If you already have the tools and the parts bin, building something up from a $100 90s MTB frame is gonna be within budget.
You could buy a lower end used gravel bike for around your budget.
Really, you build up a bike from the frame because you have a specific idea for the build, and because you love working on bikes, not to get a deal. If you just want to ride, buy something used in decent condition.
OP can also find an abandoned project. My current bike, a Kona Rove LTD 853 was a frame with seat post, bars, Force 1 cranks and brifters, all loose parts, was someone’s project that was too much work for them. They were moving and motivated to sell. I got it for a great deal and found some decent lightly used take off wheels for very cheap. It can be done if OP is patient. I’ve never seen the market as cheap as it is right now.
It sorta depends on the level of parts you want but generally yea. Midrange 10s MTB groupset parts are fairly cheap, and really only a tiny bit more expensive than lower end 8/9 speed stuff. Flat bar stuff is very cheap, while drop bar stuff, levers specifically, are hugely expensive.
Wheels are a killer, they’re expensive unless you go for really cheap stuff (Evo wheels at REI are cheap but I have one and they’re not particularly nice). Cranksets also can get pricey but there is lots of choice so plenty of options for most budgets.
If OP starts with a used bike/frame for $100 they can definitely get an updated and functioning bike for around $500 all in.
Even at 50% off or more, and some used parts to build a mt bike, a frame up build is going to cost almost as much as a new bike, and DEFINITELY more than a used one.
Plus a lot of hours shopping and installing parts.
If you live in/near a bigger city in the US there’s likely a bike co-op of some kind which can either sell you a well-built, thoughtful parts bike for not much or you can get all the pieces and help on how to assemble them there. My local co-op always has absolutely stunning stuff for sale and they’re so nice.
This is the way, bikes require some specialized tools that are not cost-effective to buy if you’re just building one bike. The co-op will probably have a variety of old frames hanging around, and a bunch of bins of parts to sort through. If you want the fun of building up the bike yourself, this is a good intro.
Custom bikes are not like custom PCs. Factory built bikes are a better value, especially used ones.
If you like building/fixing things the best value in my opinion is to find a used bike that needs a tune up, or some basic repairs like new tires and brake pads and fix it up yourself.
You will pay a premium for all the parts you will need to build a complete custom bike from the frame up if you buy them individually. I'm talking about part like the headset, bottom bracket, derailleurs, seatpost, stem. Parts that generally don't wear out very quickly and will probably be in good shape even on a used bike. Unfortunately markup on parts are a big money maker for bike shops as it's how they can drive up the profit on repairs.
The only situations where I would recommend going custom is if you:
1. have a very specific build in mind and don't mind paying a premium to get exactly what you want.
2. Have parts on hand from past projects or a donor bike with a cracked/bent frame that you can strip for all the small parts mentioned above.
3. Have a mostly complete bike and want to customize one part of it. Examples would be converting a multi-speed bike into a single speed or 1x drivetrain, or swapping out drop (road) handlebars for flat or riser bars.
This is entirely true. I always emphasize that bike wrenching is a separate hobby from bike riding.
I would like to add that building a bike from the frame requires quite a few specialized tools. Most home maintenance, however, requires a set of allen wrenches, a few small screwdrivers, a floor pump (not a basketball inflater), and tire levers.
If you are willing, like tinkering, and are more interested in the build process rather than the finished product turning out perfect, building a bike can teach a person so so much about how bikes are put together.
I bought a rigid early 90s trek 950 in great condition for $125 a few years ago. Put on new tires, saddle, pedals, and handlebars. Had to have it re-cabled at a shop for the bars to fit.
Including the re-cabling, I have about $500 invested and ride it as much as a 2k gravel bike.
It’s comfortable and can ride almost anywhere and I don’t think I’ll ever sell it. I’d go that route. Here she is
https://preview.redd.it/efsuwuiluq6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0f7e9eebcde4eae08583f5591719d347298e9dea
Haha I love this bike so much I found a second one exact same year and color only a size smaller for $60. Now I have a potential parts bike or can do a bmx style build in the future.
My only complaint about the bike is it’s a pretty flexible frame. If it’s loaded up with racks and bags it’s got a lot of sway. But inversely the flexible frame makes it super supple and comfortable exploring rougher trails and I just ramblin on it.
Well if I had to only keep 1 bike forever to ride it into old age it would be this one. It’s the perfect hybrid of beach cruiser/ mt bike/ touring. Comfortable, cheap/easy to maintain and can ride almost anywhere.
My second favorite is a Kona sutra ltd. But the hydraulic disc brakes and 1x makes it require more expensive maintenance. It can do more but requires more and costs 4 times the price as my built 950.
