Buying a bike just for components? Or this spec for £527!!?

terribleone

I managed to bag this frame on ebay recently:



I was thinking of building it up with my own spec, but i've built up several bikes in the past and I know you end up paying much more than an off the peg bike with a similar spec.

Once you start adding up simply the groupset parts and wheels, i'm thinking it will be more valuable looking for some bikes in a sale, where the only sizes left are XL or XS..then nab all the parts off it!

Anybody else ever done this? I'd imagine it's the best idea, as you get to sell the parts you don't need off the donor bike (frame & forks especially)...

papasmurf.

theres plenty of people that do this..either for the frame then sell parts on ebay, or for the parts and selling on the bits not needed

terribleone

Yeah it seems like a good idea to me...

Also i've been thinking of looking at the ex-hire bikes at Rutland Water for parts...I suppose it's just like buying a second hand bike that you know has been looked after (plus people can't exactly thrash a bike round there)...as they have some well discounted 2008 models already!

The Big Cheese

He he - seems a lot of people are getting Marin's these days - wise move..

There have been some superb Marin bargains over the last month on ebay..

With regards to your original question - seems like a sound idea then at least you can flog the frame when you are done with it on ebay!

terribleone

Yeah, i've always been a Marin fan...seems to have turned into brand loyalty like Supersonic and his GTs

Want to end up with something a bit more suitable for abusing round the local trails, moreso than my current Marin:

zero303

Look at some of the focus bikes, some of these seem to have a kit list that would cost more than the whole bike - although check the wiggle cust service debacle thread before buying...

I've always found wiggle to be brilliant but then I've never had a problem to complain about in the first place...

papasmurf.

Yeah focus or cube or any of those new to the uk brands, also depending on the kit levels you're looking for place like decathlon own brand bikes

The Spiderman

Or see if you can find a well specced bike on www.paulscycles.co.uk that has been massively discounted.

I think bargains are most likely to be found are when a bike,is in a weird size ,or from a brand with no kudos or with a crap frame but you do need good parts hung from it.

This for example was £999 and is now £650,has Reba forks,mainly XT parts,and reasonable finishing kit.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b6s2p365

You might still get something back for the frame given that it is a popular size.

Supersonic bought a Be One bike from CRC to strip for bits for his Zaskar.
The bike was £600 and came with Manitou Skarab forks,Mavic Crossmax wheels,which he swapped,to the Zaskar and he flogged the rest on ebay.

I always think the Merlins and Rock Lobsters always seem a fantastic package for the money,but the bikes seem so good,I`m not sure I could contemplate buying one,then caniibalising it!

A Malt 1, is currently £585 once discounted,.Check the spec and then add up how much the individual parts would cost,and allow for the fact that you might get a £100 back for the frame.

New 2008 Merlin Malt 1 frame

2008 Rockshox Reba SL forks with poploc remote lockout

Full 2008 spec LX groupset

Wheels - Handbuilt with LX discs hubs and Mavic XC717 disc rims

Race Face Evolve XC bars, stem and seatpost

Panaracer fire XC tyres

WTB Rocket V saddle

Excludes pedals


Merlin however,is a good place to buy groupsets,wheels,forks and brakes cheap too.
For instance you could buy something like a full LX groupset with wheels,brakes,chainset and mechs for £300 and a some Reba forks on offer at £195,and for £500 have the makings of a pretty good bike.

Maybe we should start a "best donor bike thread"?

Chaka Ping

I've done this and am considering doing it again.

Before you take the plunge though, spend some time with a pad and paper working out exactly what each item is worth on ebay (check completed auctions).

You may then decide to just pick up all the bits you need off ebay instead - it will be significantly cheaper than buying them at RRP.

Whichever way you go, it's hugely satisfying when you finish and say to yourself: "I made that fantastic-spec bike for £700 (net)".

Enjoy yourself, and come back and show us some pix when it's done!

terribleone

Yeah, looking around i've been noticing a few groupset bargains too...especially on eBay and Merlin.

Plus I definitely want some Reba forks!

What brakes and rims would come well recommended for average trail thrashing?? Shimano discs or something else??

