Is it worth building you own bike?

[MrWill]

I just built a bike up, which I did initially to get value for money, but after adding the costs up just now, and then viewing the bikes I could of just bought instead, I'm not sure.

Anyway, here is what it cost me to build what I thought would be a good bike:

Kinesis Racelight T2 2014 54 cm frame £189.99
Deda Black Rain forks £87.99
FSA Orbit IS-2 CC headset £27.49
Campagnolo Zonda wheels £246.61
2x Continental GP4000 tyres £55.01
Shimano 105 5700 groupset £269.99
Specialized Avatar saddle£50
Deda Zero 2 stem £22.99
Deda RHM-02 bars £21.59
Shimano PD-T780 XT SPD pedals £45.49
Specialized Roubaix bar tape £14.99
2x Continental inner tubes £5.84
Token alloy bolts £6.28
Token Valve Caps £2.24
Deda Dog Fang £5.99
Thomson seat clamp £15.99
Thomson seat post £63.99

Total

£1132.47

 

[vickster]

Yes, but although mine cost me more than the off the peg, I got what I wanted and a better spec (wheels, saddle etc)...could you get the same spec for less, doubtful

 

[Fab Foodie]

Yes, but although mine cost me more than the off the peg, I got what I wanted and a better spec (wheels, saddle etc)...could you get the same spec for less, doubtful

^^^^ This, you can apportion your spend where you think is most important. I'd rather spend more on good wheels than a better groupset for example.

 

[jagman.2003]

Good looking spec to me.

I personally prefer to build my own bikes now. It may be cheaper & quicker to buy of the shelf & then upgrade parts accordingly. But as a consequence I have a garage full of cheap wheels, stems & rear mechs. I'll never be short of parts for a pub bike.

I now like building exactly what I want or as budget allows. I can collect parts from shop sales & on-line auctions to try & keep costs down. The sense of achievement from getting everything to work just right or to suit me is very satisfying.

 

[Ian H]

I do a lot of miles and my requirements are somewhat idiosyncratic. Plus I find I get a better result if I build assemble my own.

 

[Buzzinonbikes]

I built mine and like how I know exactly how it goes together so if anything goes wrong 9/10 I can sort myself

 

[Archie_tect]

Be an alternative view to cost out the total time spent, including researching and buying [+ postage and delivery] all the bits and fitting them together, and comparing that time spent not being able to do other things which may have higher labour costs... but then painting and decorating or repairing household things or cars isn't as much fun!

 

[cyberknight]

It will probably cost more than off the peg but you will have the satisfaction of riding something special, my commuter was built up from a frame , forks and BB and although its not the most dazzling bike i like riding it because i built it.

 

[Archie_tect]

I feel the same about our Ikea wardrobes....

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Given time I bet I could build a bike cheaper than I could buy one off the shelf. No good if you want it now of course, as was the case with me when I recently got awheel again. But go through a winter looking at the online retailers and you'd be surprised what bits and pieces go at very cheap prices if you keep your eyes open, particularly when they're clearing last years stock to make way for the new stuff (Which is often just this years with different graphics and some spurious claim about 60% more stiffness).

And you can get the spec right first time, it's very rare to buy a stock bike without wanting to upgrade or replace something sooner rather than later. Mine is just over six weeks old and has a different front wheel and two new tyres already.

 

[Archie_tect]

Mine is just over six weeks old and has a different front wheel and two new tyres already.

Are you sure you rode the right one home from the supermarket?

 

[MrWill]

This is what it looks like anyway. Bar tape still to do and bar height after a few rides.

 

[stuee147]

building your own bike is more than just a money saving thing, it something you should do more for the enjoyment of building it and the pride you get everytime someone asks where you got your bike from and being able to say i built it myself.
and to be honest building your own bike never really works out cheaper as you will never really be finished, trying new setups and new parts ect its a real bug tweaking and fettling a bike you have built.
all that said though i would highly recommend it to anyone not just for the enjoyment but also if you have built it from the ground up you know there is nothing that you cant fix if you know what i mean

 

[Gravity Aided]

Very nice job. I like what you've done . Very sharp looking bicycle.

 

[jazzkat]

I'm going through a similar process and just amassing the parts. It'll not be as cheap as off the peg, but it is exactly what I want and I'm enjoying the research, planning and I will enjoy the building up.