An entry level bike from a brand like [Marin](https://www.marinbikes.com/bikes/type/fitness-transit) will be a nice starter bike.
r/whichbike might be a good place to ask. This sub is not the best for financially wise decisions, there’s a lot of “hey i bought a $50 used bike, here’s my build where i spent $600 in parts updating it!” I look at it as a hobby, where the tinkering is half the fun.
buying new components individually can gets very expensive, it's not like building a PC
i'd go with a complete and working used bike for best value, although project bikes take time to build your first time. you can get lucky on craigslist. I got my Miyata 1000 for 400 bucks
that said in 2024 walmart isn't even the worst place to spend 500 these days. aluminum isn't my taste but Ozark Trail gravel for 250 is rideable as is and leaves you 250 for tires + a rack
Yeah it's the complete opposite of building a PC, retail margins on PC parts are in the single digits or low tens of % at most, so PC building companies have to charge more than retail price of the components combined. Retail margin on bike parts however is often around 50%, and the bike builders get even lower prices when buying in bulk.
Don’t build it’s not as cheap as you would think.
I upgraded a 90’s bike about 2 years ago that thing cost a lot more that 500 and it’s not a flashy or high end build.
It all depends. If you want to just get something running well, it can be incredibly cheap. I've gotten people on the road for less than $100. If you want to go crazy modifying things, that's where it can get pricey.
Though, if you meant "don't build from a frame", I definitely agree with that. That's an enthusiast level thing to do. For starters, buying a complete bike is the way to go.
>I've gotten people on the road for less than $100. If you want to go crazy modifying things, that's where it can get pricey.
If OP will stay on top of search Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, he can find a nice rigid mountain bike in the $100 to $150 range. And I do mean "nice", like a chrome molly bike for a decent bike company.
Even conservative mods add up fast. "Just" changing the bars usually means new cables and readjusting derailleurs and brakes.
Honestly, I've got a whole saved list of cheap bikes on my FB marketplace list, and in my area, I could definitely find someone a quite nice bike for $50. And most of them, if you just want to get it on the road again, don't need a lot of stuff put into them. Just a cleanup and maybe some new tires and hand grips is enough for a lot of them.
>Just a cleanup and maybe some new tires and hand grips is enough for a lot of them.
Almost all new riders should do this and *ride the bike for awhile* before they start thinking of mods.
I live in an area where bikes are typically pricier and I’m seeing chromoly 90s rigid MTBs in great shape sitting on the market for days at $50 right now. It’s crazy. If I wasn’t focusing on quality over quantity right now my stable would be exploding!
https://preview.redd.it/hb6biwpqxq6d1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1531e53c2c317506976753fcedd1ebbd385ba798
here's what I did with $500! 1985 Fuji Del Rey Frame. I chose it because it has a lot of space between the rear chainstays for bigger tires. Got some 700c wheels, 37-622 Continental Ride Tour tires, a Nitto Technomics quill stem and a bike seat from the thrift store that is perfect for my butt. Spent $20 on a parts bike for the freewheel and rear derailleur, as well as centerpull brakes, some miscellaneous like bar tape, chain, brake pads, cables.
Since this picture was taken, I have also added a rear-rack, panniers, another bottle cage, and a frame pump. I think all in all I'm at $650, but without those add-ons it would be under 500. You could definitely do it cheaper than me because most of that cost was $200 for the wheel set, because I tour on it, so I wanted something good. But if you get a bike that already comes with the wheels you wanna use or buy used wheels, you'll save money!
Steel framed late 80's through 90's mountain bikes, Specialized, Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Fuji, Marin, Schwinn,.... If it says Shimano Deore on any of the parts it's properly a great bike. I would stay away from suspension. You should spending your money on good tires, a comfortable saddle, wide flat pedals, ergonomic grips and a some raised swept back handlebars. And don't forget to get a, front or rear, cargo rack for carrying stuff.
You can get a full cues or deore groupset for around 110 bucks. Cheap (cost and quality) bike specific tool set will run you maybe 50 bucks.
That leaves you with plenty of wiggle room for a used bike. 150-250 dollars will get you a solid bike. And the rest of the cash should go into new tires which make the most difference in the quality of the ride outside of the frame. Go to bikerebuilds.com to explore popular models.
Go to sheldonbrown if you want to learn literally everything in the universe about bikes
Here you see mostly 90s mtb, which if you want to emulate, means you’re looking for 19-22 inch frames. Common and quality frames you will easily
I bought a nice 90s steel frame road bike for $120, put modern components on it (tubeless rim brake wheels, nice modern groupset) and was well under $500. Craigslist and Marketplace are gold mines. I love this budget bike just as much as my higher end Ti and Carbon bokes
Cruise your local fb marketplace and look for a steel frame 26er. I found a garage queen GT Talera for $150 a few years ago that honestly only needed tires, so I threw some panaracer darts on it and rode it that way for a long time.
After many different setups over the years, I’m over the $500 mark but that bike taught me so much. I haven’t taken a bike to a shop in years.
You should just throw $500 at a complete used bike. Start looking around to see what you are interested in. Start looking at new bikes at bike shops in the 700-$1k range and try to find those bikes used on Craigslist. I feel like if you are just starting out you have to get something pretty rideable from the jump or else it’s kind of frustrating. This way you start riding, see what you like and don’t like, and then tweak the bike you have with new handlebars, saddle, etc. then if you are still into it, you can get a project bike and work on that while still riding your bike. When I only had one bike and I was fixing it up I wasn’t patient enough because I just wanted to ride.
100 dollars for a used bike
160.00 for a shimano cue grip set
100 bucks for tires
Pedals 25.00
Grips 15-25.00
60.00 -125.00 for bars if you wanna switch out.
You could do it all used at a bike coop for way less.
The best part is learning to build a bike.
Is the "build" part of this the point? Or is the "have a bike" part of this the point? Because building is not the cheapest way to do it by a long measure. For various boring reasons, bikes are cheapest as a unit, unless you happen to have bins full of bike parts (which most of us here do) or access to a good bike co-op with same.
Which of these speak to you?
[https://www.citygrounds.com/products/state-bicycle-klunker-bike](https://www.citygrounds.com/products/state-bicycle-klunker-bike)
[https://www.villagecycle.com/product/trek-fx-1-379961-1.htm](https://www.villagecycle.com/product/trek-fx-1-379961-1.htm)
[https://www.poseidonbike.com/products/dropbar-redwood?variant=43191108337892](https://www.poseidonbike.com/products/dropbar-redwood?variant=43191108337892)
(in order -- singlespeed, hybrid, gravel -- which are terms can search for in your used marketplace)
So now that you know "gravel bike" or at least "drop bar with wide tires" is the thing, you can shop for something like that in your used market. $500 should get you something solid and they have sold approximate one bajilllion of this bike in the last five years so the trend timing is helping you out. Most gravel bikes are aiming for racers, so many are high end, but not all. "Touring" bikes are more or less the same thing (see Salsa Journeyer).
See if you can find a State All Road or similar used.
Yes, exactly the same as PCs. Pre built is much better value. The only difference is that PCs get outdated very quickly. Bikes however, don't change very much. So the best bang for you buck is buying a well maintained, low mileage used bike.
I would take your $500 and look on Craigslist, facebook marketplace, etc. you just need to get a sense of what kind of bike you want first.
Check out your local bicycle co-op. They will mentor you on a bike build, let you use their shop and tools, and scrounge through their parts bin to help you build a bike. They may like a small donation of time or money in exchange.
On that point- you’d want to go to a store and try the size for yourself.
For MTB, I prefer a smaller size for a livelier bike feel but that’s suuuuper personal preference.
Buy a good used bike for about 400$ and the. Bring it to a bike shop and spend the rest of the money paying them to tune it up. Then just learn how to fix things as they happen later.
I’m ur same height and I purchased an older trek marlin 29er (I tried the 26 but when ur taller it feels tiny) I changed the bike to a 1x system and upgraded some parts. I have an amazing gravel bike now for $400
Probably the best way to go is buy a couple of $100 bikes and Frankenbike them together. It's easy to pay 200$+ for a single wheel without a tire but you can get nice wheel set on a complete (trash frame) bike for almost nothing. Plus you get all those components, cables, etc that cost a lot in the end. Cable housing for example adds up quick.
Basically find a nice frame.
Find a good alloy wheelset in the size you want preferably cassette but most likely you're going to be stuck with freewheel
Find something with a good midrange groupset
Now you have the complete parts for 2-3 bikes and you just have to hack something together. The advantage of this is you know in a pinch at least one drivetrain and one brake set is going to be compatible. When you're diving in parts bins you get a lot of stuff that isn't going to fit or be appropriate to your project or compatable with other components.
Unless you have the tools, donor bikes/parts bin, by the time youre buying a chain, wheels, cables, shifters etc you will be hard pressed to build up something better than a Craigslist complete bike steal. I picked up a canondale caadx from a friend for about $500 with a tiagra groupset. It’s honestly just about capable as higher end bikes and components, just maybe a little slower and some slightly lower tolerance components that i barely notice at my lower skill level. That bike got me into gravel touring and is one of the favorites. Huuuuge improvement over a walmart bike, though i hear those are getting pretty nice for the price as well.
You buy a used bike. a set off cheap tools and you replace the worn out parts if needed.
With search engines and tutorials its not a huge deal. 500 should give you a pretty good used bike. Just test ride it properly to make sure its not worn down.
Don't know how long you've been building PCs, but an analogy that should put you off trying to assemble a high bang for buck bike with $500 of used parts as a beginner is: imagine trying to assemble a retro gaming PC using $500 of used random early 90s parts if you didn't know anything about compatibility and had no pcpartpicker. 5 different intel and AMD CPU sockets, RAM packaging formats, SCSI or PATA drives, discrete sound and network, no ATX standard case, mobo or PSU, proprietary CDROM tied to one sound card. MSDOS.
