calleymn

so basically i've wanted/needed a new bike for a while. and i thought i would get a fs for x-mas but my dad said he cant afford it right now. so ive started to think 2 options
option 1:
upgrade my current hardtail
-fork
-brakes
-pedals
-etc, not to much more though
or
option 2
start building a fs bike
- i know very little about building bikes but want to start doing it

so i need your help towards which option. how hard would it be for me to build a bike? i mean not myself put everything together but get the parts by themselves and mainly do it myself. also what would the cost be?

dminor 

Can you 'split the difference' with him and ask for a new hardtail instead?

Building a bike is not hard (they're not supercolliders, after all); but unless you are mechanically inclined (worked on cars or dirt bikes or anything?), you will encounter cases where you either need bicycle-specific specialized tools to take something apart/put it back together or have the ability to improvise with other tools around the workshop.

If you say 'no' to any of those things above, you may be best off: 1) buying something already assembled; or 2) giving yourself more time so that you can acquire those few extra tools you'll need and learn how to use them.

calleymn

well if i choose option 2 im gunna give myself atleast 6-8 months to build it. if thats enough.
but i really want a fs

plasticmaam12

Check this link out, calleymn:

mtnbiker66

What is your current hardtail?

dminor 

6-8 months will give you plenty of time to feel your way through the process and buy a tool here or there as you need it.

junkyard

Incorrect. What you really want is a rigid, single speed, steel 29er. That is what you really want.

dminor 

Well, now, he didn't need you to tell him that - - you're just pointing out the obvious. Everyone WANTS a rigid, single-speed, steel 29er; it's like telling me I like chocolate . . . duh! But only a chosen elite few of us are actually cool, sophisticated and skilled enough to own and ride one. Sadly, I am not one of those . . . so I have to muddle along with geared, aluminum bikes with varying amounts of suspension .

craigcraigcraig

and then there are those of us, like me who ride a not so rigid nor 29er but still steel and still SS. The "special" ones.

bikinfool

so basically i've wanted/needed a new bike for a while. and i thought i would get a fs for x-mas but my dad said he cant afford it right now

Like, dude, get a new dad. So lame he can't afford what you want (maybe, but not likely, "need"). Get a job...what an idea! Do some homework, there's tons of info out there. Prove you're worthy. Those guys with the rigid bikes are rigid in other ways, too, so watch out.