Sources for touring bike "build kits"?
 

Does anyone know a good online source where one could shop/price/buy complete or reasonably complete build kits for a touring bike?

There are lots of sources to by complete groupsets for road bikes -- all the Shimano, Campy, and SRAM groupsets seem to be available at discounted prices. And you can buy mountain bike groupsets as well (like Shimano XT or Shimano XTR kits).

But I haven't found a good place where someone has put together a set of components designed for a touring bike that one could buy (presumably at a discount vs. buying the components one by one).

For example, here is a set of mountain bike and road bike build kits from a custom builder, Curtlo. But I think these prices apply only if you get the frame.

http://www.curtlo.com/build_bike.html

And here's a nice kit builder from GVH Bikes, for road bikes

http://www.gvhbikes.com/



But I haven't found complete kits (or even touring-friendly groupsets) online.

Your thoughts?

Find someone that offers pick your own kits? FWIW both of my tour bikes utilize MTB component groups but they are the older ones Deore LX and Suntour XCM.

Aaron:)

I haven't found a "build your own kit" source that allows you to put together a touring bike build.

Either they are road kits, or mountain-bike kits with MTB shifters.

Say - a kit builder that allowed you to mix 135mm hubs (like XT's), with an XT group, but with bar end shifters. Or at least delete the stuff you wouldn't want, but still get a discount on the stuff you do buy...

My LBS will let me custom select a parts kit and then give me a pretty decent discount on the whole order.

Take a look at

Http://www.cyclofiend.com/currentclassics

There are lots of build lists on there suitable for touring

Forgot about the shifters:o One bike is still running MTB shifters the other started out with them and ended up with drop bars and brifters with bar ends still in the box waiting on someone to make up his mind:innocent::lol:

Aaron:)

Thanks, I see the lists, not sure where to buy unless you buy them a part at a time.

Just to clarify the question -- once one knows the parts one wants to buy, is there a good online source where you can purchase the parts at a "group discount"?

I can find:
- touring wheel builds (like Peter White, or Rocky Mountain Cycle)
- road bike groups at a discount
- mountain bike groups at a discount

But I can't find a touring bike build kit that allows one to purchase the parts that would be suitable for a touring bike build at a discount less than the component-by-component piece.

The closest I've come is either (a) a Shimano 105 road kit with a triple, which isn't geared low enough, so you'd have to tweak it more or (b) a Shimano XT MTB kit if you delete the shifters.

Two examples:

- A complete Co-Motion Americano is $3545. The frame and fork are $1835. So the cost of the "build" is $1700. Is there a source to get that quality of a "build" for $1700?

- A complete Rodriguez Adventure touring bike is $2600 (base model, www.rodcycle.com). The frame and fork are $1500. So the "build" is $1100, including wheels. Anywhere to get close to that?

LBS is the way to go
 

Your LBS is the way to go. They can go onto their QBP "Dream Cycle" program and custom build you a complete setup. Make sure the person knows what they are doing with this program as there can be compatability issues. By this I mean the program actually limits you more than what will actually work together and if they do not know there way around bikes and/or the computer program they may actually limit you. However, when you do mix/match parts be careful to understand your LBS cannot know every possible combination and it may take a few hiccups to get everything dialed in. As far as sales.....that depends on your shop. Twice a year during April and October our shop has 20% off and our orders definately go up during this time. Let me know if we can help.

Erik

Price your build kit out online using the usual sites

www.rivbike.com, nashbar, performance, harris, aebike, universal cycles

then go to the LBS and see what price they can do, as for a big fat discount if you buy it all from them.

If you want all new parts, maybe the cheapest way would be to buy a complete in the 1100 range (LHT, Aurora, Randonee, Fuji, etc) and get what you can out of the frame after you strip it.

Thanks for the suggestions above. I am pretty far away from buying a bike, just dreamin' , and trying to figure out what a reasonable discount on a purchase of an entire build would be (without bothering my LBS about a purchase I'm not ready to do).

Actually, I have thought about the "buy a bike, strip the parts" solution.

The suggestions above about asking my shop about the Dreamcycle program sound good, too.

So far the least expensive route appears to be creating a "wish list" and hunting down the parts one at a time on sale or eBay.

Whole bikes are cheaper---- it's easier to change a lot of the parts on a stock bike than start form new.

But an all new build is a lot more fun.

That came back with a 404 error for me :(

Andrew

sorry try

http://www.cyclofiend.com/cc

That's true...assuming you enjoy the process. If you don't love trolling for deals and you value your free time than I'd say it's an expensive way to go.

I'm in the second camp which is why I like using my LBS. I get some pretty smoking deals when I ask and without shipping or return expenses it can actually be cheaper than online. Plus it only takes me the time to draft an email and send it to my LBS' manager.

You're lucky that your LBS watches out for you. My experience has been that my local LBSs' are all trying to gouge their customers. And forget about touring advice. Frankly, unless you're a high end roadie, my local LBSs' have lousy customer service.