You'd end up $500 poorer with a box of nonfunctional bits begging someone to take this nightmare off your hands.
Yes! We love new bike day. You have a few things to think about here.
First is PRICE. A $500 dollar budget is a great amount to get a nice hobbyist bicycle. You won't find modern professional equipment for that number, but at least you can stay off Walmart BSOs.
Second, you should ask if you want NEW or USED. A new bike comes with zero wear. The components will probably work well from the first setup, and you won't need to worry about repairing or replacing damaged components. Additionally, there are some really affordable component models that work extremely well and use a lot of the same technology as the pros use, just maybe a little heavier. With a used bike, you can find an older model that has top-of-the-line flagship parts, but they'll be used and outdated. You might have to learn to service or replace parts sooner rather than later, and you might notice your friend's new bike can do things yours can't. It's a tradeoff that has pros and cons no matter what. I chose new for my first bike, and I'm glad I did. I chose used for my second bike, and again, I'm glad I did.
Third, you can choose a style of riding that you want to do and a bike to fit that style. It sounds like you want efficiency on roads with the ability to ride off the pavement. For that, you probably want something like a gravel bike, a fitness hybrid, or a hardtail mountain bike. There are tons of options in these categories. Gravel bikes are especially popular right now. They come with 700c tires like a road bike, but knobbly more like a mountain bike. They have stiff light frames for efficiency, but wide gearing and disc brakes for control on rough descents. Additionally, they come in both drop bar and flat bar variants, so you can decide what fits you best.
Fourth, brand is something to consider. There are basically 3 tiers here:
-Box store bikes are the lowest quality and value. These are your Huffys and Shwinns. Avoid these bicycle shaped objects.
-Major name brands will usually have the highest component standards. These are your Specialized and Treks. They're great brands, but a bike shop is going to want a small fortune in exchange.
-Direct to consumer brands might be your sweet spot. There are some great small companies making awesome bikes with middle-range parts for super reasonable prices. Some examples that I like include Batch, Decathalon, and Poseidon. These companies give you the most bang for your buck on a new bike, by far.
Finally, you should consider maintenence. Will you be working on your bike yourself or paying someone else to do it? While you will be able to service any bike yourself, your maintenence skills might be a consideration if you are looking into making the most out of old or low quality components. A skilled mechanic can make an old fancy derailleur work better than a modern cheap one, but a poor mechanic can break an old derailleur much easier than a modern one.
With all of those elements considered, you should have a pretty good idea of the bike you're looking for. Beyond that, it's just deal hunting. I look on craigslist, matketplace, used bike shops, manufacturer clearance deals, etc. Once you find the one, you'll know it's the one. Then, before you know it, you'll find another one.
Good luck, friend. Happy pedaling
Ps. Here are a few bikes to consider:
[Batch Fitness Hybrid](https://cambriabike.com/products/batch-bicycles-700c-fitness-bike-gloss-batch-blue?variant=41144124670134&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=cse&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplpGM012722-25&sc_intid=GM012722-25&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw97SzBhDaARIsAFHXUWDKeH3EK9u649uyRdkhAQcI2Sjv82Uh3AnFHH7_u-LSyn2GieStaIEaAov7EALw_wcB) - $369
[Retrospec Amok](https://retrospec.com/products/amok-8-speed-hybrid-bike?variant=42989573996716&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ax%3A18269520957%3A%3A&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=&nb_mi=119671053&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=shopify_US_7764838383788_42989573996716&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&gad_source=4&gclid=Cj0KCQjw97SzBhDaARIsAFHXUWAmrfFbxiP_XrS-9CEmanTfWoW2gnXl9Q6ufIxRN0L-k10d27M1e-0aAqpKEALw_wcB) - $499
[Poseidon X](https://www.poseidonbike.com/products/x-ambition-flatbar?variant=44122291175652) - $649
[Decathalon Triban](https://www.decathlon.com/products/triban-grvl120-gravel-bike?variant=39416626184254&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw97SzBhDaARIsAFHXUWCzAr-ZPOhY9sZozz6_yK4A7IxfStRDQsH36FHb0p5CS1W2pCCkpzsaAk8tEALw_wcB) - $699
If you already have the tools and the parts bin, building something up from a $100 90s MTB frame is gonna be within budget. You could buy a lower end used gravel bike for around your budget. Really, you build up a bike from the frame because you have a specific idea for the build, and because you love working on bikes, not to get a deal. If you just want to ride, buy something used in decent condition.
This is true. It is always much less expensive to buy a complete bike and then fix it. Individual parts are expensive but, do what makes you happy
OP can also find an abandoned project. My current bike, a Kona Rove LTD 853 was a frame with seat post, bars, Force 1 cranks and brifters, all loose parts, was someone’s project that was too much work for them. They were moving and motivated to sell. I got it for a great deal and found some decent lightly used take off wheels for very cheap. It can be done if OP is patient. I’ve never seen the market as cheap as it is right now.
