Winter Build????

dindi_boy
dindi_boy Posts: 24
edited May 2012 in Workshop
Hi all. Long time lurker, first post!

I've been cycling for 2 years, quickly moving on my alu framed first bike to upgrade to a carbon frame with SRAM Force. This bike has been upgraded a bit having bought a new saddle and wheels and I'm really pleased with it. However, I cycled it through the winter and it took a bit of a hammering, particularly the group set, some of which I have now renewed.

My mind is now turning to having a winter trainer so that I can protect my good bike through the winter months. Having enjoyed working on my bike and learning more about it over the last couple of years, I'm quite keen to utilise the parts I have and purchase a frameset for my own build. I"m thinking that this might be a good Summer project!

Question: How difficult is it to carry out your own build? Should I go for it or simply buy a complete bike?

Long post, I know, but any advice or experience would be welcome. Cheers!

Comments

  • Rule74Please
    Rule74Please Posts: 307
    Is pretty easy job

    Make it a single speed 42 x 16 and then it will be the perfect winter steed.
  • arlowood
    arlowood Posts: 2,561
    Just go for it - plenty of advice out there on how to fettle things together. Worst comes to the worst you can always call on your LBS to sort out any really tricky bits.

    My advice - if you are planning to buy a frameset get the supplier to fit the headset for you - saves on buying the special tool needed if you go for a frame with press fit bearings.

    Just an afterthought. Why not do a build on a classic steely frame like the Genesis Equilibrium

    http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/frames/equilibrium

    Frame price is under £300 so not too expensive Comes with mudguard eyelets and larger tyre clearance so ideal for a winter bike
  • dindi_boy
    dindi_boy Posts: 24
    Cheers for the advice - much appreciated. I checked out the Genesis and it looks like a great option, although slightly more than I budgeted on. I was thinking along the lines of a Dolan Preffisio or a Kenisis Racelite, possibly with a Tiagra group set.

    Any other frames I should be considering?
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    dindi_boy wrote:
    Cheers for the advice - much appreciated. I checked out the Genesis and it looks like a great option, although slightly more than I budgeted on. I was thinking along the lines of a Dolan Preffisio or a Kenisis Racelite, possibly with a Tiagra group set.

    Any other frames I should be considering?

    I just built up a Preffisio and can tell you it's a very capable frame. Add that to the great price and the mudguard eyelets/clearance and it has to be near the top of the list of options.

    Go for it. Lots of advice available on here. :)
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • dindi_boy
    dindi_boy Posts: 24
    Ben6899 wrote:
    dindi_boy wrote:
    Cheers for the advice - much appreciated. I checked out the Genesis and it looks like a great option, although slightly more than I budgeted on. I was thinking along the lines of a Dolan Preffisio or a Kenisis Racelite, possibly with a Tiagra group set.

    Any other frames I should be considering?

    I just built up a Preffisio and can tell you it's a very capable frame. Add that to the great price and the mudguard eyelets/clearance and it has to be near the top of the list of options.

    Go for it. Lots of advice available on here. :)

    Quick question: I have noted that some winter frames require brakes with a longer than standard reach. Does the Dolan accept standard brakes or would I need the long reach option? Cheers for the advice.
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    dindi_boy wrote:
    Ben6899 wrote:
    dindi_boy wrote:
    Cheers for the advice - much appreciated. I checked out the Genesis and it looks like a great option, although slightly more than I budgeted on. I was thinking along the lines of a Dolan Preffisio or a Kenisis Racelite, possibly with a Tiagra group set.

    Any other frames I should be considering?

    I just built up a Preffisio and can tell you it's a very capable frame. Add that to the great price and the mudguard eyelets/clearance and it has to be near the top of the list of options.

    Go for it. Lots of advice available on here. :)

    Quick question: I have noted that some winter frames require brakes with a longer than standard reach. Does the Dolan accept standard brakes or would I need the long reach option? Cheers for the advice.

    Standard/short reach, mate.

    IMAG0202.jpg

    :)
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • dindi_boy
    dindi_boy Posts: 24
    Ben6899 wrote:
    dindi_boy wrote:
    Ben6899 wrote:
    dindi_boy wrote:
    Cheers for the advice - much appreciated. I checked out the Genesis and it looks like a great option, although slightly more than I budgeted on. I was thinking along the lines of a Dolan Preffisio or a Kenisis Racelite, possibly with a Tiagra group set.

    Any other frames I should be considering?

    I just built up a Preffisio and can tell you it's a very capable frame. Add that to the great price and the mudguard eyelets/clearance and it has to be near the top of the list of options.

    Go for it. Lots of advice available on here. :)

    Quick question: I have noted that some winter frames require brakes with a longer than standard reach. Does the Dolan accept standard brakes or would I need the long reach option? Cheers for the advice.

    Standard/short reach, mate.

    IMAG0202.jpg

    :)

    Thanks for the advice and for posting the picture - the bike looks great! I'm very tempted to go for it now!
  • jazzkailey
    jazzkailey Posts: 48
    I bought a Kinesis Racelight TK2 and built up my winter bike. Beautiful frame, rides better than my carbon frame. I use it all year round now. You can get the standard racelight frame & forks cheaper.

    Whatever you choose build it yourself. There's loads of help/advice on the internet. You'll also learn a lot about maintaining your own bike and replacing wear & items yourself. Also you can build to your exact specification eg cassette ratios, bar width, stem length etc etc. Once you've done it you'll never want to buy a ready made bike again.
  • godders1
    godders1 Posts: 750
    I built a Kinesis Racelight T2 last year, (despite the "winter trainer" rep I actually use it as my good weather commuting/summer japes bike, see sig below).

    Fantastic frame for the price and an added bonus is the integrated headset which means no faffing about with cups etc. (the one job people often take to the LBS when building their own bike).

    Best price I could find was Fatbirds:

    http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/5924/products ... frame.aspx

    I had already gone over budget so couldn't stretch to the TK2 but the consensus seems to be that it's worth the extra.