rentilrebo

I'm building my first bike over the winter and I'm looking for some help on what order to buy the components. I have the frame and am probably gonna buy the fork soon. I guess my question is, is there an order I should buy the rest of the components? I hope to buy a piece or two every few weeks, and being as good and strong and easy on the budget as possible.

labrat

Sounds like you are on the right track to start with the frame and fork. Do you know what components you want to build up your frame? You will probably end up with a better result if you know what you want for the final build before you start buying pieces.

When I've done my builds, once I had the frame and fork the rest fell in place as I was able to find a "steal of a deal" on parts here and there. Just be patient, spend some time comparison shopping and make sure your purchases will fit the frame (right sized stem and headset, seatpost, front dérailleur etc.).

FBinNY 

Unless you already have usable components you're planning on upgrading, the ordering sequence doesn't matter, since you won't have a rideable bike until you finish. The timeline for accumulating stuff becomes more important if it stretches out beyond a year since things keep changing and you'll have to worry about compatibility. If you're only talking about a few months or less then let opportunities and sales drive the sequence.

One thing you should think about is the total component cost for your new bike. If you can find a complete bike with specs similar to what you want, it might be cheaper than the components bought separately, and you'll have a frame to either sell, keep as a spare, or build up with chaep or used stuff into a "B" bike.

Kimmo

Certainly not the cheapest way to go about it... if you save up for a bit you can prolly buy a second hand bike that's in good nick with much better bits than you could afford buying separately. Then you'd likely just need to chase up a few odds and ends.

simonaway427

Here's the order I built mine if it matters at all:

Had the frame, first thing I did was choose a fork and headset. Then bought bars, stem, seatpost/saddle, then wheels. That way I had a very basic "mockup" in which to build from there.

Then build up the mech (it was a single speed, so very basic) including BB, crank, cogs and chain. Once it was all put together, I dialed in the cockpit so I could cut the steerer tube. Last thing I did was wire up all the brakes with cables and housings.

rentilrebo

So I just decided to tweak an old bike to make it into a CX bike. I have an old Giant 500 that I'm gonna swap out the handlebars and get some new shifters. I have an old set of road handle bars but now need a new set of shifters and brakes. I'd prefer the all-in-one shifter/brake combo. I'll probably end up putting in some interrupter brakes too.

So, any suggestions? Something nice but still relatively cheap.

FuzzyDunlop

I see good deals on new-ish Shimano brifters (integrated brake/shifters) on Craigslist all the time. I think anything above Tiagra will get you the most bang for your buck. The only trick is you need to match your shifters to your gearing. What other components are you running?

cyclist2000

I normally start with a frame fork and headset.

I do not cut the steerer. This can wait until after riding the bike for a few weeks, to make sure the fit is correct..

I use old seatpost and stem, I want to ride these items before buying new components that are the wrong size for the fit. I purchase these last after riding the older components to adjust the fit.

Look for brake calipers and handlebars since these will work with any setup

the drivetrain is the part where decisions are all interconnected. Brifters need to match the rear derailluer and cog. Rear derailluer is sized based on crankset and cog size. Once this is decided I start looking for the cheapest components in any order.

My winter build is almost complete, I only need to purchase a cassette and chain, I will use wheels from a different bike initially and build a new set of wheels later as time and funds permit. I find that buying hand built wheels costs me about the same as buying the components separately, so I don't need to spend my time and labor. I will build some wheels myself for fun.

rentilrebo

So I decided not to buy all new components. I'm just gonna cannibalize an old Giant and a few other parts I have. All the parts should fit but I'll still need to get a new set of shifters and road brakes. I have 18 gears, 3 up front and 6 in the back. I don't think I want to spend the money on a set of brifters, but does anyone have a suggestions or preferences that could help me out. Thanks.

fietsbob

Rebuilding, overhauling for maintainence, the one you have already..
is a good first step.

ask your self what do you want your bike to do for you..

racing style and cargo carrying are both reasonable uses ,
but require entirely different choices of parts.

cyclist2000

This will be difficult since brifters (combination brake levers and shifters) you may be able to use 7 or 8 speed brifters but I am not sure how that would work.

