to buy or to build

joeraul

instead of buying a new bike(hardtail), i plan to build a bike.what would you suggest, shimano deore or sram x7 group set. take away fox for the fork coz its coz is too prohibitive to me. what would you suggest instead? thanks

Amos

What do you want the bike to be used for? What frame is it going to be built on?

dave_s

It's cheaper to buy a bike close as you can to the spec you want rather than custom build.

I'm saying that based on experience, for instance the 03 Cove Stiffee FR I built ended up costing me around £1700 to build because I refused to compromise on components in an attempt to get my ideal build.

The following year Marin started to do almost my perfect hardtail in the Marin Rocky Ridge with Fox Vanillas etc and that was just under a grand so I'd have saved alot of money.

Saying that, my Cove is brilliant and unless I break it, I'll be keeping it.

Probably go for SRAM X-7 but Shimano new groupsets are getting alot better now especially if you can stretch to XTR conventional (not top swing) for a front mech and maybe XT rear.

dhxcme

Depends what you want. Ifyou want the perfect rig for you build it yourself. I have custom built from frame on my last two bikes (see sig) and to be honest it was the best thing I could have ever done. The set up is how I want it and I don't have the problem of bike shop staff telling me what I need. The only two things you really need to go custom build is an eye for a bargain and a big wallet.

If you don't skimp on what you want and don't let yourself be told what to get, then you will be on a winner.

If you want a fairly generic build but with added bling, buy from a shop and see what swops they will do. Some shops will swop out a front mech for a chain device as the cost is in their favour. Some times you can also get them to throw in a teeshirt or set of tools.

Remember what ever you do. Do it because you want it not because your mates have it or your parents tell you to get it (provided they aren't funding it)

Splasher

I always build my bikes. It costs you more if you start with nothing but if you do like I do and move all the stuff in descent condition across each time, it works out cheaper and you get your perfect spec as well as confidence that every thread is greased or locktited.

dhxcme

well said sir

dave_s

That's what I do now, I move stuff over if I want a new frame.
If you're building from the ground up, then it costs an arm and a leg and that's where you need to weigh up what's on the market ready built.
If your bike has decent bits on it but you're after a new frame then it's cheaper than buying a bike to swop bits over.

There is a definite sense of achievement if your custom build works well though.
I started doing custom builds because nothing on the market was close enough to what I was after and the frames I liked weren't generally available built up.

You just need to do your research if you want to go custom build and asking on places like this forum isn't a bad start.

Also I look at component reviews on http://www.mtbr.com/reviews
It's a bit hit and miss but you get the idea from people who've actually used the components rather than marketing cobblers on the manufacturers websites.

Alot of the US MTB mags basically tell you every product is the brilliant when some clearly aren't, but it's better to buy quality kit if you can and research it first.

One piece of kit you should consider for starters is a Chris King headset.
It will probably last until you trade your bike in for a zimmer frame

dhxcme

Also use high quality greases and lubes when building.

joeraul

thanks for all your comments. i really appreciate

benneally

I would normaly buy, cos its so much better value for money. Unless u have lots of components on ur current bike u want to use...