I think i'll have to work out a groupset and components list when i'm at home, and post it up to see if anybody recommends any alternatives or knows of cheaper prices...

The Spiderman

terribleone wrote:

Yeah, looking around i've been noticing a few groupset bargains too...especially on eBay and Merlin.

Plus I definitely want some Reba forks!

What brakes and rims would come well recommended for average trail thrashing?? Shimano discs or something else??

I think i'll have to work out a groupset and components list when i'm at home, and post it up to see if anybody recommends any alternatives or knows of cheaper prices...

XT hubs with 717s for wheels,XT brakes.Check out some of the disc brake packages onMerlin.

terribleone

Just been looking...awesome prices!!

Then an XT groupset can be bought off eBay for around £230 without hubs or brakes...

ChingfordMarin

It works out about 240 if you look on wiggle and CRC with the Jan sales. But the ebay one looks good comes to 250 though with delivery..


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shimano-Deore-XT-Drivetrain-Mountain-Bike-Groupset-2008_W0QQitemZ120187421304QQihZ002QQcategoryZ109120QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

terribleone

Yum...why does XT stuff look sooo nice!!

Used to always want XT stuff when I was in my late teens...but could only affor LX at best!!!

As far as forks go...everyone raves about the Reba...I assume it's not just an XC fork, it can handle a fair bit of abuse too?? What's so good about this fork over all the other alternatives??

The Spiderman

terribleone wrote:

Yum...why does XT stuff look sooo nice!!

Used to always want XT stuff when I was in my late teens...but could only affor LX at best!!!

As far as forks go...everyone raves about the Reba...I assume it's not just an XC fork, it can handle a fair bit of abuse too?? What's so good about this fork over all the other alternatives??

You got it exactly right.Good balance of performance v price,durability v weight.

While you are on Merlin,you can get an XT groupset with handbuilt XT hubbed wheels for £450.Bargain.

terribleone

Excellent! I've got plenty of other parts; stems, bars, seats and tyres...so I think my budget will stretch to go for XT as i'll not need those parts just yet I can use my old stuff.

Merlin will be liking me...full XT groupset and a Reba fork!! Cha-ching!! £££ :shock:

terribleone

Ok...worked out a quick cost of spec...figured i'd go for the Hone groupset, but I hate the dual control shifters, and figure the rear mech setup would annoy me loading the bike into a car. So i've worked out what it would cost to upgrade those parts to XT and sell the Hone parts (using average eBay prices).

So here is a run-down of my proposed spec £527 for an XT/Hone specced bike on a RS Reba fork...sound good??

FRAME Marin -
REAR SHOCK N/A -
FORK RS Reba £195 Merlin
HEADSET FSA – With frame -
STEM GT 100mm (Already got) -
HANDLEBARS Already got -
TAPE / GRIPS Already got -
FRONT BRAKE Shimano Hone* *
REAR BRAKE Shimano Hone* *
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano XT/Saint £70
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Hone* *
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano XT £30 Merlin
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano XT £45
CASSETTE / FREEWHEEL Shimano Hone* *
CHAIN SRAM Shimano Hone* *
CRANKSET Shimano Hone* *
CHAINRINGS Shimano Hone* *
BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano Hone* *
PEDALS Keep existing -
FRONT RIM Mavic XM321 *
FRONT HUB Shimano Hone* *
REAR HUB Shimano XT** **
REAR RIM Mavic XM317 £62**
SPOKES ACS Black* *
FRONT TIRE IRC Mythos (Already got) -
REAR TIRE IRC Mythos (Already got) -
TUBES Already got -
SADDLE Already got -
SEAT POST FSA – With frame -
SEAT BINDER With frame -

* Shimano Hone groupset - £285 (inc. 5% discount from Merlin) with XM321 Rims
** Buy new rear rim – XT on XM317

Sell:
Rear wheel – Mavic XM321 on Hone Hub £40??
Rear mech – Hone £30
Hone Dual Control Shifters/Levers - £90

Total for parts - £687…….less value of sold parts = £527