What else would I need to go with a Chinese frame?

Blue407

As the subject says, if I was to purchase a Chinese frame, what else would I need to have a complete bike? Not just a list, but maybe an idea of pricing too?

I am trying to decide whether to spend £500-600 on a finished bike or instead save money/improve the spec by building one myself for a similar budget. I am good with my hands and always do my own vehicle maintenance so would probably only need a coupel of specialist tools. The benefit of knowing my bike top to bottom would be useful.

I would probably buy mid-range components and upgrade in future if necessary.

Bike would only be used for general cycling, maybe a little comuting (Dont need paniers) and I may attempt a Sprint Triathlon next year.

Any advice/help putting together a list with prices would be appreciated

amaferanga

I think you'd find it hard to put together a complete build with mid-range components (Shimano 105, SRAM Rival?) for £500-£600. If you've already got some bits such as wheels and bars though it'd be doable.

Blue407

amaferanga wrote:

I think you'd find it hard to put together a complete build with mid-range components (Shimano 105, SRAM Rival?) for £500-£600. If you've already got some bits such as wheels and bars though it'd be doable.

Yes, was thinking Shimano 105 components, NOT carbon wheels and no, I haven't got any bits I would use......

Total cost may be a little flexible as I may buy some of the components over a few months which would help with the cash flow.

amaferanga

Well you'd be looking at £300 plus just for the groupset. Bars, stem, seatpost, saddle, pedals, bartape would be at least another £100 even if you went low-end or used bits. Then some budget wheels like Planet X Model B's would be another £100 or so. Assuming the frame/fork is about £300 I'd say the minimum you'd need to get a decent budget build (with a good groupset mind) would be about £700-£800.

petemadoc

Frame
Groupset
Wheels
Bars
Stem
Seatpost
Pedals
Tyres
Tubes
Bar tape
Saddle

Errrr, did I miss anything? Bottle cages, the right tools.....

deadlegs

Maybe chain and cables if groupset is 2nd hand or bought individually.

styxd

Im currently doing this.

Frame & Forks - £315
Sram Rival groupset (cables included) - £427
Planet x wheels - £125

Then you need bars, stem, seat, headset, tires, tubes, bar tape, fork bung, pedals, barrel adjusters (for the downtube), front mech braze clamp, stem stackers and i think thats it

JRooke

your not going to be able to get it anywhere near 600 im afraid, I think if you get it under 900 you should be very pleased with yourself. These builds often have the potential to totally run away with themselves, excercising patience is the key.

dcurzon

why not buy a cheap donor bike so you can swap the components over to the chinese frame... would get it build on a budget. Eg. theres a decathlon (btwin) sport1 on ebay at the moment for £75, that would get you the bars, stem, seatpost, saddle, shimano 2300, crankset, bb, wheels etc etc for very little layout, and you can upgrade as you go