Mixing and matching

[rb58]

Hello,

New bike time is fast approaching and I need some advice on what will work with what.....

As a first off, will this group set work with this frame? Would that be a good combination?

Also, I keep seeing front mechs described as 'braze-on'. I think that means the front mech is fitted to some kind of bracket that is built on to the frame, although I can't see anything like that on the Planet X frame. Does that mean it is incompatible and I have to get a clamp on front mech? Or is there some other means of fitting a braze on mech?

My LBS shop says it's always going to be best to buy a complete bike rather than components. Would you agree?

Final question for now. I'm reasonably mechanically minded (work on car etc.) but not an expert or an engineer. I have changed bottom brackets, chainrings, cassettes, brakes etc. but always as a direct replacement. Would you say building a bike is always best left to an expert, or could anyone tackle it?

I'm sure more questions will follow as I start to assemble the components!

Thanks in advance.

Ross

 

[ASC1951]

Also, I keep seeing front mechs described as 'braze-on'. I think that means the front mech is fitted to some kind of bracket that is built on to the frame, although I can't see anything like that on the Planet X frame. Does that mean it is incompatible and I have to get a clamp on front mech? Or is there some other means of fitting a braze on mech?

From the photo there is no braze-on on the frame - but check with Planet X, just in case - so you will either need a front mech with an integrated clamp or an additional clamp for that mech. Shimano do both.

My LBS shop says it's always going to be best to buy a complete bike rather than components. Would you agree?

Cheaper, certainly. Your LBS can get the parts at trade prices, so if you are using a fairly standard specification you will pay more assembling the bits yourself. However, there is great satisfaction in building up your own bike and that has a value.

You could compromise by ordering all the parts from whoever is supplying you with the frame, who will probably do that somewhere between wholesale and retail cost. It is worth building up a relationship with your LBS, and if you visibly get most of your stuff from them you will usually get a reasonable discount. Mine give me at least 10% automatically, because I always go there first instead of seeing if I can get inner tubes 3p cheaper from a box shifter on Tinterweb.

Would you say building a bike is always best left to an expert, or could anyone tackle it?

Cars are far more complicated than bikes. What with that experience and the Sheldon and Park Tools websites, you should be fine.

 

[rb58]

From the photo there is no braze-on on the frame - but check with Planet X, just in case - so you will either need a front mech with an integrated clamp or an additional clamp for that mech. Shimano do both.

Thanks. Is braze on superior to clamp on, or does it not make much difference?

 

[TheDoctor]

Neither is superior IMHO. Be aware that clamp-on (or band-on) front mechs come in differing clamp sizes, so you'll need the right size.

 

[e-rider]

Braze-on has limited height adjustment (not usually a problem though) but they are useful on carbon frames to avoid clamping directly against carbon which can damage it.

Why do you want to go for Titanium?

You seem to have an eye for expensive kit considering that you sound fairly new to the sport (from the Qs you asked) - if you have plenty of cash then fair enough, but if not, you could build a decent bike a fair bit cheaper than Ultegra gruppo/Ti frame; and cheaper still - buy one off-the-peg

 

[gavintc]

I have built from scratch all my road bikes. It is not cheaper, but a lot more satisfying. In addition, you know where you are cutting the corners with cheap components and it saves paying twice for a component by then upgrading shortly after you have taken delivery of the complete bike.

Returning to your question - no problems with those components, they should be fine. But, the details of the Planet X frame are sparse and you will also need to check what type of brakes are needed. I note the comment "clearance for up to 28mm tyres" could mean that this bike will need long drop brakes not the standard road versions you will get in a groupset. With regard to the band on / braze on clamp. This is a relatively small problem and most bike shops would sell you the correct clamp if you found you needed it for not a lot of money.


So in summary - nice components. But check what brakes are required for this frame. For example:

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/BCSHU10F/shimano-ultegra-10-long-drop-brake-calliper or
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/BCSHU67001/shimano-ultegra-6700-10-brake-calliper

 

[e-rider]

I have built from scratch all my road bikes. It is not cheaper, but a lot more satisfying. In addition, you know where you are cutting the corners with cheap components and it saves paying twice for a component by then upgrading shortly after you have taken delivery of the complete bike.

Returning to your question - no problems with those components, they should be fine. But, the details of the Planet X frame are sparse and you will also need to check what type of brakes are needed. I note the comment "clearance for up to 28mm tyres" could mean that this bike will need long drop brakes not the standard road versions you will get in a groupset. With regard to the band on / braze on clamp. This is a relatively small problem and most bike shops would sell you the correct clamp if you found you needed it for not a lot of money.


So in summary - nice components. But check what brakes are required for this frame. For example:

http://www.planet-x-...-brake-calliper or
http://www.planet-x-...-brake-calliper

this clearly means normal short reach calipers

 

[rb58]

Why do you want to go for Titanium?

You seem to have an eye for expensive kit considering that you sound fairly new to the sport (from the Qs you asked) - if you have plenty of cash then fair enough, but if not, you could build a decent bike a fair bit cheaper than Ultegra gruppo/Ti frame; and cheaper still - buy one off-the-peg

I've been riding my steel Thorn audax for about a year now and love the feel of it, but wish it wasn't quite so heavy. From the research I've done, titanium seems to offer the comfort of steel but without the weight. Also, I like the understated look of titanium.

And to be honest, I quite fancy the idea of building my own bike.

 

[rb58]

this clearly means normal short reach calipers

If you buy the bike complete from Panet X it comes with long drop callipers.

 

[e-rider]

If you buy the bike complete from Panet X it comes with long drop callipers.

strange! but I'm sure they know what they are doing

Edit: I believe what should have been said is that it has clearance for up to 28mm tyres (with mudguards)