D.I.Y alternative to €999 Canyon Roadlite

happytramp

So after saving up enough money to splash out on a new bike for Christmas I've had second thoughts. While the Canyon Roadlite is a lovely bike and far better than what I've got at the moment, vanity has gotten the better of me and I have to admit that I long for something that stands out from the crowd (hard to achieve given my budget)

I've decided to build something up myself with the only stipulation being that it must cost no more than the price of the Canyon (€1055 inc postage) and be as close to it's weight (8.25Kg Claimed) as possible.

As I've always been more into the look of old steel framed bikes I've decided that I'm going to use an old frame as the basis for the build and then kit it out with as much fancy pants/light-weight/carbon bits and pieces as I can afford.

With that in mind I bought this on Ebay last night.



A Columbus SL Moser for the 80's (I'm guessing from the paint job) And while it's eaten right into my weight budget it was reasonably easy on the pocket at €115 posted from England.

€1055-€115= €940 left

Lumen

It's nice to see an old bike that isn't owned by The tax man.

Miklos

Gorgeous frame, it'll be interesting to see you try to keep the weight down here.

Donie75

There's a guy cycling a lovely oldish steel Moser around Athlone. It's red with some chrome on the rear stays. Very nice looking bike.
A set of Mavic Open Pro's built on Ultegra hubs all in silver would look well with that era frame. €237 from www.roseversand.com

happytramp

NickWray wrote: »

Gorgeous frame, it'll be interesting to see you try to keep the weight down here.

This should help a bit.



Full carbon 'time' fork with 1" steerer. 370g as opposed to the 750g steel fork that came with the frame. Pricey though at €100 posted.

Apologies to any boardsies horrified at the carbonizing/modernizing of old steel frames

Budget - €1055
Spent - €215
Left - €840

CaoimH_in

I love this thread. They're such fun projects, building a bike by buying the parts over just ordering one. The groupset is always the hardest fella to get! Best of luck!

colm_gti

CaoimH_in wrote: »

The groupset is always the hardest fella to get! Best of luck!

And on that note I may have a full shimano 105 compact groupset I would be willing to sell in the next week or two...if my plans to switch to DA 7800 go ahead that is...

RidleyRider

Keep uploading pics to this please happytramp! Will be great to see how this eventually turns out. Was thinking of embarking on something like this after the new year.

Lawr

I'd be interested in whether that fork works. It looks as if it might not have enough offset for the wheel to clear the frame. Also, be curious how the straighter fork affects handling.

kuro_man

buy this, strip it and sell the frame
http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/focus-cayo-bike/2362630

RidleyRider

kuro_man wrote: »

buy this, strip it and sell the frame
http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/focus-cayo-bike/2362630

Not a bad idea..

Harrybelafonte

Don't you dare put any Shimano near that frame.

Seaneh

You think he's better off putting low end campag (only thing he's likely to get in his budget) over Dura Ace?


Your priorities are way off.

Seaneh

kuro_man wrote: »

buy this, strip it and sell the frame
http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/focus-cayo-bike/2362630

Brilliant idea, he'd end up way under budget and would have his wheels, groupset and finishing kit sorted in one buy.

If I was in his position and had the money, I'd be on that like flies on ****e.

Harrybelafonte

I'm pretty sure happytramp will take my recommendation in jest as it was meant to be, but thanks for the comment on my priorities. It was very helpful.

RidleyRider

Its up to what the OP wants- originality or weight saving. Both good ideas for different reasons.

Seaneh

One thing I'd have done for sure is keep the original fork.

I'm not even sure the new fork will work on his bike, handling will be affected for sure.

happytramp

Seaneh wrote: »

One thing I'd have done for sure is keep the original fork.

I'm not even sure the new fork will work on his bike, handling will be affected for sure.

I might well still do that. I'll try the carbon fork (rake and camber should be fine) but if it doesn't suit I'll sell it on. (I've already got my lovely steel frame with Nuovo record and wanted to make something a bit more high performance )

Good idea with stripping the Focus kuro_man! However, I've gone with new 10 speed campy Centaur including carbon crankset (courtesy of Holyboy, hopefully) Looks lovely and actually works out lighter than the Ultegra. That Focus is a steal at that price though. Someone get it!!

RidleyRider

happytramp wrote: »

I might well still do that. I'll try the carbon fork (rake and camber should be fine) but if it doesn't suit I'll sell it on. (I've already got my lovely steel frame with Nuovo record and wanted to make something a bit more high performance )

Good idea with stripping the Focus kuro_man! However, I've gone with new 10 speed campy Centaur including carbon crankset (courtesy of Holyboy, hopefully) Looks lovely and actually works out lighter than the Ultegra. That Focus is a steal at that price though. Someone get it!!

Any idea on when you'll have her up and running?:)

happytramp

RidleyRider wrote: »

Any idea on when you'll have her up and running?:)

Good question. If I don't run into any problems (I'm sure I will though) probably a couple of weeks at least. So far the only thing I'm having trouble tracking down is an appropriate 10 speed campy rear derailleur. Watching a few on Ebay though.

