StalkerZERO

I am SERIOUSLYYYYY considering purchasing a carbon fiber road bike. But I am toying with the idea of buying the parts for the complete bike seperately in an attempt to save some money. Here is the thing...
The frame is the most important part imo (duh) and I need a specific geometry. Something that is a bit relaxed but has some racing performance at the same time. For instance the specialized roubaix's frame is a bit more friendly in terms of comfort but without sacrificing racing performance too much.

I need some advice on what kind of combination of parts I should get. One of the stock bikes I was considering for instance was the giant composite bike...either the tcr or ocr. I know that there are companies out there that make frames based on the giant tcr's geometry I just can't remember which at the moment. I don't necessarily have to be that comfortable so don't let that limit you in your parts suggestions.
And even if most of you guys conclude for me that the price difference won't be that great please consider the idea of putting parts together for a custom build. I mean...could I use the fork of the Scott CR1 and use it on another frame like the roubaix? Is it possible to come up with a frankenstein mutant version of a road bike by using parts from different manufacturers?
What kind of freakish (but incredibly performing) mutant could you come up with?

StalkerZERO

p.s. One of the reasons why I am considering doing this is that it would be a much easier way for me to make sure that I could get a carbon fiber road bike. If I were to save up and buy the frame alone at least this year I will be avoiding the price hike that will happen to ALL CARBON BIKES by next year. We're talking a jump by at least 35 percent.

And it IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

DogBoy

If your goal is to save money, buy a stock bike. Roubaix Comp is a decent bike that fits your stated goals and is about $2500 give or take. If you buy the frame and then the parts, I'm pretty sure you'll go over that.

1955

Ditto!!!

galen_52657

The only way you can build it up yourself cheaper than just buyig the whole bike is if you get the frame and parts at a closeout at about half price.

cydewaze

I think he might mean that he has enough for the frame at the moment, but not a whole bike. If he purchases the frame and builds it, it would cost more, but he could defer the cost over a year or so.

recursive

If that's the case, he can just put the money in the bank until he has enough and still save money, unless there is something to this supposed 35% CF price hike.

StalkerZERO

Its real man. Its been mentioned on this forum numerous times. Supposedly there is going to be a shortage soon cause more of the carbon fiber has to go to other things.....like stealth fighters and whatnot. I talked to someone at Gotham bikes in New York today and he confirmed there will be a price hike on carbon for the 06 inventory....everywhere. :|
Even if it is cheaper to buy a whole stock bike I may not have enough in time to beat the end of year sales of 05 bikes. Because there WILL be a 35 percent price hike by next year. If I were to buy the frame this year wouldn't I be still saving in the long run if stock carbon bike prices sky rocket in 06?

But putting aside price for the moment...what about the suggestions about mixing and matching parts from manufacturers? Is that possible? Because I got to tell ya.....I realllllllly like the fork on the Scott CR1.

DogBoy

I don't think there is a problem mixing and matching so long as all the mated parts have compatible sizing.

my58vw

As the others said assuming you can a bike that fits well it will always be cheep and better to buy a bike whole from the LBS than peicing one together. If you are someone like me and want the bike designed for you to fit you with the components that you want than build the bike up your way. When you are 6'6" sometimes that is the only option.

It will be more expensive but you will get the bike that fits - YOU - the best. Now if you can get the components significantly cheeper like I did on my TT bike (nearly 30 percent off) then it is worth it...

StalkerZERO

Great!
Well can someone tell me where on the net I would be able to buy a Scott CR1 carbon fork seperately from its frame? Because one of the parts I would definately get would be that particular fork.
Imagine that baby on a LOOK 486 carbon frame. Sweetness! LOL I wanna build the airwolf/knight rider version of a carbon bike.
Ok....time for my medicine. :|

StalkerZERO

What kind of bike do you have? Or rather, what combination of parts did you use? Forget price for a moment people. Pretend you are out of your mind/insane genius (like me) . What kind of parts would you put together to create your masterpiece. And I mean your masterpiece...the bike that makes YOU feel good. Just use carbon please.

ggg300

layaway....that is what my buddy is doing on an CF cadd CF bling bling bling bike...most big shops will also defer intrest for a year if you gotta have it.

blandin

Possible low or lower cost CF build project:
Pedal Force Frame: $650 (many positve comments by BF members who own them)
Pedal Force Fork Carbon Fork: $129
Your choice of:
GVH Bikes 2005 Shimano Ultegra STI 10spd build kit: $1195.
Colorado Cyclist SHIMANO Ultegra 6600 10-Speed Build Kit: $1179
Other similar build kits from whomever
Pedals: $100 +/-
Total = somewhere between $2058 - $2074

my58vw

See sig...

cervelo frame build with DA10 drivetrain, easton bars, mavic wheels, ritchey stem, bontrager saddle... built for me and my riding style...

OC Roadie

Be careful putting the Scott fork on a frame like the Roubaix. The specialized fork is designed with a specific trail, that so even though there's a longer wheel base and upright geometry, it still handles like a performance bike. It may be that it's not a concern, but I'd look into it before dropping $$$. BTW, I bought my Roubaix Pro as a frame on eBay as well as the DA 10spd and bars. I ended up saving about $600. If you are patient and resourceful you can save money building up a bike to it's factory specs, but I'd agree with the other posts that it's usually cheaper to buy a complete bike.

shabbasuraj

06's will be coming out soon, so jump on a close out deal for a 05...

and save a WAD O CASH...

StalkerZERO

Well gotham bikes in new york only has a 30 day layaway plan which I think SUCKKKKKKSSSSSSSSSS!!!

I'm not gonna buy a stock bike or parts from em anyway. I wasn't too impressed with the shop.

StalkerZERO

I'm gonna research those parts and give an opinion.

ClarkWGriswold

I do not think that you will be able to save money building a bike from a frameset. I built up a CR1 frameset because I wanted campy/ZG/etc. It cost much more than what it would be had it been a "factory bike" because you pay "full price" for the components. And yes, the components are very important. I do not think that you will be happu with a nice carbon frame and cheap components.

StalkerZERO

Are you saying that my idea of mixing and matching parts won't work? Or are you saying that it is possible but I would just have to be careful?
Is the length of the roubaix pro carbon fork different than the cr1 fork? I guess it would matter then.
Ok lets examine the cr1 fork for a moment.....what characteristics concerning ride performance does its design generate? Why does the cr1 fork have the shape that it does?

OC Roadie

I'm saying it's possible but check it out first. I really am not that the rigt person for the details, I do know however that Specialized spec'd the fork for the Roubaix so that it would have similar trail to a more standard geometry and would feel solid and corner on descents (which I can attest to, since I've been riding it and it handles very well). Just do the research before you spend the money, hopefully some of the other guys here that understand bike geometry, rake, trail etc. can chime in and help.