building an MTB

[paulrhodes]

Getting back into riding... yada yada.

So I started building a bike up from ebay/singletrack forums etc but started thinking I might have been better off buying prebuilt for the money spent.

So far I'm at:

2003 Specialized Stumpjumper disc frame, fresh repaint - £65
2003 Marzocchi Bomber MX comp forks £35
Raceface ride OS bars - £5
Easton EA50 stem - £5
Mavic XM321 / Hope XC rear hub with HG50 cassette - £35
Specialized seat post and clamp - free with frame

So so far I've spent £145 and I'm miles away from finishing.. theoritcally I could put together a 'better' bike but maybe a new, fresh unused but cheaper components based bike might have been a better bet.

Should I sell up and get a new prebuilt?

[P-Jay]

Nah, keep going.

Off the peg bikes will always have something on it you wont like and you'll end up changing..


Of course I love building bikes.

[Parsnip]

It depends.

IMO, second hand is the way to go unless you are taking £1500+ - you get a lot more bike for your money.

Building from parts Vs. buying a complete bike is a different kettle of fish - if you have been at it for years, and have a garage filled with cassettes, wheels chainrings and the like (along with the tools to fit them), then buying a frame and some forks is the sensible way to go.

If on the other hand you need to buy absolutely everything (it soon mounts up - piddly little things like QR's and seat clamps etc.) I would recommend just buying a complete bike.