Building from scratch
Discussion
Firstly I realise this a ‘how long is a piece of string’ question.
How much would it cost to build a road frame to a full bike from scratch assuming you have nothing to start with apart from a bare frame?
I’m just looking for options just now for getting back on a road bike at a reasonable price. Having had a bad experience with a Boardman I bought I thought it might be more fun to actually start from scratch.
I’m not looking for top components and am quite willing to shop around for s/h parts. Presumably using s/h parts would also alleviate to a certain extent the shortages just now.
Not a lot in money terms but can cost some time. If you have the frame, and even these may not cost a lot, you can build up a bike with a decent groupset and the other things you'd need if you're happy to buy second hand. Seats, seatpost, bar, pedals, bottom brackets, tyres and wheels are all the other things you'd need in addition to the tools. Allen keys and specific bottom bracket tools will allow you to start building up a bike.
It's a faff to deal with, especially when it comes to different makes of bottom brackets and tools needed for each type - with some crossover between Sram and Shimano - but its totally worth it to learn the process and because its relatively cheaper to buy bits for bikes than other transport machinery.
There's also the headache of cables and accompanying parts, bar tapes, cable cutting tool, grease, indexing, chain, etc. - I'm not sure what I'm leaving out - but it's worth it for learning's sake alone. There's a lot of engineering that goes into bikes and components but they're basic machines and if you're willing to learn and shop around, including second hand bits, then it's not that costly.
I'm happy to share any information and as I'm not sure if sharing links to other sites is allowed here, feel free to PM and I can share what little knowledge I've accumulated. I'm currently in month 2 of building up a bike from frame up and loving it despite all the faff! Thinking about it, I could've done it a while ago but I'm being selective about what components I put it together with but I've another bike for my riding.
It's a faff to deal with, especially when it comes to different makes of bottom brackets and tools needed for each type - with some crossover between Sram and Shimano - but its totally worth it to learn the process and because its relatively cheaper to buy bits for bikes than other transport machinery.
There's also the headache of cables and accompanying parts, bar tapes, cable cutting tool, grease, indexing, chain, etc. - I'm not sure what I'm leaving out - but it's worth it for learning's sake alone. There's a lot of engineering that goes into bikes and components but they're basic machines and if you're willing to learn and shop around, including second hand bits, then it's not that costly.
I'm happy to share any information and as I'm not sure if sharing links to other sites is allowed here, feel free to PM and I can share what little knowledge I've accumulated. I'm currently in month 2 of building up a bike from frame up and loving it despite all the faff! Thinking about it, I could've done it a while ago but I'm being selective about what components I put it together with but I've another bike for my riding.
The Boardman got swapped for a hybrid. I posted my experience with it a few days ago.
I’m just musing whether to buy a cheapish s/h bike complete which to be honest would probably work out better value or buy a frame and build it myself.
This is only a hobby which I’m contemplating taking up and much as I love reading about you lot buying £2-3k bikes I simply can’t justify that amount of money for something I may not use.
As someone myself that's looked into this, the first choice is whether you're looking for a branded frame or an open mould Chinese frame and wheels. That then dictates your bottom bracket, brakes etc.
I've spent a lot of time looking into the open mould frames purely to start a 7.Xkg road bike build. The problem is that it would be on a budget and prices on second hand are still inflated by covid.
I've spent a lot of time looking into the open mould frames purely to start a 7.Xkg road bike build. The problem is that it would be on a budget and prices on second hand are still inflated by covid.
Generally speaking, unless you’re using ‘pre loved’ components and frame, you’d be hard pushed to justify doing this (from a financial standpoint ) at least. Most of the ubiquitous bike supply companies, like Planet X / Decathlon et.al. have economies of scale and OEM components at their disposal, and you would probably not be able to build the same machine, with new parts, for less money. In fact, with those types of supplier, you often end up effectively buying the G.S. / W.S / F.K. and finding you pretty much have a free frame and forks thrown in to the deal. However, if customisation is your primary concern, it’s often better to build, using exactly what you need, and not thinking of it terms of pure economics.
