You build it yourself when you know exactly what you want and you want to build it. Rarely do you save money doing it but you can save if you already have Fox suspension and or a nice set of wheels you want to use. If starting from scratch, it's almost always more cost effective to just buy the whole bike and swap out parts to get it where you want it.

 

For a new person, I would suggest buying complete unless you like doing research. Buy the most bike you can afford, new or used, and enjoy the sport. Upgrade parts that you feel are holding you back. Most do not break unless you crash the bike.

If you want to build, just like with your computer motherboard your frame will tell you the parts it needs. It will have the wheel spacing, bottom bracket type, seat post size, and head set type. Buy the fork and a wheelset with the correct spacing and you're set. Most frames and forks are now 148 rear and 110 front. That's "boost" spacing.

If you're patient you can find good deals. The pc and bike world aren't too different when it comes to finding parts. People are always upgrading when new products are released, which is similar to everyone selling their old graphics cards when Nvidia releases new products. Look here, Pinkbike, and ebay.

You will need a few bike specific tools, but they'll be useful the entire time you're in the sport. Cassette tool, you can make or buy a press, and a bottom bracket tool. You won't need a chain whip, but you will in the near future. Besides that, everything else can be done with an allen or hex wrench. Oh, you'll need to cut the fork. A plumbers tool that's used to cut pipe works perfectly.

 

My bins, yes plural, b i n s! Were a treasure trove until I ravaged them for the last couple builds. Frame/fork, into the living room I go. Loud moosic, commit the raid on the bins, break out a couple items that were not available through bin bikes inc. An hour later, out for a test ride and fine tune.

Some parts are acquired second hand when an opportunity arises and it's cheap af, hard to look the other way...
Only trouble is friends tend to shop at bin bikes inc. from time to time.

Bike specific tools. Headset press, remover. Disc tap facing set. BB sockets (many over the years) Cassette socket/ chain whip. Some tools are fabricated as needed.
Necessity is the mother of the bike tool array.

 

Right off, the building of it isn't simple and all the tools you need are an issue. I'm also thinking the compatibility would be a nightmare to navigate and really need to know your stuff.

I'm also figuring that buying a whole bike would also cost less as you're getting a discount due to the volume of bikes made rather than just getting a frame and building it yourself.

Pros are you know exactly what's in your bike and it's exactly like you want it.

Aside from that, there don't appear to be many benefits to building your own.

I'd like to hear your folks thoughts.

I love building my own bike. I've built at least 5-6 of them over the last 8 years. For me, I can install the exact parts that I WANT versus what the company installed on it. If I were to buy a fully built up bike and build from there, I'd have a garage full of spare parts that I would never use on anything else and end up selling.

It's kind of a love affair to spec out my bare frame and install the stuff I want on it. It's like building your own ideal girlfriend/boyfriend from scratch without dealing with extra baggage.

 

I've never seen a complete that was of value. Usually Deore, maybe SLX. Never exactly what I want.

There is admittedly a great deal of satisfaction taking a bunch of parts that are fairly ordinary on their own and assembling them into something extraordinary.

 

Built my recent bike from frame up. Can put on exactly what I want and able to save money on certain parts. Bought new and used parts. If there's a pre built bike with all/most of the components you like then that would be way more cost effective.

 

Count me as someone who spreads a build out over several months. It gives me the chance to hunt for deals and save my coins for the next parts. I save money on everything by buying some items used, taking advantage of industry discounts (I work in the outdoor industry so have access to some), and shopping sales when all else fails. I also don't keep extra parts around very often, and when I do, they tend to be much older parts that I usually don't want to put on a new build). I pay MSRP for very little when I build a bike. Consequently, I'm pretty sure I actually do end up saving money (though because I spread everything out over so much time, I lose track of detailed expenses).

But, that's not a process that a rider new to bikes (and especially one new to working on bikes) is going to be successful with. A big thing to keep track of is compatibility. I've lost count of the number of times here on mtbr, people are trying to match up parts that don't work together because they shopped on price first and thought they were getting a great deal without verifying compatibility.

I also tend to want my bikes built the opposite of the way manufacturers like to do it. I want my non-wear parts to be better quality. So frame, suspension, wheels, and brakes. And for wear parts, I'm usually willing to sacrifice some bling. Modern drivetrains are shaking that up a bit in that higher end chains and cassettes often are less expensive to own when averaged out over their lifespan because they last so long, even though they're very expensive on initial purchase.

