Build or buy

[PJ1]

Hi all. My son grew into loving MTB and did well in some races and Spur School league last year. Currently on a Scott Aspect 610 (M) which I built up for him but he is growing so fast it's almost time to upgrade????.

The question is now: build or buy? ( which will be more cost effective and not break the bank????)

650b or 29er? Hard tail or duel sus?

 

Will appreciate some advice!

[Mongooser]

builds take longer and sometimes cost more or not,(took me 3 months to finish a bike)

buying a full bike means you can test it out,do you have a specif budget?

[Procal1979]

Hi! I competed in the Trailseeker marathon yesterday. It was a bumpy trail due to new tracks that had to be set out because of heavy rain. Yet I completed the whole race on my dual suspension bike with the rear shock locked out. (Carrying the weight of the extra shock with me) I just feel that a lot of energy goes wasted when bouncing up and down on the rear shock. I am currently busy building up a Trek Procaliber. Its a hardtail but it has a Isospeed decoupler to take the hard edge of the bumpy trails. Building this bike up from scratch will save me quite a bit of cash in the end. I did start with the project october last year and i am constantly looking for component on sale. I am going to keep the dual sus as a training/backup bike. I would recommend a 29er.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Procal1979]

Hi! I competed in the Trailseeker marathon yesterday. It was a bumpy trail due to new tracks that had to be set out because of heavy rain. Yet I completed the whole race on my dual suspension bike with the rear shock locked out. (Carrying the weight of the extra shock with me) I just feel that a lot of energy goes wasted when bouncing up and down on the rear shock. I am currently busy building up a Trek Procaliber. Its a hardtail but it has a Isospeed decoupler to take the hard edge of the bumpy trails. Building this bike up from scratch will save me quite a bit of cash in the end. I did start with the project october last year and i am constantly looking for component on sale. I am going to keep the dual sus as a training/backup bike. I would recommend a 29er.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jewbacca]

It all depends on how hands on you are and what you want out of the bike.

 

Buying off the shelf will likely get you a decent bike to start but (there is always a but) very few of what you find will have all the bits and bobs you want.

 

Being hands on and having grown up building bikes, I have not bought a standard spec bike ever.

 

That way I land up with wheels I want with tires I want with brakes and a drive train I want on a frame and fork that I want at the time.  

 

I do build my own wheels and have all my own tools so it is a labour of love as opposed to someone who selects all their parts then has to pay someone to build it for them too.

 

The debate is endless. If you are not so hands on and don't have a funny preference to brake feel or shifter trigeer actions then off the shelf is good.

 

If you are like me and haven't ridden a bike set up the same for longer than 6 months ever in your life... build

[Me rida my bicycle]

If I have a look at the guys winning xc races it's usually on a hardtail not sure 100% of the reason but could be due to their lower weight, faster excelleration. Also less maintenance on a hardtail. I love the dual suspension but I never ride to win I just do it purely for the fun. On the building or buying side depends if you buy everything new building will be more expensive but grabbing some deals on here and doing your shopping correctly you could build something sweet for a very good price.

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Build. You'll end up doing this a few times anyway-even if it's the same bike.

 

Not in your time frame though; it's a labour of love, and not something that should be rushed

[Grease_Monkey]

Build, build, build!

 

Eapecially if it is for your son. As a teenage guy all I wanted was a custom bike. It takes a bit more effort and thought, but the end product is amazing, and it ends up being cheaper than buying a complete bike - I say this because most people end up chainging the stem/bar/saddle etc etc anyway. Building allows you to get exactly what you want from day 1.

 

PM me if you do decide to build - I can help you out with some gorgeous parts for the bike (at a very good price).

[PJ1]

Thanks everyone. Some really good info. I built his current bike so nothing wrong with being hands on ! and work on / service all our bicycles. It is a good feeling when you finish something.

 

It seems that I might end building! So now the hunt will probably begin!

[Andrew Barkley]

I plan to build even if it costs a lot more. My reasons for this approach are as follows.

 

1. I am sailing close to the wind so big financial hits of 7k upwards for a well priced groupset are out but a derailler here for R1500 and a shifter there are not unassailable amounts. At the end of the day, one eats an elephant one mouthful at a time.

 

2. I am a married man and will have my gentleman's sausage severed if I bring a new bike home with a 40k price tag (not that I could) and then try to lie about it. All the components will fit in a box in the garage until assembly day at which point I will take some heat for buying a nice frame only and then "transfer old components" across.

 

3. As was mentioned above, I would prefer to get the stuff I want rather than house brand low end bits.

 

4. I don't want compatibility issues so I will choose my favourite key bits and build around them (assuming this is sound logic until my research either confirms or refutes this)

 

5. Even if I pay more I will pay no interest given that all purchases will be cash and it is my hope that this will help to equalise. 

 

Lastly, I'm told that Chris Willemse are great with bits and bobs and will keep an ear to the ground if you provide a list of requirements. Good luck.

[BaGearA]

Build is more fun

 

 

New build and buy will be very similar

 

Second hand ,Build will be much more expensive than buying

[BigTom]

Second hand Build will be much more expensive

Much more expensive than what?

[BaGearA]

Much more expensive than what?

Than second hand buy 

[BigTom]

Than second hand buy 

I disagree.  That is the thing about 2nd hand.  Can go either way.  I've built up 2nd hand bikes that cost me far less than they would have buying as a complete 2nd hand bike.  But it took me a long time in order to do that. 

[Undun]

I disagree.  That is the thing about 2nd hand.  Can go either way.  I've built up 2nd hand bikes that cost me far less than they would have buying as a complete 2nd hand bike.  But it took me a long time in order to do that. 

Agree with both of you... I also think that the faster you want to build it, the more expensive it costs.