Building a Mountain Bike yourself
Many riders fantasise about building their own custom mountain bike from scratch. However, a lack of knowledge about component compatibility poses a significant obstacle. The absence of the right tools and a deficiency in mechanical skills is the second hurdle. Moreover, with an abundance of complete bikes on the market, it begs the question: Does building an individual bike even make sense?
For many riders, mountain biking is more than just a hobby; it’s part of their lifestyle. It’s not solely about the physical workout or the immersion into nature that comes with riding. The connection to the community, daydreaming about the ultimate trail, and the adrenaline rush while following the Mountain Bike World Cup are not just fundamental aspects of their lives, but incredibly emotional ones as well.
Mountain biking isn’t just a sport, it’s a lifestyle, and those who are fully committed to it love to show that. You can clue in your non-riding colleagues about your passion by rocking a pair of Five-Ten MTB kicks at the office. But if you’re looking to set yourself apart within the community, you’ve got to go the extra mile. That’s where the dream of building a custom rig stems from. However, opting for a rig that’s not off-the-rack means you’re also facing a challenge.
Is Building Your Own Mountain Bike Worth It?
From an economic standpoint, the answer to whether you need to look beyond the big brands is straightforward: No! Companies like Canyon, Cube, or Radon are crafting technically impeccable bikes that will satisfy 95% of riders around the globe. Our comprehensive market overview makes it crystal clear, that all major bike manufacturers now cover every niche imaginable. By producing bikes in large volumes, these companies are able to source components at incredibly low prices. They have also streamlined their assembly processes, enabling them to offer a complete mountain bike at an attractive price point.
When purchasing a frame and components to build your own rig, expect to spend approximately 25-35% more for a custom complete bike than for a comparably spec’d off-the-rack model. For aficionados, the hours spent scouring the net and toiling in the garage to piece together a dream machine are part of the allure. However, from an economic standpoint, one must consider the value of time when calculating the true cost of a custom steed.
From a financial perspective, building a custom bike isn’t the most cost-effective route. But since style is priceless, there’s still a sizeable faction within the biking community who are dead set on constructing their own unique ride. It’s not about whether it makes economic sense; it’s about whether you’re willing and able to invest in the aspiration. Moreover, piecing together a personalized build allows for the repurposing of old or used components, which is not only kind to your wallet but also to our planet’s resources.
Pros and Cons of a custom Mountain Bike
The case for creating your own MTB dream build often rides high on emotion:
- Expression your individuality: Whether it's vibrant color schemes, components exclusively manufactured in Europe, or signature parts from your pro idol, there are no limits to extravagance.
- Unwavering alignment to your own needs and preferences: Coil shocks and downhill tires for your next shred session in the bike park, or lightweight components for enhancing your enduro rig's touring capabilities. Custom building can fulfill all your desires for specifications and sizing.
- An awesome experience: Building your own bike remains an epic experience.
- Using used parts: Pre-owned parts are worth considering. It's a move that's kind to both your wallet and the planet's resources.
The economic benefits of off-the-rack mountain bikes often outweigh other considerations:
- Attractive Price: Complete bikes always offer more bang for your buck than custom builds.
- No hassle during assembly: Complete bikes are delivered fully assembled and ready to ride.
- No deep know-how needed: No need to be versed in the quality and compatibility of components.
- Consultation by Experts: Expert guidance on model and size selection in every shop.
Custom build service: Stress-free personalised mountain biking
Online retailer Bike-Components is renowned for being deeply entrenched in the MTB scene. Hard-core enthusiasts who’ve dedicated their lives to mountain biking typically have an account at the Aachen-based webshop. Bike-Components sets itself apart by offering a vast array of highly specific components and replacement parts that you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Knowing that many riders dream of building a custom rig, but might be stumped when it comes to selecting the right specs and handling the build, Bike-Components has rolled out a service that allows you to collaborate with customer support to not just spec out your bike, but bring it to life.
Over the phone, the expert staff at Bike-Components will assists you in piecing together your dream ride. They make sure that every component is compatible while also ensuring that no small parts, like seat clamps or spacers for the stem, are overlooked. Guidance on which bottom bracket fits which frame is offered free of charge. Depending on your bike’s complexity, you can also opt for a build service priced between €150 to €200. Your customised steed will arrive at your doorstep fully assembled, ready to hit the trails.
Conclusion: Is building your own bike worth It?
The desire to build a custom dream bike is completely understandable. Economically speaking, though, off-the-rack bikes are usually cheaper. However, for many riders, style and differentiation from fellow cyclists outweigh the importance of saving a buck or two. Those looking to shred the trails on a unique mountain bike can now do so without any technical know-how. Thanks to the build service offered by Bike-Components, you can rely on the expertise of professionals for specifications and assembly, all for a fair price.