RidleyRider

happytramp wrote: »

Good question. If I don't run into any problems (I'm sure I will though) probably a couple of weeks at least. So far the only thing I'm having trouble tracking down is an appropriate 10 speed campy rear derailleur. Watching a few on Ebay though.

Good good, really am looking forward to seeing the finished product!:rolleyes:

happytramp

Picked up today. €80 (+ coffee and cake for Holyboy)



Total spent - €295 (of €1055)
Total Left - €760

happytramp

Found lots of fancy stuff waiting for me when I got home today. Also got a matching rear Derailleur on it's way.



So, Shifters, brakes, cables, chain, front + rear mech cost €345

Total spent - €640
Total Left - €415

DaveyDave

I'm interesed in seeing how this build comes along. Looking at the Canyon Roadlite myself, won't DIY it though. It's nice to see someone put a sub-€1k bike together that isn't a damn fixie.

happytramp

So, got wheels sorted.



These were a bit of a coup. Bought them within an hour of them going up on Ebay. Mavic Kysirium Sl's with Schwalbe Ultremo tyres and a Campagnolo Chorus 10 speed cassette with very little wear. Delivered from the UK for €307.

Was thinking of black wheels but these seemed too good a bargain to pass up.

total spent - €947
total left - €108

RidleyRider

Very nice! Whats left now? Saddle, Skewers (wheels don't appear to have them), Bars, Stem Bar tape....?

happytramp

RidleyRider wrote: »

Very nice! Whats left now? Saddle, Skewers (wheels don't appear to have them), Bars, Stem Bar tape....?

Ooops. Left out the Skewers for the photo but the did come with them. Decent tubes too.

Yeah, I'm running out of cash for decent finishing kit. Although I've got a couple of tricks up my sleeve, including the selling of the chrome fork that came with the frame, A fancy stem of questionable authenticity http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RITCHEY-WCS-CARBON-MATRIX-STEM-90mm-BRAND-NEW-/230889507388?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item35c2164a3c
and a very nice and light saddle on CRC for about 40 quid. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=34928

RidleyRider

happytramp wrote: »

Ooops. Left out the Skewers for the photo but the did come with them. Decent tubes too.

Yeah, I'm running out of cash for decent finishing kit. Although I've got a couple of tricks up my sleeve, including the selling of the chrome fork that came with the frame, A fancy stem of questionable authenticity http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RITCHEY-WCS-CARBON-MATRIX-STEM-90mm-BRAND-NEW-/230889507388?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item35c2164a3c
and a very nice and light saddle on CRC for about 40 quid. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=34928

Ah clever move on the selling the fork idea. As for the stem it appears as though tis UK postage only. Unless you have a mate or whatever over. Saddle looks decent enough.

Keep it up

happytramp

RidleyRider wrote: »

appears as though tis UK postage.

Parcel motel is a godsend. Lots of stuff was UK postage only but the seller sends it to Parcel Motel in Antrim and they send it down to you (about a tenner for the frame or wheels) So the wheels were £25 posted instead of £65. It's changed the way we build bicycles forever I tell ya!! Also first two goes are free when you register.

RidleyRider

happytramp wrote: »

Parcel motel is a godsend. Lots of stuff was UK postage only but the seller sends it to Parcel Motel in Antrim and they send it down to you (about a tenner for the frame or wheels) So the wheels were £25 posted instead of £65. It's changed the way we build bicycles forever I tell ya!! Also first two goes are free when you register.

I hadn't thought of that. Sorry for going off topic here but what happens with parcel motel? You send the seller parcel motels address and make parcel motel aware that you are having a package sent to them and they send to you?

Seems genius of an idea!

happytramp

RidleyRider wrote: »

Sorry for going off topic here but what happens with parcel motel?

Not at all. I'll never get tired talking about how awesome Parcel motel is.

1. You register on their website (takes 2 min)
2. They text you an ID number.
3. You use their Dublin or Northern Ireland depot address when buying stuff (with your name and Id number above their address)
4. The item arrives at their headquaters in Dublin (via Antrim if it's uk only postage).
5. They deliver it to a 'motel' of your choosing. These are usually located at petrol stations and shopping centers.
6. They text and E-mail you to tell you to collect your stuff at said 'motel'. (if it's a bike or something massive you have to drive to their headquarters in Finglas to pick it up)

The whole thing is incredibly quick and painless. You don't even have to tell them it's coming, it just magically makes it's way to a garage beside your house. It only costs 3.50 for non-oversize stuff, you can pick the stuff up 24hrs a day, and collecting your things even feels super cool.

RidleyRider

happytramp wrote: »

Not at all. I'll never get tired talking about how awesome Parcel motel is.

