Hey guys i currently have a fuji absolute 2.0,but im getting tired of it and im getting sick of going to the bike shop.So i have decided to buy a bike frame and build it myself.I figure it would be fun and help me learn more .I like some classic frames but the only thing i would have to have on the bike are those shifters on the aero bars with the brakes and be able to have fenders and a rear rack.I posted this thread so that as i find frames maybe i could post it and see if i can do what i want to them.I do realize its more expensive and time consuming but i think it will be more rewarding. This frame i saw on CL today and i like it..any help/insight would be appreciated

Frame up is done by a good many c + v members, but many have a deep inventory of parts, tools, and experience. You can spend $500 on parts if you want brifters, another $150 on used wheels and new tires, and another $250 on a workstand and basic tools.

Old Trek steel frames are great, but do you know the model and frame material? Is it your size? You could buy that frame and find a donor bike for the groupset you want to save $$$.

the biggest issue starting out is finding a straight frame in your size. that one's on the small side. i have no knowledge for brifters (i prefer classic downtube brazed shifters), but hopefully someone will help steer you down the right path.

edit: if you have a basic tool set, you can add the minimum required bike building tools for around $100. park cone wrenches, for example, are around $5/ea. their bb and headset wrenches are $15. be forewarned, once you build one bike, you'll want to build another.

and finding a donor bike for parts is the way to go. remember, you can clean, overhaul and polish just about anything, given you have the time.

Unless you already have access to the components needed to build a bike from a bare frame, you will end up spending a lot of money. You would be far better off to find a complete bike, disassemble it (a learning experience in itself), then build it back up, ensuring that everything is clean, properly lubricated and adjusted to work properly.

If you don't have all of the components needed to build the bike, expect to pay hundreds of dollars for parts and quite a bit for shipping, if you cannot access items at your local level. Again, start with a complete bike and go from there.

Also, it is a very good idea to rough build a bike, making it road worthy and safe to ride, then test ride the bike, before spending the time, cash and effort to build it the way that you want. The test ride will make it clear if the frame is out of true or not.

Welcome to the forum. Your desire is a good one. If you've got cash, go for it. I suspect starting out from scratch, expect to put in around 1K (or more) to occomplish a build. But in the end, you'll have the bike you want and you'll know it in detail so adjustments and repairs will be easy in the future. But like any project, expect to end up paying 2x the estimated price, cuz your gonna want to splurge on that must have part (saddle, pedals) that you haven't even stumbled across yet. It's a hobby, have fun.

PS. In a year or two you'll be making statement like "oh, in my parts box"

Looks like an '82 515 in nice condition, but in a size that is best for a person of very small stature.

If your aim is to assemble a bike to learn more, buying a complete bike and doing a thorough rehab is a much more economical way to do it, and your investment in tools will be the same.

If you do elect to start with a frame-set anyway, research every part well before you purchase it, otherwise there is a significant risk of selecting the wrong component since there are many different sizes of bars/stems/seat posts/bottom brackets/hubs/etc.

Why do you have to keep taking your Fuji to the shop?

I think your better off looking for a decent used bike with "brifter" type shifters, then cleaning and repairing that rather than start from scratch. It will be cheaper and you won't have to worry so much about compatibility of parts.