What frame for SHIMANO LX GROUPSET?? total newb here.

Hi, Im a mountain bike newb and would like to build my own bike from scratch, and after some research, I think my first buy will be a SHIMANO LX GROUPSET from ebay, for £160. now with the questions...
1. £160 = is that a bargain or you think its better/cheaper to get diff brands for each parts?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0187408582
2. I'm thinking about buying a second hand specialized hardrock/rockopper or gt avalanche frame - which one would you prefer?? is it ok to fit in the new lx parts into a secondhand frame, or is it better to get a brand new frame, which one then??£100 budget
I know, for a newb like me, I should just buy a new bike, but I think I'tll be more fun buying part by part, I dont know, is it just me or whatt?
thanks
1. £160 = is that a bargain or you think its better/cheaper to get diff brands for each parts?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0187408582
2. I'm thinking about buying a second hand specialized hardrock/rockopper or gt avalanche frame - which one would you prefer?? is it ok to fit in the new lx parts into a secondhand frame, or is it better to get a brand new frame, which one then??£100 budget
I know, for a newb like me, I should just buy a new bike, but I think I'tll be more fun buying part by part, I dont know, is it just me or whatt?
thanks
0
Posts
2. it should'nt be a problem using a second hand frame as long as the parts you buy fit it i spose. out of those frames i guess the gt or the rockhopper? dunno i've never ridden either.
£385 for a rockhopper or gt fitted with full lx sounds good
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] ... 025278584/
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=17829
TBH, this time round, I'd buy new from a good shop and try some out to get a feel for what you need. Most people who build them tend to do so after riding for a while.
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
@supersonic, you know your gt zaskar, what model/spec is that? Is it proper lightweight?
You're going to end up spending £500 - £600 building a custom GT avalanche and it'll probably be a lot worse than if you'd just bought a new GT avalanche...
Don't want to seem like I'm having a go but it doesn't sound like you know what you're doing either and things like fitting a bottom bracket and headset are not things newbies should be doing, let alone fitting forks! I'm quite savvy with general bike mechanics but the above are things I still don't do...
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
And also what other mtb on gt avalanche 3.0 price range that is worthy of that upgrade? pref lightweight, thanks!!!!
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
No it's not wrong, XT is nice, but it's not going transform a low range bike so don't bother.
I'm running a deore/LX mix on a £2k rig and if it's good enough for that, it's deffo good enough for an Avalanche.
If you've got a big upgrade schedule planned, just spend all the money on the bike in the first place. If there's sufficient budget being held back for upgrading, just go for Avalanche 1 disc from the off and ride it stock for the rest of the year. In early 2009 it'll probably be knackered from the winter slog and you can then either upgrade it or spend the cash on something newer and better.
The Avalanche's are amazing bikes for the money but there does come a point where going nuts on upgrades mean it turns into a case polishing the proverbeal censored ! (Note, I'm not being a bike snob here, just that forking out on full XT and a set of Fox forks is probably not the best thing to do on an Avalanche.)
What people are trying to get across to you here is that your thread title is the wrong way round.
Most MTBers think in terms of "what components for my frame?" rather than "what frame for my components?".
What's your total available budget for buying MTB stuff at the minute? people might be able to give you useful suggestions on how best to use that to get yourself a decent bike.
so what makes a bike high range? frame? wheels?
thanks.
@chakaping, at the moment I have about £550 to spend, I know I can get a good mtb for that but after some reading on this forum and some research, I became excessively meticulous with all the components, like I said, I obsessed with xt's, but I dont mind the stock wheels/forks, which seems to be more important.. omg I'm such a noob! apologies.
Have you heard of the saying "the sum is greater than the parts?". It's having everything improve in unison that makes the bike better. In the case of the GT though, it's a great frame for the money but eventually you'll reach a point where all the good components in the world are going to be let down by what is ultimately a budget frame.
When I look at bike specs, I'm not swayed by lashings of XT as a primary concern, nor fancy finishing kit.
Order of importance, for me it goes:
1. Frame
2. Fork
3. Brakes
4. Wheels
Although tbh Fork, wheels and brakes are equal. After this, fancy groupset and finishing kit is a bonus. The GT Avalanche 1.0 disc ticks all the right boxes at the price point and would be worth upgrading to a point.
If you're looking for a high level of equipment on a decent (basic) frame, check this out...
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... egoryId=39
Only slightly over your budget with the current 10% discount, at £584. Fantastic VFM!
You could ride this for a year or two and the kit would sit just as well on a high-end frame if you decided to upgrade later.
You were talking about LX parts in the earlier posts! This should answer your question about whether you are right to be obsessing over certain parts. My advice: don't run before you can walk. Get yourself riding regularly before you become obsessed with parts. You never know, it might not be for you. Doing everything backwards is bound to end up backfiring.
Good luck!
My bike blinds your eyes like Acid
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] ... 025278584/
lol, I was actually looking at them, but naah, thats too much :P
So, still, I havent decided yet what to do, but I already bought these on the mtb ads section:
avalanche 2.0 2006 mtb, zaskar frame, avalanche frame, easton bars, stems, seatposts, saddle, wheels. all for £140
if your wondering why I bought so many, I have two brothers and I want them to get into mtbiking as well, So now Im stuck with two frames...but still I have not touched my own £550 budget.
rockhopper 07 frame
full 08 xt
tora 318 u-turn
hope pro11/mavicXC717
chris king headset
syntace stem/bars
dmr v8s
avid bb7/sd-7 levers
a2z Ti QRs
salsa liplock
sdg i-beam saddle/kore post
Ended up spending £850, all brand new except frame & forks.
not bad for a newb?
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result