Cheap bike for a turbo, or build a bike for it?

[helenhh]

I've recently become the lucky owner of a fancy direct drive turbo.

Up to now, I've been using my very old road bike (1992 vintage...) on a normal turbo where you leave the rear wheel on. That old bike is not compatible with the new turbo (shifters, hub width etc.)

I want to have it set up all the time with a bike on it rather than put my good road bike on it. So, I'm trying to figure out the best option.

- Get a cheap new or used road bike but it still needs to be able to handle a 10/11 cog cassette. (I'm nervous about "cheap" used bikes in case they are stolen. )  I looked at Phil's usedbikes.ie but didn't see anything cheap enough really.

- Get a cheap steel/alloy frame and build a bike. The only bits I don't need though are rear wheel, cassette and brakes. I don't know how cheaply that could be done. Does anyone have experience with bike building? How hard is it for a novice?

I'm thinking also about using this as an opportunity to swap out the 10 speed 105 on my good bike for an 11 speed. I could put that 10 speed 105 kit on the turbo bike.

Any advice or ideas?

[Deleted]

Get a new race bike, and now put your old race bike on the trainer.

No need to thank me for the stellar advice!

[britta]

Hi Helen,

in general I would go with Robs Advice but i have seen your Bike , so no that is not a option, if you look for a second hand bike than go to a bike shop most smaller bike shops do accept trade in bikes ok they might be not the newest edition but I think you should find a good bargain
So see you soon on a zwift ride ?

[cbigley]

Helen, building your own bike isn't that hard if you're willing to give it a go. Presuming you are just putting the gears into a frame and not building wheels then it is just a matter of taking the parts and swapping. Just need to make sure things like the front deralier are the same size / fitting (brazen or band on) - you won't need brakes so that will save you. You should be able to pick up a frame for 200 or less no problem. But you might need to include the price of a new saddle and post/ stem and bars. Bar tape / pedals / gear cables.

[helenhh]

Oct 6, 2015 20:11:20 GMT britta said:

Hi Helen,

in general I would go with Robs Advice but i have seen your Bike , so no that is not a option, if you look for a second hand bike than go to a bike shop most smaller bike shops do accept trade in bikes ok they might be not the newest edition but I think you should find a good bargain
So see you soon on a zwift ride ?

I will go to a few local ones and see. I will indeed see you on Zwift soon. Joe is there fairly regularly...

[helenhh]

Oct 6, 2015 21:06:52 GMT cbigley said:

Helen, building your own bike isn't that hard if you're willing to give it a go. Presuming you are just putting the gears into a frame and not building wheels then it is just a matter of taking the parts and swapping. Just need to make sure things like the front deralier are the same size / fitting (brazen or band on) - you won't need brakes so that will save you. You should be able to pick up a frame for 200 or less no problem. But you might need to include the price of a new saddle and post/ stem and bars. Bar tape / pedals / gear cables.

People build wheels? That bit sounds fairly advanced. I'll definitely consider it so. If I ask my husband nicely he might assist.

[cbigley]

Yep - ever since the little elves packed up and left