Member of the Month

je_t.aime_canard
January, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Building mountain bikes

profile picture
-MK-
Posts: 3253 - Karma: 5,332
Has anyone here built a mountain bike? if so how did it turn out?
Jul 26 2012 11:47PM
0 0
profile picture
ejm
Posts: 794 - Karma: 196
built as in a parted together bike? or built as in actually fabricating a frame and all?
Jul 26 2012 11:52PM
0 0
profile picture
-MK-
Posts: 3253 - Karma: 5,332
all seperate
Jul 26 2012 11:55PM
0 0
profile picture
ejm
Posts: 794 - Karma: 196
then yeah, i built up a dj bike a few years back, start with the frame and work your way around it, choosing the parts you want was the hardest part, i had other bikes to ride so putting it all together at once wasn't a big issue, i just picked up parts over time and when i decided what i wanted, i would definitly recomend parting together a bike, if you have any mechanical knowledge on bikes it will be pretty easy, if not-pick out all your parts and have a shop throw it together for you, they shouldn't charge too much.
Jul 27 2012 12:08AM
0 0
profile picture
-MK-
Posts: 3253 - Karma: 5,332
thanks +k
Jul 27 2012 12:15AM
0 0
profile picture
Flacko
Posts: 1495 - Karma: 788
it will cost you a shit ton more to part a bike than buy a complete, aftermarket prices are way high. unless you have a bazillion dollars to spend on the bike, or are getting some used deals its not really worth it. you should have some knowledge on what your using the bike for, and should be able to say exactly what you want.
Jul 27 2012 12:23AM
0 0
profile picture
B.Pol
Posts: 1750 - Karma: 59
Do it, I would definitely recommend it as it is something I have wanted to do for quite some time. Although it will be much easier for me because I work at a bike shop, it will still be a good experience because you can take little pieces of every bike and put together something perfect and unique to you. Also you won't cut corners like some bike companies and have say "Sram XO" yet still have like an x7 front. Stupid...and pisses me off.
Jul 27 2012 12:34AM
0 0
profile picture
ejm
Posts: 794 - Karma: 196
thats a good point too, if your on a budget and need somthing to ride then a complete would be the better option, but at least in my experiance even alot of the higher end complete bikes come with alot of shitty parts that your probably going to/have to swap out anyways - so in the long run you will save money, just depends what all you want i guess,

and to op, what type of bike are you looking at?
Jul 27 2012 12:34AM
0 0
profile picture
ejm
Posts: 794 - Karma: 196
thats a good point too, if your on a budget and need somthing to ride then a complete would be the better option, but at least in my experiance even alot of the higher end complete bikes come with alot of shitty parts that your probably going to/have to swap out anyways - so in the long run you will save money, just depends what all you want i guess,

and to op, what type of bike are you looking at?
Jul 27 2012 12:34AM
0 0
profile picture
B.Pol
Posts: 1750 - Karma: 59
Do it, I would definitely recommend it as it is something I have wanted to do for quite some time. Although it will be much easier for me because I work at a bike shop, it will still be a good experience because you can take little pieces of every bike and put together something perfect and unique to you. Also you won't cut corners like some bike companies and have say "Sram XO" yet still have like an x7 front. Stupid...and pisses me off.
Jul 27 2012 12:34AM
0 0
profile picture
charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
i buily my dh rig and my dirt jumper when i was riding bikes. they were both cheap cause i got good deals on stuff, like my DH bike, i got a brand new frame for 700, used boxxer for 150, wheelset was free etc. etc.
Jul 27 2012 12:46AM
0 0
profile picture
ihitchadsgap
Posts: 472 - Karma: 55

if you dont mind the extra money its well worth it

start with frame/shock

then the fork

wheels

drivetrain

brakes

then all the components and shit (bars, tires, pedals, seat, ect.)