As above
Ive done it a number of times, once with a high spec bike from new and more often recycling used parts from my own fleet +/- replacing a few tired bits on each with new
You'll need a bike stand, torque wrench, cable cutters and grease
Potentially a BB tool too
Everything else you can probably do with your existing tool kit or a few Allen keys
The one job Ive never done is fit a headset as I dont have the tool and rarely have need
Having said that you prob wont need to with a modern bike
Cost wise - depends entirely on how vain you are
Good luck
Ive done it a number of times, once with a high spec bike from new and more often recycling used parts from my own fleet +/- replacing a few tired bits on each with new
You'll need a bike stand, torque wrench, cable cutters and grease
Potentially a BB tool too
Everything else you can probably do with your existing tool kit or a few Allen keys
The one job Ive never done is fit a headset as I dont have the tool and rarely have need
Having said that you prob wont need to with a modern bike
Cost wise - depends entirely on how vain you are
Good luck
I built my TT bike from scratch. Not really to save money but I want the specific spec and it was easier to do it that way, I wanted internal battery for DI2 and the LBs and Cervelo said you cant have it, the internet said otherwise. I had a LBS cut the fork and install the crown race, I also had them pop in the bottom bracket as I didnt have the tool.
Rest of it probably took me a day. Tools needed are mostly allen keys, decent wire cutters for cables. If using carbon components I would say a torque wrench is a must, as it carbon assembly paste
Rest of it probably took me a day. Tools needed are mostly allen keys, decent wire cutters for cables. If using carbon components I would say a torque wrench is a must, as it carbon assembly paste
All bar one of my bikes have been built from bare frames - all bar two if you include the Pashley.
It's a lot easier if you have the right tools and I'd agree with the comments above - unless your budget is north of £1k or you are going to be very patient shopping around for secondhand parts then it's not going to save you money compared to a Ribble or Planet-X with +/- the same spec: personally I enjoy building bikes as much as I enjoy riding them, though, so the cost isn't the only consideration.
It's a lot easier if you have the right tools and I'd agree with the comments above - unless your budget is north of £1k or you are going to be very patient shopping around for secondhand parts then it's not going to save you money compared to a Ribble or Planet-X with +/- the same spec: personally I enjoy building bikes as much as I enjoy riding them, though, so the cost isn't the only consideration.
Neil1323bolts said:
I did my first build a few weeks ago I really enjoyed doing it , as others have said a few special tools are needed, I kind of accumulated them over a couple of years , it’s nothing to difficult to build up a bike ,go at your own pace . cutting the carbon fork probably the most nerve racking bit , you can get a tool for it to make sure it’s cut square . And when it’s all finished it makes for an extra satisfying ride out on your new bike . I used a kinesis frame/ fork , shimano mechanical 105 , bontrager wheels , conti tyres , deda bar and stem , threaded bottom bracket dead easy to install compared to my emonda which is press fit . most bits I had from other bikes so I guess I cut costs there . As others have said a workshop bike stand really helps even if your not building bikes it makes cleaning and regular maintenance so much easier
Edited by Neil1323bolts on Saturday 10th April 20:27
Frame and fork cost £750 it’s aluminium but bloody good
I did this and it was so good from many stand points! I learnt A LOT and recently it allowed me to totally pull apart my bike down to just the frame again for it to go in for a carbon repair. The pulling apart is easy but I was able to rebuild it again which is the main thing.
I, (actually myself and a friend), took a solid two days to do it but we got there and in hindsight it was fun! There were trips to the LBS as things like the bottom race on the headset just “can’t” fit but you need the confidence, (and a tool that looks like a scaffold tube), to bash the hell out of it to force it on! I watched the mechanic do it and was glad he was doing this to my £500 forks!
Overall I saved around £1500 and I was going coming from a Boardman too, which I got on fine with, but the difference was like an Audi to a Ferrari. It really does feel special. I can highly recommend it.
I, (actually myself and a friend), took a solid two days to do it but we got there and in hindsight it was fun! There were trips to the LBS as things like the bottom race on the headset just “can’t” fit but you need the confidence, (and a tool that looks like a scaffold tube), to bash the hell out of it to force it on! I watched the mechanic do it and was glad he was doing this to my £500 forks!
Overall I saved around £1500 and I was going coming from a Boardman too, which I got on fine with, but the difference was like an Audi to a Ferrari. It really does feel special. I can highly recommend it.
I got into this a few years ago and have 4 finished bikes, mostly ground up builds of NOS 80's/90's stuff and another 4 frames to do. My thinking would be...
1/ If you are only doing one then the cost of the stand, tools, etc. will be against just this build so it may not be that cost effective.
