Building The Bike | Cheap Bike To Super Bike Ep. 4

Jon's cheap to super bike is looking nearly finished as he carefully builds the bike. Adding the groupset, wheels and finishing kit in this video, Jon's very careful to stay within the recommended torque settings and add some useful grease.
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Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
Matt Large - For My People
Da Tooby - Trilla
Victor Olsson - Cheesy Happy 80s
Victor Olsson - Happy 80s Pop 3
Victor Olsson - Happy 80s Pop 9
Niklas Ahlström - Kathmandu
Victor Olsson - Slick In LA 1
Soare - Survive
Victor Olsson - West Coast Groove 5
Lars Meyer - Northern Road
Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphoto.net/
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[@gcntech]

What do you think of the bike now that it's nearly finished?

[@sandrochiavaroBeerCircles]

GCN Tech gorgeous!!!

[@freewheels7544]

A bit too much work , you could just rang that bell and it would instantly change in a hot bike

[@stormskjdt7962]

I love it! And it love how simple it is 😁

[@gethinap]

Noice!

[@iamspecialised]

It's actually amazing to see a bike come together bit by bit. It makes me want to stop dreaming about owning a branded bike and instead pick up something cheap and build it up from scratch. Awesome work John.

[@767Marcello]

Hi ! my name is Marcello and i am from Peru, One year ago I bought my first road bike, the basic BMC ALR01, with Sora groupset and Alx210 wheels. I was not sure i would like riding a road bike in the manic streets of Lima, but after a year, and 3000 ks I decided to upgrade components. GCN has been my greatest motivation and I watch every single show. So, the funny thing is i spent a month researching the web and hunting for bargains and then I bought EXACTLY the same components as you did ! (ALL THIS BEFORE WATCHING YOUR BUILD!! ) . I got a 105 r7000 group for 420 US from a store in Taiwan, Vision Trimax 30 wheels on sale from the US, and even the Contitnental 4000 GP II tires as well . So you can imagine my surprise when i watched your show and saw you get exactly the same parts I had ( you did get a better deal on those Vision wheels, i paid 600 US). It made me proud of my research and choices and in told my friends how savvy i am. Anyways, I still have to go to the US to pick the parts up, but it will not be hard since I am an airline pilot. Thanks for the fun and the inspiration, i love your show.

[@adelgado8917]

6:20 The music when he was putting lube in😂😂

[@JosipBrozTito68]

Using midle finger 😂😂😂 He knows what he is doing

[@JeffDarmawan]

🤣🤣

[@jonnythelegs2597]

Like an 80's porno without the dodgy moustache or so i've been informed.

[@alfonsolizarazo9806]

Haha 😂 this is Gold!

[@jonnythelegs2597]

@@alfonsolizarazo9806 GCN Does Dallas

[@samtravis4822]

Just had one of those “WHAT THE HELL” moments when I saw Jon effortlessly slide the cassette on to the hub from the plastic body, I always thought they were just sent that way for storage! I’ve been taking them off and putting the sprockets on one at a time for years! I’m such a muppet

[@JonCannings]

😂

[@WorldofColnago]

lol, me2

[@TomahawkCSGO]

Seriously, its been a while since i had that much anticipation for a video! Great series! Hope to see more videos of that kind. Greetings from Germany!

[@sirmorace]

Season 2 Idea : build up a disc brake gravel bike from an older frame

[@morisbeetmann4183]

Germanyyyyyyyyy🙌🏻🙌🏻😂

[@gyp1414]

Germany love from me and mine to you and yours Chicago Illinois USA Burnaine family

[@milanbabic92]

Yes finally! And it's a 22 min long!

[@wildhomemediaplayer5299]

Was I watching that for 22 minutes... Was enthralled.

[@amfearliathmor8213]

A true professional always uses a middle finger to lube up a head tube prior to insertion.

[@jonnythelegs2597]

He should have worn Si's false moustache and wig for the full effect, especially with that 80's porno music that was playing at the time.

