I try to keep the budget on my build low but feel I've got too much in it already.
I think it's unavoidable and quite normal when have your mind set on what you want to build. I have some stuff in my collection, but only a fraction of that ends up on my build(s). For instance: I have a lote of spare 26" tires, but this time I wanted to use a 28" wheel in the back and that meant buying a new wheel. While mocking up I decided that a 28" in the front would be the best combination to achieve what I had in mind. But that meant also buying a 28" frontwheel. 2nd hand, but still, it all adds up... For this build I've spend $150,- (and the frame was free, remember...) I never thought I would do that...
Other stuff I had laying around or came from other builds. The seat comes from my Cartboardtracker. So should I count that as 'free'? I had to replace it with another that I had laying around but it had been bought new by me, so it has cost me money. Should I add that to my bill? Same goes for the pedals... The aluminum are leftovers from my RRBBO#4-build. That has once cost me money. This year I took it out of my 'parts-box' for free, but two years ago it cost me money..
Hobbies always turn out to be expensive.
I think it's unavoidable and quite normal when have your mind set on what you want to build. I have some stuff in my collection, but only a fraction of that ends up on my build(s). For instance: I have a lote of spare 26" tires, but this time I wanted to use a 28" wheel in the back and that meant buying a new wheel. While mocking up I decided that a 28" in the front would be the best combination to achieve what I had in mind. But that meant also buying a 28" frontwheel. 2nd hand, but still, it all adds up... For this build I've spend $150,- (and the frame was free, remember...) I never thought I would do that...
Other stuff I had laying around or came from other builds. The seat comes from my Cartboardtracker. So should I count that as 'free'? I had to replace it with another that I had laying around but it had been bought new by me, so it has cost me money. Should I add that to my bill? Same goes for the pedals... The aluminum are leftovers from my RRBBO#4-build. That has once cost me money. This year I took it out of my 'parts-box' for free, but two years ago it cost me money..
Hobbies always turn out to be expensive.