You actually don't need that much when it comes to tools, unless you do this sort of thing often enough to make bearing presses, frame prep tools, etc worth the purchase. Having a shop do these tasks is much cheaper. There's a break-even point, though, so if you do enough of these jobs, the tools become worthwhile. I will probably never own facing tools for frame prep, though. They're very expensive, the cutting ends have a limited life (and tend to be expensive to replace), and it's so cheap to have a shop do this that it just isn't worthwhile for the home wrench.

 

Aside from grips, saddle, and pedals, I am not picky at all about what I ride. Spending as much time on the trail as possible, and as little time in my shop as possible is my priority. If I can buy a decent bike that will get me on the trail as quickly as possible and keep me there as much as possible, I'll buy complete and save the effort of a build. Component research and shopping for bike stuff bores me silly and takes away from riding time. I spent 17 years working in bike shops, and I've built more than enough bikes to fill that desire.

When I run across a deal, I'll pick up parts and have them sitting around in case I need them for current bikes or if I find a deal on a frame. I don't mind swapping parts from frame to frame, if the need arises.

 

I love building. It feels like you are spending less when you buy a bike in chunks, even though you’re not, lol. It’s gratifying picking out components, matching or contrasting colors, looking for deals, etc. Not too many deals to be had now though.

 

It makes sense to do builds in the following situations and also if you have the tools to do it, when you have spare parts laying around, when you are super picky about parts, when you have a custom frame built, if you just enjoy the build process. Financially it rarely make senses unless you have parts laying around and you are willing to shop around for the other things you need.

 

Color me surprised how many of you say you build rather than buy. I honestly didn't think it'd be this common!

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Color me surprised how many of you say you build rather than buy. I honestly didn't think it'd he this common!

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this is an enthusiast forum. the people here tend to be on the bleeding edge of things.

overall, it's far more common for people to buy off-the-shelf

 

Something nobody mentioned is it costs a lot to stock all the tools required for a ground up build. If you were looking for your dream bike and you planned to keep it a long time, I feel buying the most similar build and have the shop swap out parts is more economical.

Now if you already have the tools, thats a different story. Or in my case, have friends who have all the tools.

 

Mostly in the Build it up camp for several reasons:

• First off a truly enjoy the whole process of choosing parts and doing the build, generally consider myself a better mechanic than what most (not all) shops would have assemble a new bike
• Picky about parts selection, lucky enough to have ridden a bunch of bikes and have a good quiver. Selling new take off parts doable but sometimes PIA and don't want to deal with it.
• Want something unique, if it is a bike I envision I will keep and use for extended period of time I no kidding want it look good and serve a particular purpose only way to do that. Built a Ripley V4 as endurance but light fast bike for things like stage racing or really technical XXC type rides/races.
• Have parts available, I recently built up a Canfield Yelli Screamy and used mostly parts from another frame and extra set of wheels I had laying around, Have done this numerous other frames over years as well.

That being said I have gone complete on the following for noted reason.

• Road and Gravel bikes, I am not picky on the parts or spec, basically just need these to do the job and they come well spec'd in mid range bike anyway and financially will never make sense.
• When can get a good deal, all a financial choice, for instance was looking at SuperCaliber one point and the shop a manger walked up and said I can get you into for X$s if really interested originally said no, went how researched more, asked for test ride on real trails and than had to make it mine.
• Not being too picky, wanted to support a Local Shop, get supported by local shop, Just did this with bigger travel bike that I would generally build up. In this day in bike parts availability purchasing parts separately to build up would have blown budget even shopping around carefully. I could have selected parts carefully got discount from a online vendor and came in relatively the same but if was gonna get that range thought best to support a local shop.

Bottom Line as always depends on exact situation gotta weigh pros cons make decision each time.

 

Totally more common, and generally cheaper, to buy. I've been building mine for a while, but like others I have stashed parts and swap parts. I've also not paid list for a major component in a long time. Buying someone's takeoff etc helps with the cost, as does selli h parts.

You're correct about the tools and knowledge...

 

Lots of good replies here.

Main point is if you were to take a bike that is available as a frame and a built bike, and price the components to self-build to the same spec as one of the built bikes, the built would be cheaper than the DIY build.

