Build or Buy ?
#1
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Build or Buy ?
First, a little about myself.
My last road bike was purchased approximately 25 years ago (Razesa frame, Cinelli fork, Campy group). I've just started getting back into cycling and I'm tooling around on a very heavy "Comfort" bike and I'm starting to realize I need to upgrade in order to maximize my enjoyment. So I've started to look at bikes online and have been a little shocked at some of the prices I'm seeing. No matter what direction I go I don't want to exceed $2k for a bike.
I have the skills and experience to tackle a build but I'm just not sure which way to go. I'd like a 105 or Ultegra built bike and I'm wrestling with the question of to build or buy. After looking at the prices of the sum of all parts I'm starting to think I may have to mix and match etc.
With that said... Build or buy? I have no problem buying quality used parts in order to bring the cost down.
Thanks,
TMT
My last road bike was purchased approximately 25 years ago (Razesa frame, Cinelli fork, Campy group). I've just started getting back into cycling and I'm tooling around on a very heavy "Comfort" bike and I'm starting to realize I need to upgrade in order to maximize my enjoyment. So I've started to look at bikes online and have been a little shocked at some of the prices I'm seeing. No matter what direction I go I don't want to exceed $2k for a bike.
I have the skills and experience to tackle a build but I'm just not sure which way to go. I'd like a 105 or Ultegra built bike and I'm wrestling with the question of to build or buy. After looking at the prices of the sum of all parts I'm starting to think I may have to mix and match etc.
With that said... Build or buy? I have no problem buying quality used parts in order to bring the cost down.
Thanks,
TMT
#2
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It will be hard to get a decent build for under 2 grand if you want Ultegra components, unless you can find some great deals.
Your best bet is probably to put that money into a new bike (there are quite a few nice bikes right around the $2,000 price point) and save money to upgrade the components later on down the line.
Your best bet is probably to put that money into a new bike (there are quite a few nice bikes right around the $2,000 price point) and save money to upgrade the components later on down the line.
#3
Senior Member
First, a little about myself.
My last road bike was purchased approximately 25 years ago (Razesa frame, Cinelli fork, Campy group). I've just started getting back into cycling and I'm tooling around on a very heavy "Comfort" bike and I'm starting to realize I need to upgrade in order to maximize my enjoyment. So I've started to look at bikes online and have been a little shocked at some of the prices I'm seeing. No matter what direction I go I don't want to exceed $2k for a bike.
I have the skills and experience to tackle a build but I'm just not sure which way to go. I'd like a 105 or Ultegra built bike and I'm wrestling with the question of to build or buy. After looking at the prices of the sum of all parts I'm starting to think I may have to mix and match etc.
With that said... Build or buy? I have no problem buying quality used parts in order to bring the cost down.
Thanks,
TMT
My last road bike was purchased approximately 25 years ago (Razesa frame, Cinelli fork, Campy group). I've just started getting back into cycling and I'm tooling around on a very heavy "Comfort" bike and I'm starting to realize I need to upgrade in order to maximize my enjoyment. So I've started to look at bikes online and have been a little shocked at some of the prices I'm seeing. No matter what direction I go I don't want to exceed $2k for a bike.
I have the skills and experience to tackle a build but I'm just not sure which way to go. I'd like a 105 or Ultegra built bike and I'm wrestling with the question of to build or buy. After looking at the prices of the sum of all parts I'm starting to think I may have to mix and match etc.
With that said... Build or buy? I have no problem buying quality used parts in order to bring the cost down.
Thanks,
TMT
#4
Senior Member
It's going to be more expensive to build a bike then buy whole, comparing new parts to new bike or used parts to used bike. You can get pretty nice bikes around 1200-1400 with 105ish stuff new.
If you want to save money you can buy used.
If you want to save money you can buy used.
#7
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It will be hard to get a decent build for under 2 grand if you want Ultegra components, unless you can find some great deals.
Your best bet is probably to put that money into a new bike (there are quite a few nice bikes right around the $2,000 price point) and save money to upgrade the components later on down the line.
Your best bet is probably to put that money into a new bike (there are quite a few nice bikes right around the $2,000 price point) and save money to upgrade the components later on down the line.
#8
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Building with a mishmash of used parts is the only way to do a truly cheap build.
Manufacturers -- well, they're mostly "assemblers", using their own frame and putting other companies' parts on it -- get massive component discounts because (A) they buy a LOT, (B) they can buy the parts without their individual packing, and (C) component makers want their parts on bikes, both as an endorsement of their parts and giving buyers the notion that they're "locked-in" to that brand.
Manufacturers -- well, they're mostly "assemblers", using their own frame and putting other companies' parts on it -- get massive component discounts because (A) they buy a LOT, (B) they can buy the parts without their individual packing, and (C) component makers want their parts on bikes, both as an endorsement of their parts and giving buyers the notion that they're "locked-in" to that brand.
#9
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
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#11
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TMT - for which 105 bike get a frame that fits you well. Also think about some of the standards - BB, headset, type of brake, etc - and try and figure out what you want to buy into. Some parts are more tools free, like an integrated headset (standard on most frames now) or certain press fit BB setups.
