The “cheap bike,” built around a brand-new generic Easton Ultralight frame. ©Cyclocross Magazine
The following article launching Cyclocross Magazine’s “Cheap Bike” project originally appeared in Issue 14. Part 2 of the article is in Issue 15, which is arriving in shops nationwide now, and soon to be available for purchase on our website and as a digital download.
by Andrew Yee
Budget Tektro 926AL mini V-brakes provide stopping power for less than $13 per wheel. ©Cyclocross Magazine
Bike racing has a reputation as a rich person’s sport. Show up at any road, mountain or cyclocross race, and it’s easy to see why – carbon fiber bits, aero and ultra-light gear, and suspension push average race bike values to well over the $2,000 mark – nearly five percent of the average household income here in the States. In response, we bring you “Cheap Bike” – a series of articles documenting our endeavor to assemble and race a truly low-budget steed.
Just a quick browse through the pages of this magazine will reveal how many opportunities there are to spend a pretty penny on nice cyclocross-related gear. We’re psyched to have amazing equipment options and the attention and resources of the cycling industry. However, bike racing, especially cyclocross, is something that can be enjoyed at any income level. A working used hybrid, mountain bike or road bike can take you quite far in your local race series, and a look in our Cowbell forums, on Craigslist or on eBay will reveal a ton of used cyclocross-specific choices for those on a budget.
The single ring Truvativ crankset with built-in chain guard and bottom bracket cost less than $34. ©Cyclocross Magazine
When you’re ready to upgrade your ride, or buy your first cyclocross bike, what are your options if you want to avoid the unknown risks of a used bike but don’t have much to spend? Most brands’ entry-level bikes start at around $1,000, and they represent great, low-hassle options for new cyclocross racers. But can you assemble your own brand new, race-worthy bike for less money? Could you choose your own frame, fork and components—piece by piece, all brand-new, on a shoestring budget – and still have a race-worthy bike?
Campy shifters mated to a Rapid Rise Shimano derailleur: A CXM specialty! ©Cyclocross Magazine
A few years back, we were curious how much money it’d take to put together a bike we could train on and race hard without dipping into the second-hand market. We turned this curiosity into a challenge: After six months of scouring local bike shops (LBS), eBay and online retailers for affordable components and gradually putting together the creation, we have our budget racer as seen here: all $643.41 and 21 pounds of our frugal flyer (20.79 pounds without pedals, 13.56 without wheels).
Shimano Deore LX for low-cost durability. ©Cyclocross Magazine
Sure it’s a curious spec—when budget is a top priority, you’re bound to make opportunistic purchases, seizing on closeouts, bargain bins and random finds. But the final machine works well, is lighter than many entry-level bikes, and we had a blast putting it together—assembling a bike, part by part, is a process all cyclists should try once in their lifetime, and is a great learning experience for many.
So how does a $600 bike ride? How will it hold up? Stay tuned as we bring you the impressions from the CXM crew. [The Cheap Bike gets its first forays and some feedback in Issue 15!]. Wish us luck.
Cheap Bike: Specs and Break Down of Costs
| Component | Item | Price | Shipping/Tax | Total | Vendor(all items new) |
| Frame | Easton Ultralight tubing | $43.21 | $42.00 | $85.21 | eBay |
| Fork | Bontrager Buzzkill Satellite fork | $69.99 | $10.00 | $79.99 | eBay |
| Headset | FSA Orbit XL II | $17.50 | $ - | $17.50 | online |
| Handlebar | 3T Prima Handlebar | $17.00 | $5.00 | $22.00 | eBay |
| Stem | Deda Magic | $5.00 | $0.46 | $5.46 | LBS |
| Seatpost | American Classic | $24.99 | $2.31 | $27.30 | LBS |
| Saddle | SDG Ti Ventura | $10.00 | $6.50 | $16.50 | eBay |
| Crankset | Truvativ Isoflow single ring | $23.46 | $10.14 | $33.59 | online |
| Bottom bracket | (included with crankset) | | | | |
| Shifters | 10s Ultrashift Veloce Ergopower | $119.00 | $14.00 | $133.00 | eBay |
| Brakes | Tektro 926AL Mini V-brake | $24.00 | $2.22 | $26.22 | LBS |
| Top-mount levers | Forte top-mount levers | $24.99 | $1.09 | $16.08 | Performance |
| Front derailleur | n/a | | | $ - | |
| Rear derailleur | Deore LX Short Cage, Rapid Rise | $14.34 | $4.00 | $18.34 | eBay |
| Cassette | SRAM PG-950 12-26 Cassette | $14.50 | $7.99 | $22.49 | online |
| Chain catcher | Third eye | $7.50 | $ - | $7.50 | online |
| Steerer spacers | Carbon spacers | $1.75 | $ - | $1.75 | online |
| Wheelset | A-Class ALX320 | $90.00 | $ - | $90.00 | Craigslist |
| Tires | WTB Cross Wolf | $19.98 | $7.44 | $27.42 | LBS |
| Tubes | Generic | $4.90 | $ .45 | $5.35 | online |
| Handlebar tape | BBB gel | $5.95 | $1.75 | $7.70 | online |
| | | | | |
| TOTAL | | $528.06 | $115.35 | $643.41 | |
| | | | | |
NOTE: Cheap Bike Risks!
Cheap Bike Risks: It can’t be emphasized enough that taking such an approach to building a bike should involve several considerations. First, it’s hard to ensure a good fit or ride quality without an in-person test. My knee pain from this bike’s original, too-wide bottom bracket delivered that lesson, and I had to spend another $24 for a quick upgrade. Perhaps more importantly, taking a price-first approach doesn’t always support your local shops. Even though we spent well over $100 at our local shops, if you want to rely on them the day before a race, or when you’re ready to test ride bikes for your next upgrade, they need your support. Lastly, buying random generic frames on the ’net often means you’re cutting profits from the company that spent money designing and engineering the frame. These companies often sponsor races and riders, a good thing for our sport.
The question is, if saving a few hundred dollars by buying some parts (or a bike) online enables people on a tight budget to try out cyclocross, is that a good thing for the sport? Hopefully they’ll then aspire to upgrade their rides at local shops as they get more serious, and have more funds. If that happens, we all eventually win. After all, how many racers have gotten their starts on a budget, Internet-purchased Motobecane, got hooked, then upgraded down the line?
IN THE COWBELL FORUMS:
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I am a new cyclist, and so far I am very much enjoying my road bike. However, the only reason I could afford it was that it was income tax refund time. I would love to get a Cyclocross bike before fall hits here in NC, but alas, there will be no more refund checks. I am considered buying piece by piece and having it assembled by fall, but my bike mechanic skills so far amount to, "inflate tires, lube chain". Would you suggest any resources, books or online, that are a good guide for the new cyclist to build a bike from the ground up?
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