[skinnycow]

I want to build my own road bike for an upcoming event and I wanted to see if you guys can give me any tips/advice on building one.

What brand names should I look into/avoid?

The only thing I have right now is a Cinelli frame, I still need to get the saddle, wheels, pedals, tires, handle bars, etc.

Thanks!

[Red Bread]

Budget? Spend your first $200 on getting fit. Proper fit will be better than any amount of bling. Have you ever ridden another road bike? Things like pedals, saddles and even component groups are largely personal.

I ride and love Campagnolo components, but SRAM makes some great stuff too. I hate Shimano, but that's just me, it's good stuff and a good value. The UK sites (Ribble, Total Cycling, Chain Reaction) are much cheaper than US sites for groups and components. I use Speedplay pedals, and have Mavic wheels, but hate them and would strongly recommend you get handbuilt wheels, which represent much better value and are almost always lighter and more aero than factory made wheels, the exception being Shimano Dura Ace wheels.

Since you have a Cinelli frame, logic and taste would say that you should stick with as much Italian stuff as possible. Consider Campy, TTT or Deda bar/stem and Vittoria tires.

[GOLFFRR]

Great excersize. I ride 3 times a week. building a bike is tough you can spend a little or you can spend rediculous amounts. I think you should buy basic components and then if you start to get into it upgrade little by little. Don't go all out at the beginning only to stop riding after a couple weeks.

[BrokenVert]

I'm in the same boat. I finally killed my diamondback frame and I'm looking at a cannondale now...but that's mountain bike talk.

[skinnycow]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Budget? Spend your first $200 on getting fit. Proper fit will be better than any amount of bling. Have you ever ridden another road bike? Things like pedals, saddles and even component groups are largely personal.

I ride and love Campagnolo components, but SRAM makes some great stuff too. I hate Shimano, but that's just me, it's good stuff and a good value. The UK sites (Ribble, Total Cycling, Chain Reaction) are much cheaper than US sites for groups and components. I use Speedplay pedals, and have Mavic wheels, but hate them and would strongly recommend you get handbuilt wheels, which represent much better value and are almost always lighter and more aero than factory made wheels, the exception being Shimano Dura Ace wheels.

Since you have a Cinelli frame, logic and taste would say that you should stick with as much Italian stuff as possible. Consider Campy, TTT or Deda bar/stem and Vittoria tires.

Thanks for the respond. I got fitted, but they didn't offer many bikes for my height (5'0) that I liked, so that is why I'm building my own. I spent 1 grand on the frame, so I don't want to spend more than another grand on the rest. I just recently got into biking when I was in Europe, so this is all brand new to me.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by skinnycow

Thanks for the respond. I got fitted, but they didn't offer many bikes for my height (5'0) that I liked, so that is why I'm building my own. I spent 1 grand on the frame, so I don't want to spend more than another grand on the rest. I just recently got into biking when I was in Europe, so this is all brand new to me.

Are you building a 700c or 650c frame? At your height, I'd imagine you'd enjoy slightly smaller wheels, but if you can make 700's work, it won't be a problem.

Stick with aluminum components for the stem, bar and seatpost, and if you're not looking to go crazy, consider a full build kit along these lines:
http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?...ajor=1&minor=2

That will get you everything you need aside from a frame, fork, pedals and the basics like bottle cages. SRAM Apex and Rival are good starting points, as is Shimano 105 or Campagnolo Centaur or Veloce.

If you're comfortable building it up yourself, or have a friend who can help, you can usually beat those prices, but that's a good start. You can always upgrade things later, with wheels and tires being the area that you'll likely notice the improvement.

[nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn]

screw the road biking. Get into mountain biking.

[KingOfJericho]

What is making you want to build from scratch? I think you'll save yourself a great deal of headache and money by buying something already built. I just bought a Trek Madone (CF w/ Shimano 105 components) and have been having a blast with it. It's going to end up like a car where the sum of the parts ends up costing more than a fully built road ready bike sitting in a showroom.

[Alpha///M]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

What is making you want to build from scratch? I think you'll save yourself a great deal of headache and money by buying something already built. I just bought a Trek Madone (CF w/ Shimano 105 components) and have been having a blast with it. It's going to end up like a car where the sum of the parts ends up costing more than a fully built road ready bike sitting in a showroom.

Good point ^^. So many choices of quality built bikes suited for any budget. Don't go nuts on ur first bike, it will most likely kick ur ass for a few years to come. like any sport, the more u get into it, the more expensive it gets! Great sport, great exercise....

[the_road_less_traveled]

Trek all the way. Get something that will be desirable to resell in case you dont get into it. Minimally I would get a Trek 1.5. Check it out --> http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes..._1_series/1_5#

This is what I bought and even though I dont have much time to ride anymore its an unbelievable bike and I want to get out just because its so pretty.

Good luck. You'll love biking!!

[Alpha///M]

Check out this video on YouTube:

[Dave2]

There is nothing wrong with building a bike from "scratch"...provided you have enough experience to put together a component group that will work well together...or want to engage in the expensive lesson of trial and error.

If you are asking advice on a bicycle build from a bunch of guys on a car forum then I would suspect that you have little experience with component selection and integration. If this is the case I would recommend you go to a reputable bicycle shop, have a candid conversation with a sales rep regarding your needs and desires, and buy a complete bike. The bike manufacturers put together packages known to work well.
Once you gain some experience and get some exposure to the products on the market you can build a bike that will be satisfying to build and to ride.

I do need to put in a plug for my favorite...DeRosa.

[JamesMA]

What he said, and I would only add that the person you need to have the candid talk with is one of the techs, not the sales guy . Good luck.

[loveskiing]

I'm with KoJ...sometimes you'll get much more buying a bike that is already built than getting all the parts and putting it together, especially if one is just getting into biking. Like Alpha, I'm a Specialized rider...and bought the Roubaix Expert after riding almost every other road bike out there. I went to more than I can count bike shops, took test drives, spoke to techs, bike nuts, and decided in my price point (<4k) which bike offered me the most in components, durability, comfort, and resale when and if I wanted to sell. I guess that is what many of us do with cars too
Whatever you do, good luck and always wear a top of the line helmet because the head that you save, might be your own!

[ZStig]

:LOL:

apparently sex sells, since the only products you looked at have a half naked girl on them