[@woden_the_wanderer]

That's what the wife says

[@elmersbalm5219]

Looked like bike proctology to me! Ewe

[@canitogalicia]

Magnifico Jon,,,, you are the only one that is holding this channel. Always honest, professional, respectful. Looking forward to your videos. Excellent job.....

[@andycarr5405]

Watching Jon Cannings build up a bike is profoundly soothing. It touches me in my nerd place.

[@funkyfearon1]

More videos like this would be great. Maybe a video converting a 1990’s bike with down tube shifters to modern shifters. Keep up the good work.

[@mttkass]

Your plastic wrap over the BB threads pro tip is amazing!! You have single handedly saved much of my OCD gripes on a few of my builds.

[@gcntech]

no worries, Jon

[@Stefanosinf]

Loved it, i did. Nice camera work on the details and detailed explanations. Thanks Jon.

[@erobertson1417]

That bike looks mint, I really like sensible 105 alloy builds. Much more relatable.

[@philippbeckonert1678]

: That is such a satisfying video to watch and I love all the explaining while Jon builds it up. Celeste and black go really good together.

[@4everfrankie449]

I love this series. I built both of my bikes up because I love to tinker and bargin hunt. I can't see myself ever buying an off-the-shelf bike.

[@felathar1985]

I was on the same predicament a few weeks back.. I'm building a touring/gravel bike and I couldn't buy an off-the-shell bike for the life of me. It is so fun to hunt for parts/prices and build it yourself.

[@ARKINHK]

BEST video ever. Thanks Jon. Learned SO much. Kudos.

[@denvergriffin5555]

Love that tip about putting the packaging plastic over the BB to save the finish - nice!

[@JonCannings]

I love to share these tips

[@chanLc87]

I'm a little nervous about that integrated hanger. I wished you talked about it more. Otherwise, I love your sessions and infinite wisdom; awesome bike build with all rules applied. Well done Jon!

[@shawnh08]

Looking good! I was a bit worried about the paint but this looks MUCH better!

[@l0gphroe]

This comment was sponsored by Bianchi.

[@ivanabraham]

You can see in the close shots that the paint has a rather rough texture, and, without clear coats, I bet it's incredibly sensitive to chipping and scratching.

[@CORYJOHNM]

Is this the bike he painted three colors? If so yes its much better.

[@umbertorueda7581]

Just a finger!

[@kevinrtres]

Ahhh, the fun of building your own bike! Did this myself just a few months ago because the LBS mechanic got it in for me and over tightened all the bearings, putting the old bike out to pasture. Nothing I could do to prove it so had to put in a new group set and wheels. Decided to do it myself using KZbin as teacher and it worked like a charm. Good advice from a number of videos, especially GCN and Topline.

[@backuptimmy4124]

I am glad to see the whole transformation process, from painting to assembly of the new groupset on this bike!

[@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1]

I have an idea, GCN creates competition to win the bike! The small print states the person who suggested the comp, wins the bike😐😁

[@ianfisher7880]

I agree, but only if you ride it in the next Haute Route Oman..

[@jonnythelegs2597]

Leave it while though, let that paint harden up a bit 😉

[@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1]

@@ianfisher7880 I'm there. Might take a couple plants to brighten up the scenery on the route though

[@ericoschmitt]

Good idea, so the winner can buy a new frame and fit the components to it, getting a fully new bike.

[@jonnythelegs2597]

@@ericoschmitt ooh that's harsh.

[@Grunge_Cycling]

You guys should hold a giveaway after this series ends, and give this cool bike to someone who really needs and appreciate it.

[@chrisd5986]

Love that you guys actually showed how to build it and what you were doing right and explaining what not to do, not just showing each piece magically hopping on the bike...thanks a bunch!

[@tobortine]

Tremendous series of videos. I've done most of the jobs you've shown today and invariably cocked them up. If anyone is doing these for the first time, Jon makes it look easy, don't worry if you make a mistake or it takes you ages to complete.

[@JonCannings]

Thanks. Mate

[@johnnyloco11]

best tech series on gcn so far. Loved this and hope it gets the viewership it deserves (several million)

[@JippaJ]

I always grease up both the headset and headtube, since pressing them in pushes a lot of grease out of the way.

