Commencal – Unfortunately it is a Thomson Elite post for a standard railed saddle whereas the saddle that originally came with my Commencal is an I-Beam saddle.
I could change the saddle of course but I like the SDG Formula FX saddle that came with the bike and I REALLY like the I-Beam system. Back to Commencal it goes and I’ll see if they can send me an I-Beam post. If not I guess I could eBay it and use the proceeds to buy a new I-beam post.
Al.