Frameset or whole bike

[2pies]

I'm thinking about getting a new bike but as my current Alu bike has a 105 groupset, relatively new wheels (Fulcrum Racing 5s) and a good saddle, I wondered whether just buying a frame or frameset would be a better idea. However, I don't see many frames/framesets in my price range.

There seems to be an abundance of carbon bikes with Tiagra/105/Veloce/Force groupsets and entry level wheels, bar, saddle etc. around the £1500 mark, but very few frames between £1000 and £1500. The sites I've looked at tend to list frames closer to the £2000 mark, which is a bit too much.

Is it worth searching for a frame and transferring everything or easier to buy a whole bike and just switch the wheels and saddle over?

P.S. Before you mention Planet-X and Ribble, they don't sell frames in my size, both only go up to 58cm

P.P.S. Looked at the various Ti frames, which do fall into the category, but I'm still undecided about them.

 

[Hacienda71]

If you are likely to get not a huge amount for the bike if you sell it on, a new frameset and a self build imho is a great project. I built up my last bike from components and there is something satisfying about building your own. Budget though for some additional spends front mechs and seatposts may not transfer over.

Can't help on very big frame sizes as I can get away with a 58 to 60cm, apart from The Ribble Audax which goes into very big sizes 64cm iirc but it sounds like you would be looking for something a little higher end.

 

[2pies]

How much should I budget for all the tools to do this? I don't have anything aside from a basic pocket toolkit.

 

[Hacienda71]

I had one of the bike tool kits that retail around £30. I had to buy an additional BB tool for the Sram crankset I used, which set me back about £6 and I bought a torque wrench which was another £30 odd quid. You can buy cheaper individual torque alan keys for iirc £8 each if you only need to be precise with a couple of torque settings.
The only thing I left to the LBS was fitting the crown race on the forks as they were all carbon and I wasn't confident.
To be honest though I view all the tools a long term investment. I can now deal with almost any job on the bike myself.

 

[2pies]

Any brands or sites to look at? The big brands e.g. Giant, Spesh, Trek etc. tend to spec their bikes with own components, but most others are just finishing them with FSA bars, Mavic/Shimano wheels etc. Is it possible to buy a Cannondale/Felt/Scott frame that is used for the £1500 bikes that they sell? I want their frame, not the mediocre components that they ship with it to sell as a complete bike.

 

[Rob3rt]

Most brands will sell a frame only, it is just that most people want a complete bike so distributors tend to sell only the full bike. Contact the brand of your choice and ask them how to obtain a frame only, they will either tell you where to buy, or sell it to you directly.

 

[VamP]

Canyon Outlet sells off ex-team frames if you want something a bit different and with some history. I have Adam Hansen's bike we are the same size.

 

[2pies]

Most brands will sell a frame only, it is just that most people want a complete bike so distributors tend to sell only the full bike. Contact the brand of your choice and ask them how to obtain a frame only, they will either tell you where to buy, or sell it to you directly.

Thanks for that. How much do you think I would expect to pay for a frame/frameset that is sold as a bike, with average components, for £1500?

 

[VamP]

Depends, but often components sold as part of a bike are extremely discounted, so that there isn't often the scope for cost saving with a new frame that you might expect.

I paid around £1100 for the Canyon and that is a used and several years old frame, which retailed new at £1700.

Merlin have some mid-range carbon weighing in at 1100g at aroun £500 if that appeals.

Personally I think going frame only route is only worthwhile if you are going to enjoy the build (I do) and the frame you get is something a bit special...

 

[Rob3rt]

Or you already have high end kit on your current bike and all you actually want it a better frame

 

[VamP]

Yer but 105 is not exactly high end is it.

 

[Rob3rt]

Was generalising

 

[2pies]

Fair enough. 105 and Racing 5s is sufficient for my needs, I'd do well to find a bike with those components on the frame that I want, within my budget.

I'll enquire with a couple of manufacturers, to see if I can get the frame they use in the Cannondale Synapse or Scott CR1. But it sounds harder than it should be. I'm not really enthused about building the bike up myself, had only planned to do it to save a few ££££.

If I buy a new bike for £1500, I'll switch the wheels and saddle over and try to sell the old bike. Should be able to get £300-400 for it.

 

[VamP]

Sure. And it's always also about what you con yourself into thinking you'll use off your old bike, and what you actually end up buying because the new frame 'deserves' better

On my last build I ended up using the chainset, brakes... and, erm, that's it. Oh no wait the handlebars too. But I am planning to replace those

 

[VamP]

Fair enough. 105 and Racing 5s is sufficient for my needs, I'd do well to find a bike with those components on the frame that I want, within my budget.

I'll enquire with a couple of manufacturers, to see if I can get the frame they use in the Cannondale Synapse or Scott CR1. But it sounds harder than it should be. I'm not really enthused about building the bike up myself, had only planned to do it to save a few ££££.

If I buy a new bike for £1500, I'll switch the wheels and saddle over and try to sell the old bike. Should be able to get £300-400 for it.

Look here.

You can get the frame only, but at that price for the 105 build why would you? Phenomenal frames, and compare that weight with any bike in this price category...

Their alu frames are also excellent BTW, and similarly good value.