Bike Building

[matt_theforce]

I'm looking at giving myself a hobby for this year, I would like to build myself a mountain bike as I don't have one.

I have no need for a full suspension bike but would like to build a Hardtail with Front Suspension and Hydrolic Disc Brakes.

What are peoples thought on buying 2nd hand frames? Have seen this frame on ebay Carrera Craken , last time I looked at Carrerra's were about 15 years ago and no nothing about them now.

I will buy the majority of the bike parts new but thought that buying the frame 2nd could prove to be a good cost saving, if the geometry isn't right I can buy another frame and move the bits over. Once I get fit enough I will do the whole process again but with a full suspension bike togo out cycling with friends.

[ric04vrs]

I'm looking at giving myself a hobby for this year, I would like to build myself a mountain bike as I don't have one.

I have no need for a full suspension bike but would like to build a Hardtail with Front Suspension and Hydrolic Disc Brakes.

What are peoples thought on buying 2nd hand frames? Have seen this frame on ebay Carrera Craken , last time I looked at Carrerra's were about 15 years ago and no nothing about them now.

I will buy the majority of the bike parts new but thought that buying the frame 2nd could prove to be a good cost saving, if the geometry isn't right I can buy another frame and move the bits over. Once I get fit enough I will do the whole process again but with a full suspension bike togo out cycling with friends.

its always cheaper to buy a complete bike, than build one up from a frame, i built an Orange clockwork frame up with all nice parts, weighed 23lbs, but cost about £1k, a similar off the shelf bike would have been about £600

nice to do the self build though, but make sure you add in the cost of the special tools required to fit the parts

[matt_theforce]

its always cheaper to buy a complete bike, than build one up from a frame, i built an Orange clockwork frame up with all nice parts, weighed 23lbs, but cost about £1k, a similar off the shelf bike would have been about £600

nice to do the self build though, but make sure you add in the cost of the special tools required to fit the parts

Cost is a factor however I want this to be more of a hobby, last year I sacrificed alot for the family and this year I want to start to have something back, Having never built a bike from scratch it would be a learning curve and much cheaper than modding the Fabia not to mention will be better for my health and will hopefully get me fitter once built

[Brimma]

its always cheaper to buy a complete bike, than build one up from a frame, i built an Orange clockwork frame up with all nice parts, weighed 23lbs, but cost about £1k, a similar off the shelf bike would have been about £600

nice to do the self build though, but make sure you add in the cost of the special tools required to fit the parts

I'm not totally up to speed on mountain bikes, but I'd be bloody amazed if you can get an off the shelf front suspension bike weighing 23lbs for anywhere near £600

Edited 29 December, 2009 by Brimma

[Abarth Moose]

I would say it depends. If you're the only bidder and can collect, then why not. On the other hand, you can get a new, pretty good triple butted frame for about £100.

[bandit1]

I'm looking at giving myself a hobby for this year, I would like to build myself a mountain bike as I don't have one.

I have no need for a full suspension bike but would like to build a Hardtail with Front Suspension and Hydrolic Disc Brakes.

What are peoples thought on buying 2nd hand frames? Have seen this frame on ebay Carrera Craken , last time I looked at Carrerra's were about 15 years ago and no nothing about them now.

I will buy the majority of the bike parts new but thought that buying the frame 2nd could prove to be a good cost saving, if the geometry isn't right I can buy another frame and move the bits over. Once I get fit enough I will do the whole process again but with a full suspension bike togo out cycling with friends.

The Carrera frames come out of the same (Far Eastern) factory as many of the other "Main" brands, TBH it looks as it has had more use than he is letting on. if thats the frame you want, then go for it, but its only worth 35 quid inc postage tops. I would also budget for a new Bottom Bracket as it looks as if it is an ISIS drive, these do not last very long I am afraid, what size frame do you need ?

Edited 29 December, 2009 by bandit1

[dan_the_v8man]

get it done, I started off building my own bike as a skint student and ended up as a bike mechanic for my first proper job

[oggy]

Becarefull when buying second hand frame that there has been no damage to It, as my friend found out when he went to look at one. Also make sure that you get the correct length front shock to suit the frame as this will cause the geometry to go to pot & It won't be a very pleasant bike to ride.

I know that you want It to be your hobby, but seriously like others have said It would be more cost effective to buy one built up. I was wanting to do the same, but I priced up the bits needed first & then compared the price to a new bike already built up & I realised I could get a much much better bike for the money.

[Abarth Moose]

If you want to learn how to build/maintain bikes, nip down the tip and pick a couple up and have a tinker with them, or ask family and friends for their unwanted bikes. Building bikes is fairly simple so long as you aren't completely ham-fisted.

If you want to build one to ride, then just do it. The one thing with building your own, is that you get exactly the spec you want/need.

If you just want to ride, buy a complete bike. Not too cheap, as they'll be really heavy and might put you off for life.

