Was it a bad idea..?

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Hey, just wanted to get you guys opinions. I am a bit of a newbie to cycling an have made just about every mistake you can..at least it feels that way. :o

I really got started when I bought a Marin novato for 444$ and thought "wow" since before then I was a wal-mart rider. Then, 2 months later it was stolen right off my porch. I was in a bit of a bad situation..bike was my only transportation and I needed a way to work. so I borrowed 200$ and got a iron horse quantum from a LBS. Then I went a little..crazy..on ebay and that Iron Horse eventually turned into this:

http://www.geocities.com/mia_zikorsky/HPIM0044.jpg

Haro vgf v4 frame, double butted Aluminum: 73$
Vuelta dischub wheels: 120$
Shimano Deore Crank/BB: 0$ (traded in parts)
Sram X-gen Front Derailer: 0$ (traded in parts)
Shimano deore shifters
Shimano deore Cassette
Shimano XT Rear derailer: 110$
American Classic seatpost: 0$ (traded in parts)
Trek Chromoly fork: 5$
Deore brake levers: 0$ (traded in parts)
Shimano LX v-brakes: 50$
Titec barends: 10$
tires: 30$
400$ + 200$ for original Ironhore

I traded almost every single piece of the ironhorse for higher quality stuff, in addition to out of pocket costs. All together, I'd say I spent 600$.


My only issues:
Tires go flat..2-3 times a week :eek:
Brakes squealed today..but stopped tonight..
Seatpost slips all the way down on the big bumps.

So, all things taken into account..did I waste alota money? Should I have just toughed it out, saved up and got a 600$ premade bike? Would it be better? (For my use, road/sidewalks/short 'touring'(like 30-60 miles) )

"Seatpost slips all the way down on the big bumps." - the post is probably the wrong diamiter for the frame.

in general its cheaper to buy a whole prebuilt bike than to upgrade like that.

You have spent a lot of money; hopefully, you have learned a lot about bikes.

being kinda anal about that kinda stuff myself the question to ask yourself is.
did you enjoy putting it together? is it fun to ride? and did you learn stuff to help you on your next project?

i agree. didja have fun putting it together and working on it? that's gotta be worth some $$.

agree about seatpost. check diameter and make sure it's the right size.

do your tires just loose some air or do they go totally flat? mine lose pressure and i pump them up every time i ride but they never go totally flat between rides.

brake noise is often due to an improper pad angle. the front (away from the rider) part of the pad should engage the rim just slightly before the rest of it.

Well, its hard to say..I guess I sort of enjoy bargain hunting and such to get the prices I did on all my parts. I also like the level of customization, being able to pick where I want my money invested. I learned quite a bit more about bikes now that I've been through this. All and all I guess if you consider all the intangible assets i may have come out even. Now if I could only iron out the simple stuff.. LoL

So as far as my issues..The seatpost IS the correct diameter. It is 27.2mm and the next size up would Definately NOT fit the frame. The problem..I THINK is because the seatpost clamp is made by ironhorse for ironhorse frames..which feature lots of Oversized tubing. I think the clamp is just too big. Also it looks like the bolt or something is bending a little when tightened all the way. I looked at it and the bending seems to be occuring at where the lever and bolt join.

As far as the tires..they go totally flat..and I sorta exaggerated. Its only like once a week or so..but still thats way to much. Half the time I find the offending object that caused the flat. Ranging from a peice of glass, a staple, and a rusty nail. LOL I am going to buy new, kevlar belted tires AND kevlar inserts too. That should make for some bulletproof tires.

And, as for the brakes..Umm..I can't verify anything. The noise can only be reproduced when I'm riding it. The pull from the momentum of my weight makes the noise. Maybe they need to be cleaned? Tightened? They have that shimano parralell linkage that makes the pads land flat-on so I'm not sure how I'd make the front land before the back..