How to go about getting a new bike....

[E65Ross]

I'm tempted to begin to start saving for a new bike.....Clearly there are a few ways of doing it, the easiest being getting something already built on a 0% finance deal; but....

In doing so, being the size I am (5ft 5", 54kgs) getting a bike which fits perfectly isn't always easy so it would likely be a case of buying the bike then saying "well, the handlebars are too wide, the stem that bit too long etc etc" and having to then buy additional parts; and I'd also want a power meter as well.

Would it be a decent way of doing it by just buying a frame, and then individually buying new wheels, a groupset, bars, stem, power meter with cranks and chain rings, bottom bracket etc....or would that likely work out far more expensive? The good thing about building it yourself, I guess, is that you can choose the groupset youw ant, choose the wheelset etc etc. I could then take all the parts to my bike fitter (who does bike building) and get him to build it up and get it fit to me...

Thoughts?

This won't be happening for a while yet but if I were to buy a whole bike I'd probably be looking at a pretty expensive one, somewhere around the £4-5k mark and I'd be tempted by Ultegra DI2 instead of Dura Ace DI2 because replacement parts are considerably cheaper (cassettes, chains etc)

Also....where are the best places to look for RE frames?

What will I need for everything, other than....

Frameset
stem
handlebars and handlebar tape
groupset
wheelset
power meter inc chainrings and bottom bracket
saddle
seatpost
Pedals
Tyres


Many thanks in advance

Edited by E65Ross on Saturday 14th May 19:23

[anonymous-user]

Go for a proper bike fitting on a rig not a bike, get the measurements of the frame that would best suit your size, reach, leg length etc etc, then spend hours looking for a frameset that best matches those numbers, which is in budget and best suited to your intentions be out racing, sportives etc.

You may find it available as a complete bike or as a frameset only which will limit your choices, buying separates doesn't have to be expensive and you put money where it matters, eg down spec mechs and use the difference to up spec wheels compared to off the shelf bikes

...alternatively get a custom custom built frameset in steel or titanium fringe a frame builder of your choice.

[Marcellus]

I've decided my next bike will be a Beacon.

Start off as Pablo says with a bike fit/measurement and then the frame made to measure.

Then add all the components based on budget.

[anonymous-user]

Sorry I didn't see the budget first time round, for that sorry of money the last thing I'd buy is a carbon frame that anyone else could go out and buy... go custom, phone a few people like Burls or Enigma and get the bike that will last YOU a lifetime.

[E65Ross]

Thanks chaps. I've already had a bike fit done (not just some 20min job....this took a good 4-5 hours, involved various different sensors being attached to me, lots of data taking etc etc) so I can speak to him and go from there.

Never considered custom frames, I was looking at something like a Specialized S-works tarmac frame or something. Don't see the harm in having a frame others can have as well, as long as it's a good one.

[Marcellus]

I would have thought buying a standard frame, even a nice one, would still be a compromise from your 5 hour bike fit as the dimensions of the frame are the dimensions of the frame and then the fit is done with stems etc etc etc.

You've got the data for the perfect fitting bike, you've got the budget to buy the perfect fitting bike why compromise?

You could even choose your own colour scheme if you choose!!

[JustinF]

buy from somewhere like Rose, choose the frame and then have the option to edit every part that hangs from it?

[Kermit power]

I would assume that if you were buying off the peg at that price, any half decent supplier would alter stem length, bar width and the like at no extra cost, but at that sort of price, I'd certainly want something custom built.

[PHmember]

With that sort of budget I'd be going for a custom frame.

[Daveyraveygravey]

At that price, custom titanium build. Mmm... titanium...

[frisbee]

A high end off the shelf frame is going to be better than a custom frame. A custom frame is compromised as a bloke in a shed needs to be able to make it.

If you want a lighter, stiffer, more comfortable frame then go off the shelf. If you are 6'6" with the legs of Ronnie Corbett then go custom.

[Magic919]

Plenty of the smaller bikes are supplied with long cranks and/or wide handlebars, so the custom build approach makes sense. Buying a groupset doesn't necessarily when you are fitting a crank-based power meter. That said, watch out for bundles of related parts that will save money, like chain and rear cassette deals, for example.

I'm not convinced by the custom frame for that money. Once you have a decent frame, Ultegra Di2, good wheels and a power meter you'll easily be in that price range.

