Bikes are funa nd easy to assemble with one exception- the headset. The headset requires a specific press to install. Your LBS will do it for ~ $10. Aside from that, you will need a couple other specific tools: bottom bracket tool, cassette lockring tool, and bike cable cutters (standard wire cuttters will ruin the cable housings.) You will also need a chain tool if you dont have one. A miter box for the bike steerer would be good too. If the steerer tube is carbon, take it to a shop, dont try doing it yourself.

Building a bike is the best way to get intimately involved with your machine, and have built up four bikes so far. I love doing it and learn a little something everytime.

Sorry, I disagree completely. IF the OP doesn't need it immediately and can take a week or so to peruse a book and learn what he needs to do the build, etc. then he'll learn a ton.

For the price it would cost him to have a store assemble it, he can buy a good book (take a look at Zinn and the art of bike maint) as well as the basic tools. There is no better way to learn how to work on your bike than to start from scratch. See how it goes together and you'll know how it works, how to fix it, etc.

The LBS is always there as a back-up in case he has some trouble or needs to fine-tune when he's done. I will agree with the point about having the LBS press the headset and possibly prep the bottom bracket though. Otherwise, have at it. As long as its done carefully, then there isn't much to screw up.

Depends on what type of assembly we are talking about. If it's the typical assembly that a bike shop has to do with a bike coming from the supplier or manufacturer that's no problem. That would mean putting the handlebars on, the wheels on and the seatpost in. A couple of allen wrenches and 10 minutes and you should be fine.

If it's more than that you may want to have a shop do it. The special tools you may need for the headset and the frame are much more expensive than having a shop put it together.

Either way if you deicde to do it yourself, there is a lot of good repair info on parktool.com.

If you want to be on a 45+ mph descent and have pieces of your bike start falling off because you are a "first time wrench monkey" putting your bike together based off a how-to manual then more power to you.

Basically I was only giving the safest option but if someone wants to do it another way that is their decision. Do not disrespect me for my opinion and I will not disrespect you for yours. My response was polite and I made a point to put it in context since context is very difficult to judge on a message board.

The hood on your car could fly up while your driving because you didn't close it properly after changing the windshield wiper fluid. That doesn't mean I take my car to the shop to have them do that for me.

Good ahead and build your bike, just be dilligent and if you have questions go to the shop. I don't see any reason you shouldn't try it if you want to. LBS is your safety net!

Go ahead build your bike . It's pretty fun! I just rebuilt my road bike. I stripped it down to the frame, fork, headset and wheels. The rest I bought through ebay and went from there. I had the crank installed for me, but the rest of it I did myself. When it was all said and done, all I needed from the shop was a little brake cable adjustment.

Just because some guy is working as a wrench in a bike shop doesn't mean he's immune to mistakes like tightening a bolt all the way or similar. Just make sure you double check your bolts and crank em' down hard. Have fun, there's something different about riding a bike that's built up by the hands that are riding it. ENJOY!

It's not rocket science. Follow the directions provided in any number of manuals and you cant mess it up. If you played with Legos as a kid and can change your own tire on your car now, you can build a bike.