I think a good way to get into building your own bike is to start with built bike and then upgrade parts over time, then when you decide it's time for a 'new bike' you can buy a frame and swap all your parts over. Then you can either sell the old frame on its own, or rebuild it with the original parts and sell it as a complete bike. You may need to buy a few items each time e.g. headset, bottom bracket, new hoses etc...

 

I prefer to buy a complete bike with a COLOR I like and upgrade change components as needed. There are some awful color scheme's out there and most only offer 1 maybe 2 colors these days. There's other bikes in the garage... I move parts around and upgrade/refresh them. For example, bought a Tallboy with a GX build, put the wheelset and drivetrain on my wife's stumpjumper and upgraded that thing from the crap SX groupset. Bought X01 and carbon wheelset for my Tallboy. Both bikes upgraded and weight removed. Spare SX crap in parts bin for oh **** scenarios.

 

If you don’t have a bike or know how to build one.

I’ve got a strong preference now for my DVO fork and want good tires and those will come along to the next bike as long as they’re compatible. But I don’t care a lot about brakes or shifting or dropper as long as they’re compatible and not fragile

 

Always start with the best frame and wheels you can afford. You can skimp on components such as brakes and shifting gear and upgrade later. If you have the time and patience you can save money by shopping around. Sales on last years components and gear always pop up in the fall. You will probably need some tools but you can always go to your LBS to have a bearing or head set installed. If you don't already possess the mechanical skills needed for building a bike you will learn them and nothing will save you more money down the line then repairing and maintaining your own bike.

 

If you don't own a bike, buy one. If you already own another bike(s), build one.

There used to be a time when you could get good deals on outgoing model year parts in the fall...

You can create unique builds you'll never find from a brand name company.

Sent from my brain using my hand.

 

I am in the built it camp too. Every time I take a look at one of the big name brand bikes, I am always disappointed in how they cut corners to optimize profit by specifying many lower end parts on the higher end bikes they sell. They all cut corners on handlebars, stems, seat posts/droppers, saddle, bottom brackets, headsets, rotors, tires... They all try to market the few higher end components they install and market the bike as higher end.

The money I spend always goes in to the bike in the following order. 1. Frame, 2. Wheels, 3 Fork and/or rear shock, 4. Cassette, 5 cranks and ring, 6 carbon handlebars, 7. chain. The rest of the parts are researched and then tradeoffs are made based on weight, brand, durability and cost. (I build my own wheels and try to build them up below 1500 grams/pair before adding the rotors, rim liners, and cassette.)

These days, Alibaba/Aliexpress and Ebay are my best friends.

 

The last three bikes I bought were completes. That were given a few key upgrades.
My latest a 22 Honzo SE will get the leftover RF Aeffect wheelset and Revelation forks from my now heavily upgraded E-Bike. As well as some new rotors and pads to replace the POS Resin only rotors from Big Blue.

Made more sense for me than building from scratch.

 

I used to build them up. However, I love Shimano or SRAM and FOX suspension so a build works well for me. The only thing I do is get the alloy wheels since I usually prefer to build those separately (compliant carbon rims around Chris King hubs, preferably). I then sell the stock wheels. I doubt you can save much money doing it yourself anymore.

Plus, I no longer have time or desire for all that building anyway, so there is that as well.

 

If you can't afford to build a full custom I'm with Plummet.
Buy best bike you can afford.
Upgrade it as you can.
The next time around but a Frame Set and transfer over everything you can.
And then do it all over again.....

See you at the Outhouse.....

 

Always! That’s the answer! Unless you want a frame that you cant find anywhere other than complete bike I cant see a reason not to build your own custom build!


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I too would be interested in seeing 'that list' of tools needed to build a bike. I'm thinking for those on a budget, mofo's suggested $100 is certainly in the ball park. For the most part, we don't need high-end specialized tools here.

 

Take a look at Pedros and Park tool catalogs. These sites will give you a decent understanding of what tools are available and required.

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Park Tool has been manufacturing bicycle specific tools since 1963. Based out of St. Paul Minnesota, we are the world's largest bicycle tool manufacturer. A long-term dedication to quality,…

www.parktool.com

 

First step to not blowing up your tool budget is not buying Park or Pedros.

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