New bike or just frame and forks?

[Reece]

I bought a 2nd hand Raleigh Airlite 100 for a the pricely sum of £90 to see if a roadbike for me. It is a 55cm frame but was a touch small for me and changed the stem for a shorter riser stem. Was comfortable after this.

Well the bug has bitten, but I've noticed now doing slightly longer rides of 20miles plus I start to feel a strain/ache in my knees and neck. I know I could do with a better fitting bike with a frame of around 58cm (centre crank to top of seatpost).

I've seen a few ribble frames on their site that are well within in my price range incl the purchase of the carbon forks that take my fancy. Would you buy a frame or save over the winter and get a better complete bike next spring? I reckon I could get £100 back on the Raleigh easy so this would cover half the cost of the frame approx.

 

[the snail]

I think you need to do the maths and price up the build. I'm building a bike up from bits, when I worked it out and trawled the internet for best prices it worked out a bit cheaper, but not by much. The main advantage is that I should end up spending a bit less, but with exactly the spec I want. If I'd bought the bike complete (genesis equilibrium 20) I would have wanted to change the chainset/wheels/saddle which would work out expensive. If you want best value for money then secondhand is probably the way to go. If you're getting knee pain then maybe your saddle height is wrong, or perhaps you just need to use a lower gear and spin?

 

[vorsprung]

I got a bike that was the wrong size for me early on in my biking. I was going to get a cheap different frame in the correct size but it ended up as a complete bike with a Titanium custom frame, Campag gearing and handmade wheels.

 

[Reece]

Thanks for the replies. Been searching for 2nd hand but all seem to be wrong size, piles of trash or near on new prices for specialized or trek bikes etc in correct size.

 

[vickster]

Triban 3 for £300 if you can find one

 

[biggs682]

tough decision , building from frame could mean you can tailor to your spec and budget if done with care