When will I be able to get the bike I want?
 

I'm in need of a new bike. I see lots of bikes reccommended on this forum, and I really like certain features of all of them. The problem is that I can't decide which bike I want because I'd have to upgrade some of the parts that comes with them.

When will a bicycle company take the personal computers route to selling bikes? Like choose a bike frame, they have a standard build, but you may choose upgrades or downgrades on each part for a price. Ever order a Dell computer? this is what I'm talking about. I don't know why it hasn't been done yet. Dell has been doing it for years, and other computer manufacturers have also. It doesn't seem that difficult to adapt the same system for bicycles.

I want MY bike, not somebody else's. I don't want to buy the frame and build it myself....all i want is maybe the Surly Crosscheck, with disc brakes (I don't think it has disc mounts though :( ) or the Kona Dew Delux with drop bars. I want to order the bike without a saddle and pedals. Is that too much to ask?

No, not really. However, as with any "custom" product one at
a time cost way more than modifying a ready build.

The cheapest most cost effective way that I know of is to
find a high quality used lugged steel frame and spec in all
your own goodies. Like you I'd really like a bike that is
mine alone but in reality modifying a used bike offers much
greater choices.....sometimes for less money...sometimes not.
Either way it's YOUR bike YOUR way, mate.

you can buy the bike you want from several companiesbut be prepared to pay for them to do your customizing.

Lemond offer a customisation option

'http://www.lemondbikes.com/why_lemond/custom.shtm

Couple years ago, I bought a frame. Then I bought parts. Took me a year. You could do that, prob a lot quicker. Most of the small companies will give you 'a la carte' but it'll cost ya. The big advantage of a big company is you're getting a lot for your money.
What's the big deal with discs? I don't want the weight,and most brakes these days work real well. Can they work reliably in a commuting environment?

I ordered a 2005 Jamis Nova (will be my new commuter) about a month ago. It's supposed to be here in a wek or two. The only things I'm considering changing are the tires, saddle, and pedals.

I've found over the years, that the best way to buy a bike is to start with a frame and build it up. :) I would always change stuff on prebuilt bikes anyway. My LHT is my latest build, before that a Waterford Paramount.

As for the Jamis, great commuter choice. They're closing out the 2004's at Performance bike for $549. Almost bought one. :)

well, I could buy the frame, fork and all the other parts and build myself. I'm certainly capable of doing that. But I don't want to. It'll end up costing more and it'll take longer to get a working, ridable bike.

I just can't imagine that I'm the only one that sees a bike and wants to change things. I could replace those parts, but I'd have to pay more for the replacements and I have brand new parts laying around that I don't need.

I've been looking for a used bike, but havn't found one that I like just yet.

Discs aren't really a must-have, but since i'll be commuting in all weather (where i live the worst will be rain) I want good stopping power. I'm sure cantilevers would work just fine, but I think i'd prefer disc.

I just don't see what the big deal is. It doesn't have to be every single part on the bike, (I don't want to choose my spokes or bar tape or even BB) just a few key ones like wheelset, front/rear deraileur, saddle, pedals, brakes, shifters and bars. If a company was large enough, dealt in volume and provided 3 choices for each of the above parts (4 if you count the "I don't want it" option) the retail price could be cheaper than me buying a pre-built and pre-spec'd bike and changing out parts.

I guess this is just a rant. I want to get the best bike for ME for a good price. I'll probably go with the crosscheck, it's the closest thing to what I want.

Ribble Bicycles, a UK company do this. You choose the frame and then you can choose the components you want to put on it: http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bikebuilder.asp

While not exactly what you're looking for some online bicycle retailers offer different "build-kits" and upgrade options. Better yet, many LBSs are willing to mix and match parts on a new bike. Find a shop that's willing to be flexible and go with them...

My last two bikes I simply ordered a frame and the parts I wanted and assembled them myself. Often more expensive doing it that way though :(.

-Trevor

Hang on, l;et me check my Super Lottery ticket, I'll let you know.

All the real bike shops have done just what you suggest from, oh I don’t know, the beginning of bicycle time.

At the Velomeister we almost never sold a bike that didn’t have at least a slight modification. And many had major changes, shorter cranks, longer cranks, short cage derailleur, break levers that fit the riders hands and grip better.

Many times we would put a whole different groupo on a road bike. We had lots of try racers that would buy a whole bike just to get a new frame to put their old groupo on. We would buy back the group and the wheels and sell it to a rider that wanted to up grade but keep their old frame.

If your LBS isn’t willing to do this then they aren’t really into biking they are just into retail.

