Re: Build a bike?

One easy option is to buy a buildkit. This guy will sell you an
ultegra buildkit with pretty nice parts for $925:

http://www.gvhbikes.com/

Probably not much cheaper than buying as part of a complete bike, but not
much more expensive either. Plus you may have more flexibility
to customize the parts.

Jon,

I'm writing you because I need an answer that only you can give me. I am riding a Trek 620 (while I save my cash for an Atlantis!) for my commuting and touring duties. You state in this post you had one and spent mucho deniero upgrading said bike. Day before yesterday, the rear axle on those garbage Maillard hubs sheared off, and it's time to replace the wheels. Question, though: 27" or 700C? Did you ever replace the wheels on the 620 with 700C? How did it go, brake-adjustment-wise? Due to tire choices and clearance I'd prefer the more contemporary size, but I don't currently have access to a 700c wheel to see. I'd like to get your 5 cents worth before I order the wheels.
I'd really appreciate a reply, hope you get this.

Dig,

Martin Edwards
Asheville, NC

Jonathan Kaplan said:

I just went through this experience. The bike shops are right. It would
probably be more economical to buy a complete bike with your choice of
components, and remount them on your frame, rather than buying the
individual parts.

I started out with a 1984 Trek 620 touring frame that I purchased used. By
the time I was done, it cost me about $1,300 for the complete bike with
Ultegra STI, Deore XT rear, Ultregra front, and a truvative crank.

I could have bought numerous new touring bikes for this price. I did it for
the experience of building a bike while I took a bike mechanics course.
Would I do it again, no. I ended up taking all the components off, selling
the Trek Frame and installing them on a new Rambouillet frame. (I never
liked the color of the Trek, and to repaint and re-decal it, would have cost
me 1/2 of the new Rambouillet (which is much nicer and lighter).