Just the Frame or the Whole Shebang?

[mimitabby]

before i had my custom bike made, I bought a nice Bianchi on Ebay.
it was "my size" but unfortunately It cost hundreds of dollars in swapping parts and adjustments to make it a better ride for me, so I ended up getting a custom bike anyway; because the Bianchi was never just right.

[sundial]

Mimi, did you see my friend's '84 Bianchi?

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...+Celeste+green

He's still riding it with all the original equipment.

[mimitabby]

Mimi, did you see my friend's '84 Bianchi?

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...+Celeste+green

He's still riding it with all the original equipment.

It's BEAUTIFUL! Yes, I did and I posted on that thread already


and if you hire someone to build you a frame, their shop will help you with the other things, the right sized pieces like stems and stuff.

[tulip]

I've found that proper (amazing) fit has made more of a difference than frame weight, within reason of course. If your Surly fits you well, you can get lighter wheels for it and that would be a very economical way to go in the short run. That way, you could save up for a Luna or something. I got my Luna on sale. It was pre-built, and I happened to be out in New Mexico so I went to see it. Margo measured me up and it turned out that the bike was so close to what a custom frame would be for me, that I bought it. It's wonderful. It's not 16 lbs or anything (it's 18 without the pedals, but I need pedals and two waterbottles, a computer and a bell, so it probably about 22lbs now).

My advice would be to max out your fitness on the Surly (with lighter wheels) while you save for something really nice for later in the year or next year. If budget was not an issue, then I'd say go custom now.

[JmcG]

I have also done both ways - bought my bike stock and built up my own bike. For price, I agree with everyone that it'll be cheaper to buy a bike with all the components already on - and at the bike shop if you see a bike you like, but maybe they've cheaped out on the front derailleur, ask if they'll switch up for you for a small $$.

Building up a bike is not as easy as it sounds. You have to know every detail of every single component that you want, at the sizes and lengths that you want. Do you know what length stem you'd want? What ratio gearing you'd want? Etc, etc. If so, great and it's fun to pick what groupo set you want. But if you're not sure and don't have much experience, it can be really frustrating and time consuming and really doesn't come out cheaper. And as said above, you need special tools (unless you're planning on having your LBS put it all together for you). The only reason I built up my own bike was b/c I won a new TT frame and fork and so had to do the rest on my own. If I had to choose again, I'd do the same knowing what I know now. But early on in my riding/wrenching experience I would have been really intimidated to build up my own bike not knowing what fits me right or what groupo I'd really be happy with.

But either choice you make, I'm sure you'll be happy with the outcome. Be sure to post pics of your final product! Good luck!