hybridbkrdr

Nashar touring fork $49.00
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes//Produc...2_511246_-1___
Nashbar touring frame $99.00
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes//Produc...2_511239_-1___
Shimano Deore LX trekking (touring) groupset (crankset, rear derailleur, front derailleur, shifters, brake levers, brakes, cassette, chain) as low as 271.21 euro (depending on which options you choose); with shipping to North America (means you don't pay European VAT tax) is $368.33 US dollars (the exchange rate fluctuates)
https://www.bike24.com/p29129.html
WTB Freedom Ryder 23 rims 36 hole $18.45 (times two = $36.90) (I put the link here from eBikestop for people who want to order from Canada, shipping for large items is cheaper from eBikestop last time I ordered)
https://www.ebikestop.com/freedom_ryd...rim-RM2241.php
Shimano Tiagra rear hub 36 hole $27.89
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=414678
Shimano Tiagra front hub 36 hole $19.84
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=407883
(I haven't chosen that yet, you can look below why)
Velox rim strip $1.83 (times two = $3.66)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=432533
Dimension spoke protector $3.00
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=419815
Sunlite wheel reflectors $2.49
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...oducts_id=5777
DT Swiss Champion 14g (2.0mm) spokes
for rear wheel
(I measured both hub and rim and used two sizing calculators for that rim and rear hub and chose 287mm and 289mm spokes, 18 of each length)
287mm $0.43 (times 18 = $7.74)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=32422
289mm $0.51 (times 18 = $9.18)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=32640
for front wheel using this calculator https://lenni.info/edd/ says it's 290mm both sides
290mm $0.51 (times 36 = $18.36)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=32638
DT Swiss Champion 12mm, 2.0mm brass nipples $0.26 (times 72 = $18.72)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=32619
Dimension chainstay protector clear $5.95
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=501118
Origin8 classique sport seatpost 27.2mm x 300mm silver $26.08
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=509738
Origin8 seatpost clamp 31.8mm gold $5.99
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=431892
Origin8 headset spacers 1-1/8" (ten x 10mm) silver $6.20
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=431892
Origin8 headset threadless 1-1/8" gold $31.99
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=431753
Origin8 stem threadless 1-1/8" 25.4mm silver $21.99
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=431946
Origin8 handlebars 625mm long 25.4mm clamp 40mm high silver $19.80
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=431636
Black Ops platform pedals clear $14.99
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=432203
WTB Freedom Relax saddle light brown $36.98
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=433923
Dimension hand-stiched leather grips light brown $14.88
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=408543
Continental tubes 700x28-47mm Presta $6.26 (times two = $12.52) (or the thicker Michelin tubes)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=424089
Continental TourRide tires 700x37mm $26.96 (times two = $53.92) (or Michelin Tracker tires) (you can also get these in cream color with reflective strips from bikexperts.com in Germany if you ask them)
https://www.amazon.com/Continental-To.../dp/B0013DZGVG
Well, here the total without the shipping cost for amazon.com, niagaracycle and eBikestop and cost of assembly is $915.40
Sunlite bottle cages $1.99 (times two if you want $3.98)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=12697
Sunlite Tec HD tourer rack $24.99 (these were actually all silver when they arrived)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=430988
Axiom Rainrunner trekk reflex 700c fenders $54.00
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=426889
Avenir Softside City panniers $42.56
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=507460
Trek Lime bell $7.99 (you can click on additional views to see the 8 colors, I would choose white)
https://store.trekbikes.com/jump.jsp?...ProductID=1439
Civia two leg kickstand $27.00 (right now I'm not sure what the top plate model means yet)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=710999
Halo hex key skewers $15.00
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...s.php?id=12529
Cateye Strada cycling computer CD-RD100 $21.51 (this one is the black on sale but I've seen the white on sale before)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=13708
The total at this point would be $1112.43
Kryptonite Kryptolock Value Series 2 (make sure to grease the mechanism inside) $32.16
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=30504
Giro Hex helmet $67.95 (depends on size, color)
https://www.amazon.com/Giro-Mountain-...6885571&sr=8-2
Dimension eyeglass mirror $10.50
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=411405
Fox Racing gloves $21.95
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=702678
Bellwether rain jacket $119.99
https://www.amazon.com/Bellwether-201...888369&sr=1-44
Bellwether AquaNo pants $60.39
https://www.amazon.com/Bellwether-Aqu...6895452&sr=8-3
The total at this point would be $1425.37
If you chose to go with a dynamo front hub and front and rear dynamo lights, this could be a choice
Busch&Muller D'Toplight Plus rear dynamo light 17 euro
https://www.bike-x-perts.com/en/produ...ucts_id/133927
Busch&Muller Lumotec Lyt Plus 25 lux front light for dynamo hub 24 euro
https://www.bike-x-perts.com/en/produ...ucts_id/359500
(you could also choose the IQ Cyo 60 lux front light but that's 64 euro)
https://www.bike-x-perts.com/en/produ...ucts_id/359497
Shimano DH-3N72 dynamo hub 58 euro (actually, I wanted to choose the Deore LX model for this message but the spoke calculator did not include this one, I can only measure it once I order it)
https://www.bike-x-perts.com/en/produ...ucts_id/242167
(The spokes for this would be 283mm both sides with the WTB Freedom Ryder 23 rim)
DT Swiss Champion 283mm spokes $0.49 each (times 36 = $17.64)
https://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=92390
So, if you chose a dynamo hub 58 euro, front light 24 euro, rear light 17 euro (plus the 283mm spokes minus the 290mm spokes and Tiagra front hub), it would be $1539.26 without the shipping from bikexperts
I'm a little surprised I did all this work. But, please tell me if I missed any bike parts.
You can always use the frame sizing calculator at ColoradoCyclists.