I remember when I first decided to do this bike build, Jonny K asking me, "why don't you just buy another (completed) bike?". My reply was, "when you build something up from scratch, you become more intimate with it, and almost create a relationship with it." That's how I approach the structures that I design as well as a good many other things in my life, so It would stand to reason that I approach my newest "addiction" (biking) the same way.
After I made this point to Jonny, I thought to myself "sh%t, what if he's right? I'm not made of money, but what if building this bike is actually going to cost MORE that just buying one. After I purchased that frame, I began to research what the next step was going to be. I was shocked to see that although I could buy all the parts I needed at very reasonable costs, I could blow my entire budget just getting the tools that I need to get the job done. I was rather dejected for a couple of days, but purchased the fork anyway.
I researched some of the tools online and thought, "I can't, and I won't pay that much for a tool that I may only use once!" I conferred with Scotty (some of you may remember him from my first ever post as Hill Killer) about some of these tools, and we both said, "hey, most of these things are so simple, somebody could just make the tool too!"
So it is after much thought that I decided to start another blog devoted to the tools that I make to help in the "budget build" of my bike. http://traildogtools.blogspot.com/ All of the tools on there will be tested on my own bikes, and I will provide the specifications so readers can purchase materials and build the tools themselves. (I'll also offer my services at for folks that don't want to make them).
So after all this thinking about whether or not I was doing the right thing, I thought I'd better prove to myself that I am following the right trail. Being the analytical person that I am, a cost break down and comparison was in order. I will update this as I get new parts. Note that I purchased a new Cane Creek headset as well as I figured the moving parts would be better off new if possible and it was a good price.
“Crazy” Joe’s Cost Comparison
Item /MSRP/ Paid – (Shipping)
Specialized “Rockhopper” 21” Frame/ $120.00/ $25.00 – ($25.00)
Suntour XCR Front Suspension Fork /$160.00/ $52.00 – ($14.00)
2008 Cane Creek S8 Headset 1-1/8" /$70.00/ $26.00 – ($8.00)
$350.00/ $103.00 – ($47.00)
Kippis,
Craigers
After I made this point to Jonny, I thought to myself "sh%t, what if he's right? I'm not made of money, but what if building this bike is actually going to cost MORE that just buying one. After I purchased that frame, I began to research what the next step was going to be. I was shocked to see that although I could buy all the parts I needed at very reasonable costs, I could blow my entire budget just getting the tools that I need to get the job done. I was rather dejected for a couple of days, but purchased the fork anyway.
I researched some of the tools online and thought, "I can't, and I won't pay that much for a tool that I may only use once!" I conferred with Scotty (some of you may remember him from my first ever post as Hill Killer) about some of these tools, and we both said, "hey, most of these things are so simple, somebody could just make the tool too!"
So it is after much thought that I decided to start another blog devoted to the tools that I make to help in the "budget build" of my bike. http://traildogtools.blogspot.com/ All of the tools on there will be tested on my own bikes, and I will provide the specifications so readers can purchase materials and build the tools themselves. (I'll also offer my services at for folks that don't want to make them).
So after all this thinking about whether or not I was doing the right thing, I thought I'd better prove to myself that I am following the right trail. Being the analytical person that I am, a cost break down and comparison was in order. I will update this as I get new parts. Note that I purchased a new Cane Creek headset as well as I figured the moving parts would be better off new if possible and it was a good price.
“Crazy” Joe’s Cost Comparison
Item /MSRP/ Paid – (Shipping)
Specialized “Rockhopper” 21” Frame/ $120.00/ $25.00 – ($25.00)
Suntour XCR Front Suspension Fork /$160.00/ $52.00 – ($14.00)
2008 Cane Creek S8 Headset 1-1/8" /$70.00/ $26.00 – ($8.00)
$350.00/ $103.00 – ($47.00)
Kippis,
Craigers
2 comments:
The list of blogs I have to read is growing!
Good luck with your bike build, Craig.
Hope this finds you well.
Thanks for stickin with me Jonny. After I get Crazy Joe done, we'll have to get you a budget build. Peace out Sucka
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