[@kevcroft2815]

Front on the right Jon! We are British after all! Apart from that - excellent set of videos, the bike is looking superb. Can't wait to see the before and after road test videos. You've really inspired me to give my rusty old Genesis Flyer some much needed TLC.

[@John-2Cat]

I don't normally comment on KZbin videos as there's so much wrong information but you described everything really well. I'm an aircraft engineer and spent 6 years studying to be licensed to sign an aircraft off as safe to fly on. Your mechanical skills, torque settings etc.. are impeccable. Great video great information. Not sure how you can eclipse that. But keep the videos coming. Well done.

[@gcntech]

thanks John really appreciate the comment. Jon

[@simon2868]

Absolutely great video, guys! Perfect mixture of detailed and common information, and a personal yet funny touch! Thank you, greetings from a loyal German viewer:)

[@GiantMuntjac]

Also I hope you checked the torque on the crank arm both sides after the first tightening, when you do up the second side the first side will go loose.... torque both sides until get no movement both sides

[@hermanwooster8944]

This video was super instructive. Not only did it show how to build a bike, but as a bonus it showed all the components and how they worked. Now I feel like I understand much better what goes into a bike and the level of skill needed to modify one. Also as a bonus, the constant recommended newton levels were much appreciated!

[@willemniehorster9836]

Nice job Jon, I'm glad you repainted it. Shimano 105 11 speed is fabulous. Enjoy many rides with your new/old bike.

[@icyraikkonen2516]

Definitely one of my favourite GCN Videos. Fantastic work Jon!!

[@straight_edge]

Jon...maaaaate! The bike looks brilliant! Well done! Chapeau!

[@jerrygundecker743]

I've learned a lot from all the GCN videos I've seen. I have to say, this one is particularly packed with information and one of my favorites. Thank you.

[@fenggao8620]

Just enjoy watching Jon working on the bike!

[@KatieYoung]

As a girl who builds/upgrades a dozen bikes a year, I absolutely love the series! Kudos to Jon! But cost is always a concern for me, and I keep my upgrades cheaper than outright buying a new bike. I can't help but wonder if Jon's £1000 budget is better off spent on a new mid-range Canyon.

[@carsthatgoboom4854]

Hi there. You seem to know your stuff. Would you happen to know what a Sora groupset would cost nowadays? Sorry for the totally irrelevant comment.

[@id.unknown1283]

I would love to see you build up Hank's next fixedgear racing bike as a video or series of videos. So we get to see he reasons for the choices made and so on.

[@jasonshearing6738]

This has been one of my favourite series of videos yet. With this and Dan's sufferfest vids GCN is in a rich vein of form! Thanks guys!

[@runningwithshemp]

I love threaded BB and external cupped headsets. One of my bike has a Chris King external and in 12 years the maintenance absolutely minimal. My cross bike has non-standard internal 1 1/2" lower, and nothing like having a full clean and rebuild at least 3-4 times a season.

[@colinphillips1138]

A cheeky Ultegra front derailleur on there. 😏

[@babangkuykuy3779]

hahahaaa that's right bro

[@MrGouldzie]

This is so satisfying to watch, I love it

[@germanhugger41]

Nice build Jon...... Those Lance era Alpha alloy bikes were some of the nicest riding bikes Trek has ever made...

[@henrycash7725]

This will be a reference for so many future bike builders. So helpful, and the finished product looks spectacular!

[@sampoultney7373]

I am now so stoked to rebuild by retro gem with reclaimed 105. Thanks for vid

[@ArtzFenix]

🍀

[@petinka721]

I have make some jokes about Jon and take everything back! He is a splended mechanic and the Bianchi look great! I really hope GCN have a challenge i future with a budget for every presenter there they must go out and bye an old bike and fix it. In the final the followers vote. Thanks GCN and Jon for your grateful work!

[@JonCannings]

Cheers

[@ronaldsmith5375]

Yes! Bring it! The GCN Presenters budget bicycle challenge.

[@nathan737wells]

I absolutely love the way you explain things! I have been out of the sport for 10 years and am getting back into it. This series of videos gives me new motivation to break out an old frame and build it up fresh!