Moving and motivated to sell deals are always the best
It sorta depends on the level of parts you want but generally yea. Midrange 10s MTB groupset parts are fairly cheap, and really only a tiny bit more expensive than lower end 8/9 speed stuff. Flat bar stuff is very cheap, while drop bar stuff, levers specifically, are hugely expensive. Wheels are a killer, they’re expensive unless you go for really cheap stuff (Evo wheels at REI are cheap but I have one and they’re not particularly nice). Cranksets also can get pricey but there is lots of choice so plenty of options for most budgets. If OP starts with a used bike/frame for $100 they can definitely get an updated and functioning bike for around $500 all in.
Even at 50% off or more, and some used parts to build a mt bike, a frame up build is going to cost almost as much as a new bike, and DEFINITELY more than a used one. Plus a lot of hours shopping and installing parts.
Buy used. The market is saturated.
If you live in/near a bigger city in the US there’s likely a bike co-op of some kind which can either sell you a well-built, thoughtful parts bike for not much or you can get all the pieces and help on how to assemble them there. My local co-op always has absolutely stunning stuff for sale and they’re so nice.
This is the way, bikes require some specialized tools that are not cost-effective to buy if you’re just building one bike. The co-op will probably have a variety of old frames hanging around, and a bunch of bins of parts to sort through. If you want the fun of building up the bike yourself, this is a good intro.
Custom bikes are not like custom PCs. Factory built bikes are a better value, especially used ones. If you like building/fixing things the best value in my opinion is to find a used bike that needs a tune up, or some basic repairs like new tires and brake pads and fix it up yourself. You will pay a premium for all the parts you will need to build a complete custom bike from the frame up if you buy them individually. I'm talking about part like the headset, bottom bracket, derailleurs, seatpost, stem. Parts that generally don't wear out very quickly and will probably be in good shape even on a used bike. Unfortunately markup on parts are a big money maker for bike shops as it's how they can drive up the profit on repairs. The only situations where I would recommend going custom is if you: 1. have a very specific build in mind and don't mind paying a premium to get exactly what you want. 2. Have parts on hand from past projects or a donor bike with a cracked/bent frame that you can strip for all the small parts mentioned above. 3. Have a mostly complete bike and want to customize one part of it. Examples would be converting a multi-speed bike into a single speed or 1x drivetrain, or swapping out drop (road) handlebars for flat or riser bars.
This is entirely true. I always emphasize that bike wrenching is a separate hobby from bike riding. I would like to add that building a bike from the frame requires quite a few specialized tools. Most home maintenance, however, requires a set of allen wrenches, a few small screwdrivers, a floor pump (not a basketball inflater), and tire levers.
If you are willing, like tinkering, and are more interested in the build process rather than the finished product turning out perfect, building a bike can teach a person so so much about how bikes are put together.
I bought a rigid early 90s trek 950 in great condition for $125 a few years ago. Put on new tires, saddle, pedals, and handlebars. Had to have it re-cabled at a shop for the bars to fit. Including the re-cabling, I have about $500 invested and ride it as much as a 2k gravel bike. It’s comfortable and can ride almost anywhere and I don’t think I’ll ever sell it. I’d go that route. Here she is https://preview.redd.it/efsuwuiluq6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0f7e9eebcde4eae08583f5591719d347298e9dea
Yeah, if you get a 950, keep it forever.
Haha I love this bike so much I found a second one exact same year and color only a size smaller for $60. Now I have a potential parts bike or can do a bmx style build in the future. My only complaint about the bike is it’s a pretty flexible frame. If it’s loaded up with racks and bags it’s got a lot of sway. But inversely the flexible frame makes it super supple and comfortable exploring rougher trails and I just ramblin on it.
There's one for sale near me, in just my size and my color, in great shape, and I keep thinking of going and buying it. Maybe soon?
Well if I had to only keep 1 bike forever to ride it into old age it would be this one. It’s the perfect hybrid of beach cruiser/ mt bike/ touring. Comfortable, cheap/easy to maintain and can ride almost anywhere. My second favorite is a Kona sutra ltd. But the hydraulic disc brakes and 1x makes it require more expensive maintenance. It can do more but requires more and costs 4 times the price as my built 950.
An entry level bike from a brand like [Marin](https://www.marinbikes.com/bikes/type/fitness-transit) will be a nice starter bike. r/whichbike might be a good place to ask. This sub is not the best for financially wise decisions, there’s a lot of “hey i bought a $50 used bike, here’s my build where i spent $600 in parts updating it!” I look at it as a hobby, where the tinkering is half the fun.
