I really enjoy building bikes as much as I do riding them and am really getting the itch to build up a new bike. The problem is I already have 2 bikes. One is a 1995 GT Avalanche LE with nothing stock except the frame. Full XTR/Chis King everywhere else. My other bike is a 1999 Psycle Werk Wild Hare 5" travel AM bike with full XTR/Chris King as well. I took a 9 year mountain biking break from 2001 to the beginning of this year so the bikes are in relatively good shape but finding replacement parts is getting harder and harder.
Im really liking the idea of a 29er and think the best bike to replace would be the GT. I like having a hardtail XC/race setup and the longer travel AM bike. I feel they compliment each other well. The problem is, while old, there is really nothing wrong with the GT and if I build up a 29er hardtail then I basically have two very similar bikes.
So Ive started thinking of building up a 29er SS. Currently looking at the 2010 Salsa Mariachi frame and even debating going rigid. Is going rigid in AZ a stupid idea? My thought was I can always convert the Salsa to a suspension geared hardtail if the GT takes dump and a rigid SS is the most economical build. What are your thoughts?
I do most of my riding at Usery and Hawes because its close to my house but will be riding everywhere and anywhere I can. (wife and new baby allowing) Thanks in advance.
Im really liking the idea of a 29er and think the best bike to replace would be the GT. I like having a hardtail XC/race setup and the longer travel AM bike. I feel they compliment each other well. The problem is, while old, there is really nothing wrong with the GT and if I build up a 29er hardtail then I basically have two very similar bikes.
So Ive started thinking of building up a 29er SS. Currently looking at the 2010 Salsa Mariachi frame and even debating going rigid. Is going rigid in AZ a stupid idea? My thought was I can always convert the Salsa to a suspension geared hardtail if the GT takes dump and a rigid SS is the most economical build. What are your thoughts?
I do most of my riding at Usery and Hawes because its close to my house but will be riding everywhere and anywhere I can. (wife and new baby allowing) Thanks in advance.
