Both Jandro and I know this first hand. Our 722 "budget" builds are not budget at all really. Hahahaha

Steps in building a bike from scratch:

Step 1: Make a list of the parts you need.
Step 2: Set your budget.
Step 3: Choose your parts.
Step 4: Double your budget.
Step 5: Buy your parts.
Step 6: Add more money.
Step 7: Wait while you order the parts you really need, not the ones you thought you needed.
Step 8: Buy tools and/or pay someone to install stuff for you.
Step 9: Wait.
Step 10: Stop keeping track of your budget as you are all-in now and there's no sense in keeping track because it will just make you mad.
Step 11: Try to convince yourself and everyone else that your custom ride made of mid-grade parts is somehow better than an off-the-shelf bike made of mid-grade parts that cost 30-50% less that you could have had a week after ordering it or the same day from a local shop.



Look, I've done it...several times. Several fixed gears and one high-end road bike. I was particularly pissed at the road bike build that took 2 months even though I had cash in hand. It was a custom Teschner frame that my buddy gave me. I decked it out with full Campy Record/Chorus mix.

After I built it up it looked awesome. Exactly as I imagined. It simply did not handle as nicely as I would have liked. After riding it for about 6 months I happened to test ride (for fun) a Specialized Tarmac...and bought it the same day. Been riding it ever since. I love it.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5012/5...1977c325_z.jpg

step 11 is key.

which tarmac is that?

2010 Comp Double Rival. It's one of the lower-end of the Tarmac line. I've swapped some stuff out since then to dial in my fit and whatnot. I actually put the stock saddle back on. It's pretty good.

Looks really nice... I'm trying to get my secteur to fit more like a Tarmac...

OP, you can buy my bike. :)

Ok, everyone else is saying don't do it. I'd say do it if you have money to burn but:

0.5) Have another bike to ride while you do the following:

1) do A LOT OF research first (especially frame size & fit but also component compatibility etc.)
2) buy 2nd hand as much as you can, have patience to look for bargains, don't just buy the first thing you think will fit your needs
3) even though you're buying 2nd hand, don't buy the cheapest of cheap so you'll be able to re-use the parts you don't end up using later or sell them to recover some of your losses
4) do more research
5) if there's a recycling centre or something similar in your area, you might get some parts from there for next to nothing
6) have patience (lots of)
7) learn how to install and maintain each component

I don't see having to buy tools and learning to use them as an unneccessary expense but rather as an investment to the future that will save money in the long run.

All that said, if you plan buying new frame and new parts, forget about it. Buy a complete and upgrade as necessary. Also, if you're not the least bit mechanically/diy inclined, think twice and then don't do it. If you have to calculate the time you'll spend on the project as an expense, don't do it.

You won't necessarily have the nicest possible bike a a result of this exercise, it'll probably still cost as much/close to as much as a cheap complete and you'll spend hours and hours doing it, but you'll probably learn much more than if you had your bike "a week after ordering it or the same day from a local shop." Plus I think building a bike from used frame/parts is still a good way to learn as you won't be accidentally damaging/destroying (it does happen!) brand new parts.

OTOH, if you didn't have the patience to do the pricing thing Carleton suggested, probably best not do it.

We aren't talking about splitting f'ing atoms here. You can do this with a socket set and few extra tools. If you have an older bike, try breaking that one down and putting it back together so you can see where you have questions before you go dumping a bunch of money into this one. Are you wanting to build one out of a vintage frame?

I am willing to bet money that OP is either 14 years old or a troll.

What's the wood in the middle for?

Probably putting his foot down.

or so he doesn't get sweat on his carpet...

You'd think it would be wider if it were for that purpose alone?

Looks like a garage/stone floor

There's nothing wrong with being 14 that won't fix itself as long as you don't die first.

+1

Because the rollers elevate the bike several inches off the ground, it's difficult to mount and dismount the bike without racking yourself. The box is a nice feature. Mine was made by a fellow trackie that is also a furniture maker.

Some higher-end trainers offer them as options, like the TruTrainer:

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2138/2...c6dbefb9_z.jpg
http://www.trutrainer.com/products_options.shtml

I couldn't stop laughing. You are absolutely right. I now reverse my opinion and say that you should build it. If its as easy as killing yourself from inhaling helium, everybody should be able to do it no matter what their background. Good luck mate! Post pics of your action jacksons.