It all depends on what you see as being your hobby; riding - building and riding - building?

[*tim*]

Personally I wouldn't bother. Buy a complete bike and be done with it. If you have spare time, ride it. Simple!

Having said that my mountain bikes are always bought as parts, but only as and when things wear out so its actually cheaper to buy just the frame / forks / cranks / whatever, as the rest is solid.

If you must buy a second hand frame, be very careful. As said check for damage including whether its bent. Oh, and don't bother with a Carrera!

[bandit1]

. Oh, and don't bother with a Carrera!

Agree with a lot of what you say except that last bit, its like someone on a bike forum saying "Oh and don't bother with a Skoda".

They are assembled on the production lines alongside many manufacturers bikes who have a far more "branded image" using the same materials, same basic parts (from SRAM, Shimano etc) (yes i have seen it personally)

They are exclusively available from Halfords, who source, import, distribute & retail them, think about it for a minute, they are uniquely placed to offer value for money that others cannot come close to as they own their distribution channel entirely. Now I agree that the big H may not have the best staff in the world, but you cannot fault their value.

This is what has the UK Bike trade in a flap, as they are struggling to compete.

As you may have guessed, I do work in the industry, no I do not work for the big H.

@the O.P. - PM me if you need any specific help.

[arbs]

its always cheaper to buy a complete bike, than build one up from a frame, i built an Orange clockwork frame up with all nice parts, weighed 23lbs, but cost about £1k, a similar off the shelf bike would have been about £600

blimey when was that? used to be into mountain bikes 10-15 years ago and the obsession was weight, looked recently and half the time the makers dont even list the weight of their bikes, god knows how much a basic full suspension bike weighs now!

[Brimma]

blimey when was that? used to be into mountain bikes 10-15 years ago and the obsession was weight, looked recently and half the time the makers dont even list the weight of their bikes, god knows how much a basic full suspension bike weighs now!

Have a look on the Boardman Bikes website - they quote weights in their specification (one of the few who does)

Their top spec front suspension bike (£999) comes in at 24.1 lbs, so anything at 23 lbs will cost a small fortune off the peg - the lighter you get it costs a whole lot more to shave off those extra ounces

Edited 29 December, 2009 by Brimma

[ric04vrs]

I'm not totally up to speed on mountain bikes, but I'd be bloody amazed if you can get an off the shelf front suspension bike weighing 23lbs for anywhere near £600

no mention of suspension in my post, it had solid forks

i was just making the point that it can/will be an expensive way to get a mountain bike

[ric04vrs]

blimey when was that? used to be into mountain bikes 10-15 years ago and the obsession was weight, looked recently and half the time the makers dont even list the weight of their bikes, god knows how much a basic full suspension bike weighs now!

it was a while back, but i think the point i made about the cost issue still stands

Edited 30 December, 2009 by ric04vrs

[Brimma]

no mention of suspension in my post, it had solid forks

i was just making the point that it can/will be an expensive way to get a mountain bike

Fair dos - it was the OP who said he wanted front suspension

[*tim*]

Agree with a lot of what you say except that last bit, its like someone on a bike forum saying "Oh and don't bother with a Skoda".

They are assembled on the production lines alongside many manufacturers bikes who have a far more "branded image" using the same materials, same basic parts (from SRAM, Shimano etc) (yes i have seen it personally)

They are exclusively available from Halfords, who source, import, distribute & retail them, think about it for a minute, they are uniquely placed to offer value for money that others cannot come close to as they own their distribution channel entirely. Now I agree that the big H may not have the best staff in the world, but you cannot fault their value.

I agree many mass produced bikes are made in the same factories by the same workers to the same standard. However the quality and type of tubing varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, easily enough to tell from the grade (6000 / 7000 series if aluminum) given by the manufacturer or by the heat treatment applied after the frame is welded up. In addition the geometry of the frame makes it either ride well or not so well.

Much of this is probably irrelevant to the majority of riders, but in my mind is, and therefore will not be riding a Carrera any time soon

As an aside. I have nothing against Bikehut, in fact in some stores their staff are more knowledgeable and helpful than LBS staff. Probably because they're not focused purely on selling bikes and turning a profit. I also really rather like Boardman bikes.

To the OP, what is your budget for a frame??

[bandit1]

I agree many mass produced bikes are made in the same factories by the same workers to the same standard. However the quality and type of tubing varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, easily enough to tell from the grade (6000 / 7000 series if aluminum) given by the manufacturer or by the heat treatment applied after the frame is welded up. In addition the geometry of the frame makes it either ride well or not so well.

Much of this is probably irrelevant to the majority of riders, but in my mind is, and therefore will not be riding a Carrera any time soon

As an aside. I have nothing against Bikehut, in fact in some stores their staff are more knowledgeable and helpful than LBS staff. Probably because they're not focused purely on selling bikes and turning a profit. I also really rather like Boardman bikes.

