Road Cycling - Buy a BD bike, buy a frame from ebay - put the two together - how hard is it?

If I buy a bike from Bikes direct (mecier or motobecane) and decide later that I want a specialized, cervelo, or some other frame later, how hard is it to take the parts of the BD frame and put them on the other frame?

Asuming I have all tools necessary.

not very if you have all the tools needed

Assuming you have all the tools and the the know how, the process is quite simple. I feel that building your bike up helps you to really get to know the bike. If you can put the bike together yourself, there should be no reason that you will ever have to take your bike the lbs to get any work done. At that point you should be able to do all of your own wrenching.

Contrary to what mech's at the LBS might tell you, wrenching on a bike is not rocket science. If you are at all mechanically inclined, you will do fine. There are plenty of places on the internet to help you figure out exactly what you need to do, step by step.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=349467&highlight=switch

AZ, still no bike? C'mon man!

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=349467&highlight=switch

AZ, still no bike? C'mon man!


I can't help it. I'm on a loaner 2007 Specialized Roubaix Elite (Injured Uncles bike) till the first of the year.

I can't justify spending the money until I have to...

Besides, with each passing month, my maximum to spend on the bike goes up :)

by the way, thanks for hte link. I didn't see that in my search.

The only other thing I was worried about is whether or not all of the pieces are standardized sizes. In other words, will they all fit the frame.

As others have said, really not that hard at all.

At the risk of stating the obvious, you will have to pay attention to compatibility issues....BB threading...seatpost size...type of headset.....but the doing of it is pretty straightforward provided you can tell one end of the wrench from the other.

I really have to recommend Zinn's book for road bikes. He also has one for mountain bikes. If you can read then you can do anything for your bike.

I really have to recommend Zinn's book for road bikes. He also has one for mountain bikes. If you can read then you can do anything for your bike.

This brings up an interesting question. Which bike repair book do you use/think is best?

I got another suggestion for the big blue book of bicycle repair

You might be putting the cart before the horse here. I also bought a BD bike for the components, but kept it as it rides pretty nicely.

My only complaint is that it's really ugly, but so am I. This way we match.

Az

Need to make sure, seatpost, headset, and bb are the same spec's on the receiving frame as on the doner bike.

Facing the BB, and installing the headset will take special tools. Beyond that, you basically need some allen wrenches, and a little mechanical inclination.

Isn't the whole knock on BD (aside from pejorative comments on the frames) that lots of the parts are from slightly questionable makers? Off-brand cranks, mediocre wheels etc.?

In that event, you might be spending a decent amount to get other parts that are good by your estimation, and not end up getting much back out of selling the unwanted frame and parts etc.

Is buying a bd bike actually cheaper than getting the same components? Seems odd.

Isn't the whole knock on BD (aside from pejorative comments on the frames) that lots of the parts are from slightly questionable makers? Off-brand cranks, mediocre wheels etc.?

In that event, you might be spending a decent amount to get other parts that are good by your estimation, and not end up getting much back out of selling the unwanted frame and parts etc.

100% wrong.

If you can get the bottom bracket out, its pretty simple although you'll probably need a new chain. The one on my BD bike was too short to be used on another frame.

Will someone show me the math on this? How is the total cost of doing this a deal? Assuming you actually get something for the BD frame on scambay when you are done.

Isn't the whole knock on BD (aside from pejorative comments on the frames) that lots of the parts are from slightly questionable makers? Off-brand cranks, mediocre wheels etc.?

In that event, you might be spending a decent amount to get other parts that are good by your estimation, and not end up getting much back out of selling the unwanted frame and parts etc.

All ritchey and ultegra or ritchey and dura-ace on the stuff i'm looking at. Last I checked those were considered pretty high quality.

Will someone show me the math on this? How is the total cost of doing this a deal? Assuming you actually get something for the BD frame on scambay when you are done.