[@gcntech]

Thanks Nathan, great to hear you're loving it, we'd love to see the full build when you're finished :)

[@BikeItUK]

Some great tips here for many, great starting point with the seat post and using the plastic for protecting the bottom bracket when fitting. Everyday's a learning thanks guys. Andy

[@gravettian]

The level of perfectionism is almost discouraging!

[@frazergoodwin4945]

Never mind the bar tape, he'll need some pedals on it before he can take it for a spin to tell if the shift levers are in the right place.. :-) Great looking bike though, particularly given the budget!

[@soonerjohn06]

I did a similar rebuild last year with take-off 105 5800 components I bought from a Facebook group and my 2009 Raleigh frame. Rides like a dream! I had such a good time that I just bought a new (to me) carbon frame for a new project build. Saving up for an Ultegra groupset to really do it justice

[@sergiogomezorias]

Loved the call to summon Oppie! Lol 😂😂

[@bondy284]

Great bike build video Jon👏.And the weight with pedals ?. 👍🇦🇺

[@depfeffel6455]

7.3kg + 4.8kg in grease

[@martinh2783]

First I want to say i really like this series. But I feel like Testing it and compairing it to the old one is not enough. What you should also do is to compair it to a new bike at a similar cost to the project. To give a reference to thoes who is deciding to buy a new bike or spend the same money on uppgrades/renovation of an older bike. I have build my own bike from a frame set an parts from my older bike and uppgraded pars along the way. But I can't help thinking what bike I could have got for the same amount of money and if that would had been better or worse then the one I got.

[@jen3800]

That is an impressive re build, Mr. C. Bravo!

[@OhFookinELL]

loved this episode. bike is looking great. i'm starting to get quite fond of that celeste.

[@MK-ch2ub]

I find it very therapeutic to watch Jon build this bike.

[@zonda6012]

Those silver spacers are a nono for supernice

[@hbade]

Unless the rest of the finishing kit were to be silver as well. Continuity for the supernice.

[@AaronGoodTimes]

Definitely keeping this video archived and handy. Great work.

[@michaelhrivnak2497]

Fun and satisfying to watch -- thank you, Jon, and thank you GCN.

[@shem44]

The $ I'm going to spend on those tools is going to cost a few times the price of my bike, and I'm going to use them once.

[@georgecroney6168]

You'll never need a special tool for a bike in your life, even a headset tube press, just use two blocks of wood and a hammer, maybe 1 in a million times it'll go wrong but statistically I've got about about 999,980 more chances

[@depfeffel6455]

Make them, so many tools can be repurposed

[@ageary]

Classic old school GCN type vid.............love it

[@mcorbett01]

Great video, really helpful to see John building the bike. It’s looking good 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@charlietompkins8576]

"thats actually my favourite type of grease..."

[@oliverstuart]

Grease is the word It's got groove it's got meaning Grease is the time, is the place, is the motion Now, grease is the way we are feeling

[@jonnythelegs2597]

Your private life's your own mate lol

[@frettwalker351]

Lol I know right.

[@depfeffel6455]

Us nerdy engineer types have favourites of everything. Don't get me started on tape. Aluminium tape... Mmm

[@petraweizal]

Yer looks really now. Gcn bikes for sale theres an idea gcn 😉

[@robertadair6182]

I think this is one of my favorite GCN videos. Thank you guys for putting it together and sharing it with us.

[@backpacker3421]

14:10 - "you're shifting is going to be compromised". That's the understatement of the year!

[@paultushingham6816]

Great series Mr J.. Am i the only one who runs their front brake on the right? Any others out there???? Plus my mate still has a Trek 2000

[@swingkid100]

The correct and only place for the front brake lever is on the right side of the handlebars.

[@swingkid100]

@Emil Dahl It's just best that way :)

[@jimblake3574]

That seems to be a UK vs USA thing. Is there more to it?

[@Groaznic]

"And these are interference fit..." -- Hambini has entered the chat.

[@Bungle]

I love the music while he installed the headset at 7:00. You're the best!