You'll find that compatible parts work well together across the board. Ultegra works with 105 with DA etc, as long as it's all compatible. The current generation of 10s is all compatible, the older DA was usually different from 105/Ultegra.
You'll also find that the stuff works in general. It's cheaper quality than before but it's designed more efficiently. Think of a car bumper from 25 years ago - it had a lot of trim, a lot of detail work, chrome on the outside, rubber bumper strips, all sorts of stuff. It was very expensive to make. Now a bumper has like 6 parts or something - the outer plastic shell which is carefully molded, a metal frame underneath, some kind of foam shock absorber, a few other pieces. It's cheaper to make the new bumper but it works better. Likewise the parts won't be like your old bike but they'll work much better.
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the advances in function in bike stuff. You may not be happy with the stamped steel or plastic parts but the stuff, at least 105 on up, works well.
You'll find that compatible parts work well together across the board. Ultegra works with 105 with DA etc, as long as it's all compatible. The current generation of 10s is all compatible, the older DA was usually different from 105/Ultegra.
You'll also find that the stuff works in general. It's cheaper quality than before but it's designed more efficiently. Think of a car bumper from 25 years ago - it had a lot of trim, a lot of detail work, chrome on the outside, rubber bumper strips, all sorts of stuff. It was very expensive to make. Now a bumper has like 6 parts or something - the outer plastic shell which is carefully molded, a metal frame underneath, some kind of foam shock absorber, a few other pieces. It's cheaper to make the new bumper but it works better. Likewise the parts won't be like your old bike but they'll work much better.
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the advances in function in bike stuff. You may not be happy with the stamped steel or plastic parts but the stuff, at least 105 on up, works well.
#12
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To anyone PMing me. I have received a couple of PMs but I can't respond until I get 40 posts or something like that.
TMT
#13
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For instance, you could have an Ultegra equipped bike (except for crankset + bottom bracket and brakes) for $795 from Bikes Direct or Ultegra group for $793 from Ribble.
Exceptions exist for
1. Campagnolo. When a Chorus gruppo runs $1200 and you'd have a hard time finding a bike built with such a group which doesn't cost $4000 there's enough room to come out ahead with a custom build on your choice of steel, titanium,aluminum, or carbon frame.
2. Where you have a parts stock pile. I'd only need bars, brakes, and stem to turn a frameset into a bike.
3. Where you do a good job shopping for used parts.
Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 09-30-12 at 02:11 PM.
#15
If you are willing to search online for deals, you can get a nice bike either way. For example, Performance Bike has the Fuji Altamira with 105 for $1400 pretty nice deal for a carbon pro team geometry type racer. Or if you go ebay, $500 used/NOS aluminum or carbon frame, $850 Ultegra groupset in a box, $400 wheels, and $200 cockpit/pedals gets you a nice bike around $2k or less if you bargain hunt. You'll spend more if you don't have the tools or can't borrow them tho...
Edited to add: I think if you're patient, like to bargain hunt, and enjoy piecing together your bike over time, building would be great. If you prefer to spend your time riding a bike instead, then getting a nice complete bike now lets you get more enjoyment right now. IMHO, as long as you have the fit and gearing that works for you and where you ride, the particular bits and parts are not as important, just my bias...
Edited to add: I think if you're patient, like to bargain hunt, and enjoy piecing together your bike over time, building would be great. If you prefer to spend your time riding a bike instead, then getting a nice complete bike now lets you get more enjoyment right now. IMHO, as long as you have the fit and gearing that works for you and where you ride, the particular bits and parts are not as important, just my bias...
Last edited by milkbaby; 09-30-12 at 02:55 PM.
#16
Stick with Campy, slick!
#17
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As it has been mentioned, building a bike will probably be more expensive for a multitude of reasons. It can be done cheaper, you just have to hunt for deals. I feel a lot of people who build rather than buy bikes like the option to hand pick every piece that goes into their bike, I plan on doing so once I have the $$$.
#18
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
When Tiagra was 9-speed (and Sora 8-speed), there wasn't a lot else to put into your drivetrain. I squeezed around this limitation on my Tiagra-equipped commuter when I got a fat 9sp cassette by using a MTB rear derailleur for its extra capacity.
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The most practical reason is that there are a lot of 10-speed parts out there for replacement and/or upgrades.
When Tiagra was 9-speed (and Sora 8-speed), there wasn't a lot else to put into your drivetrain. I squeezed around this limitation on my Tiagra-equipped commuter when I got a fat 9sp cassette by using a MTB rear derailleur for its extra capacity.
When Tiagra was 9-speed (and Sora 8-speed), there wasn't a lot else to put into your drivetrain. I squeezed around this limitation on my Tiagra-equipped commuter when I got a fat 9sp cassette by using a MTB rear derailleur for its extra capacity.
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Edit: Didn't read all the way through. That'll teach me.
#21
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I believe that much of the perception that 105 was the minimum had to do with the previous Tiagra being 9-speed, which would seriously limit upgrades and compatibility. With the current Tiagra being 10-speed, that shouldn't be an issue.
Edit: Didn't read all the way through. That'll teach me.
Edit: Didn't read all the way through. That'll teach me.
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