2/ It takes time to get the parts and there is a good chance there will be a few hours of "FFS why the f**k are you doing this to me" so if you need it for Monday or even relatively soon it may not be effective.
3/ Be careful what you buy used and consider new components in some areas. Wheels I have always found of varying quality versus description when buying used.
As someone else said, it would be cheaper to go and buy a 2 year old bike someone has tired of. If it is purely financial this is the route I would go, if not then give it a go (but have something else available you can ride in the meantime).
1/ If you are only doing one then the cost of the stand, tools, etc. will be against just this build so it may not be that cost effective.
2/ It takes time to get the parts and there is a good chance there will be a few hours of "FFS why the f**k are you doing this to me" so if you need it for Monday or even relatively soon it may not be effective.
3/ Be careful what you buy used and consider new components in some areas. Wheels I have always found of varying quality versus description when buying used.
As someone else said, it would be cheaper to go and buy a 2 year old bike someone has tired of. If it is purely financial this is the route I would go, if not then give it a go (but have something else available you can ride in the meantime).
I usually build my bikes from scratch. I generally do one or two per year, in the winter months as a form of 'therapy'. I spend most of my time in front of a computer screen, so shopping around to work out the best spec and the best deals is a nice diversion from boring stuff like making money.
I'm not sure whether I continue now as ordering from Europe has become an utter ballache and also availability and lead times have become a joke. I'm sure the later will ease, but the former will remain with us.
It's pretty easy to nail a modern bike together. You can pretty much do it with just a multi-tool and a 24 pack of beer. It's a great learning experience and removes much of the mystery surround the bike. I definitely recommend doing it.
I'm not sure whether I continue now as ordering from Europe has become an utter ballache and also availability and lead times have become a joke. I'm sure the later will ease, but the former will remain with us.
It's pretty easy to nail a modern bike together. You can pretty much do it with just a multi-tool and a 24 pack of beer. It's a great learning experience and removes much of the mystery surround the bike. I definitely recommend doing it.
I just bought a full carbon Trek for £600 off eBay and I think I overpaid a bit, I can't see how you could build one for much cheaper than that without spending months waiting for parts to come up? Doesn't seem worth it to me unless you want it specced to your preference but I don't really care if it works.
I did this a few years ago (MTB 29er fresh build from frame) and learned A LOT about aspects i didn't even understand before i started.
All seem obv now but at the time it was BB width, head diameter, seat post size etcetc.
The amount of items i bought and had to return because i didn't even think there were multiple sizes. What a doughnut, but i loved every minute of it and still ahve the bike now (albeit hanging in the garage needing to be serviced and sold)
All seem obv now but at the time it was BB width, head diameter, seat post size etcetc.
The amount of items i bought and had to return because i didn't even think there were multiple sizes. What a doughnut, but i loved every minute of it and still ahve the bike now (albeit hanging in the garage needing to be serviced and sold)
Built a MTB over lockdown (Merida one-twenty - 650b)
Frame was purchased, with rear shock = £200
So had to to source everything!!! Just made a list of everything and ordered through eBay, all preloved and used, but I knew what i was looking for, people are chopping and changing parts all the time, so bargains are about = £320
So,...add in £45 for LBS to index my gears = £565
If I was to buy a brand new Merida one-twenty fully built, or even used for that matter (if you could find them) easy £1200+
Pretty happy with it only thing new was the SLX shadow drivetrain and shifters set-up as 11x1 speed - even the SRAM XD 11 cassette was £20 used, mad what you can get CHEAP.
Put 500 miles on it since, not missed a beat! Since replaced the used KENDA tyres seen here, they were s
te!! But for £10 a pair, they got me rolling 
Frame was purchased, with rear shock = £200
So had to to source everything!!! Just made a list of everything and ordered through eBay, all preloved and used, but I knew what i was looking for, people are chopping and changing parts all the time, so bargains are about = £320
So,...add in £45 for LBS to index my gears = £565
If I was to buy a brand new Merida one-twenty fully built, or even used for that matter (if you could find them) easy £1200+
Pretty happy with it only thing new was the SLX shadow drivetrain and shifters set-up as 11x1 speed - even the SRAM XD 11 cassette was £20 used, mad what you can get CHEAP.
Put 500 miles on it since, not missed a beat! Since replaced the used KENDA tyres seen here, they were s
te!! But for £10 a pair, they got me rolling Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff