Can anyone out there give me some good advice and resources for building a new bike?
I currently ride a Cannondale Caad3 (double chain ring). i am in columbus, oh and it is relatively flat. i have entertained the possibility of putting together a fixed gear bike purely for leasure, training, and just getting around. is there any good reason that i should steer clear of that? (besides the fact that some people will think i am a poser! - not that i really care!)
i also need some good resources for pricing parts and components.
I think it is almost always cheaper to buy a complete bike. When it isn't, then the difference is not worth risking a mismatch or a failure of a reused part like a frame. Plus make sure you factor in the cost of the special tools you may need & things like bar tape which can add up.
That said, there's ebay, craigslist, nashbar, jensonusa, performancebike, bikepartsusa, niagara.
It is usually cheaper to by a complete bike, but its not as much fun or educational🙄. If I were you, I would get a gently used frame, crankset, handle bars, brakes, seatpost, and wheelsets. I would buy new the cog (or conversion kit) and chainwheel, the chain, wheels, brake cables, handle bar tape, saddle, stem, and tires. Used or new pedals, whichever you feel comfortable with.
So far (and I do lots of searching because Im tight) on most occasions I haven't found anywhere cheaper then http://www.probikekit.com/index.php when it comes to new components, Their postage is also the most reasonable I have seen. I buy lots of second hand gear from ebay and do worldwide searches instead of local. I also find the Trading post in Australia is good especially at the end of the triathalon season.
I won't buy a new complete bike, I can usually build one cheaper and then its just the way I like it.
