New bike or frameset build-up?

If you've got a bunch of stray parts, a build up can be affordable and
fun. Otherwise, it's far more economical to buy a bike "off the rack"
even if you switch out a couple bits.

Stuff like single speeds are the exception, it's having to pay street
prices for things like brifters and cranks that'll bite your wallet.

Ken C. M. said:

I again find myself wanting a true road bike.
So like the question in the subject asks, which should I do?
I have been riding and doing my own maintenance for a couple of years
now And think I could handle a build up.
So I guess the question is what is better an entry level road bike from
x-company? Or buying a frameset and getting to have more choice when it
comes to components?
There are lots of entry level bikes out there. And not so many options
when it comes to framesets.
This is one frame I have been looking at :
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=130&subcategory=1176&brand=&sku=6064&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Yeah I know its a mass produced asian frame, but then so won't an entry
level bike.

If you take a bike price and subtract what the components would cost
you to buy, you're probably paying $50 or less for a basic mass
produced 7005 frame, and they build it for you. Unless you're going to
do some expensive component swaps, complete bike is the way to go.

Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary

landotter said:

If you've got a bunch of stray parts, a build up can be affordable and
fun. Otherwise, it's far more economical to buy a bike "off the rack"
even if you switch out a couple bits.

Stuff like single speeds are the exception, it's having to pay street
prices for things like brifters and cranks that'll bite your wallet.

Word on the brifters. If you're trying to save money, downtube or bar
end shifters go a long way in saving money.
\\paul

Ken C. M. said:

I again find myself wanting a true road bike.
So like the question in the subject asks, which should I do?
I have been riding and doing my own maintenance for a couple of years
now And think I could handle a build up.
So I guess the question is what is better an entry level road bike from
x-company? Or buying a frameset and getting to have more choice when it
comes to components?
There are lots of entry level bikes out there. And not so many options
when it comes to framesets.
This is one frame I have been looking at :
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=130&subcategory=1176&brand=&sku=6064&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Yeah I know its a mass produced asian frame, but then so won't an entry
level bike.

Ken

You can find some pretty good deals on off the rack bikes during the big
shops' seasonal sales. More power to you if you have the time to build
up something from scratch, but I didn't have the time, the tools or the
inclination to do it. Good luck, whatever you decide.

Ken C. M. said:

I again find myself wanting a true road bike.
So like the question in the subject asks, which should I do?
I have been riding and doing my own maintenance for a couple of years
now And think I could handle a build up.
So I guess the question is what is better an entry level road bike from
x-company? Or buying a frameset and getting to have more choice when it
comes to components?
There are lots of entry level bikes out there. And not so many options
when it comes to framesets.
This is one frame I have been looking at :
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=130&subcategory=1176&brand=&sku=6064&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Yeah I know its a mass produced asian frame, but then so won't an entry
level bike.

My vote is for the self-built. It may end up costing a bit more, but
you can prioritize your expenses in a way you cannot with a pre-built
bike. A pre built may need a new seat, may have cheap-o brakes, etc
that would cost money to upgrade. When you build yourself, you can use
a $5 seatpost and a $95 seat if you want.

And do not underestimate the value of any enjoyment you may get out of
selecting your own components and building your own bike. I'll bet that
since you are even contemplating it, you think it would be fun.

Go for it!

There are lots of folks selling new frames on eBay stores for just as
cheap as that nashbar frame, with maybe a little more flash:

http://tinyurl.com/qz8a8

http://tinyurl.com/pgjtd

For example.

Joseph

Ken C. M. said:

I again find myself wanting a true road bike.
So like the question in the subject asks, which should I do?
I have been riding and doing my own maintenance for a couple of years
now And think I could handle a build up.
So I guess the question is what is better an entry level road bike from
x-company? Or buying a frameset and getting to have more choice when it
comes to components?
There are lots of entry level bikes out there. And not so many options
when it comes to framesets.
This is one frame I have been looking at :
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=130&subcategory=1176&brand=&sku=6064&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Yeah I know its a mass produced asian frame, but then so won't an entry
level bike.