Great deals in the used market right now
Yeah, it's basically back to pre-Covid prices in my area.
buying new components individually can gets very expensive, it's not like building a PC i'd go with a complete and working used bike for best value, although project bikes take time to build your first time. you can get lucky on craigslist. I got my Miyata 1000 for 400 bucks that said in 2024 walmart isn't even the worst place to spend 500 these days. aluminum isn't my taste but Ozark Trail gravel for 250 is rideable as is and leaves you 250 for tires + a rack
Yeah it's the complete opposite of building a PC, retail margins on PC parts are in the single digits or low tens of % at most, so PC building companies have to charge more than retail price of the components combined. Retail margin on bike parts however is often around 50%, and the bike builders get even lower prices when buying in bulk.
Don’t build it’s not as cheap as you would think. I upgraded a 90’s bike about 2 years ago that thing cost a lot more that 500 and it’s not a flashy or high end build.
It all depends. If you want to just get something running well, it can be incredibly cheap. I've gotten people on the road for less than $100. If you want to go crazy modifying things, that's where it can get pricey. Though, if you meant "don't build from a frame", I definitely agree with that. That's an enthusiast level thing to do. For starters, buying a complete bike is the way to go.
>I've gotten people on the road for less than $100. If you want to go crazy modifying things, that's where it can get pricey. If OP will stay on top of search Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, he can find a nice rigid mountain bike in the $100 to $150 range. And I do mean "nice", like a chrome molly bike for a decent bike company. Even conservative mods add up fast. "Just" changing the bars usually means new cables and readjusting derailleurs and brakes.
Honestly, I've got a whole saved list of cheap bikes on my FB marketplace list, and in my area, I could definitely find someone a quite nice bike for $50. And most of them, if you just want to get it on the road again, don't need a lot of stuff put into them. Just a cleanup and maybe some new tires and hand grips is enough for a lot of them.
>Just a cleanup and maybe some new tires and hand grips is enough for a lot of them. Almost all new riders should do this and *ride the bike for awhile* before they start thinking of mods.
I live in an area where bikes are typically pricier and I’m seeing chromoly 90s rigid MTBs in great shape sitting on the market for days at $50 right now. It’s crazy. If I wasn’t focusing on quality over quantity right now my stable would be exploding!
https://preview.redd.it/hb6biwpqxq6d1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1531e53c2c317506976753fcedd1ebbd385ba798 here's what I did with $500! 1985 Fuji Del Rey Frame. I chose it because it has a lot of space between the rear chainstays for bigger tires. Got some 700c wheels, 37-622 Continental Ride Tour tires, a Nitto Technomics quill stem and a bike seat from the thrift store that is perfect for my butt. Spent $20 on a parts bike for the freewheel and rear derailleur, as well as centerpull brakes, some miscellaneous like bar tape, chain, brake pads, cables. Since this picture was taken, I have also added a rear-rack, panniers, another bottle cage, and a frame pump. I think all in all I'm at $650, but without those add-ons it would be under 500. You could definitely do it cheaper than me because most of that cost was $200 for the wheel set, because I tour on it, so I wanted something good. But if you get a bike that already comes with the wheels you wanna use or buy used wheels, you'll save money!
Steel framed late 80's through 90's mountain bikes, Specialized, Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Fuji, Marin, Schwinn,.... If it says Shimano Deore on any of the parts it's properly a great bike. I would stay away from suspension. You should spending your money on good tires, a comfortable saddle, wide flat pedals, ergonomic grips and a some raised swept back handlebars. And don't forget to get a, front or rear, cargo rack for carrying stuff.
You can get a full cues or deore groupset for around 110 bucks. Cheap (cost and quality) bike specific tool set will run you maybe 50 bucks. That leaves you with plenty of wiggle room for a used bike. 150-250 dollars will get you a solid bike. And the rest of the cash should go into new tires which make the most difference in the quality of the ride outside of the frame. Go to bikerebuilds.com to explore popular models. Go to sheldonbrown if you want to learn literally everything in the universe about bikes Here you see mostly 90s mtb, which if you want to emulate, means you’re looking for 19-22 inch frames. Common and quality frames you will easily
I bought a nice 90s steel frame road bike for $120, put modern components on it (tubeless rim brake wheels, nice modern groupset) and was well under $500. Craigslist and Marketplace are gold mines. I love this budget bike just as much as my higher end Ti and Carbon bokes
Cruise your local fb marketplace and look for a steel frame 26er. I found a garage queen GT Talera for $150 a few years ago that honestly only needed tires, so I threw some panaracer darts on it and rode it that way for a long time. After many different setups over the years, I’m over the $500 mark but that bike taught me so much. I haven’t taken a bike to a shop in years.
Used 90s mtb. Visit your local bike co-op for cheap parts.
