Trying to find a complete BFe for sale, but not having much luck. Unfortunately I don’t have the space or the tools to build my own at the moment, so buying a frame only is not an option.

If I bought all the components, how much should I expect to pay for my LBS to build one for me? I don’t have a massive budget, so I’ll buy a second hand frame and components, and then hopefully not have to splurge too much money on paying someone to build it… any advice?

Cheers!

I see you’re in Manchester? If you were darn sari (Farnborough-ish) it would have been my pleasure to do it for you 🙂

Where abouts in the country are you? I’m sure someone on here would be willing to put it togeather to biscuits and beer. LBS would be around £80-100 I think.

LBS’s usualy charge £80-£100 to do it. Expect to pay more as however much stuff you buy there’ll always be cables, spacers, etc that you’ll end up buying from them.

You could always get a 2nd hand frame, then buy the headset and BB from the LBS and they might fit them free. Pretty much everything else fit’s with allen keys.

Buy it from 18bikes… they will do everything for you.

http://www.shop.18bikes.co.uk/products.php?plid=m5b0s433p1668

http://www.18bikes.co.uk/content/18_bikes_brands.php

I built my BFe for about 1300 all in but using all new parts. Wouldn’t sell it for much less than £2k cos I love it so much! set up with revelations, elixir cr brakes and slx/xt mixed groupset. If I were you I would build one up yourself. It took me about 4 months to get a good deal on all the parts but it was well worth the effort in the end!

If you have space to store the bike, you should have space to build it. I built mine in the (small) living room of my apartment. I managed to borrow the few bike specific tools needed (BB spanner, chain tool, cable cutters) but it’s honestly not a big expense, considering. Just get Cotic to install the headset for you and the rest is mostly just allen keys.

Was about to suggest getting it from 18 Bikes, get the train out there from Manchester and ride it home 😉

Holster,
I’ve done 3 bfe builds in last year. All from collection of parts/budgets. Happy to help, advise on spec etc.
Happy to do the build for you to your spec. If you want to contact me on bespokec2u@gmail.com I’m in Preston ,Lancs. let me know.
Richard

Thanks for all the suggestions. Will have a look at how much it would cost at 18bikes. If that breaks the bank, then maybe I’ll take the plunge and build it myself… seems like it probably takes less space/tools than I thought.

This guy manages to make it look pretty straightforward…

I tink dat cotic will install the bb and headset for you. everything else is allen keys..

As above, facing the frame and fitting the BB, cranks and headset require specialist tools. Otherwise you’ll be able to build a bike with nothing more than a £15 Halfords tool box. They really are simple.

I’d always recommend you build it yourself; it provides a great sense of achievement, and you’ll be better placed to fix it once you understand how it goes together.

Fitting SFN in forks, Cutting steerer tube, HT BB Preload crank cap and Cassette fitting all aren’t allen keys. The tools are cheap enough to pick up however failing that i’m sure a local STW’er would lend you one. As I said before if you’re in staffordshire i’d be happy to help.

True.. Fittin sfn I’ve always done with a longer bolt a socket and a rubber mallet without any drama, steerer can be cut with a hacksaw. Cassette good point.

I’d be happy to build it for you, I’m just over the hill from you near junct 23, or talk you through it while lending you my tools (and tutting etc )

Cheap but contains most things and for odd builds and maintenance does the job

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=bike+hand+tool+kit+for+shimano&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=10488879824678518532&sa=X&ei=RzkZUc73HdK20QXz_YG4BA&ved=0CEMQ8wIwAg

I just don’t see the justification for park tools etc if you only do occasional stuff

I’d always recommend you build it yourself; it provides a great sense of achievement, and you’ll be better placed to fix it once you understand how it goes together.

This is worth repeating.

This is worth repeating.

As you wish:

I’d always recommend you build it yourself; it provides a great sense of achievement, and you’ll be better placed to fix it once you understand how it goes together.

😉

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1226981/
This fit the bill?
Looks a good buy.

Thanks everyone – I’m now very much considering building it myself… no doubt I’ll be calling on you guys for some help (and tools!).

tricky dicky – I agreed a sale with the seller of that bike about 3 weeks ago, but he seems to be stalling for some reason 🙁 , so I’ve decided to look elsewhere…or build my own it now seems!

The offer’s there then…. you can have the pleasure of building it yourself, and have the use of whatever tools and tutelage you need.

Holster – £80 and i will build it for you if you bring the parts over to the peaks (sk17)