1. You register on their website (takes 2 min)
2. They text you an ID number.
3. You use their Dublin or Northern Ireland depot address when buying stuff (with your name and Id number above their address)
4. The item arrives at their headquaters in Dublin (via Antrim if it's uk only postage).
5. They deliver it to a 'motel' of your choosing. These are usually located at petrol stations and shopping centers.
6. They text and E-mail you to tell you to collect your stuff at said 'motel'. (if it's a bike or something massive you have to drive to their headquarters in Finglas to pick it up)

The whole thing is incredibly quick and painless. You don't even have to tell them it's coming, it just magically makes it's way to a garage beside your house. It only costs 3.50 for non-oversize stuff, you can pick the stuff up 24hrs a day, and collecting your things even feels super cool.

Awesome! Its really being annoying me to get stuff from the UK thats UK postage only. Thanks for that happytramp.

*heads off to Parcel Motel website*

cdaly_

happytramp wrote: »

Not at all. I'll never get tired talking about how awesome Parcel motel is.

1. You register on their website (takes 2 min)
2. They text you an ID number.
3. You use their Dublin or Northern Ireland depot address when buying stuff (with your name and Id number above their address)
4. The item arrives at their headquaters in Dublin (via Antrim if it's uk only postage).
5. They deliver it to a 'motel' of your choosing. These are usually located at petrol stations and shopping centers.
6. They text and E-mail you to tell you to collect your stuff at said 'motel'. (if it's a bike or something massive you have to drive to their headquarters in Finglas to pick it up)

The whole thing is incredibly quick and painless. You don't even have to tell them it's coming, it just magically makes it's way to a garage beside your house. It only costs 3.50 for non-oversize stuff, you can pick the stuff up 24hrs a day, and collecting your things even feels super cool.

The only problem I have with it is where I ordered something from John Lewis and added a couple of extras to get free shipping and then they shipped each item separately costing me 3.50 per item!

Hopefully none of the people I've bought from start sending me junk mail/catalogues...

happytramp

Saddle - €40
Bars - €25
Stem - €27
Seatpost - €15 (used)
Carbon effect Tape - €13
Headset - €30

Original budget - €1055
Total spent - €1097

So that's everything. Went €42 over budget but I'll be able to get that back by selling the fork that came with the frame.

Harrybelafonte

What headset? and the stem looks gorgeous.

rab!dmonkey

How much does the build weigh?

happytramp

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

What headset? and the stem looks gorgeous.

It's a cane creek headset, decent enough but ever so slightly visually challenged. Hoping you won't really notice it once it's built up. The stem is a Ritchey WCS 4 axis. You can get them cheap off a seller on ebay he only seems to have 90mm for some reason though.

happytramp

rab!dmonkey wrote: »

How much does the build weigh?

That's the big question. I've made a weight weenie worthy graph of how much each part weighs, including all spacers, shims, cables etc but I haven't added them all up yet. Waiting till I've got it put together first. Not sure when that's going to be though.

Holyboy

happytramp wrote: »

Saddle - €40
Bars - €25
Stem - €27
Seatpost - €15 (used)
Carbon effect Tape - €13
Headset - €30

Original budget - €1055
Total spent - €1097

So that's everything. Went €42 over budget but I'll be able to get that back by selling the fork that came with the frame.

Don't forget the 1" carbon expander bolt and top cap, tut, tut :pac:

happytramp

Holyboy wrote: »

Don't forget the 1" carbon expander bolt and top cap, tut, tut :pac:

Aw crap. I guess I'll have to add another €15 so.

seve65

Bought that saddle a couple of months or so back and it works a treat and is reasonably light.

happytramp

seve65 wrote: »

Bought that saddle a couple of months or so back and it works a treat and is reasonably light.

Yeah seems nice, though they did claim it was 190g but actually ended up being 207g, pfffft.

CaoimH_in

How is this build going?!

happytramp

CaoimH_in wrote: »

How is this build going?!

Pretty much done. Put it together before Christmas but haven't had a chance to dial it in yet. I'll put up some pictures in the morning.

One thing though, I found Campagnolo trickier to work with than Shimano. Everything seemed to require tools I didn't have. BB cups, special tool. Ultra torque crank bolt, special tool. Campagnolo chain, special tool. chainring bolts, torque keys. Shifters, long reach torque keys

The chain was especially annoying since it requires a very expensive tool that basically means you have to bring it to a shop. (That reminds me I should probably add on the few quid that I had to pay Holyboy to install the chain, torque up the chainset and realign the frame.)

CaoimH_in

Well, it's more fun that a Roadlite for sure. Get those photos up asap!

happytramp

Here's some pictures of the finished bike.





Suprisingly, I think the carbon fork actually goes better with the frame better than steel one. Weird.



Some details.







I think it turned out really well (although I've yet to try it out in anger yet and it does seem a bit more aggressive than my old bike)

Prehaps the weirdest thing about it is the weight. With every bolt, cables, inch of bar tape weighed on a digital scales it weighs in at 8.18kg including pedals. The canyon weighs in at either 8.15kg or 8.25kg depending on groupset but doesn't include pedals. So weirdly it's lighter than the canyon!!

G rock

really really nice. Enjoy!

CaoimH_in

****ing smashing work!

denbatt

Stunning! Can't believe how lucky you were on eBay. Enjoy it.

colm_gti

That turned out very well, fair play! Enjoy it!

Seaneh

well done dude. looks the business.