Assembly Bike eBay Parts - Bad Idea?
10-30-15, 04:36 PM
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Assembly Bike eBay Parts - Bad Idea?
I am thinking about assembling a road bike from used eBay parts. Bad Idea? I know how to buy on eBay, and I know how to put a bike together. I just need a few special tools, and to watch a few YouTube videos. The bike I want sells new for $2100, plus sales tax, total $2273, just too much money. Buying the frame may be the biggest challenge. I would appreciate your thoughts and experiences.
10-30-15, 04:43 PM
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This rarely works out as a money saving move - unless you'd change a ton of things on a complete bike purchase anyway.
MAYBE cheaper than new if built with used parts...but then that's not a new $2k bike is it?
Best value in a group is new via the UK (IMO).
MAYBE cheaper than new if built with used parts...but then that's not a new $2k bike is it?
Best value in a group is new via the UK (IMO).
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10-30-15, 04:49 PM
#3
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I've bought three complete bicycles on ebay as well as a lot of bicycle parts, accessories, and apparel. In general, I want to see a lot of good pictures of the item as well as seeing that the seller has a really good feedback record for selling bicycle stuff.
The downsides of buying on ebay are that you don't get to see the stuff in person before you buy it, it could get lost or damaged in transit, the item might be misrepresented, an item might not be in as good a condition as advertised, an item might be a different size as advertised, you have to wait for it to arrive, and you could get taken by an unscrupulous person.
A lot of cool bike stuff does show up on ebay, and it's definitely a bigger selection of stuff than I can find locally. You can find bargains, but make sure you double check the pricing as there are also a lot of things that sell for more on ebay than you would pay at another retailer. I don't know who these people are that prefer to pay more on ebay, but they are out there.
The downsides of buying on ebay are that you don't get to see the stuff in person before you buy it, it could get lost or damaged in transit, the item might be misrepresented, an item might not be in as good a condition as advertised, an item might be a different size as advertised, you have to wait for it to arrive, and you could get taken by an unscrupulous person.
A lot of cool bike stuff does show up on ebay, and it's definitely a bigger selection of stuff than I can find locally. You can find bargains, but make sure you double check the pricing as there are also a lot of things that sell for more on ebay than you would pay at another retailer. I don't know who these people are that prefer to pay more on ebay, but they are out there.
10-30-15, 04:54 PM
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10-30-15, 05:09 PM
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10-30-15, 05:11 PM
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Yeah, I agree. It's not a good idea if you want to save money. Buying a complete bike is usually better and less hassle.
FWIW, I have put together a bike with parts from eBay and CL. It was more money than I had expected. Heck I could have bought a complete bike for that much, but I already had the frame and a few other components.
Oh yeah, I had to spend money on tools. But you use these again and again if you are into fixing stuff.
FWIW, I have put together a bike with parts from eBay and CL. It was more money than I had expected. Heck I could have bought a complete bike for that much, but I already had the frame and a few other components.
Oh yeah, I had to spend money on tools. But you use these again and again if you are into fixing stuff.
10-30-15, 05:14 PM
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Yeah, this.
Locally I see guys selling older 5700 and 6700 groupsets for more than what you'd buy from the UK retailer. "Few scratches, otherwise good working condition..." Or asking $200 for like-new 5700 shifters. For that much I can order a brand new 5800 set, with free shipping, and duties and tariffs.
What are they thinking?
Locally I see guys selling older 5700 and 6700 groupsets for more than what you'd buy from the UK retailer. "Few scratches, otherwise good working condition..." Or asking $200 for like-new 5700 shifters. For that much I can order a brand new 5800 set, with free shipping, and duties and tariffs.
What are they thinking?
10-30-15, 05:14 PM
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Kit doesn't match
10-30-15, 05:57 PM
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I have to agree that if you want a complete matched group buying from the UK is going to be cheaper. Plus finding deals on eBay to save a few dollars is going to be drawn out, time wise. I just pieced together a 10 speed upgrade and while watching 10 speed Ultegra, 105 and Tiagra shifter sets. Most of those used would bring $100+ for what I consider rough and nice sets would bring $150+ (5700 and 6700), Ribble.com sales 105/5700 for under $130 shipped.
10-30-15, 06:04 PM
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10-30-15, 06:08 PM
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SuperGimp
I bought my last two frames on ebay (carbon! The horror!) and the one before that was used off Craigs list. I did buy the components new and just moved them from bike to bike to bike.
For me, the advantage is not having to take a big cash hit all at once. YMMV. Plus, I actually enjoy putting the bikes together, mistakes and all.
For me, the advantage is not having to take a big cash hit all at once. YMMV. Plus, I actually enjoy putting the bikes together, mistakes and all.
10-30-15, 06:20 PM
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I bought my last two frames on ebay (carbon! The horror!) and the one before that was used off Craigs list. I did buy the components new and just moved them from bike to bike to bike.
For me, the advantage is not having to take a big cash hit all at once. YMMV. Plus, I actually enjoy putting the bikes together, mistakes and all.
For me, the advantage is not having to take a big cash hit all at once. YMMV. Plus, I actually enjoy putting the bikes together, mistakes and all.
10-30-15, 06:21 PM
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10-30-15, 06:24 PM
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10-30-15, 06:25 PM
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IMO, it is not a bad idea per se if, for example, you can only afford a few parts at a time, or you wanted very specific parts. I've built a couple this way; for example, purchased an Element6 carbon frame, Campy Record drive train, C'Dale Hollogram crankset, ZeroGRavity brakes, etc. And I would toss the oem seat and bars anyway for those better suited to me. I wanted very specific parts and that was the best way to do it without spending $7500 on a new bike. On the other hand, with my latest bike, I found a fantastic deal on a complete bike with great components. Depends on what you want.
10-30-15, 06:29 PM
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IMO, it is not a bad idea per se if, for example, you can only afford a few parts at a time, or you wanted very specific parts. I've built a couple this way; for example, purchased an Element6 carbon frame, Campy Record drive train, C'Dale Hollogram crankset, ZeroGRavity brakes, etc. And I would toss the oem seat and bars anyway for those better suited to me. I wanted very specific parts and that was the best way to do it without spending $7500 on a new bike. On the other hand, with my latest bike, I found a fantastic deal on a complete bike with great components. Depends on what you want.
10-30-15, 06:37 PM
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My formula is:
Lightly Used frameset from ebay
New component group from UK
Wheels assembled from new components
Best tires money can buy
Works pretty good.
Lightly Used frameset from ebay
New component group from UK
Wheels assembled from new components
Best tires money can buy
Works pretty good.
10-30-15, 06:39 PM
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10-30-15, 07:22 PM
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