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| To build or buy? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 13 2013, 09:04 PM (377 Views) | |
| andyjh | Oct 13 2013, 09:04 PM Post #1 |
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Mud Lover
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I have a tendency to fiddle and upgrade bits just cos I can, sometimes this works, sometimes not so much. Also, I do tend to keep looking at new bikes just for the sake of change when really there's nothing wrong with my current bike for the level of ridding I'm at. So I had a thought the other day that might help scratch both the above itches :lol: Why not build a bike? How hard can it be?! And surely there is no better way of knowing your way around your bike than if you built it in the first place? Not sure about this yet but it's a thought I'm mulling around with as I guess it can take as long as you want, can be a cheap/expensive as you want depending on your style of shopping. Don't have to buy everything spanking new and I guess there are some bargains out there to be had on good quality components that others are upgrading from. Anyway, my interest was peaked when I started to look at the OnOne site and noticed just how many frames they sell and most of them at quite good prices. I'll be looking at a full sus frame again and fancy a bit of carbon in my life! But I wondered just how good these frames are compared to the high street brands? Much experience out there with these? As an example I liked the look of this one although it's a bit pricey; http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FRTIROCKC/titu...narch_rt3_shock |
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| belugabob | Oct 13 2013, 09:13 PM Post #2 |
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Mudking
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Andy, Having built a couple of bikes over the last few years, I'd say that it's defnitely worth considering. It can work out more expensive but, if you are willing to be patient and buys the parts over a period of time, it's possible to pick up some bargains. For me, the main advantages are ...
The disadvantages are...
If you have any specific questions, just post them here and there's a good chance that somebody will know the answer. |
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| cranx | Oct 13 2013, 09:35 PM Post #3 |
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Collecting Speckles
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As Belugabob said, it does have the benefit of you actually having the Bike You want, with the spec you want. Downside is that it does take time! Took me about 7-8 months to build a Jump bike when I was in to that stuff, all that anticipation killed me, but when it was finished it was the exact bike i'd specc'd in my head 7-8 months earlier ...red/black DMR Trailstar, never seen another one like it, gave a fair bit of pride to see it come from pen to a fully fledged ride-able bike. What I would say is to write down exactly how you want to spec it, then try and find a comparable one on the market with the same kind of spec, gives you a ball park figure to try and come in at. Be sure you know what your getting yourself in to and with everything stick to a budget, don't let the cost spiral out of control. |
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| Coley | Oct 13 2013, 09:46 PM Post #4 |
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Fairly Muddied
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Ive just bought an onone carbon whippet frame very cheaply £82 delivered with xt mech bb and headset inc to build my own using all the uograded parts from my current bike. It is an expensive way to do it but now I will have a much better specced whippet than onone sell., full slx groupset stans flow rims etc |
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| robbo167 | Oct 14 2013, 01:41 PM Post #5 |
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Bog Monster
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Andy...why go for the same again?..how about a fun hardtail for the winter months?...26 or 29..Latest On/One 456 looks good,get a good fork and the rest of it is easy stuff to source,new or S/Hand. As an owner of a few (ahem!) On/One and Planet X frames I can vouch for the rideability and value for money these frames provide....they may not be built by a bearded man in a shed somewhere in alaska but they are bloody good fun!!! How about a road bike for when the South Downs turn to soup...(usually about now until March).. Remember too...plastic is for toys..Steel is for bikes!! |
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| Baby_Gixxer | Oct 14 2013, 03:48 PM Post #6 |
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Liberally Covered
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My bikes are my toys!
