Bike building from scratch .... Ay suggestions ?

[Le Velo]

Thinking of starting a project and was wondering what would be the general opinion of choice in gears and components

Campagnolo?
SRAM?
Dura ace?

And why that choice?

As being a novice any input, recommendation and advise is welcomed

Cheers

Le velo

[Nobody]

As someone who generally builds bikes rather than buying them, I'd say you would be better off financially to just buy a complete bike, especially secondhand.

Having said that, it is only a real benefit to build a bike if you know exactly what you want and you can't get that combination in a whole bike cheap enough. Some of my bikes would be considered quite strange to some people, but I usually build them for a particular purpose and riding style while trying to discard any preconceived ideas about what it should look like.

What are you going to use the bike for?
What road/path/trail conditions do you usually ride on?
How far do you ride each ride?

[Le Velo]

The bike will be used for road riding only
Roads riden on are the most common around the brisbane area, however will be doing a Brisbane to Sydney charity ride at the end of the year with some serious hills in it.
I don't commute and ride for pleasure (and pain )
a short ride is about 50k andnenjoy the regular 100k on the week end
On an average around 200 or more if permitted

To buy the complete bike pretty much sums it all but reason I asked was I found a great frame that I would like to import from France. I could probably get it with the gears on with no wheels but shipping will be a bit more costly

[The Womble]

I build mine. Bar headsets and FIL's with more grunt than brains, it's worth it.
But a new Campagnolo Record QS 10sp groupset, and spend more money on everything else IMO. Great value for money!

[drubie]

Depending on how swish the frame is, the Carbon Athena group looks like smashing value for money at the moment, but it really depends on your shifter preferences. Remember that your gear choice may dictate your wheel choice to a certain extent - not all wheelsets have campagnolo compatibility.

[Le Velo]

Here is a link of the frame photo
http://www.cktsuisse.ch/images/articles/88.jpg

Weight of the frame is 1,09kg

[drubie]

Weight of the frame is 1,09kg

It already says "shimano" on it, so that makes the choice easy doesn't it?

[mitzikatzi]

Weight of the frame is 1,09kg

It already says "shimano" on it, so that makes the choice easy doesn't it?

[The Womble]

Campy compatible fishing rods? Campy don't stoop to fishing

[drubie]

Campy compatible fishing rods? Campy don't stoop to fishing

Well, yeah, but they make the worlds worst front derailleurs

[The Womble]

Soap, mouth, wash

[Ross]

I would say Shimano, probably Ultegra rather than DA as it is better value for money and you don't race. Shimano components are more readily available at LBS if you break down and need a part urgently to get back on the road.

[The Womble]

Ah yes but if something Campy does break, you still look good on the side of the road. And Campy isnt exactly fragile

[Nobody]

Here is a link of the frame photo
http://www.cktsuisse.ch/images/articles/88.jpg

Weight of the frame is 1,09kg

Are you sure you want an integrated seatpost? You won't be able to easily experiment with saddle height.

[Le Velo]

Here is a link of the frame photo
http://www.cktsuisse.ch/images/articles/88.jpg

Weight of the frame is 1,09kg

Are you sure you want an integrated seatpost? You won't be able to easily experiment with saddle height.

The size is made to fit .... I have stopped growing years ago so it should be ok but that is somethingnthat crossed my mind.
Still undecided on the frame choice. They do have one with adjustable seat post also

Ultegra sound like a good across the NORAD options indeed, however already have that on the marine and is ok but looking for a step up I think

[Nobody]

Here is a link of the frame photo
http://www.cktsuisse.ch/images/articles/88.jpg

Weight of the frame is 1,09kg

Are you sure you want an integrated seatpost? You won't be able to easily experiment with saddle height.

The size is made to fit .... I have stopped growing years ago so it should be ok but that is somethingnthat crossed my mind.
Still undecided on the frame choice. They do have one with adjustable seat post also

Have you ever needed to change your saddle to a different model? As you probably know, they don't all come with the same rail to saddle top height. IMO the integrated seatpost frames are for serious racers with plenty of money to burn, or pros. You'll find it hard to sell if you ever need to and it should be difficult to modify if your idea of the perfect saddle height changes or you need to swap your saddle model during ownership.

[Le Velo]

Nobody,

That's a very valid argument for the re-sale, never thought of that, and future choice of saddles also.

I'll keep looking into the options

Cheers

Le velo

[biker jk]

Weight of the frame is 1,09kg

It already says "shimano" on it, so that makes the choice easy doesn't it?

Is the Campy copy of the Shimano electronic reel out yet?

[stuwillem]

My father in law put it simply...

"I rode Shimano for many years, both Ultegra and Dura Ace... as soon as I could justify the cost I bought Campagnolo."

But... beware the high cost of some of the components... it's often best to mix to find the most affordable combination of quality and Value.
Record is best, Chorus is awesome, but most Centaur is pretty good too.
But the high end stuff can be a bit of a rip off.

My opinion.
Brakes - Centaur will do (and they'll be better than almost any Shimano)
Front Mech - Chorus (centaur 2011 are much better than previous, but Chorus is just that much better)
Cranks - Centaur alloy, cheap and good.
Rear mech - chorus for little carbon bits but centaur is still good.
Shifters - whatever you can afford - will come with cables.
Cassette - can even get veloce if you like.
Chain - Record hollow pin (usually only $50)

I have a beef with a lot of the Carbon and Titanium products going around now...
Carbon is great, but any inevitable stack will destroy your wallet.
Titanium is heller light, but it's a soft metal and will warp and stretch over time - you don't want this to happen to most of the parts that are actually made of titanium so I don't know why they bothered.

Keep an eye out for places selling 10sp gear... save whatever you can on components and spend the extra on wheels. It's ALL about the wheels.

[ironhanglider]

The bike will be used for road riding only
Roads riden on are the most common around the brisbane area, however will be doing a Brisbane to Sydney charity ride at the end of the year with some serious hills in it.
I don't commute and ride for pleasure (and pain )
a short ride is about 50k andnenjoy the regular 100k on the week end
On an average around 200 or more if permitted

To buy the complete bike pretty much sums it all but reason I asked was I found a great frame that I would like to import from France. I could probably get it with the gears on with no wheels but shipping will be a bit more costly

Why would you import it from their French distributer? CKT is a Taiwanese company based in the far south of Taiwan (Rather than the central Taichung area where most bike stuff seems to come from.) They have an Australian Distributer listed on their website who is based in Maroochydore http://www.cktcycling.com.tw/html/front ... ory=310669 I very nearly bought a CKT frame when I was over there a few years ago. (I was primarily given a budget to buy a groupset & wheels to put on my good bike and didn't have enough for a sexy frame)

CKT also respond to emails if you contact them directly but some of the message does get a bit lost in translation.


Cheers,

Cameron