Originally Posted by
anujaya
thanks for the input!
I wish I could spend enough to build a bike with some of those nicer frames you guys recommended, but can't as of now. I really like that nashbar frame, but I feel like that may drive me over budget unless I skimped on the rest of the components. I think the nice cyclocross based bike may have to wait till after college.
I'm going to buy a old frame from a local bike shop and just build it with as many used parts I can. And being in Pittsburgh and riding in the rain and snow, I think it'd be nice to have a bike that I don't have to worry about as much. Thanks for the input again!
You might be underestimating what bike parts cost - even used ones. Then there's labor at the LBS or money to buy special tools. I wouldn't try to build up a bike on a $300 budget unless there really aren't any Craig's List complete bikes that meet your needs. You might be able to find a used bike with condition problems, where a few parts could make it complete/reliable, and still stay under $300.