Just the Frame or the Whole Shebang?

[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?

[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!!

[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.

[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.

[smilingcat]

Yes it was me who built up a bike from pieces. You can do it cheaper by going on e-bay. But you REALLY REALLY have to know what you are doing. And you REALLY REALLY have to know the new prices of everything from tires to shifter and brake cables to bar tape, to wheels handlebars... So I wouldn't recommend this approach (unless you are like me and been working and building bikes for like last 20-30 years) and you've built up bikes before. You also need some special tools.

My k2 mod6 uses SRAM FORCE groupo. Cost of the completed bike is around $1700. k2 frame cost me $200.00 so you can see where the money is going. not the frame.
I saw a k2 mod6 wih lesser groupo with steep discount (50% off) for $1599.

My TT bike Specialized S-works Transition Pro cost me about $2200. also with SRAM FORCE groupo. again the frame cost me less than 1/3 of the total cost. MSRP from Specialized was $4,400 or there abouts.

Buying the groupo at retail is very expensive. Getting the groupo on a completed bike will cost you half as much. but then you have to deal with the frame, seat, handlbar, wheels etc.

Buy a complete bike is much better way for you. Sightly used with less than 1000 miles, no crash, not being ridden in the rain bike is what you should look for on e-bay. Oh and never raced or never used in tri-athalons.

smilingcat

[sundial]

I have to agree with everyone that buying a fully loaded bike is more cost effective than building a bike.

I noticed your speed is really pretty good and you are in the early stages of your training. As you cycle more, you'll build your strength and speed and you can make any bike zoom.

When I labored over choosing my new bike this past year, many TE'ers told me it's not what you ride, it's what's sitting on the bike that makes it fast. With that being said, I did get decent speeds on my 21 lb. aluminum Sequoia but went with a new carbon fiber 17# Roubaix. It seemed to climb hills easier, but I was also nearing the end of my cycling season, when I was conditioned for hills. And interestingly enough, the only difference I can tell between the 2 bikes in terms of weight is during acceleration. The lighter frame of the Roubaix is very responsive.

If you are interested in a lightweight steel bike, say 14-15#, R+E Cycles can custom build one. There are other custom builders as well but this one came to mind.

www.rodcycle.com

Oh, Knot and I had several discussion of steel vs. carbon fiber. I would have bought steel if there had been a steel bike for me to even test ride. Steel is not popular in Arkansas.