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À la carte 29er build?

1267 Views 22 Replies 10 Participants Last post by dirtrider7, Jan 13, 2010

dirtrider7

Discussion Starter · Jan 9, 2010

Just picked up the frame and fork below...2010 Paragon with Fox 51mm offset 80mm fork for my first 29er build. I would have bought a complete bike but as with many that frequent this great site, I am a bit too fussy for settle for a std. build. I am fine with many generic components and not looking to buid a high end bike but rather a value build with decent quality relative to price.

I would like to pool the collective 29er consciousness for best way to skin that proverbial component cat.

The build I am considering is Sram X.9 shifters/derailleurs and Avid BB-7 brakes which is pretty generic stuff and therefore I am looking around for the best deal on the rear cassette, chain, shifters, brake handles, BB-7 brakes etc. Anybody know of this component mix group out there? Pricepoint has this mix except with a crankset I don't really want. I am leaning toward the Stylo Oct double for this build however am open to other short ratio doubles as well...old legs.

I am also open to different wheelsets however the saddle, bars, stem, seatpost, pedals etc are pretty much predetermined and not worth mentioning.

Maybe at the end of the day, shifters, derailleurs, brakes etc need to be picked up separately as well as perhaps I may not be able to find a larger group that satisfies the above. Another option I guess would be to buy the Pricepoint groupset with triple cranks and then Ebay that crankset I don't want.

Suggestions?
Thanks.

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BruceBrown

· #2 · Jan 9, 2010

dirtrider7 said:
Just picked up the frame and fork below...2010 Paragon with Fox 51mm offset 80mm fork for my first 29er build. I would have bought a complete bike but as with many that frequent this great site, I am a bit too fussy for settle for a std. build. I am fine with many generic components and not looking to buid a high end bike but rather a value build with decent quality relative to price.

I would like to pool the collective 29er consciousness for best way to skin that proverbial component cat.

The build I am considering is Sram X.9 shifters/derailleurs and Avid BB-7 brakes which is pretty generic stuff and therefore I am looking around for the best deal on the rear cassette, chain, shifters, brake handles, BB-7 brakes etc. Anybody know of this component mix group out there? Pricepoint has this mix except with a crankset I don't really want. I am leaning toward the Stylo Oct double for this build however am open to other short ratio doubles as well...old legs.

I am also open to different wheelsets however the saddle, bars, stem, seatpost, pedals etc are pretty much predetermined and not worth mentioning.

Maybe at the end of the day, shifters, derailleurs, brakes etc need to be picked up separately as well as perhaps I may not be able to find a larger group that satisfies the above. Another option I guess would be to buy the Pricepoint groupset with triple cranks and then Ebay that crankset I don't want.

Suggestions?

Do you want new or used? Chain and cassette you've got to go new, of course. But nothing wrong with saving some money if you can on some used X.9 and BB7's. Or getting those components new as OEM take offs. Piecemeal certainly can work (I always do it), just keep in mind that each piece will have the shipping charge which adds up. But, if done correctly with miser eBaying and online deals shopping - you can still come out cheaper than buying everything new in one shot. Everything you are looking for can be had new or used on eBay (just watch those shipping charges).

BB

dirtrider7

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 9, 2010

Hi Bruce,
Thanks for your perspective. I figured many just pick this stuff up piecemeal on ebay...how I build my road bikes...but sometimes purchase combo groupsets as well.

Here is the Pricepoint Sram X.9 group I was considering..about 500 bones:
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/15355-120_SRAX96_KIT-3-Parts-55-Groups/Sram-X.9-Disc-Group.htm

Don't think I want to build with that crankset and would ebay it. Not sure what the return would be there but the groupset sans cranks is what I am looking for. I generally buy new btw on ebay or new takeoffs as you mention unless I can really discern what kind of miles and condition the used parts are.

Thanks.

RedGreen

· #4 · Jan 9, 2010

go to your local bike shop and buy your stuff from there and support your local economy.

bike shops are generally slow this time of year (if there's snow present) and should be able to devote a lot of time to getting you the parts you want, heck they may even give you a good deal.

dirtrider7

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 9, 2010

RedGreen said:
go to your local bike shop and buy your stuff from there and support your local economy.

bike shops are generally slow this time of year (if there's snow present) and should be able to devote a lot of time to getting you the parts you want, heck they may even give you a good deal.

Understanding that altruism starts at home, I will make a deal with you. I will get a quote from my local bike shop for the stuff I want and then get a quote on line...many on line retails are also brick and morter bike shops btw. All I ask is you pay the difference.

