14bikeco custom bike

Hello fgss, I am on the breaking point with london underground. It is too hot, stuffy and packed like sardines. So I came to a conclusion that I need a change of lifestyle and for health reason(the tyre on my waist is starting to contrict blood flow to my brain) to commute on a bike. The last time I rode a bike on a daily basis was probably 13 years ago on my first MTB(with suspension! coolest kid on the block).

I went to 14bikeco to get a rough idea how much it would cost. The head mechanic was really helpful and explain a lot of the parts to me, thumbs up. Here is the quote I got.

Wheels

tyres+DP18+ambrosio hubs: £210

Bike

frame+forks(basic lugged): £450
headset(Tange): £30
stem(Odyssey 12): £61.99
handle bar(Gussett): £35
brake leavers: £10
bartape/grips: £12.99
brake cable: £6
brake caliper(System EX): £25
seat pin(System EX silver): £15
seat bolt: £5.99
saddle(concor): £69.99
crankset(Sugino messenger): £105
chain(510): £10
sprocket(dura ace): £16.99
lock ring(dura ace): £10
bottom bracket(Sugino messenger): £35
pedals(Odyssey+power grips): £40

Total: £1254.95

Currently here is the short list of OTP that seems to be favorable on this forum.

Charge plug racer ~£550 (going to test later)
Fuji track ~£400
Bianci pista ~630
Condor potenza £699 (Condor) (going to test after this post)
Surly steamroller £675(Brixton bike) (tested)
Ellis-Briggs fixed £849
BLB fixed £750 (tested)

My budget is only around £800-£1000, after reading this forum and some advise from friends, I was told not to spend so much just incase I don't like riding. Would I be able to build a custom bike for around £800-£1000? If so, can you guys help me spec one up in my budget.

PS: I have used the search and read a lot of post on this forum already before you flame me :)

I would be using this mainly for commuting and also maybe do some simple trick riding over the weekends. Maybe try wheely and barspin, not going to do crazy superted jumps over stairs and all that. Any advise would be much appreciated.

thanks
lenk

if you do it yourself/carefully chosen your component, it will be cheaper.

You could build a very nice bike for £800-£1000

You can get a great bike from 14bike co for your budget. Just tell them that's what you have to spend and let them show you what they can do.

as much as i like John and the other guys at 14, £140 for sugino messenger crankset & BB is rediculously expensive.

you can get exactly the same in Condor for £80.

tyres+DP18+ambrosio hubs: £210
Bike

frame+forks(basic lugged): £450
** headset(Tange): £30**
** stem(Odyssey 12): £61.99**
** handle bar(Gussett): £35**
brake leavers: £10
bartape/grips: £12.99
brake cable: £6
brake caliper(System EX): £25
seat pin(System EX silver): £15
seat bolt: £5.99
** saddle(concor): £69.99**
** crankset(Sugino messenger): £105**
chain(510): £10
sprocket(dura ace): £16.99
lock ring(dura ace): £10
** bottom bracket(Sugino messenger): £35**
** pedals(Odyssey+power grips): £40**

Total: £1254.95
lenk

Check the bold - £377 worth of stuff that can be gotten for cheaper/or alternative, that if you're not too picky on choosing the component.

as much as i like John and the other guys at 14, £140 for sugino messenger crankset & BB is rediculously expensive.

you can get exactly the same in Condor for £80.

or even a Miche Advanced crankset for like £100.

I would advise against spending shit loads (£1000 is shit loads to me) on a bike mainly for commuting. Get an OTP and if you realise you are totally in love with bikes, flog it at a small loss and get a custom. By that time you may have already picked up enough knowledge to build your own and know what's a good deal and what isn't.

Do want to build one up from scratch or have one asap to get riding on?
If you want to be out and about riding as soon as possible then I would go for an OTP and spend the extra upgrading/changing parts if and when I needed.

If you aren't in a rush then I would either do what Nick G is suggesting and go to 14 (I'm guessing that would probably take a few days for it to be in your hands) or if you want to do it yourself then I would spend some time looking for nice parts at good prices on ebay and the classifieds on here and build it up when you've collected everything you need

I would advise against spending shit loads (£1000 is shit loads to me) on a bike mainly for commuting. Get an OTP and if you realise you are totally in love with bikes, flog it at a small loss and get a custom. By that time you may have already picked up enough knowledge to build your own and know what's a good deal and what isn't.

