Build vs. Buy Complete?
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Build vs. Buy Complete?
Hello,
I'm a fairly experienced rider and am looking for a new single speed after a "brief" hiatus. Previous rode a built up Raleigh Rush Hour Pro (fixed) and a Fuji Feather Light (freewheel).
I'm looking to go free wheel with a brake. I'm looking at building up a Surly Steam Roller or this Cinelli Tutto Plus complete from factory.
I'd appreciate your input.
helliot out-
I'm a fairly experienced rider and am looking for a new single speed after a "brief" hiatus. Previous rode a built up Raleigh Rush Hour Pro (fixed) and a Fuji Feather Light (freewheel).
I'm looking to go free wheel with a brake. I'm looking at building up a Surly Steam Roller or this Cinelli Tutto Plus complete from factory.
I'd appreciate your input.
helliot out-
#2
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Well, how are you with building/maintenance? How much do you want to spend? How much time/effort/budget are you willing to put into building something custom? Do you have any particularly strong feelings about going one way or the other?
Try this: If you think about everything that goes into building a bike from individual components, does it seem exciting/fun? Or does it seem like a lot of work you’d mostly rather skip? That should tell you a lot about what might be the better option for you.
I like building and making things just so, but it also takes longer, costs more, and can be very tedious. For most people, I think buying complete is often the better way to go, but it depends on a lot of variables.
Try this: If you think about everything that goes into building a bike from individual components, does it seem exciting/fun? Or does it seem like a lot of work you’d mostly rather skip? That should tell you a lot about what might be the better option for you.
I like building and making things just so, but it also takes longer, costs more, and can be very tedious. For most people, I think buying complete is often the better way to go, but it depends on a lot of variables.
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I personally would build a frameset. For me the reason is mainly because most complete bikes don't come with super nice wheels. Most have straight gauge spokes and that's my pet peeve, I only like double butted for less weight and a smoother ride. And most I've seen come with a cheap freewheel. I bought my Wabi complete only because it was a black friday sale and I got Sub-15 wheels and deluxe freewheel for free.
When I see a complete bike for sale I calculate the extra money I know I would spend to upgrade it and include it in the complete price. Usually turns out to be a bad deal.
When I see a complete bike for sale I calculate the extra money I know I would spend to upgrade it and include it in the complete price. Usually turns out to be a bad deal.
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Thank You
Thank you very much for the feedback I really do appreciate it! As far as the frame sets go does one get the nod over the other as far quality/performance go?
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Building is fun if you like solving problems (occasionally of your own making.) There's nothing wrong with giving someone dollars for a bike you can ride right now, though.
BTW, if you're going to use a freewheel, hopefully you're planning on two brakes, not just one.
BTW, if you're going to use a freewheel, hopefully you're planning on two brakes, not just one.
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Building is fun if you like solving problems (occasionally of your own making.) There's nothing wrong with giving someone dollars for a bike you can ride right now, though.
BTW, if you're going to use a freewheel, hopefully you're planning on two brakes, not just one.
BTW, if you're going to use a freewheel, hopefully you're planning on two brakes, not just one.
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Same reason that cars and motorcycles don't have only rear brakes, because in an emergency you can't stop quickly with only a rear brake. Under hard braking, up to 80% of the braking force comes from the front brake.
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Two reasons: I always want to have two ways to stop or slow my bike (cables can snap), and rear brakes by themselves are not as effective as a front brake.
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Also - brake hoods are very nice when going uphill. Yes you can mount a lever-less hood for the uphill handles but once you've done that , the cable, housing and caliper cost you almost nothing (in weight and not a lot more in cost).
Sez Ben who started riding road fix gears with two brakes when Greg Lemond was a junior
Sez Ben who started riding road fix gears with two brakes when Greg Lemond was a junior
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Building up a bike using new components is almost always more expensive than buying a complete bike, but if you have a pile of parts already sitting around and the tools and experience to build a bike using them, why not?
