britrx8

Recently purchased a 2004 Lemond Victoire frameset, got a good deal, the right size etc. Excited, but my bike building skills are limited, I do have extensive experience in automotive mechanics, but I am thinking this skillset may not transfer!!

Now I do realize from reading the forum that building out a frameset can generally be more expensive than buying the bike off the shelf.

I am trying to get an idea of what it costs for a shop to build out a frameset. If I buy all components from them is it reasonable to expect they will include it etc...

Looking around at complete 05 Shimano Ultegra build kits, it seems as though $1200 + is a reasonable starting point: https://www.coloradocyclist.com/commo...293&TextMode=0

Thanks.

S

my58vw

My shop charges around 100 dollars or so for a full build up. It really depends on the shop though. As to the build kit it is up to you what to go with, personally I would piece together the kit then buy it whole but that is because I want specific parts...

55/Rad

Nice choice of frame!!! I'm building an '04 Tete myself.

Colorado Cyclist has very good options for build kits as you mentioned. Prices are good and they are willing to deal and change out items that you aren't interested in. Excel Sports is pretty good too - www.excelsports.com.

Good luck and post some photos when you get a chance.

55/Rad

RiPHRaPH

my '05 10sp was the new d/a crankset & rear derailleur, rest 10sp ultegra, ritchey stem & bars all for $900 installed. that was minus the open pro's shown in most build kits as i had ksyrium's already. i love my LBS>

pacesetter

I bought Dura Ace 10 speed group for $1095. $1,200 is steep for Ultegra here is a group for 1,150
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

Brett 12

Yeah but he is talking about a full build kit (tires, handlebars, seat etc too not just components)

Check GVH bikes too. He is about the same price, but maybe his other parts are better.....don't know I have compared the two yet.

wangster

i'm in the middle of a build project. If you want to skim some change off the top, you can always go with no name brands. they are usually made by the same people as the big names, but at a fraction of the cost and perform the same. I've save a lot of money on no name part like stem, bar, seatpost, etc. all just as light and well made as any name brands.

Doid23

I just recently had GVH build up a frame for me, was very happy with the prices and the work they did. Ultegra 10 spd costs $1195, and tack on $75 for installation,and $39 for shipping the complete bike to east of the Mississippi. I was able to substitute quite a few items, and they allowed for 2 deletions, and I also got a 3% discount off of the above price for paying with cashiers check vs. credit card. I was very happy with the results.

britrx8

Really appreciated the feedback, plan on becoming more involved in the forum here. I will get some pics up soon. 55 / Rad a few of your posts are what prompted me to go with the a frameset and build out, the Tete is nice way to go.

I will check out the other vendors on the build kit options, I am thinking my LBS (of which I have quite a few in metro Boston: WheelWorks, Landry's and InternationalBicycle) would not be as competitive on overall price of the components. Not sure how it would go to walk in there with a frame and a stack of parts and tell them to have at it.

S

rudenoiz

britrx8...I would bet that you won't have any problems doing it your self. If your a competent auto mechanic, your skills (& more importantly) your judgment will carry over. What won't carry over is most of your tools. I've been building race cars and suspensions for nearly 20 years and I've got nearly every hand tool known to man (and some that aren't), but there are many bike specific tools that cannot be substituted.
I built up my mtn bike from a bare frame and really wasn't much of an ordeal. Give it a shot, you've got plenty of back-up just a web posting away.