RedGreen

· #6 · Jan 10, 2010

dirtrider7 said:
Understanding that altruism starts at home, I will make a deal with you. I will get a quote from my local bike shop for the stuff I want and then get a quote on line...many on line retails are also brick and morter bike shops btw. All I ask is you pay the difference.

Very true, and I too have bought bike parts online but have found that parts purchased at a bike shop are easier to get fixed when they break (and they will break, that's what bikes do). Shops are more willing to fix parts and bikes that they sold to you rather than ones you bought online and many shops (like the one that employs me) have service policies that offer free tune-ups or repairs on bikes/parts bought from them. Find a shop you like and they won't steer you wrong. It's worth it to have someone to offer advice, service, and maybe even go riding with, rather than saving $20 on a seatpost in my opinion. It just depends on how long you want your local bike shops to be around. But to each his own I suppose

singlespeedbuss

· #7 · Jan 10, 2010

Just get a complete XT build kit. Colorado cyclists seems to have good prices, Shimano even has 29r wheelsets.

dirtrider7

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 10, 2010

RedGreen said:
Very true, and I too have bought bike parts online but have found that parts purchased at a bike shop are easier to get fixed when they break (and they will break, that's what bikes do). Shops are more willing to fix parts and bikes that they sold to you rather than ones you bought online and many shops (like the one that employs me) have service policies that offer free tune-ups or repairs on bikes/parts bought from them. Find a shop you like and they won't steer you wrong. It's worth it to have someone to offer advice, service, and maybe even go riding with, rather than saving $20 on a seatpost in my opinion. It just depends on how long you want your local bike shops to be around. But to each his own I suppose

Yup, to each his own. Tune ups at a bike shop? I would never let a bike shop tech touch any of my bikes. Truth is they can't adjust a bike as well as I can mostly because of lack of expertise, time or due care. If I had a nickel for every bike I have retuned after coming out of a bike shop tune up, I would be a wealth man. Further, I don't want to take my bike there nor expend the time to wait for them. If parts break I either take it up with the mfr or toss them or fix them myself.
Bike shops have their place but I would say bike shops in general are the last place for those to turn if they build their bikes from scratch. I virtually never go into a bike shop. I do wish them well however and they perform a great service for those that aren't aren't inclined to either build or service their own bikes which likely is the majority who ride. I glad you support yours and long live bike shops.

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dirtrider7

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 10, 2010

singlespeedbuss said:
Just get a complete XT build kit. Colorado cyclists seems to have good prices, Shimano even has 29r wheelsets.

You have a link? I went to their site and couldn't find a complete XT build kit. Further, I have never found their prices to be competitive.
Thanks.

jmadams13

· #10 · Jan 10, 2010

dirtrider7 said:
Yup, to each his own. Tune ups at a bike shop? I would never let a bike shop tech touch any of my bikes. Truth is they can't adjust a bike as well as I can mostly because of lack of expertise, time or due care. If I had a nickel for every bike I have retuned after coming out of a bike shop tune up, I would be a wealth man. Further, I don't want to take my bike there nor expend the time to wait for them. If parts break I either take it up with the mfr or toss them or fix them myself.
Bike shops have their place but I would say bike shops in general are the last place for those to turn if they build their bikes from scratch. I virtually never go into a bike shop. I do wish them well however and they perform a great service for those that aren't aren't inclined to either build or service their own bikes which likely is the majority who ride. I glad you support yours and long live bike shops.

Careful there bud, you are entering shaky ground talking like that. Myself, and I'm sure many here take offense to that statement. I am no longer a wrench at a shop, but was for some time, and I will say that I took PRIDE in my job. Yeah, I may not be the best out there, but I know my stuff, and treated EVERY bike like it was my own. As do all the techs in that shop. Attention to detail is worth a little time IMO

I also know that this is not a job you do to make money, you do it because you love it. Maybe you have had a few bad experiences in your area. We have them too. There were two shops in the town I was working, and we repeatedly got repairs from people who didn't like the service in the other shop. But that is no reason to say that we are any better than them.

If you like working on your own stuff, thats great. Its encouraged. But it is EXTREMELY UNFAIR AND SMALL MINDED to through out statements like that. If you are so much better than the techs at the shop, than why do you need to ask bunch of internet people whom you have never met, and its hard to have a real conversation with on advise on what to buy and where to get it. I think you need to take some time and get your priorities straight.