[@walshman70]

Great job on this series of videos John! I was really looking forward to this final installment... Now, you knew this was coming... Can you show a build from scratch with a Campagnolo group set!? Ha!

[@heinrich5758]

I'd rather buy new Taiwan alloy frame and built it . and keep the classic trek👌

[@thomasfaulk146]

Wow. Love it. What a satisfying build to watch. I still wouldn't call it a super bike, not with that groupset, but a wonderful modernization of an old frameset.

[@andrairvine]

Best GCN video I have seen for a while, the only video that step by step goes into component build up.

[@caseypleasant1922]

So glad you repainted the bike.... the final color looks so much better

[@markstone722]

No gold chain ?

[@trentkleyn4393]

I line up the recommended tire pressure with the valve to its convenient when I pump them up

[@markrobinson1458]

Super nice from me, brakes!! Front right/rear left for this UK resident 👍🚴‍♂️

[@kevincrawford6243]

Looks awesome. I love that you actually took the time to show the build one step at a time. This could serve as a great reference video. Hell, if you produced more refinished framesets just like this, I’d buy one! I totally don’t need another bike, but this series makes me want to build one.

[@dceire]

When will Ep. 5 be available?

[@johnmes6967]

Oh it's going to be a peaceful bike built video but! Haaaa 20:44 litle did i know

[@michaelpatrick6950]

I first rode a borrowed Bianchi in the fall of 1971. I loved the color then, I love the color now. Mega job.

[@FlatSpinMan]

Michael Patrick I got one at Xmas and I sometimes just look at it cos it’s so beautiful. That colour really pops.

[@steveyeats5541]

great series, have really enjoyed watching this! Please consider making more with the other presenters.

[@christophh.1246]

IMHO, a new carbon fork would have been fine. The Columbus Minimal would look cool and save a bit weight. Never the less, i like this episode a lot!

[@johnd1466]

Hunger knochen I thought same a newer carbon fork would match the new black comps & logos Could have sold the postal forks for 1/4 the build cost, Bloody nice looking build - don’t put white or Celeste bar tape

[@christophh.1246]

@@johnd1466 I fully agree!

[@jaibhardwaj4886]

BIANCHI GCNissmo

[@boomerangfreak]

To be honest I find installing headset cups 1 of the most satisfying jobs on a bike. There's something about installing the cups smoothly with a nice big heavy press that just feels good :D

[@gcntech]

I agree. Jon.

[@terrencefu4473]

Fantastic series, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[@davidkirkland4364]

Notice you didn't face the BB or head tubes. Always best on a metal frame IMHO. Your view?

[@Rowinskii]

Where's the next episode?!! Help

[@chrisalbertdeleon5354]

Im building that same trek bike just the 5900 Carbon version. I just finished painting and found some zipps and upgraded my bb to an ultegra. I will post once done. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@samuelkmaina]

Fabulous inspirational build. Really motivated me to complete a build I started a while back.

[@JerryKasai]

Surprised the headtube and bottom bracket weren’t faced after repainting the frame.

[@jondashun]

Me too. Missed opportunity to show another expensive (Park) tool and make sure that the bearings are aligned properly to make them last longer…

[@moytheboy22]

Fast forward to 6:23 for some nice bike erotica - you are welcome.

[@DavidvdGulik]

I appreciate the 80's music :) The bike is coming along nicely!

[@jmoore46jm]

Love it John, well done gives me some inspiration for an old mountain bike of mine I have in the shed the last 23 years

[@henribedford4438]

Looks a bit bad with a black stem with silver spacers

[@deep_dive6699]

Front on the left, are you high!

[@monk3yman1997]

Imagine borrowing this bike not realising and grabbing a hand full of what you thought was going to be rear brake.

[@nwarby]

I wondered about that too....

[@JackoJackson12]

I'd hope that you'd be warned from the owner. I've always wondered about hire bikes in Europe and how they set them up.

[@richaw6689]

Lovin your work JC and the poodle perm rock!

[@Toitler1]

Therapeutic 👌 I can watch bike builds all day 👍