49er

I thought i should build a road bike from scratch. I found on ebay a cannondale aluminum frame and thought i could build it up with shamano 105 parts. I calculated the cost of buying the parts and frame it would cost me over 2 grand which is too much for my liking. My best bet is to buy an Elite Allez for $1400 and maybe upgrading to 105 brakes for $80 and get some Ksyrium Mavic wheels for $400. Would i be better off building or buying factory ready road bike?

bhh

Do you do all your own wrenching now? If not, you probably will after you build up a bike so count that into the "savings". I've probably saved several hundered dollars this year in maintenance and my bike runs a helluva lot better then it ever did when I had to take it in for repairs.

nitropowered

buying factory will be cheaper initially.

but building yourself would/could save the cost of having to replace parts due to upgraditis. Or for fit issues.

TCR

Should be able to find a complete new bike that comes with atleast 105/Ultegra components for $1400. What are the rest of the specs on the Allez Elite?

I think it would be more gratifying to build up your own bike, plus you could pick exactly what you want, but not cheaper. Mavic K's are way overrated.

blandin

If you're patient and hold out for the type of bargain that 55/Rad refers to as a needle in a haystack, you can actually do quite well. 4 out of my 6 bikes were build projects and the only one that exceeded $2000 was my titanium, all the rest were between $1200 and $1500. Whatever you choose to do, have fun riding.

bhh

i agree, and I saved about $1000 on my titanium over retail with better parts by being patient and hunting down good deals.

49er

Just a newbie but how hard can it be? Have auto tools, work on my car. Have experience in welding also. Need to fix up my mountain bike with deore parts for $500 so getting bike tools and info in repairing can pay for itself in the long run. Only problems could be is finding the small things you may need to finish the build. For example; cranks finding the right bottom bracket that fit, stem installing with the fork accessories, adjusting and finding the right type of front derailuers adjusting for up or down side to side etc..
As for the elite the specs are okay this is a 2006 i'm looking at a 2005 only difference is wheels Alex versus Mavic and brakes from generic type.
FRAME Specialized E5, fully manipulated Columbus SLX tubing, compact race geometry

FORK Specialized FACT carbon fork with Zertz, bonded carbon fiber legs, 7075 alloy threadless steerer, Zertz inserts

HEADSET Specialized Mindset, 1 1/8" integrated threadless, sealed cartridge bearings, carbon 20mm cone with two 5mm alloy spacers

STEM Specialized Pro, 3D forged alloy, 31.8mm bar clamp, 4- position adjustable

HANDLEBARS Specialized Zertz Comp handlebar, racing drop, 31.8 clamp

TAPE Body Geometry Bar Phat, cork ribbon with 2.5mm gel padding

FRONT BRAKE Shimano 105, 9-speed

REAR BRAKE Shimano 105, 9-speed

BRAKE LEVERS Shimano 105, 9-speed, STI, flight deck compatible

FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano 105, 9-speed, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull

REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano 105, 9-speed, short cage

SHIFT LEVERS Shimano 105, 9-speed, STI, flight deck compatible

CASSETTE Shimano HG50, 12-25t

CRANKSET FSA Gossamer MegaExo, 2-piece crankset

CHAINRINGS 53x39T

BOTTOM BRACKET FSA integrated, exterior cartridge bearings, alloy

PEDALS Composite-body test ride pedals

CHAIN Shimano HG73, 9-speed

RIMS Mavic Aksium

FRONT HUB Mavic Aksium, 20 hole, Mavic QR

REAR HUB Mavic Aksium, 24 hole, Mavic QR

SPOKES Stainless 14g aero

FRONT TIRE Specialized Mondo Pro, 700x23C, aramid bead, 120TPI

REAR TIRE Specialized Mondo Pro, 700x23C, aramid bead, 120TPI

TUBES Specialized standard presta tube, 0.9mm thickness

SADDLE Body Geometry Avatar, microfiber cover, gel padding

SEAT POST Specialized Pavé II FACT carbon seatpost with Zertz insert, aluminum head, 27.2mm

SEAT BINDER Specialized, forged/CNC, double wedge

NOTES Chain stay protector, reflectors, chain catcher, clear coat, owners

53-11_alltheway

That is the main reason.

Things like pressing the headset into the frame are going to cost you like $40 and the tool is pricey so try to buy the frame/for/headset together unless you just have to have a chris king.

Things like handlebars/seat maybe wheels are the reason you do it yourself too.

TCR

Have experience in welding do ya? You might want to just buy a complete bike already built so you don't have to worry about welding them "derailuers" on.

kennh

I just built my first bike and although I got some pretty good deals on components it still cost me more than a store bought bike, but I really enjoyed the process and learned a great deal. I went with mostly 105 components, with Tiagra brakes and DuraAce bar end shifters.

If money and time is an issue then I'd say buy from your lbs, but if you think you might enjoy building your own bike and are willing to do the research to get things right, then go for it.

55/Rad

Hunting down the deals is a huge part of the process. Sometimes things come together really quickly and other times, you have to be patient. The key is to know where to look and keep checking all the time - good deals go real fast, so be prepared to jump when they come up.

It starts with the frame. It's really hard to get a ultra great price on a new, current model. Even closeouts can still be costly. But there occasionally are NOS frames that are 2-5 years old that come up in all sorts of places. A second option is a stripped frame - a full bike purchased with the intent of stripping the parts for another bike.

And of course, there are always the guys who buy a bike and never really get into them. After a year or 2 of staring at good intentions gone bad, they'll do anything to get rid of them. This traditionally is for full bikes and not frames. Again, these deals go real fast on the classifieds, so you need to be ready at all times.

