Just the Frame or the Whole Shebang?

[three]

I have decided to spend a pretty chunk of change on a new bike. Actually, my first 'real' road bike ever. Despite the amount that I can afford, I would like to keep it as low as possible and get the best deal I can.

My former encyclopedia of cycling (see cycling for healing post) was obsessed with various websites, "bike swap" meets, and other means of discounted gear. He had some nice bikes (9 in his stable), did all his own maintenance, and knew all the lingo you guys could spout off and lose me on.

Now, having seen what he did and all the money he saved - I am wondering this:

Do I buy the road bike all built up with snazzy components new and shiny? Do I look for a snazzy bike that's maybe a bit used (and will I even have any luck with that since I'd be looking for a Shorty McShort frame)?

Or, do I just buy the frame...sans components...and make use of all those techniques I saw him use & get the components myself? Can I really save money that way...or will all the shipping costs even it out?

I want a nice bike, but in all reality - I should probably be putting the money towards something else...I'm splurging here - so, I'd like to be as fiscally shrewd as possible. My only bike for real cycling is my Surly Cross-Check - and it's not something I feel comfortable using for the duathlons/centuries that I want to be doing in the future.

Thanks in advance for any advice from all of you sage cyclists.

[KnottedYet]

What don't you like about the Cross Check?

(I was going to recommend you look into Surly bikes as I read your post...)

Many of us have Surlys of various makes, or have test ridden them, or covet them, or know someone who has one, or are familiar with them in some way. If you can tell us what makes you feel the CC won't work for you for duathlons or centuries, that will give us a lot more info.

[three]

Well, as you know - I'm a newbie. I went on plenty of rides with the ex and my longest distance was close to 50 miles - and never anything competitive or trying to be fast. We got my Cross-Check off eBay (he said it would be the perfect bike for me). It has great components and I do love that bike. But, when doing the duathlon this past fall...I found myself wishing on every hill, heck...on the way down from the hills and on the flat sections...that my bike was lighter. It's a great bike, but when I compare weight to snazzy road bikes...I start wondering about what a difference that could make. On the Surly, my avg speed on leisure outdoor rides was usually 16-20 mph. I figure if I actually get in shape, train, and try to go faster - I have some potential (maybe not a ton, but some). So...wouldn't it be wise to have a bike that will help me do that?

Am I wrong?

Plus, if I do this - I can then get knobbies on my Surly and take it into the woods/use it in the winter.

[KnottedYet]

Ah, so it's the weight of the Surly that's causing you trouble.

I'm no help on the weight info. All three of my bikes each weigh at least 20 lbs. (Surly CC, Waterford X-12, Kona Smoke) There are plenty of folks on here who can point you toward some lighter bikes. Some of those carbon bikes are sleek and gorgeous!

Edit: How do you like the geometry? Does it feel lively and responsive to you? Do you feel like you could ride it for hours if it only weighed less? If you like cyclocross geometry that's another piece of info. If the CC feels squirrelly sometimes, and like you have to work hard to keep it on track, you might prefer to test ride some bikes with touring geometry. If it feels too stable, and sludgy, and slow to respond, you might be happier trying some bikes with more racing geometry.

On the expense front: at one point I wanted to buy a frame and build up a bike, but the expense was too much. One wrench told me I'd be better off buying the frame I wanted AND buying an entire bike with the components I liked, then switching them over. He said that was the only way to be cost effective with components. bummer.

[RoadRaven]

Ummm... easy...

The frame AND the whole shebang.

Then you have a bike to ride immmediately, and the fun of building exactly what you want.

Road - you-can't-have-too'many-bicycles -Raven

[7rider]

If you would require a "Shorty McShort" frame and like to race and have a decent hunk of change to put down on a bike....why not go custom? You would get a frame that fits you properly and does what you want it to do (Stiff? Comfort? Both!)
There are many custom frame makers out there who would be great for you. I'm rather partial to Seven myself - a great maker of steel, titanium, and carbon frames known for outstanding bikes and excellent customer service.

[Thorn]

Oooohhh...what a wonderful place to be....Not that I can offer much advice. Personally, I'm not wrench enough or have enough time so I went with the bike plus components plus let the local bike shop build it for me route.

Like Regina, I went custom so that I have a bike that fits *me*. The resale on the bike will never exist (except to strip components), but that doesn't matter.

But, a thing to consider if you are riding a small bike....the weight savings you'll get on a frame isn't going to be that significant because, well, you don't have a lot of frame. Thus, you might place a heavier "weight" on things like geometry and ride feel (e.g., do you want stiff and snappy? or comfy for long rides).

Oh, and I second Knotted's comment about cheap parts. I built up a Surly for winter riding this year. The shop got lucky with some great year-end closeouts, but the bike swap was considered.

[KnottedYet]

Who was building up the carbon bike frame a few months ago? Anybody have the link to her thread? I'm computer illiterate and not finding it...

Eden races on Shorty-McShort frames. Her rain bike is a lovely TiCycles Hyak.

Edit: and Trek420 doesn't race, but she's got a short custom Mondonico which is just insanely light (lugged steel)

Can't find a good link for Mondonico, but here's this: http://www.smartcycles.com/about_mondonico.htm

[Trek420]

Eden races on Shorty-McShort frames.

I Googled and I can't find any Shory-McShort frames. Who sells them?

[Pedal Wench]

I've gone both ways -- build up a frame with the components I want, and bought complete bikes. Hands down, buying a complete bike is the cheaper option. You just can't beat the price that manufacturers can get their components for.

That said, I like getting to pick and choose, oh - and if you find a complete bike, but you'll need to swap out a bunch of things to get it to fit, the scale swings back the other way -- it would be easier to start from scratch.

[ehirsch83]

I have bought just a frame and built it up(the litespeed this past summer) and I have also bought full bikes(my first bike and the new tarmac that is on the way). I can tell you that it is going to be cheaper to buy the full bike. And at your level, you will probably be very happy with all stock components in your price range. This past summer I had the opportunity to EP everything, so I opted to build up the bike to my exact specifications, because they didn't sell the litespeed with Rival and there were some things I didn't like on the stock bike(the fork,etc.) But it definitaly cost me more then if I was to have bought the bike complete.

I am now buying a stock Tarmac and there are only 2 things I eventually want to change out on it- the handlebars being the main one(from aluminum to carbon) but that is still going to be cheaper then if I had pieced the bike together.


So I say go test ride a bunch of complete bikes, see if you find something you fall in love with- I bet you will!!

[Thorn]

Who was building up the carbon bike frame a few months ago? Anybody have the link to her thread?

This one?
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=19980

[KnottedYet]

Yes! Thorn, you are my hero! Thank you!

[mimitabby]

I also ride a "light" steel bike which comes in over 20 pounds and under 25.
Unless you throw away your waterbottles and cut off your hair, i'm not sure the 5 less pounds a lighter frame buys you is going to help THAT much. What helps is strengthening your legs.

I had a frame made for me (vertically challenged), and while I was waiting I bought parts - some on sale, some from a swap meet, and some for full price.
Then i had a pro assemble it.

[Mr. SR500]

A complete bike is almost always a better deal, when you consider wheels and components. If you have some parts, or want very specific parts then a frame set makes more sense. But without bike building experience, a complete bike is by far a better choice. Maybe even for only a few dollars more then the frame set.