[okgo]

Amazed at how much this 'bike fit' crap has sunk into the market, clearly you want to get something in the obvious range - and if you have body problems then a fit is a good idea - like dizeee and his back, but for anyone else I don't think it's the last word in deciding on a bike.

You can make any bike within reasonable range fit as well as the next. Everything you put on a bike is avail in different lengths and angles - obviously if you go and buy a 60cm frame then you'll have issues at your height...

It amuses me that everyone is so bought in to fits then you see the readers bike pics on here and the majority are a shambles with seat posts barely showing from the frame. A stack of spacers making the steerer look like a certain Italian tourist attraction and shifters pointing up to the sky etc.

[E65Ross]

okgo said:

Amazed at how much this 'bike fit' crap has sunk into the market, clearly you want to get something in the obvious range - and if you have body problems then a fit is a good idea - like dizeee and his back, but for anyone else I don't think it's the last word in deciding on a bike.

You can make any bike within reasonable range fit as well as the next. Everything you put on a bike is avail in different lengths and angles - obviously if you go and buy a 60cm frame then you'll have issues at your height...

It amuses me that everyone is so bought in to fits then you see the readers bike pics on here and the majority are a shambles with seat posts barely showing from the frame. A stack of spacers making the steerer look like a certain Italian tourist attraction and shifters pointing up to the sky etc.

I agree, and this is why I wasn't really considering the custom route. As long as the frame is roughly suited to my needs, having the correct stem, bars, crank length, seat post height as well as how far foreward/back it is etc shouldn't yield any issues. My current set up feels very comfortable, and that is on a frame that is 1 size bigger than it ought to be. My bike fitter (who's done some Olympic riders and triathletes) said "it's not ideal, but we can work around it, and certainly wouldn't suggest buying another bike based on the frame being a little too big, because with adjustments we can still make it very close to perfect"

[nammynake]

Custom build will always be far more costly than off the peg. Unless you have a very specific parts list then you'll get much better value for money buying a factory build.

You can get a LOT of bike for £4-5k, but beyond a certain price you'll not buy any extra performance or comfort/'feel'.

As an example, there's not a single thing you'd need to change on this (£2349). As OKGO mentions above, people can overthink the whole bike fit thing.

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road/ultimate/2016/ul...

[E65Ross]

Thanks again guys. The thing with the canyon bikes is that there are limited choices. For example, the group set is 11-28t 34/50....going by myself I'd choose 52/36 and 11-32....that'd require a new cassette, new rear mech and rings. I also have a narrow pelvis so I'd need to buy a narrow (less than 130mm) saddle. I'm not sure if you can choose handlebar width, but I need 40cm....same RE stem length etc.

Going totally aelf-build you get exactly what you want.... But it may be a bit more expensive.

I think what I could do is speak to my bike fitter, and discuss frame size and, judging by that, what length stem etc I'd require.... Then me buying all the main parts (frame, wheels, saddle, seat post, power meter, groupset, handlebars, pedals etc), give it all to him, get him to get any other bits which need to be bought and get him to build it for me.

[battered]

Buying a frame and new parts will be about 1.5x the price of a built bike. Also 5'5 & 55kg isn't odd, just small and very light build for a man. Lots of women are that size, though admittedly they are a different shape. I'm assuming you're a man, if not then you are close to Mrs Average size 10 and a standard fit in your size is designed around you.

[E65Ross]

battered said:

Buying a frame and new parts will be about 1.5x the price of a built bike. Also 5'5 & 55kg isn't odd, just small and very light build for a man. Lots of women are that size, though admittedly they are a different shape. I'm assuming you're a man, if not then you are close to Mrs Average size 10 and a standard fit in your size is designed around you.

If I go pre-built what are the odds that the retailer would alter a few things (such as instead of 11-28t I'd be able to get 11-32t (meaning also a longer cage derailleur)..... Or is it usually a case of "nope, this is how it comes, take it or leave it".

[Amateurish]

I'm a similar size to you, and I've never had a problem buying off the shelf. I just buy the appropriate frame size for my inside leg / height.

[SixPotBelly]

As JustinF says, with Rose (as opposed to Canyon) you can change those sort of things and more. Depends if you like the frame and the geo suits, of course.