Road Cycling - Am I an idiot, or am I an idiot?

I finally took the plunge! Plunked down goddamn 600 dollars for a veloce triple and scirocco wheels, and now i'm beginning to regret my whole decision to build up this bike. I remember when i bought the frame, some guy at the swap meet wanted only 700 for a 3-year old bianchi campione del mundo. At the time I thought i was only going to spend 500 or so. But in the end, this stupid bike is going to cost me 800 or so, PLUS labor cause i don't think my friend and i are qualified to put bottom brackets and cranks on.

So what do you guys think? Am I an idiot? Should i have just bought a used complete bike?

Frame-$100
Used carbon kestrel fork- $50
veloce triple- $385
campy scirocco wheels- $210
3ttt forma bar- $10
Shimano look-style pedals- $15

AND i still need a stem, seatpost, 1" threadless headset, probably some other odds and ends. I'm really mad at how much more i'm spending than i budgeted out.

the way i look at in now, is that you now know the price to build a bike, and now is it worth the savings money wise? I dont think your an idiot i think you got balls for building it.

Plus you know HOW to do a whole bunch of stuff you didn't know how to do b4.

This is a good opportunity to learn to build a bike. Spend a few bucks on the tools, download the relevent Barnett's chapters and do it your self.. You will be
amazed at how easy it is. Plus you should know basic bike maintenance and setup. Park tool web site has lots of helpful info as does Sheldon Browns' site, though it is a bit dated. BB and crank install are a piece of cake. Steve

And keep checking online (including on bicyclebid.com) for cheaper components... check for those deals. Sometimes, folks are just giving them away!

Nah, if I had my way, I'd pay to build my own bike- the amount you'll save over the long run for repairs is well worth the extra you'll be paying for to get your bike built.

Good luck with it!

Koffee

I agree with the others, in that you can take pride in knowing that you made the component choice, did the work and made the whole thing happen. You and you friend will have something to talk about over beers and you have now gained valuable bicycle mechanical experience, all of this must be worth something.

Originally posted by phat bahsturd

Frame-$100
Used carbon kestrel fork- $50
veloce triple- $385
campy scirocco wheels- $210
3ttt forma bar- $10
Shimano look-style pedals- $15


The satisfaction of hard work and painstaking attention to detail resulting in a machine you built yourself - Priceless

:)

Originally posted by Gordon P
You and you friend will have something to talk about over beers

Haha, i'm 17 years old. And i'm paying for this whole buildup with the money i'm earning from a summer job. So you see why I'm having second thoughts.

Plus you've got the mix of components YOU want, not what someone else thinks is right.

hey- you live and learn!

plus- you're 17 with a custom bike;)

take advice- and do the build yourself, based on that...

good luck, good riding

Yes, you are an idiot, for not looking at this as one heck of a cool learning experience with a fantastic prize at the end. I wish I had the balls to do what you are doing instead of just plunking down the cash for the whole thing.

My hat off to you bud!

Allan

I don't think you are a idiot! I did virtualy the same thing a few times :) Putting the Bottom Bracket and cranks on is not that dificult. You can do it all! Only thing I did not do myself is cut the fork steerer. Stem and seatpost is all you need now, atleast those parts can be fairly inexpensive. Check out icyclesusa and chucksbikes they have some that are not expensive at all. And figure it this way you got a excellent group on that bike! And if you decide you want a better frame etc later that group can move to the new bike! And it's a great learning experience.

I'll have to vote with the others that say you're an idiot. Then again what do I know ? I'm an idiot too. Idiocy is a pretty easy club to join. My wife says riding my bike to work or in the rain gets me in. There are probably enough idiots here at Bikeforums.net to host our own Tour.

Generally it will be cheaper and more convienient to buy a complete bike rather than individual bits and pieces, especially if you are talking about an older steel road bike. Since you have most of the parts, this is no longer practical. Build the bike you have and get to riding it. Hopefully you will enjoy it so much you won't have sense enough to come in out of the rain.

:)
Dan

17 with a custom bike that YOU built is pretty cool.
Don't put a price on it and enjoy the whole experience.
Plus keep that bike. It will be even cooler when your 47.

Don't worry, all 17 year olds are idiots. You will grow out of it (smile).

We all live and LEARN, which is what you did. Be proud of it!!!

Regards,

ehenz