Road Cycling - Build or Buy?

I've been looking at a few prices of frames and components at some online retailers and they appear to be slightly cheaper than at my LBS. I was wondering if anyone knew if it was worth the time and effort to buy a frame, component group, wheels, etc. separately online and build a bike rather than buying a pre-built at a local shop. If it is worth it, about how much would I be able to save on a bike that retails around $3300?

Considering you'll be building this yourself, you won't be saving much.

If you want the experience of building up a bike yourself, and the bragging rights, then go for it. If economics is part of the equation, buy a complete bike. The manufacturers can buy components cheaper than you can. Also, the small amount of markup your LBS makes on a bike, is money well spent, since a good shop will sell you the right bike for what you want it for, and will make sure that the sizing is spot on, and should take the time to fit you to the bike before you ever take it off the floor. When I bought my Bianchi, the shop owner spent an hour with me on a trainer setting the saddle height and fore/aft, setting the stem height and handlebar rotation, and fitting my LOOK pedals and cleats properly. I probably spent an extra $30 over what another shop may have sold me the same bike for, but having someone (within 2 miles of my house) take that time with me to make sure that everything was perfect was worth the extra few dollars. I buy some of my misc supplies from some of the big catalogs, but the big stuff always comes from a shop where I can have face time with the person who is taking my money. That way I get what I want or need, without misunderstandings or mistakes.

I just finished building a bike and in my case it probably ends up costing less though probly not much but I got a unique not in a store type frame too. I paid 15 dollars to have the crown race pounded down and the BB installed cause the tools to do it costs 3 times more than the labor. I have plenty of friends in the know so I had the bike fitted to me for free but that is a reasonable expense to consider IMO. Also I bought pedals, bottle cage's and some other extras at the LBS. There can be a lot of extras that add up so having a complete parts list is important Building a bike is fun and a good learing experience. It's very cool to hold a frame in your hands and feel it's weight and then slowly add components to the final test ride. Sometimes you will see killer deals for group sets and frames on the internet. I spent many hours/days/weeks looking before making a decesion. Check out http://www.gvhbikes.com/ for some great group sets and frames...

I've been looking at a few prices of frames and components at some online retailers and they appear to be slightly cheaper than at my LBS. I was wondering if anyone knew if it was worth the time and effort to buy a frame, component group, wheels, etc. separately online and build a bike rather than buying a pre-built at a local shop. If it is worth it, about how much would I be able to save on a bike that retails around $3300?

About a year ago I finished building a bike from scratch. I was restoring an Italian road bike that I had previously sold. I found the current owner and gave him back all his money. Not counting the frame and fork, I spent approximately $1250.00. For me, having restored that bike is beyond measure in dollars.

The advice you're getting from others is good. The economics of you buying at retail the frame, fork, and all components, doesn't match what a bike shop can do. However, there are some things you can do that most bike shops won't or can't. Ie; find a special frame that you've been interested in. Perhaps a classic, or something that has special meaning to you. Mix and match components in the most sensible bang for buck ratio. Paint and decorate it any way you want. Wear that special cheshire cat grin when you out on the bike you spec'd and built. Good luck whatever you do.

I've done all three:

1. bought a whole bike
2. bought the frameset and components separately and had the LBS build it
3. bought the frameset and components and built it myself

The savings on all methods weren't that big of a difference for me. For option 3, I have to spend a lot of $$$ buying the tools to build the bike, so whatever I saved, went toward the tools. However, now I have a nice collection of tools and the experience, knowledge, and fun of building a bike. If you don't want the hassle and just want to ride, I'd buy the bike whole, 'cuz you won't be saving that much by building.

I bought a Melin Extralight frame on ebay this winter for 1100.00, then bought an ultegra build kit from bicyclebuys.com, w/bontrager race x lites,ITM Melleniun stem, bars, GP 3000 tires, Flite tit., american stem for 1100.00 more dollars. Add in 300.00 Ouzo Pro fork and you have a very nice bike for 2500.00. The frame had never been built before. I saw the same bike in lbs last week for 5400.00.
Plus I did it myself!!!!