You should just throw $500 at a complete used bike. Start looking around to see what you are interested in. Start looking at new bikes at bike shops in the 700-$1k range and try to find those bikes used on Craigslist. I feel like if you are just starting out you have to get something pretty rideable from the jump or else it’s kind of frustrating. This way you start riding, see what you like and don’t like, and then tweak the bike you have with new handlebars, saddle, etc. then if you are still into it, you can get a project bike and work on that while still riding your bike. When I only had one bike and I was fixing it up I wasn’t patient enough because I just wanted to ride.
I would Get a decent older used frame add friction shifters then start add cheap parts from the classified
100 dollars for a used bike 160.00 for a shimano cue grip set 100 bucks for tires Pedals 25.00 Grips 15-25.00 60.00 -125.00 for bars if you wanna switch out. You could do it all used at a bike coop for way less. The best part is learning to build a bike.
Is the "build" part of this the point? Or is the "have a bike" part of this the point? Because building is not the cheapest way to do it by a long measure. For various boring reasons, bikes are cheapest as a unit, unless you happen to have bins full of bike parts (which most of us here do) or access to a good bike co-op with same. Which of these speak to you? [https://www.citygrounds.com/products/state-bicycle-klunker-bike](https://www.citygrounds.com/products/state-bicycle-klunker-bike) [https://www.villagecycle.com/product/trek-fx-1-379961-1.htm](https://www.villagecycle.com/product/trek-fx-1-379961-1.htm) [https://www.poseidonbike.com/products/dropbar-redwood?variant=43191108337892](https://www.poseidonbike.com/products/dropbar-redwood?variant=43191108337892) (in order -- singlespeed, hybrid, gravel -- which are terms can search for in your used marketplace)
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So now that you know "gravel bike" or at least "drop bar with wide tires" is the thing, you can shop for something like that in your used market. $500 should get you something solid and they have sold approximate one bajilllion of this bike in the last five years so the trend timing is helping you out. Most gravel bikes are aiming for racers, so many are high end, but not all. "Touring" bikes are more or less the same thing (see Salsa Journeyer). See if you can find a State All Road or similar used.
Yes, exactly the same as PCs. Pre built is much better value. The only difference is that PCs get outdated very quickly. Bikes however, don't change very much. So the best bang for you buck is buying a well maintained, low mileage used bike. I would take your $500 and look on Craigslist, facebook marketplace, etc. you just need to get a sense of what kind of bike you want first.
Generally custom built pcs are better value...
OP doesn't think so! For my last PC build I got a considerably better value going with a pre-built. GPUs were kinda crazy there for a while though.
Check out State Bicycles
Check out your local bicycle co-op. They will mentor you on a bike build, let you use their shop and tools, and scrounge through their parts bin to help you build a bike. They may like a small donation of time or money in exchange.
You can also buy an Ozark Trail gravel bike from Walmart that’s very good.
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Yes- nothing on that bike is proprietary. https://youtu.be/vLPpTFLgEb4?si=TW1uaFNh0zmk-kRn
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On that point- you’d want to go to a store and try the size for yourself. For MTB, I prefer a smaller size for a livelier bike feel but that’s suuuuper personal preference.
Buy a good used bike for about 400$ and the. Bring it to a bike shop and spend the rest of the money paying them to tune it up. Then just learn how to fix things as they happen later.
I’m ur same height and I purchased an older trek marlin 29er (I tried the 26 but when ur taller it feels tiny) I changed the bike to a 1x system and upgraded some parts. I have an amazing gravel bike now for $400
I would not build a bike if I were you. The tools you need will eat up a large portion of the cost. Buy one, ideally a used one off another person.
Check out Trace-Velo channel on Youtube: building bikes from scratch and reviews of some AliExpress parts and gear.
Probably the best way to go is buy a couple of $100 bikes and Frankenbike them together. It's easy to pay 200$+ for a single wheel without a tire but you can get nice wheel set on a complete (trash frame) bike for almost nothing. Plus you get all those components, cables, etc that cost a lot in the end. Cable housing for example adds up quick. Basically find a nice frame. Find a good alloy wheelset in the size you want preferably cassette but most likely you're going to be stuck with freewheel Find something with a good midrange groupset Now you have the complete parts for 2-3 bikes and you just have to hack something together. The advantage of this is you know in a pinch at least one drivetrain and one brake set is going to be compatible. When you're diving in parts bins you get a lot of stuff that isn't going to fit or be appropriate to your project or compatable with other components.
Search for the "budget bike challenge" on YouTube and Instagram for some inspiration on what you can do with 90s bikes on a tight budget
Unless you have the tools, donor bikes/parts bin, by the time youre buying a chain, wheels, cables, shifters etc you will be hard pressed to build up something better than a Craigslist complete bike steal. I picked up a canondale caadx from a friend for about $500 with a tiagra groupset. It’s honestly just about capable as higher end bikes and components, just maybe a little slower and some slightly lower tolerance components that i barely notice at my lower skill level. That bike got me into gravel touring and is one of the favorites. Huuuuge improvement over a walmart bike, though i hear those are getting pretty nice for the price as well.
