Off topic a bit, but: the running joke regarding trails built like the one in the photo on the previous page is that the next step would be to just go ahead and pave it; it's nearly there anyway.

Thank you. I am leaning towards building, especially having just come from the LBS just a five minute drive from my house, talked to a Wrench there and he reassured me that he/they can do whatever I need done during the build, e.g. using their equipment and tools for pressing this or that into place, putting on disc brakes, the drive train, whatever I want them to do. So I feel it is more about buying the right parts that work together, I guess I can do that over in the MTB forum perhaps?

Well, some of us, me included, need some simpler safer trails like that. I am no 22 year old anymore. Plus the Unaffordable Nocare Act now has me paying $1000/m with a $10,000 deductible, so if I break a wrist biking I am out probably $5000. That huge deductible and monthly premium really has changed how risky I can do physical things now, sigh. Two years ago I was at $250/m and $2000 deductible. I mean, WTF?!? Maybe the Unaffordable Nocare Act will get dismantled in time for me to actually be able to go in to a doc for checkups (free physical exam each year? a joke, you get hit with a lab bill for blood checks for several hundred) and take more risks biking.

There are certainly more dangerous trails here in Duluth. We recently made one of I think just 5 or so golden seal mountain biking cities in the world, heard something like that on our radio or local newspaper.

It is NOT the ACA that has 4x'd your prems and 5x'd your deductible SZB. Sorry, that dawg won't hunt. How do I know? Because I don't pay those rates for my healthcare, and I am also an American Citizen, and also subject to the same laws of the land as you are! My health system also owns a chain of hospitals in the Portland Metro Area and, as a conglomerate, the combined earnings of Providence Health and Services Inc. have increased by 6 Billion Dollars since the phase in of the ACA. This would be noteworthy by itself. It is relevant, because this amazing turn of fortune notwithstanding, Providence Inc. filed for one of the largest (66%) premium increases of any of the big health systems for 2017!

Why did they do that? I don't know. But I know it wasn't because they were broke. Or losing money!! Think about it. The ACA guaranteed HIP's and HMO's a captive audience of paying customers to fleece as they would. What's not to like? But by saying they hate the ACA and arguing for its repeal, they basically end the steady inflow of premium revenue. And? What? They have 6B in the tank, and the end of ACA means they will not have to pay any of it out in awards to needy claimants with chronic or pre-existing conditions. It's a one time pump, dump and run (to the Cayman's) for giving Trump and Republicans the emotional ammunition to get support for Repeal. There will not be any replace. If you are hoping that Trump will restore your $250/$2K plan from before... fughedaboutit. Ain't gonna happen. You've been had. Snookered. Taken for a sucker.

I'm very annoyed at the gullibility of so many. The $250/$2K plans never went anywhere. They are still out there if you want to look for them. But if you just want to whine about an ACA that was helping you... well you will get your chance. "You're going to miss me when I'm gone" was never so appropos as now. <smh>

Co-op option?
 

I have to agree that building is a good learning experience and will, hopefully, get you exactly what you want. The greatest down side is that it can be horrendously expensive, especially if your experience or mechanical skills are limited. May I suggest, as others have, that you buy a used, recent model of a bike that close to you ideal ride, join a bike co-op and learn how to completely overhaul it. Then, ride it for a while to determine if it's what you really want. You can also upgrade it as you go. Another option is to buy a close out model from an earlier year. Often very large or very small bikes don't sell. I'm not a proponent of Bikes Direct, but you may want to check them out.

Good luck,

Van

Building your own bike is, I believe, sure to result in two things:

1) You will learn a lot, A LOT, both about building, wrenching and bike maintenance, as well as bicycles in general - part types, compatibilities etc.

2) You will spend more than you would for buying a whole new bike, and probably not get it all right.

I find it worth while, but then, I love fixing bikes. Most of my friends just want a bike that works, so they just let me do all that I think needs to be done and pay what I say it will cost. Not at all interested about doing it themselves, ever. Except patching tyres - which is useful to know to do by yourself, especially if riding further away from home.

So it's up to you - if you're willing to pay more to know more - build your own bike. If not - then don't do it.
One more advantage of building one bicycle yourself is that a second bike you build has a lot more chance to be customized to your needs and preferences. The third one you'll probably get 100% spot on... or not. :)

If it's got a hole, it's a lifesaver:thumb:

Well no, not just for aesthetics reasons. He will be increasing the value of his labor by learning new skills. This will lead to increased confidence in fixing his own bicycles which will save him money down the road.

The first bike I built was a learning experience. I didn't get it perfect, so I sold some things on craigslist and replaced them. Now it's perfect.

True.

He will be learning new skills, but those specific to building a bike are much less often needed. I am not a believer In trial and error being an efficient means of learning. There are multiple ways of doing something wrong, so making one mistake does not mean you will avoid others. The best route is to learn the correct method in the first place.

