Self Build

buzzwold

I'm sure it's been done before but not apparently in 4 screens of this forum, so here goes.

I'm interested in going the self build route and wondering if anyone can suggest a suitable start point for the frame. Aluminium or Carbon are both under consideration and I want to do this on a reasonable budget so tempted towards the following

the Cinelli Experience, Cinella Saetta, Dolan Tuono, Ded Gladiatore, Deda Nerissimo all appeal. Was tempted by the new Kinesis frame The Aithein, but put off by the reviews ( a bit harsh) . Welcome others. The plan is to get a 8kg or sub bike. I will probably hang Centaur or Athena from it and suitably light wheels - F3s, Zondas or something similar.

Current bike is Bianchi Via Nirone 7, which I love, but feel that the platform may have limited upgrade potential. (already on F5s).

Appreciate any input or suggested routes to go. I'll buy new in most cases and may spread the build over several months.

cougie

Its easy enough to do - but it'll probably work out much more expensive than buying a bike off the shelf.

Do it if you have very fixed opinions of what you want - but you don't seem to be.

Plenty of places offer 0% interest so I'd just go for that.

rolf_f

buzzwold wrote:

I'm sure it's been done before but not apparently in 4 screens of this forum, so here goes.

Four screens? You mean it hasn't been done in the last week then......

As per what Cougie said. Expensive and hard to see it being worth it at this level. Planet X or Ribble will provide the same riding experience for far less money. If you are going to DIY it you'd be far better off trying to build something more upmarket using a carefully sourced second hand frame. What you are proposing is a bit like building a Ford Focus out of spare parts!

cattytown

Bear in mind that the OP may just want to do it for the fun of it and be prepared to pay a premium for that pleasure. It also allows him to make sure he gets the full groupset he wants - No tektro brakes for FSA crankset unless he wants them.

I must admit that for me there's a certain appeal to a Spin Spitfire Mk2 with sram force 22...

Paul.

StillGoing

I went the self build route with my Basso as it couldn't be bought in the configuration I wanted. Buy the best frame set you can afford, don't compromise. Groupsets and components can be upgraded later at less cost, but the frame you're stuck with.

GGBiker

philthy3 wrote:

I went the self build route with my Basso as it couldn't be bought in the configuration I wanted. Buy the best frame set you can afford, don't compromise. Groupsets and components can be upgraded later at less cost, but the frame you're stuck with.

In what way are you stuck with a frame? You could just as easily buy super record groupset and enve wheels and put them on a cheap frame with the intention to upgrade the frame later.

For the OP, I bought a second hand colnago alu frame and built it up with centaur groupset. It's a great bik and you'll love it more knowing you chose everything yourself and put it together yourself.

I doubt there is any significant difference between your bianchi and the alternatives you listed though.

Calpol

I think you need to narrow your scope down a little in order to get good advice. A budget would be useful. I just completed my first build. A chinese frame with the running gear and finishing kit from my Wilier Izoard. I ddi for two main reasons.
1. to have a winter bike that was similar in characteristic to the Wilier but that I didn't mind trashing a bit on the dirtier roads and poorer weather but also after riding the Izoard I didnt want a hack.
2. To learn about building a bike

It was a good exercise and one that wasn't too expensive although as I was recycling a lot of parts then it was fairly economical.

I f you are starting from scratch then I agree with other posters that it is not the most economical way to do things and Planet X etc offer a better route. However If a degree of personalisation/customisation is appealing then I recommend pulling together your own build.

You can see a pic of mine in the Your Road Bikes thread under "The Orange Monster". I learned a lot by doing this and it will stand me in good stead for when I rebuild the Wilier or another frame as a good summer bike. If are prepared to be patient then you can find some bargain 2nd hand stuff of Ebay/classifieds and there is a degree of satisfaction in doing this. The only thing not to under estimate is the cost of tools/sundries if you havent already got them. Its ok if you view this expense as something to be written off over a longer period but it can add to the initial cost quite significantly if you are starting from scratch.

buzzwold

Thanks for the input. I had appreciated that this route is likely to cost me more than buying the full bike then upgrading, although the cost of replacement wheels - £200 plus, tyres - maybe another £40, plus other odds and ends - the overall cost starts to even out. My reasons are the ones that cattytown cites but at the same time I don't want to break the bank. Calpol. I'll check out the orange monster. Where did you get the frame from? ebay?

