Originally Posted by
MMACH 5
When you factor in the time (i.e. time is money), this might be true. However, I spent $6 on aluminum angles and $3 on pull-rivots. Everything else came out of the LBS dumpster.
Having said that, even if it did cost more, it's just too much fun building stuff for your bike from scratch. That alone makes it worth more than a store-bought anything.
Plus, you have an intricate and personal knowledge of whatever it is that you just built. It's also very rewarding knowing that have made a useful item with your own two hands.