Cyclocross - Help! I am building a Cyclocross Bicycle

I want to build my first cyclocross bicycle and have picked out the below Nashbar frame. With a strict eye on budget, what parts should I purchase? And what tutorials should I read to build this lovely bicycle? Any and all advice is deeply appreciated!

Nashbar "X" Aluminum Cyclocross Frame

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_173397_-1_201511_10000_201512

I would start with gearing...
sti or barends/brake levers? stis can break making it more expensive to fix. barcons last forever.
how many speeds? 1x8,1x9, 2x8, 2x9

Do you have any parts laying around? If not, you're probably better off buying a complete bike rather than building up that frame.

Failing that, be prepared to spend a lot of time on eBay. I got a new Gossamer crankset with MegaExo bottom bracket and 46-36 rings for about $60.

For new parts:

You can get an FSA Omega from Bike Island for $90.
Definitely get Tektro CR720 brakes -- the best value around at about $20 each.
If you're persistent you can probably find Mavic Open Pro/Shimano Ultegra or 105 wheels for near $200.
Get Michelin Mud2 tires unless you live in a very dry climate -- about $40 each.
You can get the Moto Ace version of Salsa's Bell Lap bars for around $20.
The Cane Creek S3 headset is good for about $30.
Get a 4-bolt stem. I've had good luck with the Profile Design Aris at around $30.
I got Ultegra STI shifters from Nashbar for $135 but that may not happen again. You can probably get Performance/Nashbar shifters for around that, but I haven't heard anything about their quality.
You can get front and rear Tiagra derailleurs for $60 total at Nashbar.
Figure $75 for a cheap fork, $25 for a cassette, $20 for a chain, $35 for cables, $10 for bar tape and $10 for tubes. So, that puts you at around $900, which is the price of a new Kona Jake. You can go much cheaper if you're willing to roll the dice with Bikes Direct.

Yes, I have considered this before.

I would start with gearing...
sti or barends/brake levers? stis can break making it more expensive to fix. barcons last forever.
how many speeds? 1x8,1x9, 2x8, 2x9

+1 on the barcons. Not are they only inexpensive, but you can switch to friction and put any speed rear wheel on. And if you bend a derailleur, friction mode will get you home.

I put barcons on my Serotta cross. Note that I had the barcon cable wrapped under the handlebar tape, like Campy Ergo, for a nice clean look.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4388749800_7159eab568_b.jpg

If you haven't bought the nashbar frame yet, check out the performance bike frame/fork combo. I remember it seemed a better deal to me when I was researching a build in December. Or you could go the BikesDirect route and then swap certain parts to get the bike to your ideal spec. I was able to buy a used cyclocross bike, sell parts, buy new parts and got the bike to my liking for around $700.

+1 on the barcons. Not are they only inexpensive, but you can switch to friction and put any speed rear wheel on. And if you bend a derailleur, friction mode will get you home.

I put barcons on my Serotta cross. Note that I had the barcon cable wrapped under the handlebar tape, like Campy Ergo, for a nice clean look.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4388749800_7159eab568_b.jpg

nice ride! How do you find shifting on this? I only ask cuz I tried it under the tape and the bend was too tight for me to get nice crisp shifts. Maybe i was doing something wrong??



Definitely get Tektro CR720 brakes -- the best value around at about $20 each.



I would go with this in the front and the oryx in the back. On various occasions, i've kicked the **** out of the cr720 while dismounting/mounting. I have a nice hole in my knee warmers to prove it.

nice ride! How do you find shifting on this? I only ask cuz I tried it under the tape and the bend was too tight for me to get nice crisp shifts. Maybe i was doing something wrong??

You probably need longer housing, as the cable has too much friction and is getting stuck. I bought some housing for tandems at the LBS. It shifts great, crisp and as good as STI/Ergo.

I would go with this in the front and the oryx in the back. On various occasions, i've kicked the **** out of the cr720 while dismounting/mounting. I have a nice hole in my knee warmers to prove it.

That's funny because, in spite of my recommendation, I'm running CR720's in front and Avid Shorty 4's in back.

nice ride! How do you find shifting on this? I only ask cuz I tried it under the tape and the bend was too tight for me to get nice crisp shifts. Maybe i was doing something wrong??
I have no issues with shifting while running the cables all the way under the tape. But I have a bit straighter cable run as I use a XT rear derailleur that has a nice straight cable entry so I avoid that extra loop at the end that most bikes have.

I have been posting my conversion alot on Cyclocross site just to give inspiration to beginners like
me who don't have money to spend on a cross bike but love the sport. My conversion was done
as I sold a single speed bike and use money for parts. I mainly kept every thing except added new handle bars, dual brakes, shifters, seat post, rewired brakes and newtubes and tires 700c x 32.

Pros- Used what I got to go cheap

Cons- My current Shifters->(End bar shifters are the way to go or STI) and My Steel frame so
weight can be an issue. Over all a good start for first timer converter.

http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad341/jediazsr/TrekfutureCyclcross001.jpg
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad341/jediazsr/CyclocrossTrek016.jpg
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad341/jediazsr/Conversion.jpg