To build or to buy?

I just did my first bike build a couple of months ago.

If you know what you want, it is cheaper to buy it as a single purchase, instead of building it piece-by-piece.

I built my road bike because I wanted the experience and I knew that I had a 2nd bike if something happened to the one I was building.  I was pretty patient on eBay and came up with some good deals on a new groupset and some lightly used wheels.  I paid more than I would have if I bought a high-end bike used, but I had more fun and gained a lot of confidence.

I've found that you can make it on the cheap if you're patient (very patient), always willing to walk away from any transaction, and know what you're looking for and at...

ANd it helps if you have a lot of spare parts hanging around.

Patience can be cheaper, and patience also gets you what you want.  The biggest benefit is that I have no qualms about doing anything to my bikes anymore.  And, as the years go by, you can replace part by part since you know what you're doing.

I built one earlier this year and kept a spreadsheet going of what I bought, the cost, and where I got it.  I'll send it to you when I get to work.  I left a lot of room for upgrades on some stuff, and went a little better in others.  One day it'll be my dream bike.

I built a road bike last winter.  I got a really good deal on a lightly used frame and this is what let me finish the bike with a total investment of $2500.  All the other components were brand new and I took all winter waiting for the right part at the right price.

What I really like about building my own is that I got to choose what I wanted.  I like a road bar with a narrow drop, so I bought one, etc.  I also like the "hunt" for the deals and the satisfaction of building my own.

The only thing that changed for me was that originally I wanted Campy Chorus drivetrain and instead purchased a brand new Ultegra SL groupset since it was less than half the Campy.  ( I am still getting used to it. )

A comparable new road bike would be around $3100 without a carbon handlebar which mine has so I did okay financially.

However, when I see some of the tri bikes, like the Cervelo P2 for $2500...I wonder....

I will most likely buy a complete bike when it comes time to buy a tri bike.  Unless I find another "steal" on a frame like I did for this one.  

I would suggest, unless you already have the tools, to let the LBS do some of the work.  I bought the tools, but realize that I won't be using them very much and for what I paid for the tools, I could have saved money by having the LBS do that particular job.