[Del]

I am selling my P3 frame and fork and I need to dismantle the bike in order to post photos of the frame and fork and get it ready to sell.

After taking off the rear wheel and derailleur it didn't take long for me to realize I may be over my head mechanically.

My main concerns involve:

• Figuring out how to remove the cables
• The hydraulic disc brakes - is there threat of fluid leaking everywhere? Do these need to be drained first?
• The specialty tool parts (bottom bracket, cranks). How hard is it with the right tools to take these parts off?

I want to be cost efficient as possible. I know I will need to have a mechanic install everything on my new bike but taking my current one apart seems less daunting.

How much should I expect my LBS to charge for the labor of stripping my bike and is it worth it to just do it myself?

 

[binary visions]

With the right tools, it's very simple.

Initially, you can take the cables off all in one piece - that is, the shifter will be attached to the cable which will be attached to the derailleur. Just take it all off in one piece and roll it all up. This is assuming you have a chain breaker, since you will need to break the chain.

Disc brakes will not leak fluid. Just unbolt the calipers from the frame and take the lever off the bars - and do what you do with the shifter setup, roll it all up. Might want to put it in a plastic bag, just in case, but nothing should leak. I have a set in a plastic bag in my closet that I just removed.

If you don't have a crank puller or a bottom bracket tool, don't touch those parts. But everything else should come off with no specailty tools. If you have a good working relationship with your LBS, they should remove your cranks and BB for free. If not, it will be minimal expense. Or you can buy the tools since you will eventually need them again.

I am assuming you are leaving your headset on since you are selling the frame and the fork together...

 

[Wumpus]

This site might help --> http://www.parktool.com/repair/

Like BV said remove the hydralic brakes as a whole unit. DO NOT try to take the hoses off.

BB and pedals each have one side that is reverse threaded. The BB loosens in the direction that the cranks turn(right side is reverse threaded.) and the pedals are opposite of that -- when looking from the top and the wrench perpendicular to tha ground and above the pedals turn the wrench to the rear of the bike.

 

[Del]

I am assuming you are leaving your headset on since you are selling the frame and the fork together...

Is this common courtesy? I didn't think about the headset. Is it more common to sell the frame with the forks attached to the bike with the headset or as two separate pieces without a headset? I don't suppose a decent headset would be too expensive.

Thanks for all the advice - it is really giving me the confidence to go ahead and dismantle the bike.

 

[binary visions]

Many people leave the headset on simply because it's a pain to remove and they typically aren't so expensive as to make it worthwhile. Plus, a lot of buyers like to see the headset included for the same reason (it's a pain to press in).

Unless it's an expensive headset, I'd probably leave it in.

 

[Wumpus]

I would leave the headset, but if you do remove it remember that there is a ring(crown race) that press fits onto the fork. Crown races are interchangeable between different headsets and sometimes "stretch" out and might need replacing after removing.

 

[Del]

Thanks for all the help. The only things left on the bike now are the stem, cranks, and chain. I'll bring it into my LBS tomorrow and have them remove the cranks and chain and let them work on the stem and headset and all that.

The headset is Cane Creek so I guess I'll leave it on, bite the bullet and buy a new one. Anything to help make the sale more appealing

 

[binary visions]

The stem and fork are easy to take out. Just unscrew all the bolts in the stem, and unscrew the bolt going down into the middle of the stem from the top. Then slide the stem off and slide the fork out.

No muss, no fuss

As Wumpus said, there will be a crown race on the top of the fork that can be carefully removed with a thin bladed screwdriver by carefully prying it upwards, evenly around the perimeter.