Spend money on frame...or components??
06-18-08, 12:36 AM
#1
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Spend money on frame...or components??
Spend money on frame...or components??....I'm curious cause I am building an enthusiast grade bike, but since i dont have deep pockets...I wanted to know what I can skimp on for the build.
Would you say that a generic aluminum road frame(4-6lbs) with mid-hi grade components will/can be competitive? Is the technology that name brand Manuf. put into there Aluminum/ALU-Carb frames so advanced that its the single most important consideration when building a road bike for competitive/enthusiast use?
Are the components more important? The wheelset, drivetrain, calipers...are they what seperate one bike from the next competitively?
Would you build a CAAD9 with Tiagra components and Low grade Shimano wheelset Or a Generic Aluminum road frame(4-6lbs) with Shimano 105 or higher components and mid to high grade wheelset? Would you expect the performance of both the builds to even out? Give the high end frame of the former and the high end components of the latter?
I understand that the best option would be both; a great frame and great components...but as we all know that usually equates to a great price...a price I cant afford at the moment
Has anyone ever surprised anyone at competitions/races/centuries with there no name frame and awesome components...or the opposite as well.....Name brand frame but low grade components.
I am trying not to be biased...and am open to all opinions. Thanks in advance everyone
Would you say that a generic aluminum road frame(4-6lbs) with mid-hi grade components will/can be competitive? Is the technology that name brand Manuf. put into there Aluminum/ALU-Carb frames so advanced that its the single most important consideration when building a road bike for competitive/enthusiast use?
Are the components more important? The wheelset, drivetrain, calipers...are they what seperate one bike from the next competitively?
Would you build a CAAD9 with Tiagra components and Low grade Shimano wheelset Or a Generic Aluminum road frame(4-6lbs) with Shimano 105 or higher components and mid to high grade wheelset? Would you expect the performance of both the builds to even out? Give the high end frame of the former and the high end components of the latter?
I understand that the best option would be both; a great frame and great components...but as we all know that usually equates to a great price...a price I cant afford at the moment
Has anyone ever surprised anyone at competitions/races/centuries with there no name frame and awesome components...or the opposite as well.....Name brand frame but low grade components.
I am trying not to be biased...and am open to all opinions. Thanks in advance everyone
06-18-08, 12:40 AM
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Buy a giant, you'll get a good frame and good parts for the same or less money than building a bike from scratch.
06-18-08, 01:05 AM
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CAAD9 6 already has tiagra on it.
If you want to build up a CAAD9, it would be best to set it up with a mix that's not already available.
If you want to build up a CAAD9, it would be best to set it up with a mix that's not already available.
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Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
06-18-08, 01:35 AM
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4-6 lbs for a frame is really really heavy.
If it's a first bike, and you really don't know what you're doing as far as parts and such, then buy a new bike. Builds are a lot of fun, but it really helps if you know what to shop for and how to do it.
If it's a first bike, and you really don't know what you're doing as far as parts and such, then buy a new bike. Builds are a lot of fun, but it really helps if you know what to shop for and how to do it.
06-18-08, 01:54 AM
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The best bang for the buck bikes will be giant. Felt is also good for this, but cannondale really shines in the road racing bikes dept for price
erformance ratio with the CAAD9.
I'd bike the CAAD9 with tiagra if you want a great intro road race bike. Tiagra is good stuff too.
erformance ratio with the CAAD9.I'd bike the CAAD9 with tiagra if you want a great intro road race bike. Tiagra is good stuff too.
06-18-08, 03:35 AM
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Buy a frame from performance. They've got an Al frame/carbon fork with headset, cables and chain for $219. Buy an ultegra group from PBK.
06-18-08, 05:58 AM
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You can do what I did, buy used. I built a very nice Colnago C40/Campy Record for $3400, you can get a nice built up Colnago Dream for under $2000. If the Cannondale meets your needs you do not have to get it new, you'll save a ton of money.
Jay
Jay
06-18-08, 06:59 AM
#12
Making a kilometer blurry
The frame is a component. Every component that makes up a bike is a pretty small chunk of the whole package. theextremist04 is right though, the frame lasts longer than your other components, barring mishaps. I'd go for a CAAD 9, 105 brifters, and whatever other parts you can find at a good price.
There's no reason spending much money on wheels unless you're getting 40mm+ deep section rims or a < 1400g wheelset (providing you do a lot of climbing).
There's no reason spending much money on wheels unless you're getting 40mm+ deep section rims or a < 1400g wheelset (providing you do a lot of climbing).
06-18-08, 07:04 AM
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Frame #1
Saddle #2 (buy the right one...doesn't have to be expensive but it has to fit)
Wheels #3
Then everything else. You don't need anything higher than 105.
Saddle #2 (buy the right one...doesn't have to be expensive but it has to fit)
Wheels #3
Then everything else. You don't need anything higher than 105.
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06-18-08, 07:23 AM
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I'll toss in my obligatory Tiagra advocacy as well.
It doesn't get nearly the love it deserves around here.
Or, even classier, Veloce or Mirage.
It doesn't get nearly the love it deserves around here.
Or, even classier, Veloce or Mirage.
06-18-08, 12:55 PM
#17
Making a kilometer blurry
I've had a wide range of steel and carbon (generic) forks over the years, and I've been unable to discern any benefits or disadvantages in either direction. The wheel stays the right distance from the headset, and the bike steers (in crits).
