Hey, So im new here and working on my first build.

I guess first ill list my purpose of the bike: I'm currently in college and would like something to get around campus (suburban), but I also would like something to get me home (its a 12 mile ride to the train then a 1.5 mile ride after getting to my stop). Also hopefully this can turn into part of my cardio. I usually run about 3-4 miles 2 days or so a week. It would be fun to ride to the city (9 miles there then 1.5 back it I took the train)

My shape: 6ft 210lbs (athletic/weight lifter)

While I am going for a cheap build I don't want something that will break on me.

So here is a link to my wishlist on amazon which has all the parts: I need help making sure they will all fit together (also if there is anything im missing or I can save on) Thanks so much for any help.

Also if there is somewhere that sells a kit which might be better that would work too.

link: Amazon.com

So, just curious what is you mechanical skill level? That's the most important piece for any build. All the mechanical advice in the world goes out the window if some one doesn't know which end of the screwdriver to hold.

Even if you know what you are doing buying a whole bike might be cheaper. Especially if you are buying all new parts from Amazon.

i think EvilWeasel is correct, and will add that even if you are a mechanical genius, building a bike is almost always more expensive than buying one that is already assembled unless you have access to a bunch of spare parts that are cheep/free, and you know what you are looking at in terms of suitability and serviceability, and you have the space/tools/consumables to assemble a bike. Think of it in terms of economy of scale.

All hope is not lost. I will first direct you to you local bicycle co-op. There are usually some good hands there who have been in your situation. You might also try checking out your uni's outdoor recreation center (the ones that organize trips, not "the gym"), or cycling clubs. Outdoor recs often sell off good equipment at a great price, and have gear swaps where one can get some great deals, and college cycling clubs open up the possibility of pro deals, as well as a group of like-minded individuals who are likely to collectively have a collection of "stuff" to help get you going. Last but not least, check out your Local Bike Shop (LBS). Talk to the staff, tell them your goals, that you are a student, and give them an idea about how much you can spend. You would be surprised how helpful and understanding people can be, especially to nice college students (meaning be nice, and come across like you have your act together). Really, based on your post, I think you might benefit from having some help properly sizing a cycle that is going to be comfortable, and carry all the stuff you need for studies/life while you are in school.


Good luck in school. I spent 10 years riding to my uni with everything I needed while working on my undergrad and graduate degrees. I think the ride benefited my studies a lot. Beyond the exercise, they were a good chance to go over things in my head -- and I used to put things I was having trouble memorizing in a map case on my top tub so I could go over them during my ride (when it was safe to do so of course -- kind of like flash cards).

Buy a complete bike. Building a bike is only cost effective if you already own all the parts. Seriously any bikes direct bike will be twice as nice as the parts list you've put together and you haven't even budgeted for tools or a bottom bracket or rim tape or bar wrap etc. This will be an expensive way to get a really crappy bike.

Second on the complete bike.
If you're going to build your own bike, amazon is not the place to do so anyway

Buy a complete if you want the most bang for your buck, no question about that.

If there is a co-op nearby you can go there to work off jones for putting together a build.

Thanks for all the responses. In terms of mechanical skill level I would say im very mechanically inclined (chemical engineering major) and I also have access to just about any tool I could need in the mechanical engineering machine labs (and the very specific bike ones I could borrow from someone I know who has been riding for numerous years now. While obviously I don't know exactly what it is I will be getting into I'm very good with putting stuff together/repairing things (I have worked on my car off youtube videos and books at the library/ repair iphones/ re solder connections etc) While most of my work is with electronics I think I could manage but then again if there is a comparable bike for around 250 I would be very inclined to go that route for now (but I do enjoy building things and tend to like those items much more).

But aside from that my reason for amazon was because I have about 250 in credits I could use.

If anyone knows of a site which has a good deal on a comparable bike in the 200-300 price range I would be interested.
Also if you think its worth a shot with the amazon parts (are they all compatible, I might have over looked something)

Also in terms of sizing I measured my inseam to be 30" approx and when I go home I might stop by my local bike shop and get sized and look to see what they have but I think I remember going in there years ago and everything was 600+.

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Lots of good/decent bikes there.

I looked there and they all look the same. which is a good one for city roads and suburban with stops and possibly potholes. Also If I was to go with the amazon parts are they comparable and whats the hardest part of assembly? I feel like it would be the tube and tire.

Since you've got a PureFix frame picked out, why not just get a PureFix complete build and then upgrade parts as you need to? You might also look at State Bicycle, which is also on Amazon (Prime shipping, too). I bought my wife a State and I had some issues with missing parts, but they made it right. The quality is pretty much big box bike quality, but it's fine for what it is.

I also bought a State for around 250-300 bucks. Ran it hard for a year and put a lot of miles on it before I started making any changes which were mostly all for cosmetics anyways. Didn't seem like the best components but I still am yet to have any major issues going on 2 years now. Would recommend.

You can always pick up a cheap old schwinn off craigslist, strip it down and toss a fixed wheelset on and stay under $300 all day as well. I recently did that as well and fell in love with it after new wheels from amazon a kerin stem from amazon and cheap bullhorns off amazon. The bike is a hoss and I can crash it all the time and not really have to worry about anything breaking.

Update: got a critical cycle after looking all over forums/reviews. It was 230 after tax and I will only have to replace the handle bars and seat for cosmetics/comfort and possibly the tires to a thicker tire based on other reviews if they turn out to be to thin.