"I saw this deal, and thought someone might like it" thread.

[Jason B]

^^^^
I have built up a few bikes and have always been blown away how much they end up costing. For instance, one of bikes frames cracked beyond repair. The bike had good components on it, so I decided to get a new frame and transfer the old group onto the new frame. After scoring a deal on a frame, i began to transfer the old components onto the new frame, which you would think would be an even transfer. Between handlebar tape, new cables/housing and brakes shoes and chain and a couple of other brikabrak, i spent close to $150 for essentially nothing (this does not take into consideration the frame cost). $150 isn’t isn’t a lot, but it kind of puts it into perspective that you will be spending a couple hundred on things you didn’t even think about. One other thing, and almost any will tell you, you will be spending more on proper bike tools than the actual bike.

I’m not trying to discourage you, just prepare you. You should never start with the intention that you are going to be saving money. With Craigslist there are tons of cheaper options. Anybody who says they save money building themselves has long forgotten all the money they spent on those spare bike parts that fill their garage. You are however going to gain a ton of knowledge about your bike. Information that will transfer over to servicing your own bike, which in the long run will save you a ton. Also no turn-around time, unless your basement gets backed up for some reason. Those expensive bike tools will easily pay for themselves. Also, you will have a weird connection with the bike, because damn it, you know ever nook and cranny. Most importantly, and most expensively, you get what you want. You can mix and match components and parts that suit you specifically.

[vvill]

I haven’t built a bike from scratch but even getting custom parts you like gets expensive very easily. The best value will always be a new bike. But if you ride and enjoy your bike(s) enough to know and feel the difference between stock and (your) custom parts I think it’s well justified.

Often if you keep track of sales etc you end up building up a cache of parts you know you like reasonably well and by the time your next dream frame makes it home you’ll have most of the parts already – esp for contact area stuff like saddles/handlebars/pedals/bar tape.

I have to throw in a plug for Bikenetic – they were great when I bought my CX bike with upgrades because they deducted the component cost of the original item I upgraded. That way I wasn’t paying too much extra for nicer components.

[ShawnoftheDread]

Warmth for smaller cold toes.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/3572947566.html

[Jason B]

For you tall guys, this might be a good deal for someone getting into tri’s. Not a tri guy, so do your homework. Always get a little giddy with a well priced litespeed.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/3576415285.html

[DaveK]

@Jason B 42173 wrote:

For you tall guys, this might be a good deal for someone getting into tri’s. Not a tri guy, so do your homework. Always get a little giddy with a well priced litespeed.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/3576415285.html

Worth it to part out… hell, the frame is worth more than that.

[DismalScientist]

@Jason B 42173 wrote:

For you tall guys, this might be a good deal for someone getting into tri’s. Not a tri guy, so do your homework. Always get a little giddy with a well priced litespeed.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/3576415285.html

Ooh… Bar end shifters! Convert it to a touring bike and recover it from the dark side.:rolleyes:

[KelOnWheels]

@KelOnWheels 39594 wrote:

Twin Six Chump to Champ Jersey Exchange – exchange your ugly jerseys by Jan 9 for $36. Ugliest jersey wins $600 gift certificate!

I got my new jersey in the mail! They sent me the Speedy Milan.

They’re having a sale through the 1st so you can get the same jersey for $46

[Dickie]

@KelOnWheels 42427 wrote:

I got my new jersey in the mail! They sent me the Speedy Milan.

They’re having a sale through the 1st so you can get the same jersey for $46

Nice! Careful though Pete might steal this from you! I can’t believe I missed the post about the Ugly Jersey return…. I have so many to give back… Oh so many bad bad decisions over the years!

[Dickie]

My favorite bib knickers are on sale here for an excellent price:

http://www.bicyclinghub.com/castelli-sorpasso-bibknicker.html

As with anything Castelli, order a size larger than you would in any other brand… apparently Italians think we are giants!

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Dickie 42445 wrote:

My favorite bib knickers are on sale here for an excellent price:

http://www.bicyclinghub.com/castelli-sorpasso-bibknicker.html

As with anything Castelli, order a size larger than you would in any other brand… apparently Italians think we are giants!

I have the Nanotech knickers, which I think are also on sale and very similar to the Sorpassos. Didn’t have any issues with bicyclinghub and the knickers are awesome!

[KelOnWheels]

Women’s Ibex Giro short-sleeve jersey on sale for $65 (down from $130) – XS in lavender only.

[dcv]

This may be too late for this season, but looks like a good deal. 26″ MTB studded tires for the next big snow
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/bik/3585643446.html

[KelOnWheels]

@KelOnWheels 42427 wrote:

I got my new jersey in the mail! They sent me the Speedy Milan.

They’re having a sale through the 1st so you can get the same jersey for $46

Whoa! I just discovered that Twin Six jerseys have secret messages in the pockets!

[ATTACH]2376[/ATTACH]

[jwfisher3]

@KelOnWheels 42836 wrote:

Whoa! I just discovered that Twin Six jerseys have secret messages in the pockets!

[ATTACH]2376[/ATTACH]

And from one of my favorite movies “Breaking Away”

[dcv]

Park tools advanced mechanic tool kit $125
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/bik/3600861255.html

[Author]

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