Originally Posted by
DrJim
I'm going to toss my two cents in one more time (for those who have not followed bikerjp's trials and tribulations).
As I said once before, building a bike from scratch is not a cost effective way to get a good bike. I believe a better bet is to buy a complete new bike and then, if it is not exactly what you want, modify it by adding or changing out components as time and budget allow. This should be substantially less expensive than building your own and it has the advantage of allowing you to size the frame properly since this has been one of your big concerns (assuming you don't buy online, of course). Also, if you find you really don't like the bike, you can always sell it.
A better bet based on my experience is to buy a used bike. This is way cheaper than buying new and a little effort and patience is likely to get you what is functionally as good as anything you can build. Again, if you are not perfectly satisfied with the bike as is, you can modify it. This is almost as much fun as building new.
Thanks for all the advice. I agree that a complete bike or used would be the best way to go. I've been looking. Thought about a Salsa Vaya but the size was 56 and I probably need at least a 58. Might have been able to make it work but wasn't convinced and then it sold. That lbs was going out of business so not sure where to find Salsa bikes now although I think most lbs can order them. Some shops around carry Surly and I've looked at those too. I can get a cross check for $1000 but I really don't like any of the components so upgrading all that seems more expensive than just building up how I want. I keep checking CL around here but not seeing much.
I'm the kind of person who would rather spend a bit more on something that is the better option rather than spend less and then end up not happy or pouring additional money into it. Maybe I'm way off on my estimate, but I think I can build an ES or similar bike up for about $1400 which is what I'd pay for a Vaya or cross check after upgrading. That is taking into consideration the parts I already have (handle bar, stem, seat, seat post, wheels, cassette, chain, pedals). Just need brakes and the rest of the drive train, head set and cables, etc. Also, I just want to build one for the fun and experience.
Originally Posted by
SlimRider
Hey there BikerJP!
First of all, 100 miles is really NOT considered as a tour. It's typically called a "century" by most experienced road bikers. Road bikers do centuries all the time. There's all types of touring. However, most touring requires riders to sleep at some place other than home. Centuries don't require that riders spend the night away from home. Therefore, you won't be carrying cooking utensiles, tents, blankets, or a change of clothes.
I think you should concentrate on a bike with the most versatility since I really do believe that deep down inside, you're really a touring cyclist at heart. Eventually, you're most probably going to venture further out and perhaps to credit card touring, if nothing else.
In that case, I think it would be a mistake to purchase any other frame than a Surly LHT. When you purchase the Surly LHT from Universal Cycles, you're getting both the fork and the frame as a frameset for $470.
Trust me, you will be happy with the LHT doing both centuries and credit card touring. Many world tourers swear by the LHT!
Good Luck!
- Slim
I probably wasn't clear about my intended use. I know 100 mi isn't touring, that is just one of the things I plan to do with the bike. The comment about touring was just that I might also do some overnights but it's not a focus - just something in the back of my mind. Mainly the bike will be my commuter and century bike. I've thought about and LHT but unless I plan to do some serious touring I think it's overkill and in the event I do start touring I'll probably look into a bike specifically for that but hoping whatever I build up will at least handle the credit card type touring. My brother lives a couple mountain passes away and I've thought of packing up and heading over his way for a few days. Better than credit card since I can mooch