Is it your first bike? The rule of thumb most people I know, including myself for building/buying is this

First bike- buy
Second bike- have lbs build for you (to your specs)
Third bike- same as above but start buying the tools.. install the simple stuff.. shifters/tape/pedals etc etc
Fourth bike- build it up from scratch.

I firmly believe that your first bike should be from a shop, or someone that has alot of bike knowledge.

I bought my first 3 bikes complete. I purchased a Bianchi frame this Jan. and had the LBS install bottom bracket and Headset. I'm doing the rest. Looking back I wish I had bought the tools and installed the BB myself. Headset Press?? I think I'll let the LBS install all my headsets. (I use Kings so I won't need that many)

I kind of amazed at how easy it is. I keep waiting for the "expensive screw-up". :D

Arsbars is pretty much right. As you get more experienced, the thought of buying an off the shelf bike becomes more and more unpalletable. Inexperience and cost savings are the only reasons to by a complete bike. Who want's to buy some 'product managers' idea of a 'spec to price point'?

Actually, I wish I had a dollar for every tosser that said they had a 'custom' bike just because they got the LBS to change the damn seat and tires on some stock bike.

I bought my first and current ride from the LBS. Since I wasn't spending a major chunk of dough, I got sized up by eye and went about my way with a new bike. Over the past two years, I've adjusted everything and replaced most all the major components. When I painted my bike the first time, I had the same LBS disassemble and reassemble my bike for $40. For the second paint job, I did it ALL myself. I bought the tools, learned the techniques.

The reason I will build my next one myself is because I get to select the EXACT components myself. Since I weigh 220, I need stronger components. Since I'm 6'3", I need a large cockpit. Most complete bikes have a certain range spec'd, but they're never EXACTLY what I have in mind. Building my own allows me to choose the PERFECT specs...although sometimes I am wrong and have to rethink somethings...

Does it cost more? probably, but the experience is worth it. When something is just perfect, I can diagnose it. Could the LBS do it cheaper? Probably, but the time to take it there, wait or come back is usually more than I have to spare...

Arsbars is pretty much right. As you get more experienced, the thought of buying an off the shelf bike becomes more and more unpalletable. Inexperience and cost savings are the only reasons to by a complete bike. Who want's to buy some 'product managers' idea of a 'spec to price point'?

Actually, I wish I had a dollar for every tosser that said they had a 'custom' bike just because they got the LBS to change the damn seat and tires on some stock bike.

Agree. I had a lot of fun going with a local framebuilder, then selecting the exact components I wanted from his OEM price list. I was going to build it up myself, but decided at the last minute to let him do the build up for only $75 more. Once I saw the frame painted in my color, I got impatient and wanted to ride it. The bike was built up and tuned perfectly, so I'm happy.

Can also understand why people want to do their own build up too...just takes a little time, a few tools, and patience to do it right.

In the fall of '02 I bought one of those USA Flag model Cannondale CAAD5 bikes new for $756 (less than half of the retail). This year I bought a Campagnolo Chorus 10 speed Group complete on sale at Chicago Bike thru the internet for $750. A pair of Scirroco wheels new for $250 on Ebay. Sold the old stuff I took off the bike for $350 (105/coda/mavic). Doing it like that, shopping around and being patient and doing all of the labor myself, I have a GREAT bike for less than $1500. I have seen similarly equiped bikes going for twice that. I wouldn't trade this great riding, great climbing bike for anything.

I kind of amazed at how easy it is. I keep waiting for the "expensive screw-up". :D

LOL! I think the same thing every time I get on my bike. Building it was a lot easier than I thought (didn't do the headset and fork installation), so I keep thinking that I must have installed something wrong. :)