General Discussion Triathlon Talk » If you build it.... Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2010-04-22 3:40 PM

Member
34
25
Florida
Subject: If you build it....
I am trying to decide if it is better to build a tri bike from frame up or buy a finished bike and swap out parts as I go.  I am in no hurry for the bike, I don't even want it for this season.  I don't have enough knowledge of bikes and need guidance.  Which way is more cost effective?  Piece by piece?  Any help in either direction would be appreciated.


2010-04-22 5:23 PM
in reply to: #2810857

User image

Master
1890
1000500100100100252525
Cypress, CA
Subject: RE: If you build it....

More than likely buying a complete bike will be more cost effective, since manufacturers are buying gruppos, wheels & other miscellaneous stuff like cables in bulk where you may wind up paying retail.  So if you're really patient and diligent about shopping for components on ebay, on sale, etc. you might save money, but be prepared to put a lot of time and effort in.

Personally I think build vs. buy is more a question of how much satisfaction you would get out of building the bike rather than a question of economics.

2010-04-22 7:08 PM
in reply to: #2810857

User image

Champion
9407
500020002000100100100100
Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: If you build it....
Buying a complete bike is almost always the cheaper option.

Having said that, I've built up my last two bikes (and working on a third) and will likely never buy a complete bike again.  However, I have most of the tools I need and am willing to buy lightly used components when building up a bike.

Shane
2010-04-23 9:05 AM
in reply to: #2810857

User image

Champion
10668
500050005001002525
Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: If you build it....
I've built almost all my bikes from bare frames (including building several of the wheels as well), and I really like doing it. BUT... I did it because:

(1) I generally have a bunch of spare parts in my garage, usually enough to do half the job at any given time.
(2) I already have all the tools, having been accumulating them for some 30 years.
(3) Bike building is one of my "happy places" -- I just really like wrenching on a bike.

For reasons (1) and (2), it kinda made economic sense for me to do my own, but because of reason (3) I didn't care.

Edited by briderdt 2010-04-23 9:05 AM
2010-04-23 10:15 AM
in reply to: #2811991

User image

Pro
6767
500010005001001002525
the Alabama part of Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: If you build it....
briderdt - 2010-04-23 10:05 AM I've built almost all my bikes from bare frames (including building several of the wheels as well), and I really like doing it. BUT... I did it because:

(1) I generally have a bunch of spare parts in my garage, usually enough to do half the job at any given time.
(2) I already have all the tools, having been accumulating them for some 30 years.
(3) Bike building is one of my "happy places" -- I just really like wrenching on a bike.

For reasons (1) and (2), it kinda made economic sense for me to do my own, but because of reason (3) I didn't care.


I haven't built one up from scratch, but I do love working on bikes.  Mrs gearboy always things of picking up discarded bikes that people are throwing away, just so I would have a project.  I'll disappear in the garage for hours when one of my friends brings me a bike to be overhauled, and happily tear it down, regrease and relube everything, replace cables, tires, etc. 
2010-04-23 10:36 AM
in reply to: #2810857

User image

Champion
7136
5000200010025
Knoxville area
Subject: RE: If you build it....
kmeisman - 2010-04-22 4:40 PM I am trying to decide if it is better to build a tri bike from frame up or buy a finished bike and swap out parts as I go.  I am in no hurry for the bike, I don't even want it for this season.  I don't have enough knowledge of bikes and need guidance.  Which way is more cost effective?  Piece by piece?  Any help in either direction would be appreciated.


I think it's going to boil down to "how pimped" a bike you want when you are done whether it will be cheaper or more expensive.

Want a bike to ride with some mid range components or you want all new - Buy one built, it will always be cheaper to buy a new bike equipped with 105 than to buy a frame plus a 105 gruppo new.

If you want the top of the line Zipp wheels Dura Record 13 shifters on a 1.2lb Frame that comes directly from a French man's labor shop... and don't mind used... you will likely save some money buying it part by part and putting it together yourself

The tools spectrum... seriously, to put a bike together you need a 6 year old childs tool set and a wrench for the crank. The rest of it you can "do"... maybe not with the tool intended to be used, but you can make it work perfectly fine.


2010-04-23 12:17 PM
in reply to: #2812246

Member
34
25
Florida
Subject: RE: If you build it....
I got a KILLER deal on an Ironman Edition Cannondale Six 13 frame and couldn't pass it up.  The only problem is I really should be on a 54cm and it's a 56cm.  Should I try and make the 56cm work or just start over and sell the frame? 
2010-04-23 1:16 PM
in reply to: #2810857

User image

Extreme Veteran
547
50025
Canyon Hills (Lake Elsinore), CA
Subject: RE: If you build it....
You could probably make it work but a bike too big will always be a bike too big. I'd sell it before you start duming money into it.
2010-04-23 1:16 PM
in reply to: #2812495

User image

Veteran
812
500100100100
Subject: RE: If you build it....
kmeisman - 2010-04-23 10:17 AM I got a KILLER deal on an Ironman Edition Cannondale Six 13 frame and couldn't pass it up.  The only problem is I really should be on a 54cm and it's a 56cm.  Should I try and make the 56cm work or just start over and sell the frame? 


I struggled for a long time to try to get a too big bike fit me correctly.  It was a disastrous process.

It felt so good when I got rid of that bike, and switched to the right size.

My 2 cents.  If you know you need a smaller size, then skip all of the frustration, and get the bike that fits you.
2010-04-23 1:36 PM
in reply to: #2810857

Member
34
25
Florida
Subject: RE: If you build it....
Thanks everyone for all the input, I pretty much know what I have to do.  It is a tough choice, but it will be for the better!
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » If you build it.... Rss Feed