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| andyjh | Oct 14 2013, 06:45 PM Post #7 |
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Mud Lover
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Fair bit of support for this mad idea then, no one has screamed "don't do it" yet :lol: From the advice of building it just how I want it, sounds good but I'm not sure if I have the experience yet to know what it is I want just yet! I've only really experienced my current bike in recent years and anything I had before that was too rubbish to mention. Actually that's not fair as I had a decent but old Marin before my Spesh Epic, still not a lot of experience. So I'll really be going on recommendation and brands I know and have used. This could end up with a real monster of a machine that rides terribly But I assume if I stick to the main brands for components I should be ok??Also, geometry. So many different head angles and suspension travels to decide on which obviously effect the type of bike you end up with. I believe my Epic is a 70 deg head angle with 100mm travel which puts it into the fast XC category? I like the way it rides and when my brother had a Stuntjumper I hated that as it felt like a sofa! I was thinking of staying at the 70 deg angle and going for a 120mm travel setup? With this in mind should I be looking at buying then and getting a better idea of what works for me? Or do I plan that this project could end up being rebuilt a number of times to get it right? Interesting that people feel it could end up costing me more than a new bike, I had assumed it would cost me less. I guess that would be due to fitting higher quality components all round as opposed to skimping where you can as the main manufacturers do? Good question Rob of why stick to the same, it's all I know to be honest and I'm again assuming this will be my one and only bike. The plan as it developed in my head was to build and them sell my Epic when this was right. I hear what you say though and as the SDW and most of the single track become unusable a road bike would make sense, can't believe I've just said that However, if I get this right, there's nothing stopping me doing it again to build that second bike Good to hear the OnOne bikes have some track record as they are a lesser known brand to me. I worry that you could complete the bike with the best components but it still won't ride well compared to an off the shelf Spesh, Trek, Lapierre etc It also concerns me with their after sales support, what happens if the frame cracks? Do they have a track record of looking after customers? Still mulling it over and I need to sort my garage out to make it into the workshop I desire. Once that's done I might take the plunge. More research needed for now. |
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| robbo167 | Oct 14 2013, 07:13 PM Post #8 |
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Bog Monster
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Andy...if you want to use top end parts then you really need a frame that complements these parts,one of the boutique brands maybe.....On/Ones strength is in providing an affordable base to play around on..my bikes tend to swop components around a lot...if the paint gets scratched so what...its a £100 frame at the end of the day. Im just too frugal(tight some may say!)) to spend over £500 on a frame when I can build a complete one for that sort of money.... Its always good to have a project on the go.. |
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| Coley | Oct 14 2013, 08:02 PM Post #9 |
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Fairly Muddied
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I only really chose the carbon whippet because its a frame thst will accept 650b wheels aswell as 26 which is quite rare. Plus after riding with the guy who designed it and most of onones carbon frames who lives in Eastbourne getting advice on sizing components etc made it an easier choice |
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| Ming the Merciless | Oct 14 2013, 08:16 PM Post #10 |
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Overlord of all Known Sheds!
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It's not plastic, it's burnt toast and horse hair! |
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| Baby_Gixxer | Oct 14 2013, 08:29 PM Post #11 |
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Liberally Covered
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Alright alright I've just ordered a steel frame, it will be the first and only one! Robin's words are too inspirational for me to hold back. Building bikes is addictive, once you've done one you can't stop, don't do it stay away!
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| steve62 | Oct 14 2013, 09:26 PM Post #12 |
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Fairly Muddied
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Definitely addictive building bikes, ive built up 2 now a fun hardtail Ragley piglet and have just finished a onone inbred 29er with rigid carbon forks. Both builds have been great fun and you seem to get an emotional attachment to a bike you built not just bought off the shelf. |
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| andyjh | Oct 14 2013, 09:33 PM Post #13 |
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Mud Lover
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Got me thinking again Rob and perhaps I'm setting my sights a bit high for a first build and I should like at something to compliment my Epic. Started to look at the carbon whippet frames as they seem to be bargains and a light hard tail would be a change for me. Hmmmm :lol: |
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| Nero | Oct 14 2013, 09:46 PM Post #14 |
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Mud Lover
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Definitely, that sums it up for me. Andy, get yourself to a club ride, there will a multitude of bikes to look at/ask questions about and give you ideas/inspiration. |
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| andyjh | Oct 14 2013, 10:13 PM Post #15 |
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Mud Lover
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Planning to be at the next one so bound to change my mind multiple times :lol: |
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| Dave le Trek | Oct 15 2013, 05:33 AM Post #16 |
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Mud Lover
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To all chaps & chapettes..... Has any one mentioned....: make sure you have the right tools for the job....... Or as Bob would say........'Can we fix it........Yes we can' Note to self....build your SS MTB....or the Robin gobblins will get you.... :lol: See you all soon..... DLT
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| andyjh | Oct 15 2013, 06:46 AM Post #17 |
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Mud Lover
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I have a couple of different sized hamers, that should do it right?? :lol: |
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| Rich_F | Oct 15 2013, 08:23 AM Post #18 |
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Mudthing
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There's also a hobby in talking/typing and mulling over possible bike parts/frames. One friend of mine spent 6 months choosing brakes - he ended up even boring himself ![]() The market for DIY bikes has never been better - lots of alternatives, good suppliers and a busy secondhand scene p.s. Looks like its time for my lovely Pace 405 to be sold - just not riding it these days... and it means a new singlespeed (possible Titanium with a belt drive ) might be on the cards ![]() R |
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| robbo167 | Oct 15 2013, 10:43 AM Post #19 |
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Bog Monster
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Nice one Ricky...what have you gone for? Rich..your mate with the brakes...that was you wasnt it?..come on now,you can admit it... ..and you do now that to sell your Pace you are going to have wash it dont you? DLT...theres been a lot of talk...not much in the way of Bike yet! |
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| andyjh | Oct 15 2013, 09:24 PM Post #20 |
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Mud Lover
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Now that I can relate to :lol: I like a hobby that I can window shop for to pass the wee hours away
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But I assume if I stick to the main brands for components I should be ok??
However, if I get this right, there's nothing stopping me doing it again to build that second bike
