Retro Grouch 

How do you count? What qualifies as a build? If you rebuild the same frame numerous times does that count as multiple builds? What if you replace all of the components on a frame and subsequently acquire a new frame for all of the new parts and replace all of the old parts on the old frame?

Once, at a party, somebody asked me how many bikes I owned. While I was thinking (Does just a frame count? If I have all the parts but they aren't put together does that count?) Mrs. Grouch jumped in "He has 8 bicycles." I spent the rest of the night wondering which ones she didn't know about.

Should we start a 12-step program for addicted bike builders?

Mort Canard

Hello, My name is Mort and I am a bicycle build-aholic!

Retro Grouch 

Hiiiii, Mort. lol

dedhed

Really "build" a bike
https://antbikemike.wordpress.com/fra...ne-week-class/

In general the consensus is it's cheaper to buy a complete bike than to build one. My experience is that if you are patient and shop wisely that is not neccesarily true, and you get exactly what you want. You do have to be well versed in compatibility of such things as drivetrains and parts, threads, common "standard" sizes of certain parts, and specialized tools as well as what you should have the LBS do for you.

I've done a couple and find it to be very satisfying - as well as cheaper. #01
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...entries-are-in

Racer Ex 

I once built an old Trek 470 that had friction down tube shifters, Shimano MTB derailleurs, Campy 10 speed wheels/cassette, and an FSA exo style crank. Until you get into index shifting there's a huge amount of cross compatibility in drive trains. Even with indexed shifting you can run a lot of combos on the front. I run some big rings on my TT bike at times (56/42 in one case) so getting a front derailleur that will work and clear required some McGyvering. Fun stuff.

I've bought new bikes for the frame/fork, sold the components on Ebay, then built it back up with what I wanted. Bikes aren't brain surgery, they don't require a lot of technique like building motors, but there are pitfalls here and there.

The mechanics forum here provides a very nice knowledge base to tap into if you get stuck.

JoeMan

I bought a new Cannondale F1 made in USA frame for well under $200 on ebay. I then put it together using the components I wanted. I got a lot of help on the MTB forum and some great tutorials on- line. I bought parts when they were on sale or in some cases on Craigslist. I did use the LBS for specialized work like facing the BB and headset. All in all it was very worthwhile and in the end I got the bike exactly as I wanted.

Timtruro

I looked longingly at the Surly, but something about the Salsa Caseroll just kept calling me. I went to my LBS yesterday and spoke with the owner. Although not a Salsa dealer, he thought he could do a one time buy and said he would be happy to do it. He called the rep who said that would be ok. He also suggested that I go home and compare the geometry on my Roubaix with the same size Salsa frame to be sure I was buying the right size. After talking to the rep he said he was surprized at the price for a built bike from the company, he thought it was reasonable (about $1200), and said I might want to consider buying the complete bike and just changing out some components. Though tempted, I declined. I want this to be my build, my bike from the ground up. I know it will cost A LOT MORE in the long run but cost is not why I am doing it.

So after comparing the specs I I returned to the store and ordered the frame, next step deciding on my drivetrain build group, leaning toward an Ultegra group.

I must say I am excited about this project but also a bit nervous. Keep you all posted, pics of course.

BluesDawg

You'll love the Casseroll. They've made some changes since I got mine, but the essence is the same. The biggest changes are the curved fork blades (mine are straight) and the cantilever brakes (mine has calipers with longer than modern reach). That is one thing you'll need to substitute in your build kit. Delete the regular brakes and add cantis.

Have fun!

Timtruro

Thanks for the tip on the cantis, I missed that the first time around. I have been looking at groupsets and leaning toward the Ultegra 6700's. Yesterday Performance Bikes was running a Memorial Day sale. Bought the components individually and saved some money. So far ordered the crankset, cassette, bottom bracket, chain, front and rear derailleurs, and the cantilevered brakes. The LBS will be ordering the frame today as they couldn't do it earlier because of the holiday weekend. Still have several things to get, but I am pretty much committed (or should be) at this point.

jethro56 

Some pesky details are the cable stops for the brakes. I used Surly's seatclamp version that they supplied for the rear. The front I went with Tektro's fork crown mounted model. I also had to convert the downtube shifter bosses to stops for the shifter cables. I went with Shimano's adapters. Don't know what Salsa needs for this.

The front derailleur I got was a braze-on. (no choice) so I had to get a problem solvers clamp adapter to mount it.

Sram is stingy with cable housing. If one cut is just a little bit too short you're screwed. When routing cable figure out all the lengths first before any cuts. if you have enough to cut long do so as you can shorten but not lengthen afterword.

tcs

It is, after all, 1880s technology. You can build up just what you want, and create a bike that no OEM offers.

Timtruro

Bad news from the LBS last night. It seems that Salsa will not allow a one time buy for a non Salsa dealer. The owner was disappointed since he had been confident in being able to get the order in. I went ahead and ordered on line and assured the LBS owner that there will be plenty of business coming his way as I order components. He assured me that he will assist with anything he can on the build.