Sorry, rant over. I just took offense to that statement. I know there is the good and the bad shops out there, but they all need a little help out right now. Point being, I am no longer a wrench for the sole reason of lack of business. Shops make most of the money off repairs, and this time of year its even more important, but goods is a nice way to make up the slack right now. If less people bought online goods, I would still have a job.

And another thing, no one said you have to have them install it for you. Its totally okay to buy it from them and install it yourself.

Okay, I guess my rant wasn't over, but I fell I speak for more than a few here.

....I need more coffee....

I apologize for unloading on you like that. Its just that attitude will get you no where.

Now.... I will go against my own judgment for the sake of contributing and as an apology and say check out greenfish sports. They have decent groups available at times. I remember seeing a X9 group without brakes (chain, cassette, X9 RD, X7 FD, X9 shifters, cables and housings) a few weeks ago for dirt, and qualified for free shipping

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KarlP

· #11 · Jan 10, 2010

Check out Chain Reaction Cycles in the UK

I've found some "great" deals at Chain Reaction Cycles over in England (of all places). Even with the shipping they have some unbelievable deals on components. A buddy of mine got a brand new XTR crankset for something like $265 last year.

As far as a wheelset, I picked up a set of American Classics (last year) for a little over $400 (on e-bay). And, I love them...spin fast and are nice and light. :thumbsup:

JohnGray

· #12 · Jan 10, 2010

KarlP said:
I've found some "great" deals at Chain Reaction Cycles over in England (of all places). Even with the shipping they have some unbelievable deals on components. A buddy of mine got a brand new XTR crankset for something like $265 last year.

As far as a wheelset, I picked up a set of American Classics (last year) for a little over $400 (on e-bay). And, I love them...spin fast and are nice and light. :thumbsup:

The one thing about Chain Reaction is that the deals are great in part because they are not collecting VAT on non-EU customers. You may find a bill for import duties from the US gov in the mail later, so keep that in mind. In general, though, the deals are still pretty good and better than what you'll find on this side of the pond on European components - esp UK brands like Hope or Middleburn.

Also so if you can find a good deal on some hydro brakes. I've got BB7 and Juicy 7 and like the Juicy better - not to open the whole cable versus hydro debate in that same thread as an LBS debate. At this point you may find a deal on '09 Juicy 7s (no longer in production) that make it worth it, or some Elixir 5s on a good sale.

I just did this myself, too. There are plenty of "deals" but as other's have noted the shipping can really erode any savings quickly. There are also plenty of sources that will offer free shipping on all or part of the order. Shop 'til ya' drop on a couple of site and then compare the total at check-out (after the shipping has been calculated). You can then adjust the contents of you shopping cart on each site until you get the best total deal on what you want - you'll save 10 bucks(?). Only worth it, IMO, if it satisfies your own personal OCD about your build. I had a blast.

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dirtrider7

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 10, 2010

jmadams13 said:
Careful there bud, you are entering shaky ground talking like that. Myself, and I'm sure many here take offense to that statement. I am no longer a wrench at a shop, but was for some time, and I will say that I took PRIDE in my job. Yeah, I may not be the best out there, but I know my stuff, and treated EVERY bike like it was my own. As do all the techs in that shop. Attention to detail is worth a little time IMO

I also know that this is not a job you do to make money, you do it because you love it. Maybe you have had a few bad experiences in your area. We have them too. There were two shops in the town I was working, and we repeatedly got repairs from people who didn't like the service in the other shop. But that is no reason to say that we are any better than them.

If you like working on your own stuff, thats great. Its encouraged. But it is EXTREMELY UNFAIR AND SMALL MINDED to through out statements like that. If you are so much better than the techs at the shop, than why do you need to ask bunch of internet people whom you have never met, and its hard to have a real conversation with on advise on what to buy and where to get it. I think you need to take some time and get your priorities straight.

Sorry, rant over. I just took offense to that statement. I know there is the good and the bad shops out there, but they all need a little help out right now. Point being, I am no longer a wrench for the sole reason of lack of business. Shops make most of the money off repairs, and this time of year its even more important, but goods is a nice way to make up the slack right now. If less people bought online goods, I would still have a job.

And another thing, no one said you have to have them install it for you. Its totally okay to buy it from them and install it yourself.

Okay, I guess my rant wasn't over, but I fell I speak for more than a few here.

....I need more coffee....

I apologize for unloading on you like that. Its just that attitude will get you no where.

