First bike build x

[HB2210]

Got into cycling a year ago ..... And hated it ..... Everything was difficult, breathing ... Flat roads ... Hills .... Wind ...
Here I am a year later about to embark on a bike build (not me personally ... My friend at the local bike shop ). This will be my second road bike ... I also have a mountain bike ..... I only have the frame and would like to get the best I can for it even if it takes me a wee bit of time and saving .... . I would like advice on where I can get the best price for an Ultegra groupset ..... In ice grey ? (well it does match the decals ), plus some nice light road bars in white .... Also am I best saving for new or can you get good pre owned deals out there?

Here is the new frame .... AKA Lillie

 

[Elybazza61]

Even buying bits second-hand and in on sale you won't save much compared to a complete bike;my Planet X cross build is ending up being not far off the cost of a new one(and that's with a reduced frame,used parts and wheels and stuff I already had)but the advantage is you can get everything exactly how you want it especially if you are prepared to wait for a bit.

Good luck with it;if you can be around while your mate builds it and see how it all goes together and maybe do some bits yourself it'll be even more rewarding in the end.

Oh and groupset here(although some parts of it are out of stock);

http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-ultegra-6800-groupset-62928.html

 

[vickster]

How much do you have to spend. I had a bike built for me - I could have gone for a stock bike would have been cheaper but I simply don't get on with Shimano and the bike, indeed few, come with SRAM. I probably ended up spending £100-200 than off the peg, but that included an £80 saddle to match the colour scheme, fancy tape, good wheels, mudguards

I bought everything new (apart from tyres), shopped cannily - returning stuff when it came up cheaper elsewhere (Wiggle and CRC are great for this, 365 days to return and free via Collect+)

Google for prices, price match, British Cycling Halfords discount, I didn't use eBay, only UK shops. Do not be tempted by cheap deals from China on costly parts, unless you want to risk fakes. Ultegra groupset is £500+

It will add up and it's the peripherals that seem to cost - cables, headset, bottom bracket, tape - that lot was probably £150 Make sure your friend advises on exactly what is needed for these parts, better get them to source these

Oh and join Quidco if not a member (I can refer ), you'll save a few quid that way

If you see stuff that is on special, snap it up as the deals sell out really quickly especially wheels!

The shopping is fun, so enjoy

 

[the snail]

bikediscount.de, rosebikes and chainreaction were best when I built my bike, depends what you're after though ... get googling!

 

[HB2210]

What's the difference between 105's and ultegra?

 

[smokeysmoo]

What's the difference between 105's and ultegra?

Very marginal weight difference, but not enough that you'd ever notice in the real world.

+1 for Merlin, and Ribble often have good deals on groupsets as well.

 

[vickster]

What's the difference between 105's and ultegra?

Do you get on braking ok from the hoods with Shimano on your current bike? If you find it hard, may I suggest you look at SRAM

If Shimano, 105 is plenty good enough for most (and rather cheaper and easier to find on a deal)

Ultegra is £500 at PBK at the mo http://www.probikekit.co.uk/cycling...-11-speed-compact-groupset-grey/10836472.html

105 is £300 http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-105-5700-groupset-oem-66608.html

 

[AndyRM]

To offer an alternative suggestion, if you're keen to get the bike on the road, you don't need to buy a full group or the snazziest wheelset as you can easily upgrade parts over time.

I've upgraded one of my road bikes from a Sora/Tiagra mish mash to a 105 groupset. Parts are compatible and individual component costs aren't such a big one off dent in finances.

 

[HB2210]

Do you get on braking ok from the hoods with Shimano on your current bike? If you find it hard, may I suggest you look at SRAM

If Shimano, 105 is plenty good enough for most (and rather cheaper and easier to find on a deal)

Ultegra is £500 at PBK at the mo http://www.probikekit.co.uk/cycling...-11-speed-compact-groupset-grey/10836472.html

105 is £300 http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-105-5700-groupset-oem-66608.html

Yeah I find braking ok on the shimano, had a try on a friends bike with campag ... But I didn't really get on with the changing system ... £300 sounds better if it's just a weight thing ....

 

[vickster]

It is, 105 is lighter and smoother than tiagra and the cables are neater under the tape, but I don;t think 105 to ultegra is the same upgrade (other than 10 vs 11 speed)

 

[HB2210]

To offer an alternative suggestion, if you're keen to get the bike on the road, you don't need to buy a full group or the snazziest wheelset as you can easily upgrade parts over time.

I've upgraded one of my road bikes from a Sora/Tiagra mish mash to a 105 groupset. Parts are compatible and individual component costs aren't such a big one off dent in finances.

I have thought about this, but I'm lucky that I have a nice road bike just now, older model giant tcr and quite heavy compared to the newer bikes methinks ... I've a tiagra group set on that so would just have liked to get a wee bit more for the new bike.

 

[HB2210]

It is, 105 is lighter and smoother than tiagra and the cables are neater under the tape, but I don;t think 105 to ultegra is the same upgrade (other than 10 vs 11 speed)

It's tiagra I have just now x

 

[HB2210]

Very marginal weight difference, but not enough that you'd ever notice in the real world.

+1 for Merlin, and Ribble often have good deals on groupsets as well.

Thanks

 

[HB2210]

It is, 105 is lighter and smoother than tiagra and the cables are neater under the tape, but I don;t think 105 to ultegra is the same upgrade (other than 10 vs 11 speed)

Can you get 105's in grey ?

 

[HB2210]

How does SRAM measure up against shimano? Is it a personal choice thing??