ScoobyDoo555

I want to build my own bike - used to do it about 15 years ago (then I grew up!!), but to put it mildly, bike technology has come a long way since!!

But rather than buy one off the shelf (pretty boring IMHO), I want to build one.

I've got a small budget (just in case I don't keep up the enthusiasm onve it's built) and have been looking at bankrupt stock and EBay items.

My criteria are as follows -

1. CHEAP!!!
2. Full suspension
3. Shimano STI (1-click) gears - is 21 speed the norm now?
4. Within reason, pretty light - would rather go for alloy and aluminium rather than steel.

What would you lot recommend (parts-wise)?

Can you give me a definitive list of what is required parts-wise?

Not even bothered about 2nd hand stuff either.

I eagerly await the wealth of Scoobynet knowledge!!!!

Thanks in advance,

Dan

Ian E

iTrader: (1)

Cheap, Full Suspension and Light don't go together! If you're on a budget you'd be better off going for a hardtail frame with front suspension.

21 gears were the norm about 10 years ago Most bikes have 27 now (3 x 9).

If you do insist on building your own http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ are cheap, and quick delivery. http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/ are also good.

It would be cheaper to buy a complete bike, dissasemble it, and put it back together again

ScoobyDoo555

OK, hypothetically, what would be a good list of components (not the best possible, but OK)

Or would it be easier to say, what type of kit could I get for -

(a) £250
(b) £400
(c) £600


Light would be nice, but not essential - perhaps I should explain what I'm going to use it for:-

Mainly road/flat hill work, and light off-road/hill work. In other words, I'm not going to riding down the side of Mount Etna or anything that "extreme"!!!!

I really want a normal bike, but slightly different/modded (bit like my Scoob!!)

Comments?

Dan

ScoobyDoo555

Nobody built a mountain bike then......

Anybody?

Dan

ScoobyDoo555

ttt

gljam

haven't done this for a year or so either but when i used to buy and build my own bikes i always kept to one rule:-

buy the best frame you can afford.

Wheels will buckle, gears wear out and seatposts will snap, tis the way of the world so don't be sucked in to getting the latest bling stuff and scrimping on the frame, it is the most important part and can make or break the feel of the bike and the pleasure you get from riding it.

Looking at the riding you are suggesting i would be inclined to go for a hardtail, this will give you more for your money and allow you to get the best frame you can, cheap suspension frames are heavy, rob the rider of energy and there is more to go wrong with them.

If you're going for an alloy frame just make sure it has a replaceable rear mech hanger and maybe some rear disc brake mounts, this'll give you more braking options later on, the only reason i sold my GT Zaskar frame ( still miss that bike ) whic had so many different bits fitted to it that it cost me more than my first 3 cars

wheels are only as good as the person that built them so try and get them from a respected supplier
gearset, i would go for the shimano deore if you are on a budget (dunno if the stuff lower down the range has improved recently i'm still going by stuff available 2-3 years ago ) and besides it can be replaced as it breaks/wears out

most other bits eg saddle, handlebars etc can be picked up cheap either on ebay, some of the mountain biking forums or old stock from shops. It's probably worth buying 'what mountain bike' or a similar mag just to see what offers they have and what's available now

phew, wrote a bit more than i had planned

ScoobyDoo555

LOL - been looking today at a GT Agressor 3 or a Kona for about £250ish.....

TBH, I've heard that Kona are good, and the name GT rings a bell, but I would imagine at these prices, they're the entry level stuff, so maybe not so good.

After some investigation, it looks like I can buy the type of bike I'm after cheaper than I would be able to build it for (was the other way around last time I built a bike!!!)

What do you lot think?

Dan

gljam

yeah i love Kona bikes, GT aren't what they used to be since they went under and then started back up again

I was going to say it would be cheaper to buy a bike already done but wasn't sure if that was what you would be after.

As i said before though, go for the bset frame you can as bits will either break or wear out, don't be enticed into buying a crap frame just because it has XT this or Mavic that

gljam

if you hold out for a monthor two, the new 2006 range of bikes will start making an appearance and you'll get some good discounts on the 2005 stuff, meaning you could well go up the range, very few things change from one year to the next so some good bargains are to be had

ChrisB

Personally, I wouldn't bother with a custom build unless I was spending £750 or £1000+ and I was wanting to spec' up some nice trick bits on a good frame.

As gljam says it's now a good time to start looking for 2005 bikes being discounted. Evans have a sale starting Sunday or Monday. Pauls are good for older (but still very good) bikes.

If you'll mainly be road riding and you go for a MTB, slap a pair of slick or semi-slick tyres on it. They'll make going up hill a bit easier.

Graz

I'd get one ready built if I were you, as mentioned above a good hardtail can be had for your budget.

Another issue with self builds are all the specialist tools you need these days, okay some things can be done without e.g. fitting headset races with a block of wood and a hammer instead of using a press, but it's not ideal. You also have a much greater chance of knackering the frame using bodgers methods. Somethings are essential, e.g. bottom bracket fixing tool, good quality cable cutters, block lock ring tool, etc.

King RA

This is the bike you want, I've done alot of research recently:

Trek 6500

RRP £550.00 OUR PRICE £369.95

ALPHA SLR ALLOY FRAME. ROCKSHOX PILOT C PRELOAD ADJUSTABLE FORK 80mm TRAVEL. SHIMANO 27 SPEED DEORE / LX WITH SHIMANO CHAINSET. ALLOY V BRAKES. TREK FRONT HUB, SHIMANO DEORE REAR WITH WTB RIMS. BONTRAGER FINISHING KIT INCLUDING: BARS, STEM, SADDLE, SEATPOST AND TYRES.

Get last years model from www.paulscycles.co.uk

ScoobyDoo555

Well, I bit the bullet today and went to a specialist bike shop in Hereford.

The guys were brilliant - letting me try all sorts of bikes out on the road to get the "feel" for what I preferred. I told them that I was effectively a total noobie, and they couldn't have been more helpful if they tried.

So, what did I get?

A Giant "Terrago" Disc - got an MY06 model @ £370 (reduced from £400)
It's got hydraulic disc brakes, rather than V brakes - tried the V brakes back to back, and the Vs scared the living daylights out of me in comparison!
They did the job, but by no means anywhere near the same amount of feedback from the brakes (as daft as it sound!) compared to the hydraulic discs - and they weren't even bedded in.

Here's the specs -
Frame
Aluxx 6061 with integrated downtube Gusset

Forks
Suntour XCP75 75mm travel

Rear Derailleur
Shimano Alivio

Front Derailleur
Shimano C50

Shifters
Shimano EZ Fire 24 speed

Chainset
Shimano TX70

Headset
Cane Creek

Stem
Giant Alloy

Handlebars
Giant Alloy Low Rise

Front Brake
Giant MPH Hydraulic Disc

Rear Brake
Giant MPH Hydraulic Disc

Brake Levers
Giant MPH Hydraulic

Rims
RODI Aluminium

Front Hub
Formula

Rear Hub
Formula

Tyres
Kenda 1.95"

Saddle
Giant

Seatpost
Giant Alloy micro-adjust

Website

They also chucked in a pair of Fast Eddy gloves and a Met A-tomo helmet, along with a discount on any future purchases (+ decent part-ex in future on the bike)

Yes, I didn't expect to pay this price, but after riding a cheaper bike after this one, nothing else interested me!!!

Just been for a quick 30 min ride, just to really get the gist, and so far, I love it!!!
Oh well - another expensive hobby.............

Thankfully, the bike rack wont fit on the Scoob - we have to use the wife's Mondeo!!

Dan