Ken

I have a bike made from that Nashbar frame. And Performance all carbon
fork. It rides just fine. Used it for many thousands of miles. I do
most of my brevet rides on it. Its taken me through a 400k. Its made
in China.

If economics is your main concern, do not build a bike up from scratch,
unless you own every single part already. Its always cheaper to buy an
off the rack bike. And most of the components on off the rack bikes
are fine enough. It saves you money if you cannot choose what you
really want.

Now this off the rack option only applies if you are willing to settle
for that low quality S brand and other made in southeast Asia parts
like FSA. If you want a high quality Campagnolo equipped bike, you
have to build it yourself.

Just a comment/warning. Routine maintainance is usefull experience but
not quite the same as having built up bikes from scratch. It isn't that
building is so complicated but if you haven't done you may find steps
which are not so easy to figure out-at least that was my experience.

That said it is great fun and creates a sense of accomplishment- but it
is easier if you have an experienced friend to help out.

BTW, even build ups by some so called "expert" bike shop mechanics
sometimes have problems. A local top end shop is famous for poorly
assembled (expensive) bikes. So, you may even wind up with a better
built bike doing yourself.

In article <[email hidden]>,
"Ken C. M." <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I again find myself wanting a true road bike.
So like the question in the subject asks, which should I do?

I do not read subject lines; it is a waste of time.

[...]

--
Michael Press

I'd buy an off the shelf 105 component bike. If you shop around you
can buy one off the internet being about 75% assembled for $800
delivered. That's with fiber fork and seat stays! You get to tweak
the remainder to fit you pretty damn well.

No way you can build a new fully-105 component bike for less than
$800.00 without using used parts. While tinkering with bikes is
fun...who wants to have to be responsible for a bottom bracket not
lining up correctly cause you failed to do your homework. Or for that
matter any adjustment/shifting issues due to a poorly selected part
within your driveline.

If I had $800 all my problems would be solved 🙂

Randolf

Quoted message said:

I'd buy an off the shelf 105 component bike. If you shop around you
can buy one off the internet being about 75% assembled for $800
delivered. That's with fiber fork and seat stays! You get to tweak
the remainder to fit you pretty damn well.

No way you can build a new fully-105 component bike for less than
$800.00 without using used parts. While tinkering with bikes is
fun...who wants to have to be responsible for a bottom bracket not
lining up correctly cause you failed to do your homework.

Just because a bike is a production item, don't assume it will have a
proper chainline. Or sensible gearing. Alot of commodity level bikes
use "what's available and what's cheap", not what's proper/sensible.

Quoted message said:

Or for that
matter any adjustment/shifting issues due to a poorly selected part
within your driveline.

If I had $800 all my problems would be solved 🙂

Randolf

In article
<[email hidden]>,
"Ozark Bicycle" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'd buy an off the shelf 105 component bike. If you shop around you
can buy one off the internet being about 75% assembled for $800
delivered. That's with fiber fork and seat stays! You get to tweak
the remainder to fit you pretty damn well.

No way you can build a new fully-105 component bike for less than
$800.00 without using used parts. While tinkering with bikes is
fun...who wants to have to be responsible for a bottom bracket not
lining up correctly cause you failed to do your homework.

Just because a bike is a production item, don't assume it will have a
proper chainline. Or sensible gearing. Alot of commodity level bikes
use "what's available and what's cheap", not what's proper/sensible.

I agree. Particularly the gearing. I bought a relaxed
sport frame. Normally it would be built up with too much
gearing in the high end for me. The normal modification
would have been to slap on a pie plate rear sprocket
cassette, leaving me with a bunch of holes in the gearing;
you know: 11-27. Instead I put in a gearing set weighted
for my bicycling: some granny gears and very close gears
in the middle of _my_ range.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Or for that
matter any adjustment/shifting issues due to a poorly selected part
within your driveline.

