Cost of a build...

[Jman]

Reading Fadded's Tomac Eli build has gotten me to thinking. What kind of cost is involved in building a bike from scratch? I know this question is a tough one to answer as many people (Fadded included) buy used parts to supplement. But if one was to use decent gear (say x-7 or 9's or XT stuff) what's a ballpark figure. I'm figuring that besides the frame the wheel set and fork's are the most expensive parts. Also does type of riding affect cost (AM vs FR or DH vs DJ). One final thought, which is better/cheaper bike build or brand new bike? (I suppose better or cheaper is really a matter of opinion but I just thought I'd ask).
Thanks.

[mtnbikej]

Go to Speedgoat and use thier bike builder. You can mix and match components, wheels, fork. frames and see what your custom project might cost.

[Red Hot Sloth]

Just a general rule of thumb, take what you plan on spending on the entire build, and then multiply it by 1.5, and this will be about $300 less than what it will actually cost you when your finished

[faded1004]

i spent about 580 on my bike... another 150 on gear, like helmets, lights, extra tubes, and misc things...

granted all my parts were used, and not all matching... but it did work today... no major problems.

although i though i had nice firm suspension, but this was due tot he fact that i had locked out my rear. opps... i just couldn't find the instruction on my rear shock. so that is my bad.

but, with the kindness of others... i think you can make a pretty good bike with used stuff here and there. just have to make sure what to spend on.

for my instance, i devoted my budget to frame ($260), fork ($80), wheels ($120)... everytghign else, like shifters ($15) and handlebar ($10) for example, can be bought pretty cheap even new. just have to make sure you don't get stalled by buying wrong parts... even free sometimes like my tomac seat post from gene... (he had his stock tomac seat post and let me try it out)

with alittle patience, and soem hard work... a nice bike can be made... mine took about a week from the time i said, i want a mountain bike!

i shot for 500 and i think i did great... (budget for bike alone) i think my bike is considered as a XC with a bit of DH? hahaha... may be someone can tell me what style bike i gave birth to?

but i think if you i got xt gear, man... it would be another 400 easy? or more?

i was told that the lx gear is great bang for the buck. and by todays performance at fully (by the bike not by me, as i am groosly out of shape) i think the stuff did great! i think i have all lx stuff, except the shifter (regular deore?) and front deraileur (xt) and lines (xtr)...

[theclayster]

a lot, I have built up two, both took me about 2-3 months to build. But the good thing about it is that you get to pick and choose what parts and components you want on it.

[Pato]

Originally Posted by Jman

What kind of cost is involved in building a bike from scratch?...But if one was to use decent gear (say x-7 or 9's or XT stuff) what's a ballpark figure.

You can get the new 08 XT groupo, including wheels, delivered to you for around $1150

Originally Posted by Jman

I'm figuring that besides the frame the wheel set and fork's are the most expensive parts.

Correct.

Originally Posted by Jman

Also does type of riding affect cost (AM vs FR or DH vs DJ).

Not that much of a difference really.

Originally Posted by Jman

One final thought, which is better/cheaper bike build or brand new bike?

Most people will disagree with me, but I've always found custom builds to be cheaper for me. For example, I will be saving no less than $800 on my next build with slightly better parts (in my opinion at least, they are also more expensive) by buying the parts separately and building it myself vs. buying it from the lbs. as a complete bike.

Duc

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by Jman

. What kind of cost is involved in building a bike from scratch? .

Typically your marrage and/or the kid's college fund.

[Jman]

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

Typically your marrage and/or the kid's college fund.

Oh that's all!!! Hopefully my girls will marry rich doctors or something like that cause I have no idea how I'm going to afford to put them BOTH through college at the same time! Can anyone say Sugar Daddy... j/k (about the sugar daddy thang..)

[JOx2]

Originally Posted by Pato

You can get the new 08 XT groupo, including wheels, delivered to you for around $1150




Duc

you gotta show me how you do this, i'll get it and you help me build it, ok?

[Red Hot Sloth]

Originally Posted by JOx2

you gotta show me how you do this, i'll get it and you help me build it, ok?

It's easy to do, it's fun to do, it's hard to stop once you get started

[Pato]

Originally Posted by JOx2

you gotta show me how you do this, i'll get it and you help me build it, ok?

No problemo Jojo. Whenever you're ready to make the leap, let me know. I've got all the tools and the time.

Thanks for all the cool riding pics and videos. The ones I took BLOW!

Duc

[Rockinthecasbah]

i just spent about 12ish on my zion with mostly new and take off or ebay parts , dj bikes are cheaper, DH is way expensive as well as hardcore XC, DH fork can be well over a G