Building a bike from scratch.

[Deanno1dad]

I have an option to obtain a very good carbon frame 56cm at a decent price..It comes with just frame and fork..no seatpost or headset etc
Could you guys give me a ballpark figure as to how much I'd be looking at for parts to build a complete bike..shimano tiagra/105 groupsets and tyres/wheels and anything i've not accounted for as want to work out if it's viable and cost effective doing it this way.
Cheers.

 

[sabian92]

Well, do you want carbon wheels as well? That can raise the price exponentially.

 

[smokeysmoo]

How longs a piece of string?

Seriously, you could do it on a budget by sourcing used parts from places like eBay, or you could spend a small fortune buying everything new.

Depends on what level of build you want to achieve. Your biggest outlay will be your groupset and your wheels.

Remember as well that new bikes are heavily subsidised, and as such you can't really build one for less than you can buy one, not with new parts anyway.

I've done a couple of restoration conversions, and despite starting out with the intention of doing them 'on the cheap' both ended up costing way more than I intended, reason being it's very easy to get distracted by shiny, blingy bike porn IMO

It's very satisfying though knowing that you've assembled it all yourself when it's done

 

[Deanno1dad]

Not worried about carbon wheels..just decent standard equipment on a very good frame

 

[smokeysmoo]

105 groupset, Mavic wheelset, ritchey wcs finishing kit, tyres and saddle to taste, sorted.

 

[sittingbull]

Whenever I've considered something like this (and I've not actually done it because I couldn't make it economically viable), I've looked at buying a second complete bike and stripping it for parts.

Something with a ridiculously large (or small) frame with fewer competing bids would be an ideal donor bike

 

[biggs682]

Whenever I've considered something like this (and I've not actually done it because I couldn't make it economically viable), I've looked at buying a second complete bike and stripping it for parts.

Something with a ridiculously large (or small) frame with fewer competing bids would be an ideal donor bike

that is so true

 

[PpPete]

I priced up a complete 105 drivetrain+shifters at RRP on another thread recently £550
with sale prices you could maybe get that down to £400
add wheels, tyres, inner tubes, brakes, headset, stem, handlebars, bar tape, cables, seatpost, saddle and you'll quickly get to the sort of price where you can buy a whole new bike.

Wouldn't say don't do it because as Smokeysmoo says it's immensely satisfying, but economic viability is very unlikely unless you already have a load of parts (or a donor bike).

Coincidentally I'm halfway through a build for my nearest & dearest at the moment, to give you an example:
Ti frame, headset, forks - ebay £440... which we couldnt afford, but couldn't resist a speculative punt ... and won.
Intention to spend absolute minimum £ by using all parts from donor bike
Wheels, tyres, cassette, chain, rear mech, BB & crankset, pedals, shifters, all OK
I have a stem in my box of bits already,hoping it's suitable length, but not 100% sure.
I have all the tools.

BUT donor bike is quill stem, 28.6 downtube, canti brakes so, so far, i've had to buy
brakes £22.36
front mech (31.8) £15.16
bars £10.99
spacers £6.99
I'm hoping the existing cables are OK so I won't have to buy more
I will need bar tape

So you can see, even with a donor bike it adds up

 

[jackthelad]

the thing about building a bike from scratch is you get all the gear right first time.Some guys say you are probably just as cheap buying of the shelf.But depending how much you are spending,the stuff that most people change are (pedals,saddle,stem,wheels,tyres,and sometimes parts of the groupset like a different size of cassette or an upgrade on brakes etc..After several experiences to get a few bikes to fit me I would always buy frame and forks before buying a complete bike of the shelf.If you can find a bike that is perfect in every way of the shelf thats great and would be the best way to buy a bike,but I for one have never found this.