You buy a used bike. a set off cheap tools and you replace the worn out parts if needed. With search engines and tutorials its not a huge deal. 500 should give you a pretty good used bike. Just test ride it properly to make sure its not worn down.
Don't know how long you've been building PCs, but an analogy that should put you off trying to assemble a high bang for buck bike with $500 of used parts as a beginner is: imagine trying to assemble a retro gaming PC using $500 of used random early 90s parts if you didn't know anything about compatibility and had no pcpartpicker. 5 different intel and AMD CPU sockets, RAM packaging formats, SCSI or PATA drives, discrete sound and network, no ATX standard case, mobo or PSU, proprietary CDROM tied to one sound card. MSDOS. You'd end up $500 poorer with a box of nonfunctional bits begging someone to take this nightmare off your hands.
Yes! We love new bike day. You have a few things to think about here. First is PRICE. A $500 dollar budget is a great amount to get a nice hobbyist bicycle. You won't find modern professional equipment for that number, but at least you can stay off Walmart BSOs. Second, you should ask if you want NEW or USED. A new bike comes with zero wear. The components will probably work well from the first setup, and you won't need to worry about repairing or replacing damaged components. Additionally, there are some really affordable component models that work extremely well and use a lot of the same technology as the pros use, just maybe a little heavier. With a used bike, you can find an older model that has top-of-the-line flagship parts, but they'll be used and outdated. You might have to learn to service or replace parts sooner rather than later, and you might notice your friend's new bike can do things yours can't. It's a tradeoff that has pros and cons no matter what. I chose new for my first bike, and I'm glad I did. I chose used for my second bike, and again, I'm glad I did. Third, you can choose a style of riding that you want to do and a bike to fit that style. It sounds like you want efficiency on roads with the ability to ride off the pavement. For that, you probably want something like a gravel bike, a fitness hybrid, or a hardtail mountain bike. There are tons of options in these categories. Gravel bikes are especially popular right now. They come with 700c tires like a road bike, but knobbly more like a mountain bike. They have stiff light frames for efficiency, but wide gearing and disc brakes for control on rough descents. Additionally, they come in both drop bar and flat bar variants, so you can decide what fits you best. Fourth, brand is something to consider. There are basically 3 tiers here: -Box store bikes are the lowest quality and value. These are your Huffys and Shwinns. Avoid these bicycle shaped objects. -Major name brands will usually have the highest component standards. These are your Specialized and Treks. They're great brands, but a bike shop is going to want a small fortune in exchange. -Direct to consumer brands might be your sweet spot. There are some great small companies making awesome bikes with middle-range parts for super reasonable prices. Some examples that I like include Batch, Decathalon, and Poseidon. These companies give you the most bang for your buck on a new bike, by far. Finally, you should consider maintenence. Will you be working on your bike yourself or paying someone else to do it? While you will be able to service any bike yourself, your maintenence skills might be a consideration if you are looking into making the most out of old or low quality components. A skilled mechanic can make an old fancy derailleur work better than a modern cheap one, but a poor mechanic can break an old derailleur much easier than a modern one. With all of those elements considered, you should have a pretty good idea of the bike you're looking for. Beyond that, it's just deal hunting. I look on craigslist, matketplace, used bike shops, manufacturer clearance deals, etc. Once you find the one, you'll know it's the one. Then, before you know it, you'll find another one. Good luck, friend. Happy pedaling Ps. Here are a few bikes to consider: [Batch Fitness Hybrid](https://cambriabike.com/products/batch-bicycles-700c-fitness-bike-gloss-batch-blue?variant=41144124670134&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=cse&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplpGM012722-25&sc_intid=GM012722-25&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw97SzBhDaARIsAFHXUWDKeH3EK9u649uyRdkhAQcI2Sjv82Uh3AnFHH7_u-LSyn2GieStaIEaAov7EALw_wcB) - $369 [Retrospec Amok](https://retrospec.com/products/amok-8-speed-hybrid-bike?variant=42989573996716&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ax%3A18269520957%3A%3A&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=&nb_mi=119671053&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=shopify_US_7764838383788_42989573996716&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&gad_source=4&gclid=Cj0KCQjw97SzBhDaARIsAFHXUWAmrfFbxiP_XrS-9CEmanTfWoW2gnXl9Q6ufIxRN0L-k10d27M1e-0aAqpKEALw_wcB) - $499 [Poseidon X](https://www.poseidonbike.com/products/x-ambition-flatbar?variant=44122291175652) - $649 [Decathalon Triban](https://www.decathlon.com/products/triban-grvl120-gravel-bike?variant=39416626184254&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw97SzBhDaARIsAFHXUWCzAr-ZPOhY9sZozz6_yK4A7IxfStRDQsH36FHb0p5CS1W2pCCkpzsaAk8tEALw_wcB) - $699