sced

I've bought two BD bikes for family members and want to get a bike for yet another son, but have been considering putting one together from all (or nearly) new parts (for a gift). I've noticed that at places like Ebay, Nashbar, Performace et al that one can buy stuff on sale that looks really cheap. Using BikesDirect, $900, and Shimano 105/Ultegra as targets, does anybody have any experience with this? I'm thinking of it as a fun challenge;-)

CCFISH81

Fun Challenge- Yes
Cheaper - No

DrPete 

By the time you nickel and dime yourself on all the things you really need, it adds up unless you have a lot of parts lying around.

Another +1 for fun, and another -1 for cheaper.

Now, in the case of my Pinarello, I got the frame locally on clearance and did some ebay shopping for the '07 chorus goodies and bought wheels from 11speed. I estimate that I saved $1500 off full retail. But you'll have a REALLY hard time beating any of the big volume sellers on a low-end/midrange bike.

Patriot

Rarely cheaper. But can be, if you strike some good deals on Ebay.


Mainly, it's just plain fun.

jjones

Consider finding a bike with the appropriate parts in any size/frame on clearance, and transfering the parts to the frame of your choice. Then you can ebay the frame that you don't use.

urbanknight

I have built up bikes cheap, but that's because I scoured bike swapmeets, clearance items at bike shops, and shopped the recycler. These projects would normally take months to complete and I couldn't be picky on the parts I used, not to mention many of them being used.

huerro

+1

You will also want to consider the cost of tools, work stand, etc if you are planning on doing it yourself. Obviously these are great to have on hand and you will use them again and again, but they add up as well.

vpiuva

Shipping individually purchased little parts is the big savings killer.

+ another for buying a complete bike and xferring parts

VT to CA

If you are attempting to build an ultra high end bike- something that would run you north of 6k, I think it is usually cheaper to build it up.

The entry level to high end bikes? Usually cheaper complete, unless you have a lot of time to keep your eyes peeled for insane bargains, which do come around once in awhile...

My bike, had I paid retail for the individual parts, would have been 1,200 for the frame, 1100 for the wheels, and around 1,600 for the groupo. Not to mention 250 for the bars, 100 for the stem, 250 for the post, 179 for the saddle, 110 for the tires, 200 for the pedals, 80 for the cages... figure a total around 6,300 after every little thing...

Complete retail it would have gone for around 4,300 cause they knock off a bunch for complete bikes.

I built it up slowly, however, and my total invested (after swaps, etc.) is roughly 1,700... but I also get deals and freebies. Had I not had access to those, I would guess I would have around 3,000 sunk in it... still cheaper by a grand than had I gone for a complete bike...

lennyk

I built my Ultegra/105 brakes,FD Pedal Force RS significantly cheaper with separately bought parts, but it is a lot of work though.
You can get shifters cheaper on ebay from guys who remove them from their bikes and sell them, same with cranks.
Almost everything else I purchased when performancebike had their free shipping and $20 off $50 deal last year.

Plainsman

Depends. Although I think I built more for the $ than I could have bought, I too suspect that is not usually the case.

This came in at under $500, but took about a year +/- to collect the parts - had the crankset - still could have picked up a 105 new at Nashbar and come close to the $500 mark. Pedals were donated, everything else was bought on ebay, closeout shops, NOS, etc, all new parts or new bike take offs except cranks, wheels, and pedals.

Without boring you with all the details, I wound up with an all alum. frame, CF fork, 105 9 speed front and rear derailleurs, brifters, brakes, Bontrager Race Lite Luxe saddle, and Bonty Select wheels. That said, I built it mainly to learn how to work on a bike, and It's not the lightest bike in the world. Oops, I guess I did bore you with the details.

pinky

If you can grab frame/fork cheap sometimes you can swing it, but generally unless you work in a shop/have very good connections with one or have very goofy requirements, your better off buying a complete bike.

CrimsonKarter21

With my prices, yes. With your prices, possibly.

z415

It is only cheaper if you can find a packaged deal or you have expensive parts on hand already (wheels, crank/bb, drivetrain, etc.)

Jenson recently had an alright deal: $350 for a build kit with 105 9s shifters, 105 RD, 105 chain, Shimano R600 wheels, Truvativ crank/bb, Easton cockpit and seatpost, Fizik saddle, Tiagra FD, and some other things.

Too bad my roommate ordered it a month ago and they muffed the order and he still doesn't have the 105 RD. He called them and requested it and they sent an RD hanger.