DingoSeanAll I was saying is I'd love to build a bike, not that I'm planning on it. I'm looking to buy something complete. Building one is more of just a dream idea at this point.
I was merely posing a fun question for everyone - IE: if you were to build your dream bike, what components/frame/fork/etc would you go with.
Building is an awesome way of doing it, but be prepared to spend more than you anticipate. Even if you aren't thinking of doing it; you will go over your intended budget.
Just finished up builds #2 & #3. I think we paid retail for 2 items and got the rest on sale or for very little cost. Still way over budget though. Took just about 3 months from start to finish for both bikes.
With that said, I'd much rather build a bike piece by piece than buying a complete. That's my own opinion however, as it's much cheaper/cost effective to purchase a complete and slowly upgrade parts over time.
My recently completed dream build that will have pictures uploaded a bit later this afternoon. My wife's build is nearly the same except for a few cockpit changes.
Frame: Knolly Endorphin
Shock: Cane Creek Double Barrel Air w/ Climb Switch
Fork: Rock Shox Pike RCT3 150mm Solo Air
Headset: Chris King
Headset Spacers: Hope
Handlebar: Chromag Acute
Grips: Lizard Skins Moab
Stem: Thomson X4
Seatpost: Thomson Elite
Seatpost Clamp: Salsa Fliplcok
Saddle: WTB Devo SLT
Shifter: SRAM X01
Rear Derailleur: SRAM X01
Cassette: SRAM X01
Crank: Race Face Sixc 175mm
Bottom Bracket: Chris King on backorder; currently running cheap Shimano Hollowtech to hold me over
Chainring: Race Face Narrow/Wide: 30t/32t/34t
Chain: SRAM XX1
Pedals: Shimano XTR Trail/Race Face Atlas
Cable/Housing: Jagwire Mountain Pro
Brakes: Shimano XT
Brake Rotors: Shimano RT-86 Icetech 180mm
Rims: Stan's Flow EX
Hubs: Chris King with XD Driver
Spokes: DT Swiss
Tires: Continental Trail King 2.4 Protection
No idea on weight, just got the new tires mounted up. I'll have to track down a scale at some point.
If you can build up a bike, definitely do it. Awesome way to unleash your inner bike geek and obsess over parts in your head while trying to fall asleep. Eyes open though.