Calpol

buzzwold wrote:

Where did you get the frame from? ebay?

http://dengfubikes.com/

buzzwold

Cheers

jotko

Depending on what you are after you might be better buying a complete bike and stripping it to sell what you don't want.

eg, when I bought my Saetta Sprint (105, full bike) it wasnt much more than just buying the frame. You could sell the wheels and groupset etc for a lot more than the difference in price anyway and finishing kit etc might be useful.

giant_man

GGBiker wrote:

philthy3 wrote:

I went the self build route with my Basso as it couldn't be bought in the configuration I wanted. Buy the best frame set you can afford, don't compromise. Groupsets and components can be upgraded later at less cost, but the frame you're stuck with.

In what way are you stuck with a frame? You could just as easily buy super record groupset and enve wheels and put them on a cheap frame with the intention to upgrade the frame later.

But why would you do this? Doesn't show much common sense really does it, a bit ar*e about face imo ...

GGBiker

giant man wrote:

GGBiker wrote:

philthy3 wrote:

I went the self build route with my Basso as it couldn't be bought in the configuration I wanted. Buy the best frame set you can afford, don't compromise. Groupsets and components can be upgraded later at less cost, but the frame you're stuck with.

In what way are you stuck with a frame? You could just as easily buy super record groupset and enve wheels and put them on a cheap frame with the intention to upgrade the frame later.

But why would you do this? Doesn't show much common sense really does it, a bit ar*e about face imo ...

Maybe you could explain why you see some bike parts as fixed and others as changeable? They are all just parts which can be removed and replaced as you see fit.

Do you have a fixed pair of trousers and just change your shoes and socks?

buzzwold

jotko wrote:

Depending on what you are after you might be better buying a complete bike and stripping it to sell what you don't want.

eg, when I bought my Saetta Sprint (105, full bike) it wasnt much more than just buying the frame. You could sell the wheels and groupset etc for a lot more than the difference in price anyway and finishing kit etc might be useful.

Possibly, Saetta £1156.34 (wiggle), frame £903.19 (wiggle). Sell on Groupset (best price c£300) Wheels £30 (ebay). Keep the rest. Cost of frame - £826.34. Hmmm not sure about the £80 saved, might accomplish that with some haggling.

Set up a spreadsheet today to list items wanted and cost plus likely end weight. Cost of parts excluding frame was coming in around £1170.

silverpigeon

All of my bikes are self builds and I'm confident that in each case I have built a better specced bike than I could buy off the shelf and for less money. Case in point, my Genesis Equilibrium cost less than a £1000 with CK headset, 105 throughout, a very nice pair of Mavic rims handbuilt onto Ultegra hubs, Ritchey Classic bar, stem etc, Charge leather saddle and leather bar tape.

My Basso Astra was less than £1600 with Dura Ace 7900 including DA wheels and I have a sub 8.0kg Principia with SRAM Rival throughout that cost about £800 IIRC.

It has to be said these were each built up over a period of months rather than days and required a lot of internet searching plus lucky breaks in terms of sizing, discounts etc but I've never had to compromise on frame colour or things like that.

Winstanleys are a good source for cheap frames but CRC and Merlin often throw up bargains as well

Also.It is good fun

buzzwold

silverpigeon wrote:

All of my bikes are self builds and I'm confident that in each case I have built a better specced bike than I could buy off the shelf and for less money. Case in point, my Genesis Equilibrium cost less than a £1000 with CK headset, 105 throughout, a very nice pair of Mavic rims handbuilt onto Ultegra hubs, Ritchey Classic bar, stem etc, Charge leather saddle and leather bar tape.

My Basso Astra was less than £1600 with Dura Ace 7900 including DA wheels and I have a sub 8.0kg Principia with SRAM Rival throughout that cost about £800 IIRC.

It has to be said these were each built up over a period of months rather than days and required a lot of internet searching plus lucky breaks in terms of sizing, discounts etc but I've never had to compromise on frame colour or things like that.

Winstanleys are a good source for cheap frames but CRC and Merlin often throw up bargains as well

Also.It is good fun

Cheers SilverPigeon. I've now started to look with more favour at ally frames more as I'm beginning to feel that most of the affordable carbon that's out there carries significant risk. The Kinesis Aethein is really appealing and I've spotted Pro-Lite aluminium frames. Keeping my eye out for a Canyon frameset.