illjustride

Hi folks, I'm building a new bike and I'm wondering whats the best way to start. Before I have done this I would generally start with the frameset, then get the parts afterward. I'm wondering how you all so it. Do you get the parts first and then buy the frameset? or frameset then parts. Thanks

cyccommute 

For my builds, it’s sometimes a chicken and egg thing. I seldom just buy a bunch of parts to put on a new frame. I often take parts off of one bike to put on another. There can be problems doing that, however. A threaded bottom bracket won’t work in a pressed bottom bracket. Seatpost diameter can be all over the board. A stem may need to be longer or shorter. Wheels and tires may be too wide for the new frame.

I would probably start with the frame and get the parts. If you have a donor bike, see what fits on the new frame and make adjustments as needed.

illjustride

Thanks. I have two other bikes. 1 road and one bike touring. My next build is combining the two and getting a gravel build. I have the frame I picked out but haven't pulled the trigger as I was looking at other frames but this one is hard to pass up as I haven't found anything like it that suits my needs. I can't really take off any parts from my other bikes because I use them both. But I do feel like I will be using my new build even more once complete. I think I will start with the frameset then.

hcgaloi

I started with an idea of which frameset, groupset, and wheelset that I wanted. Then, I searched or waited for deals either new or used to piece meal it together. Back when I could order parts online from Europe, I could get a complete Dura Ace 9100 (mechanical) groupset for around $800 using a combination of promo codes and sales. Now, I searched Craigslist, OfferUp, Facebook, eBay, etc. for deals.

Good luck

illjustride

Thanks! Yeah so I was thinking of finding parts off Craigslist/ ebay as well that are in good condition/ near new and using that to "Piece meal it together". I am in no particular rush as i'm indoors anyway at the moment but figure I would have the bike finished by summer.

mr_bill

If you have bunch of parts, get a frame that is compatible with the most $$$ parts. (Yeah, don’t sweat the seat-post and yeah the bottom bracket may not move over. Stem is noise.)

But if you have a frame, get parts that are compatible with the frame.

!rocketScience.

-mr. bill

JayKay3000

Frame is the heart of the bike, build accordingly around it.

No point getting a bunch of parts that don't fit the frame you buy afterwards, but I think everyone has already said this.

biker128pedal

Don’t forget to account for shipping cost. Buying piece meal it can add up.

ramzilla

Frame, wheels and, handlebars is all that matters. All the rest of that stuff is just window dressing.

mstateglfr 

If you have neither the frame or components yet, of course get the frame first.

Koyote

Umm, perhaps I am missing something...But your question makes no sense to me.

There are so many options for brake types and mounts, dropouts (QR vs thru-axle), bottom brackets, wheel sizes, etc, that the choice of a frame and the component choices are completely interdependent. You best choose them together, not sequentially.

As far as when you acquire them, it doesn't really matter. If you know what frame you're getting, then you know which parts you need. Or, if you know which parts you want to use, just find a frame that will work with them.

Oldguyonoldbike

I always start with the frame first. The characteristics of the frame (bottom bracket type, size of headtube, rear spacing, disc or rim brake, seat tube diameter, tire clearance) will dictate parts choices. Then I will use parts that I have on hand that fit and look for the rest on ebay. Occasionally I'll buy new parts, but I usually try to stick to budget, which pushes me towards the used market.

I too am spending a lot of time at home and am slowly picking up parts for a new build. I did my part to keep the economy going by buying an NOS frame that I've been eyeing for almost five years.

veganbikes

I usually get parts first but sometimes I get the frame first. The frame might make more sense because you can slowly build it up. However I should be clear all of my builds lately have a build sheet and I obsess over the parts and make sure I am getting ones that will work on the frame I have chosen. You have to know what you are needing before you buy parts and the list makes sure you aren't forgetting stuff and you can really holistically look at the bike and price it out. I will say get the parts you want and don't compromise for price, having done that enough I know it just wastes more money down the line when you actually replace everything to what you wanted in the first place.

If you are doing a full custom bike then I would order your frame first so that they can build it and you can order parts while you wait for them to put the frame together.

Doug64

+1 The frame is the fondation.

wsteve464

Depends on what groupset you want. Di2 and disc brakes you won't be buying a lugged frame for caliper brakes. alternately you won't buy a carbon frame for disc brakes with internal routing if you want caliper brakes and downtube shifters. Its a whole bike decision.

Drew Eckhardt 

Whichever is more difficult to find.

I think bicycles reached the pinnacle of evolution in 2006 (the last year of Campagnolo Record 10 speed with silver anodizing) except for their 2010 Centaur Carbon Ultrashift levers and 1996-1997 Record seatpost. Those parts would be more difficult to find in good condition than an ideal titanium frame with level top tube and 32mm seat tube.

Conversely, derailleur mounting configurations vary and you might end up with disc brakes or cantilevers depending on the frame.

sdmc530

Frame, it will inspire you for the rest! Frame set then wheels as already suggested. Its great fun to build!

tkamd73 

Frame first, then figure out the rest!
Tim

mr_bill

-mr. bill

mr_bill

Sometimes life gives you lemons. So you make lemonade.

A piece of road debris trashed my rear derailleur, drop out, and seat stay.

So I now had a bunch of otherwise perfectly fine components in search of a frame. So I ended up with an “old” (two seasons out of date) cannondale frameset they had in my size for a really good price.

I bought a new rear derailleur and a new thread together bottom bracket. LBS lent me a bottom bracket wrench and gifted me a new seatpost. Everything, everything, else moved over.

That’s why I ride a frankndale.

-mr. bill

Koyote

I'm glad it all worked out well for you, but your experience has nothing to do with the OP's question.

mr_bill

One can indeed pick out a groupset and a wheelset and then find a frameset for them.

You might find yourself out of luck if you go full à la carte with front hydraulic discs and rear roller brakes though. Or rim brakes for 81 mm rims for that matter. A whole lot of duh in this paragraph.

But for any rational group of components and wheels, you ought to be able to find a frameset for them. (Holding off on bottom bracket and seatpost until after finding a frameset keeps more options open though.)

Bottom line - if you find a bargain on components, you don’t have to pass up on a deal just because you don’t have a frameset in hand.

-mr. bill

GamblerGORD53

FRAME first. I've been looking for a used steel one with modern dropouts. IMPOSSIBLE.
First is deciding what handlebar. Drops need shorter TT, mostly a square measurement like 56/ 56. Sweptback comfort bars need TT 1 or 2" longer.
My custom tour bike has 610 virtual TT with 76 mm stem and I'm just 5'8".
Next is deciding IGH or defailleurs. Then tire size and wheelbase and chain stays.
Then brakes, perfect for me is SA dyno drum front and TRP Spyre disc rear on a ROHLOFF14. I have a tandem fork for the extra weight and necessary strength.
Then levers, I love my SA ones.
Then BB height and crank length.
There is the headset size and variety also, threaded or not.
Making the frame lower/ smaller does NOT help shorten the reach. 80% of LHT buyers and LBS sellers have this GOOFY belief.

cs1

Unless I have a really special part, I always source a frame first. With that said I did build a bike around a set of handlebars.

illjustride

Whats after the frameset? Do you do wheels then groupset etc