--
Michael Press

"Ken C. M." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I again find myself wanting a true road bike.
So like the question in the subject asks, which should I do?
I have been riding and doing my own maintenance for a couple of years now
And think I could handle a build up.
So I guess the question is what is better an entry level road bike from
x-company? Or buying a frameset and getting to have more choice when it
comes to components?
There are lots of entry level bikes out there. And not so many options
when it comes to framesets.
This is one frame I have been looking at :
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=130&subcategory=1176&brand=&sku=6064&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=
Yeah I know its a mass produced asian frame, but then so won't an entry
level bike.

Ken--

I was considering a Surly Cross Check as an errand bike, and I have
found it would be cheaper for me to buy the complete bike from Surly than to
build it up as a singlespeed. The problem with building up from a frameset
is it's really easy to get extravagant with parts choices. "What's 20 bucks
here or there?" kind of stuff. I haven't bought anything yet, but I think
you can do a lot better buying a complete bike. Trek sells the 1000 for
$700, which is very cheap. There are bikes at Ibex(you knew I would mention
them) for WAY cheap, and eBay is full of Motobecanes and Windsors for cheap
too.

Ken C. M. said:

....
So like the question in the subject asks, which should I do?
....
Ken

As others have said, it is cheaper to buy a bike.

As others have said, building it up allows you to customize your bike.

I recently helped a friend build up his own bike. We started with a
Surley Cross-Check frame. We added a compact triple crankset
(26-36-46), a 13-34 cassette (took a 13-23 and 11-34 to make
13-14-15-17-20-23-26-30-34) and an LX rder. Added 700x38 tires on
Mavic rims with Ultegra hubs and 105 STI shifters and the Look
adjustable stem. No bike shop has one like that on the floor.

I've done this type of thing before but this was quite a learning
experience for him. Now he has the confidence to rip apart and rebuild
his older bikes.

Just my input,
Tom

Quoted message said:

I agree. Particularly the gearing. I bought a relaxed
sport frame. Normally it would be built up with too much
gearing in the high end for me. The normal modification
would have been to slap on a pie plate rear sprocket
cassette, leaving me with a bunch of holes in the gearing;
you know: 11-27.

I have customers who would kill for an 11-27, if such a stock cassette
existed. The conversation's always the same... "I can't go any faster
because my gears are too low." Or, "No way am I going to get that triple
with a 52-tooth large chainring. I have to have a 53. Makes a huge
difference... I can't go fast enough with a 52."

Ugh. Somedays you're up for the battle, somedays you're not. I will say that
it's been a great sales tool that my large chainring is a 50t, and very few,
if any of these folk, are willing to suggest they could beat me in a sprint.
Good thing too, since it probably wouldn't be good for business if I were
known to duel with my customers. :>😉

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

"Michael Press" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article
<[email hidden]>,
"Ozark Bicycle" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'd buy an off the shelf 105 component bike. If you shop around you
can buy one off the internet being about 75% assembled for $800
delivered. That's with fiber fork and seat stays! You get to tweak
the remainder to fit you pretty damn well.

No way you can build a new fully-105 component bike for less than
$800.00 without using used parts. While tinkering with bikes is
fun...who wants to have to be responsible for a bottom bracket not
lining up correctly cause you failed to do your homework.

Just because a bike is a production item, don't assume it will have a
proper chainline. Or sensible gearing. Alot of commodity level bikes
use "what's available and what's cheap", not what's proper/sensible.

I agree. Particularly the gearing. I bought a relaxed
sport frame. Normally it would be built up with too much
gearing in the high end for me. The normal modification
would have been to slap on a pie plate rear sprocket
cassette, leaving me with a bunch of holes in the gearing;
you know: 11-27. Instead I put in a gearing set weighted
for my bicycling: some granny gears and very close gears
in the middle of _my_ range.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Or for that
matter any adjustment/shifting issues due to a poorly selected part
within your driveline.

--
Michael Press

Ken C. M. says...

Quoted message said:

I again find myself wanting a true road bike.
So like the question in the subject asks, which should I do?