• 1 dam right
  

Get an OTP and if you realise you are totally in love with bikes, flog it at a small loss and get a custom.

1+ millions, that or build up a cheap bike.

You can build a fxed gear bixe for as little as £200 (well, a £70 if you are really patient), but you could build a realy good one for 500, or an awsome one for £1000. The problem with going to 14 or any other bike shop and getting them to build you a bike, is that you pay about £100 for it to be built, and all components are new, and limited to what they have. So for example, the cranks that are costing you £105, are £65 from condor cycles. Or the lock ring is £6 from BLB. And thats not even including online stores. Also, stock in certain shops is limited. Like the brake caliper isn't as good as a Shimano 105, and costs the same.

As with anything if you get it all in house at one place it costs more. The more you shop around the cheaper it is. By all means get a bike shop to build it for you, but take the parts with you that you have bought elsewhere. Or just get the shop to fit the BB and Headset and cranks, for around £50, and save yourself £50 and get the rest done by your own fair hand or a mate. Heck, get a mate or someone on here to do all the building for you for less money.

If you are savvy you can have an AMAZING bike for £1k, rather then a good bike, which is what 14 will build you for a grande. My dave yates lo-pro with full phil kit cost me just over a grand, and thats a hell of alot nicer then that 14 jobby you posted, and I even then I didn't do it as cheaply as I could.

Also, use this forum and ebay to get second hand bits much cheaper. Things like seatposts, handlebars, frames are all much cheaper if they are used, and in theory no less effective. For example bars that are costing you £35 above that will be covered in grips any way, will cost you £5 here on the forum. It all adds up.

I'm not saying don't get a 14 frame if you want one, they are nice. But you can spend less, on the build. Maybe get a 14 frame, source the parts yourself and get them to build it (watch out for Odge though - worst mechanic I have ever had work on a bike by 10 miles).

Hope thats of some help. If I can say just one thing its spend the time to do your homework and you will be rewarded. Or if in a hurry get an OTP...

'ta

Everything on that list is 'top whack' pricewise. In fact it's a bit of a piss-take IMO. Are charging labour to build it? Cos that might explain the hiked prices. Plus it'll just end up looking like every other 14 bike I've ever seen.

And don't be scared of building one yourself, it really ain't complicated.

By the way Lenk, good first post.

Harry Major is bang on there.

As many people have said already most of the components are sorta mid-range, definitely no crap, but for £1200 I would expect something mind-blowing.

Also add the Specialized Langster to your OTP list, I've got one, and am very happy with it, and it's only now that I've got it that I'm beginning to know what I want from a custom/self-built one, which will be my next project.

I love the way you have split out

Wheels

Bike

In the nicest possibly way, you still have a lot to learn. Buy something on here complete for £500-£600 and it will be a bit special.

If you must buy new, Condor or a Surly from Brixton Cycles would be my recommendation.

me and mate built a bike for about £200 with parts sourced from THIS VERY forum... nuff said.

worth pointing out that 14 (like BLB) do cyclescheme, so if your employer is on board, you can potentially get that build for more like £700...which is a lot better.

Welcome to the forum, lenk. I'd personally look at OTP bikes or building/converting your own if you're looking for a commuter. I built my first fixed gear bike by converting an old 10 speed frame and it cost me less than £200.

The Genesis Flyer is another OTP bike to look at if you decide to take that route. Definately think about getting a bike on cyclesceme if you can, it'll be cheaper.

just get the fuji track and have done with it... i got a langster, which I didnt really enjoy. the fuji is awesome, plus maybe a new saddle :)

out of interest what's the best F+F you can get for £450 these days... ?

Dolan Track champ? £395? http://www.italian-solutions.co.uk/product.php?productid=161616&cat=273&page=1

My advice would be not to do what I did and start with something crap and swap out every single part until it's exactly how you want it. You'll waste loads of time and money. Maybe get something cheap to get on the road and start planning an entirely new bike from scratch with your newfound knowledge.

after following the same logic (couldn't hack getting the tube anymore..) i bought a plug from here for £280ish to see whether i liked riding fixed and riding in london.. i realised i did and set about collecting bits to build my own bike from ebay, TDV, BLB, shop 14 to get it exactly as i wanted it.. think it came in at £900ish and i am absolutely chuffed with it.. sold the plug for 2-fiddy and have ridden everyday for the last year and a half & love it

How much is an FBM sword? Sorethroat's turquoise one, that I clapped the other night, is absolutely to die for. The new fork is lovely.