good luck on your build if you finish please post pics

Jul 27 2012 1:06AM
0 0
profile picture
B.Fantana
Posts: 487 - Karma: 86
Unless you have a place where you can get parts at cost its not really worth it. I'd suggest just buying a bike that has the key components your looking for then changing out what you want then you even have extras for when something breaks.
But if you got the money and connections give er
Jul 27 2012 1:25AM
0 0
profile picture
Mr_Mackey
Posts: 591 - Karma: 22
No way you ride downhill?
Aug 6 2012 11:19PM
0 0
profile picture
SkiJay.
Posts: 1550 - Karma: 653
My friend is building up a downhill bike right now, and its actually turning out really well.. its way more expensive to build one though then to buy a complete one
Aug 6 2012 11:22PM
0 0
profile picture
Loco-Deer-Slayer
Posts: 1401 - Karma: 701
It's worth it but can be frustrating. Sometimes you realize you are missing a part or it's wrong size, whatever the reason, then you gotta wait a week for it to ship to your house. And what everyone else said $$$$
Aug 6 2012 11:41PM
0 0
profile picture
Chinchi
Posts: 1591 - Karma: 4,212
Click for larger image

My baby, cost me about 1500 total
Aug 6 2012 11:50PM
0 0
profile picture
Mr_Mackey
Posts: 591 - Karma: 22
$1500 for a mountain bike? Why would You spend that much on a bike? You're retarded, M'kay.
Aug 6 2012 11:56PM
0 0
profile picture
Loco-Deer-Slayer
Posts: 1401 - Karma: 701
Lol...I will resist feeding the troll, but that was an extremely ignorant statement if serious
Aug 7 2012 12:12AM
0 0
profile picture
Mr_Mackey
Posts: 591 - Karma: 22
No seriously whats the difference between these two bike's besides over $1000.
Click for larger image
Click for larger image
I guarantee the mongoose bike would preform just as well. M'kay.

Aug 7 2012 12:25AM
0 0
profile picture
ThaLorax
Posts: 21097 - Karma: 8,527
That's cheap as fuck for how nice the build he posted is (not that I'm a Specialized fan though). From a shop, that would easily cost twice that.
Aug 7 2012 12:32AM
0 0
profile picture
ThaLorax
Posts: 21097 - Karma: 8,527
Actually, the mongoose would not perform nearly as well. The Mongoose's parts will break faster, the frame isn't as durable, it will weigh more, and the geometry is probably better, just to name a few reasons.
Aug 7 2012 12:36AM
0 0
profile picture
ThaLorax
Posts: 21097 - Karma: 8,527
Actually, the mongoose would not perform nearly as well. The Mongoose's parts will break faster, the frame isn't as durable, it will weigh more, and the geometry is probably better, just to name a few reasons.
Aug 7 2012 12:36AM
0 0
profile picture
Chinchi
Posts: 1591 - Karma: 4,212
agreed, plus my bike setup (frame with the talas fork and smart rear shock) cost around 3100 new so I really succeeded and It will last me much longer and be a much better ride than the mongoose. That being said mongoose does make good bikes in the upper level price range, but you get what you pay for.

Aug 7 2012 11:33AM
0 0
profile picture
XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
unfortunately with bikes, money buys fun. i used to try spending under 1000 on my bikes, and i was always disappointed and ended up selling them. my last two mountain bikes i spent 3000, and 3400 on. and its worth it, its so much more pleasing to have a bike that just works extremely well. i couldnt even get into biking much until i said fuck it and threw 3400 at one. now i mtn bike like 3-4 times a week.

and having bikes that kill it at one specific thing makes it fun as hell. sucks biking is so damn expensive but its worth it.
Aug 7 2012 11:53AM
0 0
profile picture
Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
My brother builds his own bikes
http://adamsbikes.blogspot.com/
check them out!
Aug 7 2012 12:17PM
0 0
profile picture
Rodigan
Posts: 1309 - Karma: 1,882
Just putting together a single speed jump/ trails bike at the moment. So far I got a frame, pedals, bars, grips and brake levers........then I ran out of cash.
Aug 7 2012 1:31PM
0 0
profile picture
ThaLorax
Posts: 21097 - Karma: 8,527
It's like the difference between buying a Suzuki SUV to a Toyota FJ Cruiser or 4Runner. The Suzuki will work and might be reliable, but the FJ Cruiser/4Runner will fly past it on any off road trail and both the FJ Cruiser/4Runner are fairly average priced for their purpose. AKA, what you said, "you get what you pay for".
Aug 7 2012 7:00PM
0 0
profile picture
OssargYormada
Posts: 671 - Karma: 186
Any bike company you can buy at Walmart is going to break, guaranteed.
Aug 7 2012 7:05PM
0 0
profile picture
ihitchadsgap
Posts: 472 - Karma: 55

fuck ya i do!!!!