I think it all depends on how picky you are about your component
selection. If you aren't very worried about it, then go for the built
bike. It will be cheaper, but the only time I bought a complete bike
where I didn't trade out half the parts is the one I paid $3000 for.
That doesn't mean that a bike has to be expensive to be good. But what
if you want 170mm cranks because you are 5'9" like me? Things like
tires, bars and saddles are highly individual choices. For my tastes,
by the time I'm finished changing what I want, the price advantage of
buying complete isn't all that large. Besides with all the online
sellers we have now, you can always find good stuff at cheap prices.
You could do a build with closeout parts that might actually be really
nice. In fact, most complete bikes are equipped with house brand parts
top to bottom which have a level of quality where just about any
aftermarket component would be an upgrade. That isn't to say they
aren't functional, and they may actually give many trouble free miles,
but if we didn't care about performance we would all ride Wally World
bikes.

Quoted message said:

If you want a high quality Campagnolo equipped bike, you
have to build it yourself.

Not entirely true (though pretty darn close)...

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame

In article
<[email hidden]>,

Gooserider said:

"Ken C. M." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I again find myself wanting a true road bike.
So like the question in the subject asks, which should I do?
I have been riding and doing my own maintenance for a couple of years now
And think I could handle a build up.
So I guess the question is what is better an entry level road bike from
x-company? Or buying a frameset and getting to have more choice when it
comes to components?
There are lots of entry level bikes out there. And not so many options
when it comes to framesets.
This is one frame I have been looking at :
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=130&subcategory=1176&brand=&sku=6064&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=
Yeah I know its a mass produced asian frame, but then so won't an entry
level bike.

Ken--

I was considering a Surly Cross Check as an errand bike, and I have
found it would be cheaper for me to buy the complete bike from Surly than to
build it up as a singlespeed. The problem with building up from a frameset
is it's really easy to get extravagant with parts choices. "What's 20 bucks
here or there?" kind of stuff. I haven't bought anything yet, but I think
you can do a lot better buying a complete bike. Trek sells the 1000 for
$700, which is very cheap. There are bikes at Ibex(you knew I would mention
them) for WAY cheap, and eBay is full of Motobecanes and Windsors for cheap
too.

Either approach benefits from the rider knowing exactly
what he wants; but he discovers that by spending time in
the saddle. Best approach for the original poster is to
find a LBS that will fit him to a practical bicycle; then
learn what he needs to know by `riding lots'.

--
Michael Press

If we were talking computers, I'd say build your own.

For bikes, I dunno.

Ken C. M. wrote:
:: I again find myself wanting a true road bike.
:: So like the question in the subject asks, which should I do?
:: I have been riding and doing my own maintenance for a couple of years
:: now And think I could handle a build up.
:: So I guess the question is what is better an entry level road bike
:: from x-company? Or buying a frameset and getting to have more choice
:: when it comes to components?
:: There are lots of entry level bikes out there. And not so many
:: options when it comes to framesets.
:: This is one frame I have been looking at :
::
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=130&subcategory=1176&brand=&sku=6064&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=
::
:: Yeah I know its a mass produced asian frame, but then so won't an
:: entry level bike.
::
:: Ken
:: --
:: New cycling jersey: $49
:: new cycling shorts: $39
:: Not being a slave to the petrol pump: priceless.

Ken C. M. said:

I again find myself wanting a true road bike.
So like the question in the subject asks, which should I do?
I have been riding and doing my own maintenance for a couple of years
now And think I could handle a build up.
So I guess the question is what is better an entry level road bike from
x-company? Or buying a frameset and getting to have more choice when it
comes to components?
There are lots of entry level bikes out there. And not so many options
when it comes to framesets.
This is one frame I have been looking at :
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=130&subcategory=1176&brand=&sku=6064&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Yeah I know its a mass produced asian frame, but then so won't an entry
level bike.

Ken

Obviously, if you have an idea what you want, component-wise and it
isn't the standard 'kit', getting a fit, getting a frame/fork and then
building is the way to go, and what we do at Vecchio's. We buy NO
complete bikes, spec'ed by some knucklehead that is better at counting
beans than spokes. Think 'hidden spec'.