best way to bu a new bike-piece by piece or complete?

Leegoocrap - 2009-12-22 9:27 AM How does that Johnny Cash song go... "I got it one piece at a time...and it didn't cost me a dime."

Not quite, but I'd much rather build it myself instead of paying the LBS' ridiculous overhead. I don't mind somebody making some money off of me, but I do mind them trying to pay every employee a bonus off my gruppo purchase.

the bear - 2009-12-22 11:05 AM Rather than saying "a ton of money," why not quantify it for the OP? What did you end up with, how much did it cost, and how much would you have had to pay for a new complete bike?


But he's not talking about a groupo purchase, he's asking about a complete bike. Of course the LBS is going to have a good markup on components. On new bikes, not so much.

gsmacleod - 2009-12-22 3:53 PM I have built two bikes primarily using eBay, BT and ST classifieds.

The first was a Leader 730TT which I built for under $1000CDN (exchange was around .90 at the time) using a combination of lightly used and NOS parts.  The drivetrain was a combo of 105 and Ultegra with a 9 speed SRAM cassette and 7 speed bar cons (friction mode).  I have since upgraded several parts (race wheels, wheel cover, FSA pursuit bar, T2 aerobars, FSA aero chainrings, DA RD, 10 speed bar cons and PD QSC levers).  All told, I believe I am just over $2000 for my race day setup.

The second (almost done) is a Norco CRR1M6 frame with DA (10 sp Ultegra brifters and cassette) which has been almost entirely from the BT and ST classifieds and right now I am just under $1100CDN.  Most of my drivetrain has been lightly used but still in good condition.

If you are looking to build your bike I would say that you are better off with the ST and BT classifieds and then making a list of all the parts you need and then setting the max you are willing to spend on each item.  Aim to combine shipping where possible and make sure you educate yourself about what components are compatible.

I think that building bikes is a great way to learn about your bike and to put together the exactly the bike you want; however, especially if you need to buy tools or use your LBS for some of the build, you may not save money in the long run.

Shane

pschriver - 2009-12-22 7:15 PM For a Trek Madone, I would consider getting a bike from Bikedirect with the components you want, then buying the Madone frame on E-bay and swapping the parts over. You really need to be mechanically inclined and have all the tools to do it right. Don't expect the LBS to consider you a good customer and I wouldn't wheel it in there asking for a tune-up. 

dalessit - 2009-12-22 8:45 PM

It's not really difficult to put a bike together.  Zin and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance, parktool.com & bicycletutor.com are all I used.

I got it all set up, took it to my LBS to get fit and they did some adjustments for me, also cut the steerer tube for me as that was one thing that was a bit too permanant for me to try on my own. They charged me for the adjustments and it wasn't too much, Don't see why a LBS would have a problem servicing a bike you bought somewhere else vs. one you put together yourself, vs. one you bought from them.

Special K - 2010-01-26 5:57 AM I am in the middle of building a ebay road bike right now. Masi team edition (carbon) frame and fork, FSA Plasma (Carbon) handlebar, FSA k-light (carbon) seatpost, I have a SRAM Red grouppo ordered, I check the mail daily. The mission is to build a sub 15 lbs. bike, possibly a sub 14 pounder. The plan is to purchase everything on ebay and everything carbon. So far I have paid less than 50 percent of retail for all new parts. I hope to be finished by spring.

Special K - 2010-01-26 3:57 AM

I am in the middle of building a ebay road bike right now. Masi team edition (carbon) frame and fork, FSA Plasma (Carbon) handlebar, FSA k-light (carbon) seatpost, I have a SRAM Red grouppo ordered, I check the mail daily. The mission is to build a sub 15 lbs. bike, possibly a sub 14 pounder. The plan is to purchase everything on ebay and everything carbon. So far I have paid less than 50 percent of retail for all new parts. I hope to be finished by spring.