Now.... I will go against my own judgment for the sake of contributing and as an apology and say check out greenfish sports. They have decent groups available at times. I remember seeing a X9 group without brakes (chain, cassette, X9 RD, X7 FD, X9 shifters, cables and housings) a few weeks ago for dirt, and qualified for free shipping

I won't incite the lbs debate any further other than to say it is waged on many a bike message board and for good reason.. For the discriminating, the work many times isn't up to a high standard from wheel balancing to headset adjustment to properly tuning a derailleur. It takes time to properly adjust a decent bicycle and something not every tech has with a heavy backlog. Yes, it depends on the bike shop.

Why come here? Because the collective wisdom on this great site eclipses parochial knowledge at any given bike shop plain and simple. I can sort out fact from fiction when it comes to advice.
Good luck to you and thanks for the advice on Greenfish Sports.

dirtrider7

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jan 10, 2010

Thanks for your comments about Chain Reaction guys. I too have had good luck with buying component groups from the UK for road bikes. Some definition economy there especially with Campagnolo parts which I know aren't part of the mountain bike scene.
I will check them out and thanks again.

jmadams13

· #15 · Jan 10, 2010

Im not gonna debate it any further, just want to say that you made a point on time. Its all about taking pride in your work, and taking the time to do it right. No matter what the job or skill may be. Just don't let some bad experiences ruin your opionion and further experiences.

Think about checking out universal cyclist. They have some good deals from time to time

dirtrider7

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 10, 2010 (Edited)

jmadams13 said:
Im not gonna debate it any further, just want to say that you made a point on time. Its all about taking pride in your work, and taking the time to do it right. No matter what the job or skill may be. Just don't let some bad experiences ruin your opionion and further experiences.

Think about checking out universal cyclist. They have some good deals from time to time

Thanks and no offense. In the same vain as your advice of "don't let some bad experience ruin your opinion and further experience"...my counterpoint is, don't let your particular experience of working at a good shop and taking the time to do the job right, distort your view of how many bad shops there are out there. If you want to have a good laugh start a thread on the best bike shop f-ups members have seen. That will make for some good comedy. The best laugh I had when it comes to a shop built bike is a road bike my best friend bought locally from a well know shop...a Giant TCR with Ultegra. The shop set the bike up with the exposed derailleur cables crossed on the downtube. I told him to take the bike back and have them do it right and their response is they have sold a hundred of them and set them up all the same way. This is what I mean. This transcends not caring or time compression...pure incompetence. I put his bike on the stand and routing his cables properly. Start the thread if you want some good entertainment.

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DroopyDawg

· #17 · Jan 10, 2010

Just can't let it go!

dirtrider7 said:
Thanks and no offense...Blah, blah, blah...

CanYa?

pray4snoww

· #18 · Jan 10, 2010

Blueskycycling.com has some good build kits. Maybe you could buy these two:

http://www.blueskycycling.com/product5479_67_-Shimano-XT-and-Sram-X.9-Kit.htm

http://www.blueskycycling.com/product1630_70_-Avid-BB7-Disc-Brake-Combo-Kit.htm

You could either ebay the triple XT crank (maybe you could get $200+?) and buy one you want for less or just slap on a bash guard in place of the third ring. Obviously you would have to buy everything else one at a time.

Happy hunting.

dirtrider7

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jan 10, 2010

pray4snoww said:
Blueskycycling.com has some good build kits. Maybe you could buy these two:

http://www.blueskycycling.com/product5479_67_-Shimano-XT-and-Sram-X.9-Kit.htm

http://www.blueskycycling.com/product1630_70_-Avid-BB7-Disc-Brake-Combo-Kit.htm

You could either ebay the triple XT crank (maybe you could get $200+?) and buy one you want for less or just slap on a bash guard in place of the third ring. Obviously you would have to buy everything else one at a time.

Happy hunting.

Thank you. Nice mix and rght up my alley and what I was looking for. Very competitive prices and the right parts. The XT triple will work nicely in fact. I just didn't want the Truvativ crankset from Pricepoint...prefer Shimano crank and BB. Do you have any personal experience with blueskycyling? I have never ordered from them.
Thanks again.

pray4snoww

· #20 · Jan 10, 2010

I've had lots of experience with bluesky and I get everything I order extremely quick. They are based out of California so delivery time probably varies depending on where you live but I live in Utah and get everything in 3 days with ground shipping. I've never had to return anything so I don't how they are to work with if something goes wrong. I know it doesn't mean much but they claim to have a good return policy.

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