>>1910332You are usually much better off buying a poor condition, high end, complete bike, fully stripping it, and rebuilding it. You will learn just as much (more) and cut out a lot of the compatibility and cost frustration.
Otherwise you will get reamed on individual parts. Pic rel for example, I bought for less than the seatpost or silly handlebars alone would have run me on ebay.
Stripping bikes is generally the cheapest way to buy parts too.
You can still go a custom route. Often it will make sense to spec more modern brakes, wider gearing, modify the stem/bars/saddle/pedals for fit reasons, or change the wheels if flogged out, which they usually are.
And you buy all new consumables, tires, chain, brake pads, cables.
Still, all those other little parts really add up in cost when purchased separately, and when you strip a high end old bike and don't use all the parts, you can sell them.
The thing is too if you're starting with a frame and it's your first project what you choose to buy will be arbitrary and you're just spending money for no reason. A frame up custom build is something you should do when you have lots of informed opinions about stuff, and a quality parts bin that is stocked based on opportunity not specific need.
>How hard is it?On one hand it's easy it's like legos on the other hand I don't personally like most custom builds people do, they're folly.
>The vintage steel touring frames are appealing (and not stupid expensive) but I don't know if they play nice with modern parts.Generally they do. Brakes are the complicated parts. The narrowish tire clearance canti braked sport tourers often only work with narrow retro cantis so best to buy one that has brakes on it and get ready for frustration adjusting them. 27" caliper braked bikes are actually quite good because you can convert to 700c and win easy tire clearance. Long reach brakes can be centerpulls or dual pivots but getting that right can be a little bit complicated.