1100 for BD bike
500 - 650 for frame
sell BD frame for 100

1500 - 1650 for brand new (except for frame) aluminum or carbon bike with full ultegra, ritchey bars, stem, seatpost and <1550 gram wheels.

Sounds like good math to me.

Is buying a bd bike actually cheaper than getting the same components? Seems odd.

I've done the math and even getting everything on ebay, I'd essentially get a free frame, cables, tires, tubes, bar wrap, seat, and SHIPPING.

I did this exact thing not too long ago. Among other things to keep in mind is the FD. Clamp diameter and directional pull might be an issue. I only know about the ones that I have, but I had a bottom pull, and I needed to buy a top pull for the new frame. The new FD I got was designed for different tube diameters. Bottom bracket and spindle lenght could be an issue as well. I have a truvativ(sp?) and I needed spacers for the new frame so it would fit ok. Other than those issues, it was fun putting it together, and I would love to do it again. Good luck if you try it.

And check out park tools' website. Very helpful.

I did this exact thing not too long ago. Among other things to keep in mind is the FD. Clamp diameter and directional pull might be an issue. I only know about the ones that I have, but I had a bottom pull, and I needed to buy a top pull for the new frame. The new FD I got was designed for different tube diameters. Bottom bracket and spindle lenght could be an issue as well. I have a truvativ(sp?) and I needed spacers for the new frame so it would fit ok. Other than those issues, it was fun putting it together, and I would love to do it again. Good luck if you try it.

And check out park tools' website. Very helpful.

Pictures?

What frame did you put the parts on?

There will be additional costs besides just swapping out parts... You might want to replace tires/wheels/stem/seat, etc.

My neighbor bought a motobecane cross bike, and was getting tons of flats with the cheap tires it came with - he swapped out better tires and now has no problems. He's now looking for a more comfortable seat as well.

There will be additional costs besides just swapping out parts... You might want to replace tires/wheels/stem/seat, etc.

My neighbor bought a motobecane cross bike, and was getting tons of flats with the cheap tires it came with - he swapped out better tires and now has no problems. He's now looking for a more comfortable seat as well.

I consider those to be typical issues with almost any bike purchase, so while valid, I don't consider those to add cost to this scenario.

A lot of those BD Motebecane al frames are showing up on eBay dirt cheap - yeah lots of folks buying BD biks just for the parts and selling the frames. It's a great idea and lots of folks are doing it. The frames are essentially throw-away for these folks, judging by what they are selling the frames for on eBay.

A lot of those BD Motebecane al frames are showing up on eBay dirt cheap - yeah lots of folks buying BD biks just for the parts and selling the frames. It's a great idea and lots of folks are doing it. The frames are essentially throw-away for these folks, judging by what they are selling the frames for on eBay.

Why wouldn't you just keep it and make a rain bike/race bike with them?

The more expensive bd bikes have decent frames. Aren't they old fuji designs?

Can't be all that bad then...

Why wouldn't you just keep it and make a rain bike/race bike with them?

The more expensive bd bikes have decent frames. Aren't they old fuji designs?

Can't be all that bad then...

I've never understood why people have separate bikes for rain/race. The more money I spend on a bike, the MORE likely I am to ride it in all conditions.

Then again, if I owned a Ferrari Enzo, I'd drive it all the time as well. What's the point of owning something you don't use :)

There will be additional costs besides just swapping out parts... You might want to replace tires/wheels/stem/seat, etc.

My neighbor bought a motobecane cross bike, and was getting tons of flats with the cheap tires it came with - he swapped out better tires and now has no problems. He's now looking for a more comfortable seat as well.

BD tires are crap. There's no way around that.

Pictures?

What frame did you put the parts on?

I had the parts off of a GF Cake that was too big for me. I bought that used, rode it for a few months and it wasn't comfortable, so I bought a Motobecane frame on Ebay, super cheap, like everone says. It fits better than the Cake, so I'm happy with it. I'll try to get pics today if I can. It is a little dirty though....