I like the "before" photo better...

nice GT, what model and year if you dont mind me asking?

It's the wheels isn't it...I love those wheels but the front is pretty badly damaged...also I updated the bike from a sachs 8spd drivetrain to a mix of campy 10 speed stuff so the hub isn't compatible on the rear. The ones I have on there now are some campagnolo protons I picked up for $80 that are place holders till I get a nicer set, I have a brooks B5N and a polished velo orange seatpost that need to go on next week when I go back to work again at the shop.

2011 GT Series 3, got in on clearance :)

Back-burner project...

https://sphotos-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/h...65617714_n.jpg

Isn't it crazy how we call sub $2000 "budget" when there are people riding $500 bikes that are fine?

Post another photo after the updates.

Yes, should be more like a $1200 limit

I agree with both of you, when I see the word budget, I'm not thinking 2K at all. I will throw in my $350 craigslist bike, with wheels and other changes I am right at about $1,000.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=335475

I picked up mine for 650 and put another 800 in it.
some people still have no idea GT made road bikes ha

The reason for the $2k limit is that most of the bikes in the regular have $2k+ frames.

Let's face it $2k is really the lowest you can realistically expect. $1k is a brand new Al frame and entry level components, so the minimum price is $1k. With a $1200 limit you're basically going to get a stock bike with cages+saddle. $2k give people some room to play with custom wheels and other real upgrades.

With a $1200 limit you'd get a thread dominated by 2-3 yr old carbon frames ($3k new) which someone got a sweet deal on. The higher limit allows a little more flexibility and personal choice without turning into the DuraAce/Red love-fest of the regular thread.

The $2k limit seems about right to me. I haven't posted my ghetto build in here yet, but, probably should. But, for around $1500 I was able to piece together a second hand custom Alu frame, carbon Easton fork and post, a mash up of 7900 DA and 6600 Ultegra and hand built wheels.

Both my bikes are budget builds, hand built by me except the wheels.
My most recent:
Specialized Allez "Rehab/Recovery ride"
(Homage to American Flyers "sort of" ;) )
Made this a triple with Ultegra 6600 crank set, & brake set.
105 RD, Tiagra brifters, & FD.
Mavic Aksium Race wheel set.
3T Pro stem, Nashbar flattop carbon drop bars.
Black Fizik Arione.

My Frankenbike of some sorts.
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...816_193127.jpg

Last but not least:
Giant Defy(also my 1st real road bike)
Full Dura Ace 7800 group set (NOS)
Mavic Ksyrium SL's
3T ARX Team stem, & handle bar.
Fizik Arione, matching bar tape.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...923_174303.jpg

Working on my 1st CF bike.
"Under construction."

Technically my bike's a "budget build".

http://home.comcast.net/~manuel.rego/images/bike3.jpg

(bow down to my superior bike balancing skillz! ;) lol! Forgive the crappy cellphone pic though. The lens distorts everything and makes it look monsterous).

It's a Raleigh 2005 Grand Prix (Shimano 9x3 BTW). Bought it back in 2005 for somewhere between $900-$1100 (I can't remember.. getting old sucks).

In the past eight years I've sunk almost another $1000 into it between:

Upgrading the wheels (to be fair they broke and it wasn't worth fixing them), pedals, rear cassette, front deraillier, replaced broken brifters, replaced the seat, handlebar tape a few hundred times, and later this week I'll be upgrading the brakes (finally).

Yeah it's not a CF bike or a brand that most people drool over, but I'm happy with it. :)

Nice!

Where did you find the white saddle bag?

Looks like a Lezyne bag.

It's a Timbuk2 xt bag. I got it from my local rei store.

My budget build.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/a...5/IMAG0051.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/a...5/IMAG0167.jpg

$560 all said and done.


I know, I know, steerer tube still needs to be cut..

wow....nice, how did you do that for $560? I see that much in just the Shimano group.

I think I paid $250 for the frame (Nashbar Sale), $80 for the fork (unused, uncut from CL). The rest are from bike swap and some parts I already have.

Better pics with my NOS Brooks B5N and Velo Orange Grand Cru Setback post installed as of today. I'm into this for a total of $980 so far.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...43512159_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/h...89651029_n.jpg

Now all I need is a really shiny polished up 36 spoke campy tubular wheel set and I'll call this good for now...and maybe some classic bend bars...and maybe some...dammit, I'm never gonna be finished with this build.

Forgot to mention:
$500-$550 into my Specialized, & $1100-$1200 on my Giant.

BTW here's the link to the saddle bag I have:

http://www.rei.com/product/847595/ti...le-pack-medium

Sweet rides! I see we have similar tastes in wheels too. :)

I find these wheels bulletproof for my riding style, & weight.
I bunny hop curbs, ride stairs, questionable road conditions,you names it.
So far so good!

Thanks on both accounts Crash!