Build my own bike?

[tulip]

Hey BeeLady, maybe you'll inspire your LBS to start carrying Xtracycles and/or Big Dummies. Good work!

[xeney]

It's .9 hours in my world (law). Less for a partner.

2.1 in mine! That's what I get for going into public interest law. (On the other hand, I am working right now in my pajamas, and I'll be done for the day by the time my daughter finishes her morning nap.)

On topic: my bike shop charges a pretty big markup on parts, even when they give me a "discount" and I pay them to do the build. It is always a trade off for me as to whether I want to give them the business to thank them for all the advice and help they've given us over the years, or whether I want to save money and have my husband do the work. He can do almost anything except for a few things where he doesn't have the right tools -- removing some bottom brackets, installing headsets, and a few small things where it's not worth buying a special tool.

With the bike I'm having built up now, I am afraid it's going to cost me an extra $500 or so to have the shop buy the parts and build it rather than doing it ourselves, and I am having a few regrets about that decision, but I guess we'll see how it works out.