MTB Build Advice

[james239]

Thinking of a second bike to have as a single speed when I don't want to get the Canyon too filthy/broken.

Bored of looking at second hand bikes as nothing seems to come up I like in a frame big enough for me, so thinking of just buying an Inbred frame and building it up.

Other than the obvious (saddle/post, handlebars, pedals/cranks, brakes, chainring/chain/assorted gears to play with ratios) what will will I actually need? Looking at prices before I buy a frame but it's difficult when you don't know all the bits needed to actually make a bike...

[rhinochopig]

In almost all cases it is much much cheaper to buy a discounted bike than to build your own.

You'd be better looking on CRC for a MY10 or MY11 bike TBH. Or look at ex trail centre bikes.

If you must build your - it's more fun after all - have a look at Merlin who often have some cracking deals on old group-sets and wheel / brake deals.

[Barbarossa]

I'm building a bike for my Mrs at the moment because we couldn't find the built bike she wanted. The bigest problem is stopping myself from over specifying bits. I've been looking back at bikes in the price range I was aiming for to get an idea of component. Level.

[village idiot]

just skulk about on the singletrackworld forum classifieds... they quite often turn up.

i sold my inbred single-speed full-build (with rs air forks and hydraulic discs) and naff all a few months ago via the classifieds.

[Fluffsri]

Im just building an inbred up at the mo, I had it as a SS but changed my mind and have decided gears are good hehehe

Other than the obvious (saddle/post, handlebars, pedals/cranks, brakes, chainring/chain/assorted gears to play with ratios) what will will I actually need?

Although Im converting my SS this is what Ive had to buy so far

cassette Sram X5 £30
shifters Sram X9 £45
rear meck Sram X9 £45
Fr Mech Sram X7 £45
chain Sram 1051 £30
chain rings Middleburn Duo £100
gear cables Jagwires £20
new grips £14 supperstar lockons.
Un 55 BB £20 Old one was shot.

Most I have bought of the bay new and used and tbh the used stuff is like new.

with all the other stuff you need ie forks, wheels, tyres and stem youll be looking at close on a grand.

[james239]

thanks - a grand is a bit more than I was expecting!!

I only want it as a second bike to chuck around when I don't need to take the Canyon out. Not many huge hills around here so most rides will be do-able on a single speed. Think I'll keep looking second hand.

[MadDad]

I decided to build a 'cheap' steel hardtail last summer. Started well, Ragley Blue Pig frame for £200 - but soon realised that the frame was the cheap bit! Trouble is, when you start spec'ing the bike you WILL buy better spec parts than you have planned for, I started with a budget of circa £750-ish, but ended up spending £1,400. To be fair the same spec of bike would have cost around the 2k mark from a shop, but it was more than I had agreed with hwmbo.......

eBay is a good starting point, but (and it's a big but), most people want just under shop price for a bit of 18 month old 'well looked after' kit, so I ended up seeking parts out in lbs sales! Takes a lot of effort and time but I managed to buy some very good spec kit at 50%+ discount on shop prices by spending several hours surfing the net.

I would say if you want to spend as little as possible look n the used ads for a complete bike, or be very strict with yourself about the level/spec of components you buy.