Also, not limiting yourself to one super specific option will help.

Good luck.

55/Rad

49er

Welding derailuers on didn't mean it that way.. Just say i got some skilzz.

Does anyone watch speedvision biker builder? One guy needs to build a bike from scratch in 30 days if he can then he keeps it. One guy came in as a road cyclist mechanic and was laughed at and failed. Building motor bikes is a lot more complex then the bikes we discuss on the forum.
So for your info knowing how to fabricate raw steel and making something out of it shows you i'm not all thumbs. .maybe you can give me some better advice then sarcasm

TCR

Just jokin around.

49er

Okay smart guy whats the cannondale frame worth $500 - $600 on fleebay i posted?

TCR

I have no idea really. $500 to $600 sounds reasonable for a brand new frame. However, the reserve has already been met and there's still 5 days to go so it could very easily zero in on $800 before all is said and done. It is a really nice looking frame and it even comes with a detachable derailleur hanger so you won't have to weld it - unless you want to.

What fork do you have in mind for it?

rmwun54

I have built a beater, two road bike and a hybrid, and I have to say is there is such satisfaction in assembling a bike the way I want it to be. Yes it is a bit more costly but if you take your time and research your parts and build your own rims, and go for sales on as many of the parts as possible then maybe on the long run you could justify the uniqueness and personalized accomplishment you can get from doing so. I've learned alot from building these bikes from talking to tech's, and reading up on web pages, and picking lbs peoples brain. Everything I've learned has made me more aware and appreciative of maintaining my bikes and keeping them in top running order at all times. And if money is a problem, build your bike with the lower grade parts first before going hog while on the finance. Or like I have done the first time I built up a low end bike with parts left over from upgrading my main bikes. Then you will have a decent beater to run around on. And last there is nothing better than having a bike built the way you want it to be, from top to bottom.

plin

2 years ago, I built my bike with a barely used aluminum frame (7003 series tubing) and Time carbon fork (230$), 9 speed Ultegra groupe with DA BB (570$), DA hubs and OP rims (300$), add around 200$ for the rest (GP3K tires, aluminum seat posts...). The total comes to 1300$ with nothing on sale except the frame and fork. The bike weighs 8,7kg and completely bomb proof. I train and race on it and have tried more expensive bikes that aren't any different.

Doing your own build is definitely the way to go if you want good price/quality ratio and really know your bike.

merlinextraligh

you also need to factor in the cost of some tools that you will rarely use. You'll need to face the BB, and install the headset in the frame, which both require tools. You could get a bike shop to install the bb, and the headset, if you didn't want to buy the tools for it.
If you already have all the tools (which will not necessarilly be the same shop tools for working on cars) r will use the tools again doing your own work, and future build ups, I'd say go for it and have fun.

gcasillo

If you're interested in building up a Cannondale frame with 105 parts, I have both for sale in the "For Sale" forum. Other parts as well. PM me if you have questions on those.

Building up your own frame is great. Provided you have a groupset you like (105 is perhaps the best bang for your $), you can try different frames at will once you know how to build it up. Pretty straightforward. A good book like Zinn's Art of Road Bike Maintenence is an excellent resource to guide you. You will need tools however.

Grasschopper

I have built my own bikes 3 times in the last year and rebuilt one of them 3 times as I change components (triple to compact, shimano to Campagnolo). IMO it may look more expensive and is if some how the off the shelf bike fits you perfectly and is exactly what you want. If it isn't you will wind up spending more upgrading your off the shelf bike. By building your own you can spec each part to be exactly what you want thus in the long run saving money over having upgraded the off the shelf bike.

For my Salsa I got the frame off of eBay and then bought a build kit from Colorado Cyclist.

rufus

i'd say go for it. i built up my rocky mountain blizzard from scratch, and, while it's gonna cost me more that if i bought one already built, it's also gonna be better spec'd. king headset and hubs, etc. just took it to the shop to have them press in the headset. it's not too difficult, as parts come with instructions, and there's always park tools web site to help. as long as you have the tools to do so, i say go for it,, although you'll probably need to invest in a good torque wrench for crank bolts. i'm taking the experience i gained building it, and will build up the new Mondonico frame i have coming.

it depends though, on whether you need or want it built right away, or can afford to be patient and collect parts at good prices, until you get everything together, which is what i did. bought a marxzocchi atom race for like half price on closeout, and would just scan nashbar, cambria, and supergo, etc. for deals on any pieces i needed, and when i found them, i grabbed them. had the frame for two years before i got the whole thing put together, and am still using the wheelset off my old bike till i get new wheels built. ebay is also a good place to pick up new parts for cheap.

Phantoj

You haven't stated why you want to build up a bike.

What are your objectives? Once you determine them, the path ahead will be clear.



If I were you, I'd buy a slightly used complete bike off of ebay or through a local classifieds. You will probably be able to find a brand name bike with 105 or Ultegra components for within your budget, and you can gradually gain mechanical experience as things break or need maintenance.

I built a bike up from a frame once. Looking back, I can see that it was pretty pointless.

jazzy_cyclist

What led you to conclude that?

MrCjolsen

I've got a $39 tool kit from Performance. So far there hasn't been anything I've not been able to do to my bike with it.

EURO

Depends on your budget. At the lower-end, economies of scale state that you'll get a better deal if you buy a stock bike (just look at the amazing prices Decathlon sell bikes for in Europe).

However, as you go up to the DA/Record type price range, it's generally cheaper to build it yourself - you have to avoid the big names (the over-priced stuff that's ridden on the pro-tour and for which you are basically directly paying for advertising), but the quality is out there.