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Steam Roller
I rolled by the shop today and checked out the Steam Roller frame set. I was sold and will be building up a bike.
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Well, how are you with building/maintenance? How much do you want to spend? How much time/effort/budget are you willing to put into building something custom? Do you have any particularly strong feelings about going one way or the other?
Try this: If you think about everything that goes into building a bike from individual components, does it seem exciting/fun? Or does it seem like a lot of work you’d mostly rather skip? That should tell you a lot about what might be the better option for you.
I like building and making things just so, but it also takes longer, costs more, and can be very tedious. For most people, I think buying complete is often the better way to go, but it depends on a lot of variables.
Try this: If you think about everything that goes into building a bike from individual components, does it seem exciting/fun? Or does it seem like a lot of work you’d mostly rather skip? That should tell you a lot about what might be the better option for you.
I like building and making things just so, but it also takes longer, costs more, and can be very tedious. For most people, I think buying complete is often the better way to go, but it depends on a lot of variables.
Wrenching is often the fun/easy part. Parts scrounging not so much.
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The problem I’ve run into in many hobbies is that it might take so long just to find the parts at a reasonable cost that I would have been money and time ahead by just pulling another shift or 2 at work and buying new.
Wrenching is often the fun/easy part. Parts scrounging not so much.
Wrenching is often the fun/easy part. Parts scrounging not so much.
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Thank you I'm looking forward to getting down with this Orange Shag Carpet beauty. I'm very fortunate that this shop has a good line on quality parts.
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Test Ride
I haven’t purchased anything yet. I’ll be test riding an All City Cycles Professional Single Speed on Wednesday.
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I'll bet you end up liking that bike after the test ride. Just know that the sizing is a bit different than some. My Big Block I think is listed as 55cm but it rides more like a 57cm or 58cm. Don't buy until you're sure it is going to fit. I assume the test ride will be on the appropriate size.
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The All City's are very sharp but they do look pretty porky to me. If I were going to build a nice road frame that wasn't a Wabi I'd probably spend a little extra and order a Gunnar Street Dog. I've always liked them, I almost bought one on ebay once.
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helliot , All City makes great stuff. They're one of my favorite bike companies. I have their Nature Boy Disc single speed. I've never seen a Professional in person, but I'm sure it's very nice and will serve you well, if that's the one you choose.
You could also do well to get the Steamroller. I have one and like it a lot. It's been one of the best bikes I've ever owned.
Let us know how it goes.
You could also do well to get the Steamroller. I have one and like it a lot. It's been one of the best bikes I've ever owned.
Let us know how it goes.
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Love the Steamroller. I built one up several years ago and found it to be a great platform for all kinds of build variations, as well as being nearly bombproof for whatever kind of riding I threw at it. This was fixed, with front brake:
#22
hello
I had a chocolate brown Steamroller, built it from the frame up almost 20 years ago, including the wheelset using old style Camp track hubs, Mavic rims, Campy track crankset, Brooks, Nittos, Eggbeaters…. I sold it about 5 years ago though. I still ride an old Bianchi track frame, also built from scratch around the same time.
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#23
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Hello,
I'm a fairly experienced rider and am looking for a new single speed after a "brief" hiatus. Previous rode a built up Raleigh Rush Hour Pro (fixed) and a Fuji Feather Light (freewheel).
I'm looking to go free wheel with a brake. I'm looking at building up a Surly Steam Roller or this Cinelli Tutto Plus complete from factory.
I'd appreciate your input.
helliot out-
I'm a fairly experienced rider and am looking for a new single speed after a "brief" hiatus. Previous rode a built up Raleigh Rush Hour Pro (fixed) and a Fuji Feather Light (freewheel).
I'm looking to go free wheel with a brake. I'm looking at building up a Surly Steam Roller or this Cinelli Tutto Plus complete from factory.
I'd appreciate your input.
helliot out-
#25
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Unless you are patient and can wait for sales and close-outs on the individual components, build your own wheels, etc, it's probably better to buy a complete bike.