You have 2 options:

1) Buy a brand new customized bike either locally, or on-line. A few companies (airborne.net is one I know of) offer on-line custom options; these are a little less expensive than buying locally. Either way, it won't be cheap. You're looking at a minimum of around $1500

2) Buy the frame and components individually as they become available at a discount. Ebay is a great source for quality new and used frames and components, but also check other on-line sources. If you are patient, you can eventually put together a great bike for just under a $1000 (depending on what you want). However, this can be very time consuming, especially if you are particular about the components you want. If you are, it could takes weeks, even months to find everything.

Or you could do what I did: Buy a production model, and when the components eventually wear out, replace them with what you want. I have a 2001 Trek X0-1 cross bike. Even though not all the components were to my liking, I liked the frame and got a good deal, that's why I bought it. Originally, all components were stock, but as some have worn out (wheels and tires, rear derailleur and cassette; I also replaced the STI shifter with barcons), I've replaced them with what I want. I'm probably not as picky as you might be :D , but I have a bike I'm happy with.

I just built my Surly LHT that way. Bike swap meet season in San Diego netted a ton of parts. Shopped around for other parts. Ebay, nashbar, licktons. Ebayed some of the killer deals I got at the swap meet. Ended up with about $850 in the LHT, which would've been quite a bit more if built the traditional way. My buddy just picked up a Jamis Nova for $550 from Performance Bike and has swapped the essentials. Campy ergo levers, better derailleurs, seat and pedals. He's probably got $800 in it now.

Mark

Good bike components don't wear out, (except for front derailleur cages) they get destroyed by abuse, bad mechanics, poor maintenance and foolish tinkering.

Ditto

That's true only up to a point. Tires will eventually wear out, no matter what kind, from normal usage. The rear cassette eventually wears out. And of course, the chain eventually needs to be replaced with regular riding.

I agree that if well cared for, most quality components will last a long time if well cared for. The front cranks should last several years, but eventually the teeth wear out, and the individual rings at the very least need replacement. Quality wheels should last years, but eventually the spokes wear out, even high quality ones.

The two components that wear out within 2000 miles are the brakes and tires. In fact, not replacing the brakes every year is looking for trouble. After 3 - 5 flats, it's time to replace the inner tube and that can happen within 6 months or 6 days!

Dell probably sells more PC's than Trek, Giant and Cannondale combined! The production cost of a PC is waaaay lower than a bicycle since Dell controls the cost of it's components. A bicycle manufacturer still has to buy it's parts (fixed costs) from Shimano which adds 40% or more of the price of a bicycle. Furthermore, the JIT approach won't work for bicycles because frame construction from start to finish cannot be completed in minutes unless you're building a Huffy.

No. You're not. That's why I get a half dozen or so parts catalogs a month. And they keep sending them 'cause I keep buying stuff.

You've got to be realistic. You're not talking about a few parts. You're talking about changing every main component (except the crank & BB). The big bike companies aren't set up to build ala cart. Could they change? Probably. Will they ever? Probably not. Too many of us are all too happy to buy what they have or a bare frame and then keep the aftermarket in business.


SS

Yea, i guess you're right. Since I don't want to build the bike myself, I'll probably end up buying a production bike and changing a few parts immediatly and others over time. oh well...

I had my Surly Long Haul Trucker built in September. I talked with several shops before I found a shop that was interested in building I want, not selling me the off the rack LHT build. I think all you need is a dealer that has access to the QBP inventory and you are set (and that is interested in working with you). I spec'd out my bike and they gave me a good price, far lower than if I had bought the items separately, plus they built it so I have a warranty if I have a problem. I also brought my own wheelset, saddle and pedals to them when they built it and that saved me more. I got everything I wanted the first time and for a decent price, for what I paid it was worth it to let them build it. I could have but it would have taken some time and a little learning curve.

Have you taken a look at possibly doing a build with a Surly Karate Monkey frame? It is a 29er and it will take disk brakes. I am sure the geometry is different from a cross check, but I wonder if it would work for you?

I agree with you of coarse, but just for the fun of it, a tire is not a component, it is a consumable. It is technically speaking a component of the bike, but not a part included in a grupo… so not what we call a component.

Rear cassettes and chainrings don’t wear out unless you don’t change your chain when it stretches or abuse it by bad shifts or not lubricating……… or riding out at Shorline Park (:lol: inside joke) and just because the plating is all pealing off the teeth doesn’t mean it’s worn out, it’s just getting broken in. :lol:

Chains don’t wear out they stretch, and need to be replaced. Also they fall into the same category as tires and bar tape and cables and shoes and girlfriends oh, sorry.