To the OP, what is your budget for a frame??

Looks like we agree then

Interesting you like the Boardman range but not the Carrera range, now this may be down to price point & spec, or maybe a certain amount of misplaced snobbery , the Carrera range is specced by the same product management team as the Boardman range, they choose the details, now do you think they going to make a bike ride worse than it can, just because its not their premium product ?

Have a look at the recent (last 18months) reviews for Carrera, they regularily get very high marks, even the Idiots , sorry Rockstars at MBUK like them. Whilst if I were the OP I would probably not buy that particular frame on E-Bay due to its condition, I would not rule out Carrera per se.

HTH

[bandit1]

Have a look Here they are well known for supplying good priced budget frames.

[*tim*]

or maybe a certain amount of misplaced snobbery

Thats probably fair

But I do genuinely believe, and know, that many items (most likely bike frames included) are not manufactured to be a good as they could be / should have been. If they did there would be little incentive to buy the 'better' one... I rode a Claud Bulter the other day and the geometry was so wrong it was awful to ride. Kona publish all their geometry and tube lengths on their website, so how could CB get it so wrong? If I was building a frame I would use someone else's data as at least a starting point.

EDIT: we are all different sizes and shapes so what feels good to me, may not to someone else and vice versa.

Despite liking Boardman bikes and having previously recommending them to some friends, I personally wouldn't buy one for myself. Do as I say, not as I do springs to mind :0

Anyway, bandit can you get me a cheap road frame

Edited 30 December, 2009 by *tim*

[bandit1]

Thats probably fair

But I do genuinely believe, and know, that many items (most likely bike frames included) are not manufactured to be a good as they could be / should have been. If they did there would be little incentive to buy the 'better' one... I rode a Claud Bulter the other day and the geometry was so wrong it was awful to ride. Kona publish all their geometry and tube lengths on their website, so how could CB get it so wrong? If I was building a frame I would use someone else's data as at least a starting point.

EDIT: we are all different sizes and shapes so what feels good to me, may not to someone else and vice versa.

Despite liking Boardman bikes and having previously recommending them to some friends, I personally wouldn't buy one for myself. Do as I say, not as I do springs to mind :0

Anyway, bandit can you get me a cheap road frame

Hmm , you never know, waddya want, what size ? where are you ?

[Tom_vRS]

I had that Kraken new in 2006 I think, I sold it to Wardy on here a couple of years ago. Its not a bad frame at all, but the rest of the bike was pretty budget.

[matt_theforce]

what size frame do you need ?

I`m quite short but have had both an 18" & 19" frame in the past.

@the O.P. - PM me if you need any specific help.

Thank You - Any help is appreciated at the mo.

To the OP, what is your budget for a frame??

I know Frames are key but I was thinking about buying what I could 2nd hand to keep the budget down a bit and as I`m planning on buying the parts over 6months ish I figured that might also hide some of the costs.

I rode a Claud Bulter the other day and the geometry was so wrong it was awful to ride. Kona publish all their geometry and tube lengths on their website, so how could CB get it so wrong? If I was building a frame I would use someone else's data as at least a starting point.

EDIT: we are all different sizes and shapes so what feels good to me, may not to someone else and vice versa.

I bought a Specialised Hard Rock approx 10ish years ago in an 18" frame and was nice a light, felt very nimble and nippy although it was uncomfortable on the longer ride (even road rides)(Now the property of Fluffmeister) I then bought a Claud Butler Cape Wrath Disc in 2005 which was mainly Shimano Deore spec on all parts, the only let down was it came with mechanical disk brakes which while they still worked better than v-brakes in the terrain and conditions I would want Hydrolic next time. I found the geometry much better on the Claud Butler than I did on the Specialised and you could also feel how much better the bike was (was double the price of the specialised).

After reading all of the posts I decided a trip to Halfords was in order to look at the Carrera Vulcan as it is currently advertised with £150off and I could then upgrade as and when I wanted to but they had non left. I still like the GT Aggressor that is in Hlafords but it`s more than I have saved up so went for a trip to Evans in Castleford to see what they had SWMBO heard I was going up to Castleford and came with me :( , 2 hours later I had spent my bike savings on Bunkbeds and never made it into Evans :'( looks like it's back to saving up.

I'm starting to think it might be better buying a new bike with a semi decent frame and upgrading components that way I get a new frame/bike that I can start riding on and upgrade the components as they need it, that way I still get the best of both worlds.

Edited 30 December, 2009 by matt@theforce

[Tom_vRS]

Completely agree. I'd buy a bike with a good frame but cheap components, and upgrade as/when you feel like.

[matt_theforce]

WOW, this is a blast from the past, I remember dreaming about owning one of these when I bought my 1st mountain bike

GT Avalanche