Building a bike w/ Ebay components: How much

[comish]

Anyone want to guess how much a full build up of mostly XT level/SRAM shifting including disc's, cockpit, and wheels would cost if one were to buy it all used on Ebay/mtbr?

I'm in the market for an approx. 4" FS XC/trail bike and trying to decide on building up a "better", smaller manufacturer frame ala turner burner, intense tracer, or Titus SB/RacerX versus going with a Specialized Stumpy FSR. Both frames would more than likely be used.

I figure the Stumpy is probably flexier, a wee bit lighter, but not as durable than the above mentioned bikes, but one can pick a decent parts spec up for a very reasonable price. Don't know what the build would cost on if I just bought a frameset.

I'm about 160lbs and like to climb so that is a key trait I'm looking for. If I had the bucks and wasn't a student pretty sold on the 100mm Racer X, but they are too much $$$ new and don't pop up much used.

Any guesses to a build up cost?

Any suggestions?

[altagirl]

I agree. I really wanted to custom build a heckler. Put all the absolute cheapest deals I could find from e-bay, sales, closeouts, etc. in a spreadsheet and it was hundreds of dollars cheaper to just go buy a pre-built bike.

[Crinkle]

Originally posted by Beaver
. Check out this years Rockey Mountain Slayer

paging Phunk. He has a Slayer that he told me he is pretty happy with.

[Plakespear]

Originally posted by Beaver
It's going to cost more to custom build than to walk into your LBS and ride out with a new bike.

Agreed. For what it will cost you to buy all the components and frame used, you can probably buy a sweet new bike for the same amount, and you know none of it has been beat to shit.

[PlayHarder]

I built my bike last year kinda the same way. Got a Brodie HT frame used from the lbs for $200, got lucky and found another shop that had a huge sale going on and built the bike up with XT and race face components. Already had front shocks and wheels, so the total cost was ~$800. If I had to buy forks and wheels, it would have been about $500 cheaper than buying the Brodie new with the same or slightly better components on mine.

[Big E]

Originally posted by Crinkle
paging Phunk. He has a Slayer that he told me he is pretty happy with.

I've got an '02 Edge, which was the exact same frame as the Slayer (well, different paint), just not spec'd as well - LX instead of XT, etc. I'm pretty happy with it, although I'll admit I don't really have anything to compare it to. But it's taken a pretty good beating from crashes, including one that hit a tree hard enough to knock the head tube loose, and hasn't complained yet. Seems like a pretty good compromise if you want to do some downhill-ish stuff but still need to ride up rather than shuttling.

Plus, I'm a Canuck at heart, so being built in BC was a plus. Kinda cool that the bike will have a hang tag with the signatures of everyone that worked on that exact bike.

[cj001f]

Originally posted by Plakespear
Agreed. For what it will cost you to buy all the components and frame used, you can probably buy a sweet new bike for the same amount, and you know none of it has been beat to shit.

The only exception is if you buy low grade components. Built a road bike with eBay Sora stuff for $200 (including wheels) Better quality componetry always has too much of a premium on eBay

[phUnk]

No need to guess how much an ebay-bought build list will cost, just go do their advanced search and search for the items you want and make sure you search for "Completed Items" and you can do a little spreadsheet to see what the average cost for each item is. I'd only to the larger and $$$ components rather than spend 3 days on the spreadsheet.

As for the Rocky Mountain Slayer, that thing fucking rules. I started riding it only XC, now I'm dirt jumping occasionally and doing some mellower shuttle DH's and some drops (just 4-8'.)

Changes I've made based on the riding I do: Larger disc rotors for less DH fade, fatter tires for less chance of pinch flats (and better grip dirt jumping and a shorter stem for dirt jumping. I rode it for quite a while fully stock and I love it. The Marzocchi Z1 FR SL (air-sprung) is, well, bomber. Very tuneable and solid.

[powpig]

I did this a couple years ago, back when I had money. Scored a Specialized S-Works frame on eBay for $800 and built up my dream bike. Can't ride this summer cause of shoulder surgery. Posted it here last month
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12345
http://a.im.craigslist.org/0z/E9/ODM7wQh2rw7Fv6yw8zVxkVV8iWth.jpg
http://a.im.craigslist.org/6V/rv/s05fBYiYoDT7WU8UVah4ou7knMg9.jpg