I would love to have your bike building budget. Since it seems like you're not even aware of the names of the components involved, your LBS may be doing a lot of the work on this build.
But then, I have friends who take their beach cruisers to the LBS every spring for a $75 tune-up, so what do i know, eh?

So, I hate to be the one who brings up the money question, but do you have a budget for this build? Or is this 'perfect spec' -at-any-cost operation?
What is your 'perfect spec?' You've mentioned size and 'asthetics' but little else.
There are lots of little variables in frame geometry and component selection that can make one bike work very well for one person, but not at all for another, and it's very rare to get it right 'out of the box' on your first build. You said you've had several bikes before, did you do any upgrades or modifications to them, or were they just 'off the rack?'

One thing to consider, is that a bike, once built, is not a permanent thing. All of my bikes have been through at least a couple of iterations, some were mild changes, some were quite radical. Someone mentioned before finding a bike that's 80% of your ideal spec and modding from there.

Do the build. It's how you learn. Get the frame and then figure out what components you need. A 29er would give you a wider range of parts choices if you can find a frame. Otherwise, there are still plenty of options for a 26er. Rockshox, Fox, and Manitou all offer a range of forks for 26ers.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...?category=5665

There are plenty of wheelsets still available for 26 frames.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...?category=5479

Perhaps in this case Custom is the way to go? Mtn bikes have really become form follows function as the need to handle front and rear suspension etc.

If the OP is is ok with a hardtail he could look at something like this and specify color, other options Outlier | Kirk Frameworks

http://kirkframeworks.com/wp-content...utliermain.jpg

$2000 or less. LBS said they would put the entire bike together if I bring the parts, for $180. I would like to do some of the build, but it is nice to know the LBS will put it together for a couple hundred bucks. So I can get the frame with fork, paint it, buy parts with the help of folks here and maybe the LBS somewhat, put together what I can and/or have the LBS put it together. But like building a PC, I will get the components I want in a configuration I want, color scheme I want, which would be nice. Believe me, I would love to just buy a bike, but I keep looking and can not find what I want in terms of aesthetics unless I want to spend over $2000.

You still haven't' said what you want out of this bike, other than 'aesthetics' We're trying to give you some guidance, but it's difficult with the only criteria so far is a unicorn XL frame that you like the look of, but haven't found yet.

Is it a particular color scheme? Frame geometry? Graphics, or lack thereof?
It's easy to change the color of a bike; you just paint it. Stripping and re-assembly will give you a good feel for how it goes together.

Where you want to end up will be a key factor in where you start. 29" or 27.5" wheels? 1x11 or 3x8? Hardtail XC or Full Suspension/Freeride? Alloy or Carbon? If you don't know where you want to end up, it's hard to help you get there.

You said you liked the Giant Talon 3 It's available as a 2017 model, and still black w/ green. List on it is under $600. I understand the desire to build it exactly the way you want, but you could easily spend a grand to build that exact bike a piece at a time.

Well why don't we work on that? Especially seeing that you still haven't (we haven't) even been able to come up with so much as a frame to start the build with yet. A total budget is nice but I for one would like an idea of how the budget should be biased. I mean... you could get a frame from Nashbar... and bling it out with Shimano Dura Ace or SRAM Red; or you could get a custom frame from Leonard Zinn and put Shimano Claris on it. Well Claris is a road gruppo but you get the idea.

Having the LBS press bearing races into a head tube, or face the bottom bracket for you wouldn't raise any eyebrows. IMO you should be able to do every single operation besides that yourself, if you really are going to get into a bike build. I never did learn how to final tension and true a wheel, but as a teenager I did build (lace) up a coupe of tubular wheels and took them to the local wheelbuilding guru to finish. I got a pass because of my age and obvious enthusiasm. I'm not saying you need to know how to build wheels, but wheels are important. What is your wheel budget?

I think I am going to have to join the chorus of "buy a bike" posters. Yep. PC's are one thing, a bike is quite another. You might be outside what is usually intended for an XL frame, but not so much so that it should be a deal breaker. Given your budget you must be able to find a bike for your 6'5" self. Must. Otherwise, call Leonard (Zinn) and ask him to sell you a frame, and what you have left is what you have left to buy components (and wheels) and then you have your custom bike. It doesn't have to be any harder than this.

:drool: yes please.

There ya go - can be shipped unassembled, and you have over $250 for a paint job and equipment changes to stay under $2k, with financing options as well.

I like this guy, I say, research, learn and build. It's kinda fun. I built my first GT mountain bike like this and it turned out well, takes time, but can turn out good, its all about the effort you put in.
A good thing to do is to develop a good relationship with your LBS, spend money there, make friends, dork out on bikes.

jbucky
http://www.buckyrides.com