First bike build - what frame, and where to buy it?

[dontlookdown]

Inspired by the recent What new commuter? thread, for ages I have been thinking about building my first bike, and now thanks to lockdown I have the time and motivation to make a start.

I can wield a spanner - rebuilt a couple of Morris Minors and an MG Midget back in the day. Do all my own bike maintenance, the only thing I have yet to tackle is wheelbuilding. Because it's witchcraft, not mechanics;)

But what frame? I have never started from scratch before, so I don't know what to go for, or even where to start looking, really. I use my bikes for transport during the week - going to meetings and shopping - and longer 50 or so mile leisure rides at the weekend. I do a decent mileage in all weathers but I am no-one's idea of a racing whippet. 50 yrs old, 5'9'' and 12 stone.

I would like to keep the total parts cost to around £1k, plus or minus. I have drawn up a wish list of requirements, all suggestions welcome:

Touring/comfort biased geo, but something a touch racier than fully upright hybrid style riding position.

Disc brake compatible.

Threaded BB.

Mounts for rear rack and proper mudguards, not those blade things;)

Clearance for the said full mudguards and decent sized tyres.

Ideally, external cables (none of that new fangled nonsense blah blah).

I know it’s not going to be an 8kg build, but reasonably light.

I usually ride flat bars with bar ends, but would consider drops. Any implications for frame sizing either way?

Probably 105 groupset if I can stretch to it. I like the low-maintenance aspect of eg Rohlhoff 14sp hub but they are a) v expensive and b) HEAVY.

Frame material – not fussed. Whatever best suits these reqts.

So go on, help me spend some money!

[leyorkie]

PlanetX frames are probably the best value for money and will have something that suits your requirements

[itsnotarace]

Budget?

Trek Checkpoint ticks most of your boxes, available in both alu and carbon versions

Otherwise perhaps Genesis Croix de Fer

[magpie215]

itsnotarace said:

Budget?

Trek Checkpoint ticks most of your boxes, available in both alu and carbon versions

Otherwise perhaps Genesis Croix de Fer

My thoughs were either a croix or tour de fer.

[itsnotarace]

All City Cosmic Stallion could be a nice option too

https://allcitycycles.com/bikes/cosmic_stallion_fo...

[dontlookdown]

itsnotarace said:

All City Cosmic Stallion could be a nice option too

https://allcitycycles.com/bikes/cosmic_stallion_fo...

Thanks that looks a nice bike. Do they sell the farm on its own?

[itsnotarace]

Yes - here's last years model if a 52cm geometry suits you (quite a long top tube on these) https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/frames-forks-c6/roa...

Or this years model from the UK disty https://www.ison-distribution.com/english/product....

[dontlookdown]

itsnotarace said:

Budget?

Trek Checkpoint ticks most of your boxes, available in both alu and carbon versions

Otherwise perhaps Genesis Croix de Fer

Tks, good suggestions. Total parts cost ca £1000,. It was in OP but buried;)

What proportion of total budget should go on the frame? Probably opening a can of worms there, like what's the best oil! I was thinking about 30/30/30/10 frame/wheels/groupset/rest - is there a rule if thumb?

[dontlookdown]

BenjiS said:

I built my winter bike around a Kinesis frame and fork a couple of years ago. T2 frame and a DC03 fork. Almost identical requirements to yours, except non-disc.

Current equivalent frame: https://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/Catalogue/Models/Ra...
Current equivalent fork: https://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/Catalogue/Forks/Roa...

105 group, some Shimano RS610 wheels. Easton EA50 bars, stem, and seatpost. Saddle already had one.

Pretty sure it came in under £1k total.

Edited by BenjiS on Thursday 7th May 10:56

That looks pretty much exactly the kind of thing I had in mind tks.

[itsnotarace]

dontlookdown said:

What proportion of total budget should go on the frame? Probably opening a can of worms there, like what's the best oil! I was thinking about 30/30/30/10 frame/wheels/groupset/rest - is there a rule if thumb?

Just me but I would see the frame & wheels as an investment, and the groupset as consumable parts that can be individually upgraded over time as parts inevitably wear out with use

[dontlookdown]

itsnotarace said:

Yes - here's last years model if a 52cm geometry suits you (quite a long top tube on these) https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/frames-forks-c6/roa...

Or this years model from the UK disty https://www.ison-distribution.com/english/product....

No wonder it looks like a nice bike, that's 85% of my budget just on the frame;) Your Genesis suggestion is on the money though. Steel frame and external cables, that's more my speed!

[dontlookdown]

itsnotarace said:

Just me but I would see the frame & wheels as an investment, and the groupset as consumable parts that can be individually upgraded over time as parts inevitably wear out with use

Yes that's a good point. So probably worth skimping on the groupset to get a better frame.

[Sway]

Definitely skimp on the groupset and finishing kit.

Groupset wise, they all fundamentally shift the same once you get down to it. Variances are very small.

Same for finishing kit - the difference between a cheap seat post and an expensive one is minimal.

Frame will change depending on flat bars or drops - notice road bars stick out quite a bit past the stem, and so the top tube will be shorter for a given overall reach.

Cotic are bloody lovely too as a brand to look at for frames - definitely something you could build fairly cheap, and gradually improve/abuse for years to come.

[dontlookdown]

Thanks for the advice all. Leaning towards a Croix de Fer or something like that Kinesis frame if they do a disc version.

Cotic/All City v tempting but a bit too spendy - this time anyway. If all goes well with this one I may build a no holds barred 'forever' bike after. Figure I should get some more experience under my belt first;)

[dontlookdown]

Ouch! That is a hefty premium for disk brake mounts.

Yes second-hand is looking interesting, if tricky at the mo. I can get a tired looking but complete CdF for half the price of just a new frame.

But I wouldn't want to buy SH without being able to check it over, even though steel/aluminium less prone to trouble than CF.

[TwilightJohnny]

https://www.dolan-bikes.com/rdx-frameset/

Hard to beat for value and a very good frame. My in-house builds use Dolan frames.

[dontlookdown]

TwilightJohnny said:

https://www.dolan-bikes.com/rdx-frameset/

Hard to beat for value and a very good frame. My in-house builds use Dolan frames.

I have got to admit that does look amazingly good value. Not entirely struck on the colour schemes but at that price it would be a great frame to practice my build skills on. And I could scratch it and not want to bust out crying;)