When you're building up a new bike, what parts do you prioritize?

[XXtwindad]

I'm in the (very slow) process of building up a few bikes. The budget allows for spending more on some items, and less on others. I've always thought a bike's "contact points" were the most crucial. (This is assuming a frame fits comfortably)

So: 1) wheels 2) tires 3) saddle.

I know several people who consider the wheelset more important than a bike frame. (This thinking might be heretical for this audience...)

Curious what other people would prioritize spending on ...

[Mzilliox]

wheels, shifty bits, saddle, bars. there aren't many parts really

[josephr]

If I'm building a new bike from the frame up, I already have my mind set as to how I'd like the bike built up in terms of wheels, drive-train, contact stuff, etc. There's no way you can ride a bike without these, so to me its just a matter of time/budget more than which I buy first. If I don't have the cash-on-hand to get what I want (its a new bike and all) I just wait until the paycheck and bills balance out while the new bike hangs out in the stand. I guess that's the luxury of having a small fleet of bikes is that I've got bikes to ride while the new one is in the build process.

[dpdan93]

wheels....

the difference between a beautiful bike looking like it should vs looking like its fro Walmart imho

[zmalwo]

prioritize shifting bits to 105 + then cockpit -> wheels to sub 1700g -> frame -> wheels to highest affordable-> shifting bits to highest affordable. once you get your shifting bits to 105 equivalent then your gain becomes extremely marginalized, plus higher grouppos usually last shorter than 105 or ultegra, athena or chorus.

[Burning Pines]

Never ride ****ty tires

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by Burning Pines

Never ride ****ty tires

Tires are pretty clutch I will admit. Saddle is a big one too.

Handlebars too but I can ride pretty much everything but I have my preferences.

[vincenz]

Other than the frame I feel like saddle is most important for me. I only have one saddle I like and it goes on all my bikes. Every other component can be substituted imo.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by vincenz

Other than the frame I feel like saddle is most important for me. I only have one saddle I like and it goes on all my bikes. Every other component can be substituted imo.

Which saddle? I really like the Specialized Phenom Expert.

[weisan]

In every build that I do, these are the non-optional, that means, I must have them, everything else I don't care, I just use whatever I have.

11-34 cassette
Long cage derailleur
Specialized Toupe 143 saddle for road, WTB Pure V for off-road
Shimano SPD-SL pedal for road, SPD for off-road
Wide-profile rims
25-28mm tires for road, 43-48mm for off-road

[shinomaster]

Cranks have to be beautiful. No exceptions!

[shinomaster]

oops..

[martl]

depends on what i'M shooting for, whether it be Bike#1, daily rider, collection piece etc...

for a bike i intend to ride in a non-museum-environment, it would be, in that order (for a given frame):

- saddle - nothing influences riding experience more
- shifting system including RD - if its an intergated system like STI/ergo, looks come into it
- brakes
- handlebar form, both for comfort and looks
- wheels for performance and weight

for looks mostly:
- crankset
- bar tape
- stem
- seatpost (setback is a fit issue as well)

other:
- FD
- chain - has to work, all else is secondary
- pedals - autochoose because of shoes

(i never ride bad tires so they aren't in the equation)

[vqdriver]

if you want to complete the builds and have them all be rideable, just focus on the contact points first.
fwiw, i consider drivetrain to be a contact point just because i spend so much time on the levers themselves. at this time, any of the major drivetrain makers work really really well, so comfort and usability are my only distinguishing factors.

[Red Tornado]

My first five:
Wheels
Handlebar (for shape, reach, etc)
Saddle
Tires
Crankset/BB