I'm a relative newcomer to the world of road bikes and bike building, but I'm lucky enough to have three things: (1) a credit card, (2) access to bike parts at cost, and (3) bike-crazy friends who are willing to help me out. I opted to build my new bike from (mostly) scratch because I have a knee injury that makes getting on and off a mens frame sort of uncomfortable, and the new step-through bikes that are within my price range just don't appeal to me -- they all look like round, bubbly cartoon bikes, not to be taken seriously by a commuter like myself!
So, I picked up a 70's era Steyr-Daimler-Puch ladies bike, which - even with steel wheels and heavy components, was still on the lighter side of what I'm used to. I've stripped the thing down for powdercoating, and now I'm trying to price out the parts...
The problem is, I don't know where I can skimp and where I should splurge. I'm trying to keep the whole project under $600, but that's with parts at cost. I can get some advice from my friends who will be helping me put it all together, but I'd like as many opinions as possible. I'm going for a bike that is light, fast, and comfortable enough for commuting about 30-40 miles a week and maybe a little touring.
I may be revealing just how little I know about bike building by posting this, but let me know if you spot any choice that seems overly cheap or outlandishly expensive. Or, if you have any suggestions.
Here's what I have so far...
Seatpost – Kalloy Uno (silver)
Seatpost Clamp: ??
Drivetrain:
Cassette – Shimano 9 Speed FW8422
Chain - ?
Front Derailleur - ?
Rear Derailleur – Use the one that came with the frame (old Schwinn)
Crankset - Shimano 105 FC-5600 Road Double Crankset
Bottom Bracket - ?
Components:
Stem - Kalloy
Headset – Ritchey Logic
Handlebars – Buy used (drop-down)
Brake/shifter levers, w/ cables and housing – Shimano Sora ST3400 9spd Double/Triple STI Lever Set
Brakes: Tektro Road Caliper Brake Sets
Seat – ?
Pedals – Sylvan Road Pedals
Wheels:
Options:
A Class ALX220, A Class ALX320/ALX320 TRI Wheelset, Miche Pistard, or Campagnolo Vento Reaction wheelset
Tires: Vittoria Randonneur or Panaracer Pasela
Tubes: ?
Fenders: Civia-full wrap aluminum
Possibly buy used?
∗ Stem
∗ Seatpost
∗ Headset
∗ Handlebars