http://www.flocycling.com/buildabike.php - Flo puts out a free book that walks you through how to build up a bike. Everything you need should be there.

Not very hard. Get a torque wrench. You may need to get a bike shop to install the fork race and cut the fork steerer tube because the tools are expensive (at least for the fork race) and not worth buying for one-time use. I've always done my own wrenching, but just built a bike for the first time. It was also the first time I've dealt with Di2, hydraulic brakes, tubular tire gluing, and internal cable routing, but it wasn't very hard.

I recently built up this chinese frame. The most difficult and time consuming thing was cable'ing the bike. This frame requires complete internal routing of the cable housing, and for some reason ended up being pretty tricky.
Other than that, everything else was pretty simple. BB, crank, derailleurs, brakes all went smoothly.

Frame came with headset and fork already installed.

Invest in a good set of bike tools, take your time and check out the YouTube videos of any aspect you have trouble with. Cabling can be a bitch, especially internally, and integrated rear brakes behind the BB are no fun either. However, it is not rocket science and you can always seek assistance if you are truly stumped. Be patient.

Get a good cable cutters and maybe cable puller. I assume you already have a bike stand.

I got torque wrench too, but used it once.

Make sure you also have lithium and carbon grease. cable end cups and ferrules.

If you never replace a cable it may take some time. not only to properly install it, but adjusted shifters and brakes after the installation. Also, I left cables ends a little longer than they should be,

I assembled my first bike earlier this year for my IM race and loved the experience.
Before I started, I made a detailed list in what order put the parts together, it was really useful.

Do not start until you have all parts :) it is more fun to do it all at once and have a test ride the same day.
Someone who is handy with tools is able to do everything himself without help from LBS


https://flic.kr/p/nbkr83

Bolt everything on and take it to the shop to get cabled.

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/kj

http://kjmcawesome.tumblr.com/

What did you end up getting?

X2 on getting cable cutters. Wire cutters don't work as well. A bike stand can really make it easier, but is not absolutely necessary. Have extra cables on hand. Invariably, I will cut one too short, or fray the ends on one. It's not that tough, and it is fun and inspiring to build your own. Do one thing at a time, then move on. Have fun!

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Blazeman Warrior - so others may live
Live more than your neighbors.... Bark at the moon like the wild dog that you are.... And by all means, whatever you do, get it on film.

Canyon Speed Max AL Frame

Cosmic Carbone SLS WTS wheelset

105 Calipers, Cane Creek Levers, Ultegra front mech, 105 rear, DA bar end shifters, Ultegra Cranks - all 10 speed

Cockpit - undecided

So far I think its approximately 1350 Sterling excluding cables and labour - which is probably not bad value for money - I'm still hunting around for bits and pieces on the group set so may be able to do it for less

is "AL" means aluminum? No need for torque wrench

Cockpit can be pricey. I got mine each part from different place, but did not save much about $40-50. I like Zipp because it is easily adjustable.
if you want to save more - learn how to do cables yourself. Because once the bike is build you will need to adjust the cables later as they stretched a little.

hi,

why no torque wrench for AL?

So, that bike with cosmic's lists at 2200 euro's.

IF I went with planet X wheels and a hybrid group set, I'd be at about 12-1300 euro's excluding cockpit I think, with the cosmics, I'm closer to 1500 euro's.

I'm not sure about the cockpit - basically I've done this completely arse about face in that I've taken a punt on the frame size, and that they are not going to say at the fit that I've bought the wrong size - I did this because it was on close out and had a discussion with Canyon on line, and I'm 98% certain that its the right frame.

Anyway, I'm going to have to put it together to ensure I get value for money from this exercise.

Because you are not going to crack aluminum on over-tight (unless you go very crazy tightening it)

yes, you should save some money and learn very useful skills building the bike
Get the cockpit and have fun :)

Oh I don't know. It's pretty easy to strip aluminum threads if you're inexperienced and go ape on it.