"you boys from America?"

hell ya murica and shit!

ahahahaha

Aug 7 2012 7:09PM
0 0
profile picture
Mr_Mackey
Posts: 591 - Karma: 22
good times, good times...
Aug 7 2012 7:41PM
0 0
profile picture
Parks.
Posts: 5612 - Karma: 1,093
talk to chaitea
Aug 7 2012 7:51PM
0 0
profile picture
B.Pol
Posts: 1750 - Karma: 59
It's threads like these that make me appreciate my job and connections.
Aug 8 2012 12:28AM
0 0
profile picture
charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
shitty example, sami > runner
Aug 9 2012 11:50PM
0 0
profile picture
special-J
Posts: 1572 - Karma: 4,477
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA




















HAHAHA












































ha.
Aug 10 2012 12:18AM
0 0
profile picture
Mr_Mackey
Posts: 591 - Karma: 22
What is so funny?
Aug 10 2012 12:42AM
0 0
profile picture
-MK-
Posts: 3253 - Karma: 5,332



Aug 10 2012 2:17AM
0 0
profile picture
Mr_Mackey
Posts: 591 - Karma: 22
Ha. haha. hahahahahahahahahaha
Click for larger image
Aug 10 2012 2:48AM
0 0
profile picture
-MK-
Posts: 3253 - Karma: 5,332
i bet you ate shit over you handel bars 5 feet down
Aug 10 2012 2:49AM
0 0
profile picture
ThaLorax
Posts: 21097 - Karma: 8,527
Fuck that, i'm never buying a suzy greenburg over a 4runner/fj cruiser at price-point.

want a better example? a walmart bike won't hold up as well as a well-made factory bike (i.e specialized, giant, trek, scott) will. All are "mtn bikes" but one won't break when you ride it on an actual trail. Sorry about your arm incident that keeps you from biking nowadays, but you could at least have FURTHERED my point rather than negate it.
Aug 10 2012 2:50AM
0 0
profile picture
Mr_Mackey
Posts: 591 - Karma: 22
Well you bet wrong my friend.
Aug 10 2012 2:51AM
0 0
profile picture
-MK-
Posts: 3253 - Karma: 5,332
well i am immensely sorry
Aug 10 2012 2:58AM
0 0
profile picture
ThaLorax
Posts: 21097 - Karma: 8,527
I can talk shit without proof too.

That guy is riding a much nicer bike than you posted. Fuck off troll. We're trying to help someone here.
Aug 10 2012 3:04AM
0 0
profile picture
Yeezy
Posts: 1652 - Karma: 206
Depends on your budget and build type. I built a custom DJ and that was definitely a smart decision, it ended up costing alot less then a stock P3 for example, rode better, and had a personalized touch.
Downhill on the other hand, unless you have a nice fat budget dont bother cause you will end up slapping a hussefelt and x5 setup anyways.
Aug 10 2012 3:06AM
0 0
profile picture
Mr_Mackey
Posts: 591 - Karma: 22
http://mr-mackey.pinkbike.com/
And for real help.... Ive only ever bought complete bikes and added upgrades later. Its usually cheaper to do that (short term anyways) vs building one on your own and what not. My current bike I bought on pinkbike for real cheap and it was hardly used. Like said above unless you have a big budget I wouldent mess with building one.
Aug 10 2012 3:31AM
0 0
profile picture
ihitchadsgap
Posts: 472 - Karma: 55
as much of a fucking douchebag troll bitch mr mackey is......this is in fact him
Aug 10 2012 3:34AM
0 0
profile picture
charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
Click for larger image

I prolly know more about bikes than you do, and I'm sure I know more about trucks than you do, you ain't teachin nobody a lesson.
Aug 19 2012 10:26PM
0 0
profile picture
Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
Click for larger image


Someone buy my Black Market Riot, $700
heres the add http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1139648/
PM me
Aug 20 2012 12:22AM
0 0
profile picture
ElMexicano
Posts: 639 - Karma: 400
That things sweet! wish I had the moneys
Aug 20 2012 10:19AM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)