Where to buy groupsets?

[Byke]

Buying a complete bike is usually going to be (much) cheaper.

I suspect people often just calculate the price of a frame, a groupset and a set of wheels and then simply compare that with the price of a new bike. But once you factor in everything - tyres, handlebars, bar tape, cables, saddle, etc - all those $35 here and $84 there can really add up.

It might be different in the UK, where - in stark contrast to parts - the retail prices for complete bikes often far exceed the prices of the same brands in Australia (eg Giant). But in Australia if you shop around for the bike you'll actually be happy to ride without getting struck immediately with upgradeitis then you'll almost certainly save money.

My advice is to find the cheapest bike you'd happily ride for a couple of years without upgrading a single part on it (with the possible exception of a saddle if you have a particular favourite model). Then work out if you could build your own dream bike for the same price (right down to the ferrules).

I suspect many people who buy something less than they really want, or who go the DIY route, would be horrified if they actually worked out how much they ended up spending over a couple of years, and then compared what they're riding with the bike they could have bought off the shelf for the same money.

[durianrider]

I got a FULL sram Red LATEST groupo on my Azzuri Forza RL recently. It was 2100AUD delivered to my door in Radelaide. Can't fault the bike.

[RonK]

I got a FULL sram Red LATEST groupo on my Azzuri Forza RL

Groupo? Sram?

[LM324]

What's wrong with having a tiagra part on a mostly 105 equipped bike?

[Mulger bill]

Nothing.

[jasonc]

I got a FULL sram Red LATEST groupo on my Azzuri Forza RL recently. It was 2100AUD delivered to my door in Radelaide. Can't fault the bike.

you? I watched a youtube video about you - you break your bikes.