Hey all,

I'm looking to build an inexpensive bike from the frame up for racing on next year. I'd like to do the build as cheaply as possible but I'm up in the air on the frame. I've been combing eBay for cheap frames, I'm watching a couple right now, but I'm suspect about a few and have a few questions.

First: The leader frames that flood eBay, are they any good? I'm not going for a WW bike, but I don't want something with a 5 pound frame. Stiffness is definetly good.

Second: Should I watch out for anything (scams, iffy frames, etc)

Third: Should I spend more than $150 on the frame? That's what I'm looking at right now, for the leader frames anyway. I'm willing to look elsewhere if I can get a better value for a bit more money.

I'll probably build with either 105/Ultegra level components, unless I can find a deal on some Campy stuff, always wanted to try Campy out.

Please keep in mind that I'm a college student that has a car payment to pay and books to buy. I'm looking to keep the build near $1000 if possible (preferably well under), it'll be my race bike, something that I won't mind if I snap in half in a crash (although that would suck).

Thank you,

Mark

Anyone have any advice on these frames? Anyone?

disregard

If it was me I would go to Performance, maybe join their little club if it would save me some shipping or a percentage, and get me a Scattante full aluminum. ON sale now for $179. I have built a couple up for freinds and they are not bad looking or riding. Great deal if you ask me. Then who cares if you destroy it in a crash, heck at 179 buy two. They come with a headset and carbon legged fork too.

Hey all,

I'm looking to build an inexpensive bike from the frame up for racing on next year. I'd like to do the build as cheaply as possible but I'm up in the air on the frame. I've been combing eBay for cheap frames, I'm watching a couple right now, but I'm suspect about a few and have a few questions.

First: The leader frames that flood eBay, are they any good? I'm not going for a WW bike, but I don't want something with a 5 pound frame. Stiffness is definetly good.

Second: Should I watch out for anything (scams, iffy frames, etc)

Third: Should I spend more than $150 on the frame? That's what I'm looking at right now, for the leader frames anyway. I'm willing to look elsewhere if I can get a better value for a bit more money.

I'll probably build with either 105/Ultegra level components, unless I can find a deal on some Campy stuff, always wanted to try Campy out.

Please keep in mind that I'm a college student that has a car payment to pay and books to buy. I'm looking to keep the build near $1000 if possible (preferably well under), it'll be my race bike, something that I won't mind if I snap in half in a crash (although that would suck).

Thank you,

Mark
I built mine for about $850. Picked up a great KHS frame on eBay for $110.27 + shipping with a small dent in the top tube. Some of the stuff I already had (included an estimate of their value in the $850). 165mm DA cranks tend to be cheaper and don't hit the ground in corners. Only new parts were the cables/housings and the stem (once I found the position with the Look stem shown).

Look for KHS, Fuji, GT, Schwinn, etc. frames. I don't know about the Leader.

TF

I would think you could buy a Cannondale 800 with a Cad 8 frame for cheaper than you could build up a bike from used parts.

After reviewing my options I think I'm going to go with the Performance frame (as I'd save a bunch of $$ on headset/fork). So, any tips on how to take those awful decals off?

What about a TCR?

If your budget is $1000, I'd try to buy a complete bike, not build one up. I see lots of Colnago's, Lemond's, Kleins, etc. that are nice 2nd hand racing bikes for ~1000.

Not to brag, but a month ago I picked up a Klein Quantum Pro, 6 years old, a garage queen with Rolf Vector wheels and full 9speed DA. 1000.00 Looks like the previous owner didn't ride it much.

Another $100 in cables, pads, etc, and some sweat equity, and my wife has an awesome racing bike.

Check out Craigslist as well as ebay.

good luck,
Francis

After reviewing my options I think I'm going to go with the Performance frame (as I'd save a bunch of $$ on headset/fork). So, any tips on how to take those awful decals off?
I have one of the Scattante's , it is a reasonable weight and rides well.
If you are just looking to save $$ get a used bike. Imo, unless you already have a group to build it it costs more to by parts individually . Unless you just want to do it yourself of course!
For what it's worth , mine came to 17.5 lbs with a mix of Shimano parts and a FSA wheeelset.

Ok, here's my plan. I was going to get the scattante frame, take the 105 stuff off of my Bianchi, and put some campy veloce from total cycling on the Bianchi (as it deserves). This puts me at around $500, then all I need is a seat post, saddle, stem,. handle bars, some pedals and some bar tape. That is, I think the best way to go for me.

Trek '06 1500 or '07 1600. Both are within your price range and are already spec'd for you to race on and have better components than you could get building up your own frame. OEM deals are...well...deals!

The problem is that my while my budget is ~$1000, it's not something I'd like to spend all at once. I'm in college, and frankly, if I have a lot of money hanging around (while saving it for a bke) I'd likely buy some spiritous beverages and wouldn't ever get my bike. Therefore I'd like to get the components and build it up over the course of several months (it's getting to be the season of fixed riding, so no rush) so that I've got some sort of continuity. Also I'd like to build it up myself, that's a big thing with me.

I was in a very similar situation last season. Even though it is a lot of money to spend at once I'd really recommend buying a complete used bike. You can sell some of the parts immediately to get some of you money back.

I bought an older cannondale (CAAD4) with 105 components for $600 and was able to get $100 for parts I didn't need such as pedals. I'm a bit biased, but I really like the CAAD4 frame. They are light, cheap, and the ride compares favorably to my steel lemond.

Good luck