Touring - LHT Build out cost

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View Full Version : LHT Build out cost


howsteepisit
11-30-05, 03:01 PM
For those of you who have built out a LHT or similar true touring frame, how much did the build-out cost (exclude the frame-set cost)? If you don't mind my asking. If you do mind, well please forgive my gross indiscretion :)


kesroberts
11-30-05, 04:08 PM
I spent about $300 doing one recently, but got away that cheap because I already had brakes, crankset, saddle, bars, etc. for it plus got a great deal on some wheels. I imagine it would have been double that if I had to buy everything new.

edit -

Make that more like 450. I forgot about tires, cassette and headset.

CdCf
11-30-05, 04:42 PM
Total cost for my build was equivalent to US$1500. But that includes the frame, and also includes higher prices in Sweden compared to the US...
However, I took both wheels from a previous bike, so add another 200-300 for a set of wheels.


metal_cowboy
11-30-05, 04:52 PM
This is the parts list that went on my LHT. Total cost was around $1300 including frame. I could have built the bike for several hundred dollars less, but fortunately I was able to splurge on a few items.

The parts:
Surly LHT 62cm frame (Spicer Cycles)
Nitto 48cm Noodle bars (Rivendell)
Dia Compe brake levers (Ebay)
Ritchey Pro Stem (Spicer Cycles)
FSA Orbit XL II head set (Spicer Cycles)
Brooks B-17 Saddle (Wallingford)
Thomson seat post (Ebay)
Sugino XD Crank (Ebay)
Shimano UN-72 bottom bracket (Rivendell)
Mavic A719 36h rims (Performance)
Shimano 105 hubs (Performance)
Panaracer Pasela 700x37 tires (Spicer Cycles)
Planet Bike fenders (Spicer Cycles)
Shimano XT rear mechanical (Ebay)
Shimano 105 front mechanical (Rivendell)
Shimano Dura ace bar-end shifters (Rivendell)
Avid Single Didgit Ultimate brakes (Ebay)
Tubus Rack (Ebay)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/70785160@N00/59911400/

Bekologist
11-30-05, 06:46 PM
I think my Velocity Dyad wheelset with 36f 48r phil woods cost as much as the gruppo!

roadfix
11-30-05, 07:12 PM
Glad my LHT frame was sized to take 26" wheels. I had a spare XT/Mavic 32 spoke wheelset which I bought on sale for something like $125 a couple years ago. Obviously these are cheap machine built wheels with cheap generic spokes but I'm not concerned about using them for loaded touring simply because they're 26" wheels. I've re-tensioned the spokes and have abused these wheels off-road on my fully loaded mountain bike. They're holding up nicely and I don't expect these wheels to give me any problems.
OTOH, if I was running 700c wheels, I would be very selective about the rims and spoke count and will spend good money on them.

FarHorizon
11-30-05, 07:19 PM
I'm about to build a Klein Navigator frame. So far as I can recall, here's my parts list:

Alex wheelset (bought used on e-Bay) $100 (all prices AFTER shipping)
Tektro V-brakes $40
Dia Compe 287V levers $65
Cables & Housings $10 (from parts box)
Soutour BarCon friction shifters $30 (e-Bay used)
Nitto Noodle bars 48 cm $70
Nitto Dirt Drop stem $45
Shimano 105 crank set $30 (e-Bay used)
Wetzikon plates with single chain ring $135
chain, cassette, bottle holders, bar tape $30 (from parts box)
Shimano XTR rear derailleur $65 (e-Bay new)
FSA set-back seat post $65
Specialized Milano saddle $30
Tires & tubes $50
Velocity VeloPlugs (take place of rim tape) $28
Seat post clamp, & misc. $10 (parts box)
Frame (new) $330

TOTAL: $1,133

It's more than I thought, but I've accumulated these parts over time, most of them having served on my previous bikes. Note that this is an 8-speed bike for flat touring only. Having a front derailleur & a pair (or even a trio) of chainrings on the front probably would have been cheaper, but I wanted what I wanted.

Nobody else will have one like it! That alone is worth something to me.

If you're starting from scratch, it is almost ALWAYS cheaper to buy a finished product. The manufacturer has economy of scale and passes some of that on to you, the customer. If, on the other hand, you're willing to clean, adjust, and lubricate - a used bike is a much cheaper option. Your money - your choice.