Headset, BB and crank are all going to depend on which frame you get.

Headset especially....some of those Chinese frames have very confusing HS standards.

 

How much do you plan to spend on the frameset? I'd suggest finding the right frameset and receiving it before you invest in the parts. Otherwise, you may have to send things back.

A lot of bikes are available online at good prices that are not Chinese carbon.

When I built up a Surly Krampus last year, I got my wheelset from Velomine. Highly recommend for high quality low price wheels.

Other than that, check Performance, Nashbar, Chainreaction Cycles. Ribble Cycles, to start. Plus Competitive Cyclist. Definitely Ribble for a group set. But be patient and don't buy before the frameset.

 

2015 Trek Superfly 9.7 Carbon 19.5" PRICE DROP!!! For Sale $1800.
Done. Best geo and engineered rear vertical compliance. It already has the right parts installed.
2015 Trek Superfly 9.7 Carbon 19.5" PRICE DROP!!! For Sale

 

Competitive cyclist has two carbon frames on sale for $1199.00 right now. And one is full suspension. (No fork, but still).

Mountain Bikes & Frames - Full Suspension & Hard Tail | Competitive Cyclist

And Performance has two carbon Ridley frames on sale for $499.00.

One with 29" wheels, and one with 27.5"

Mountain Bike Frames: Carbon & Suspension MTB Frames=

Looking at that Ridley, it's a steal at that price. Thick chainstays, internal cable routing. Stable handling. Nice.

 

There is a "Where's the best deal" forum down below so go there and start looking for parts.

Might be better saving money by going with slightly used eBay or classified deals. Frame, fork and wheels are going to be your biggest expenditures. And while you believe those items are more "trail" riding it really is subjective so be very specific about component selection and try to think about where and how you will ride in the future.

Couple other things...
Axle/hub standards are now moving more towards BOOST front and rear so if you CAN foot the bill for the newer standard it may be worthwhile.

Wheels, I always shy away from carbon because, as my wheel builder told me, "if you have a nasty trail crash where you taco a rim you can at least trail-tru an aluminum/metal rim and gently ride out. With carbon, if its cracked/broken you are walking regardless."

Fork.... REALLY subjective but main brands that everyone raves about are FOX and RS. I personally HATE FOX with a passion simply because they have never treated me well, but YMMV. The best Customer Service and support I have ever received has been from Manitou and they make VERY GOOD and underrated products, across all their lines

Drivetrain... again pretty subjective. I have ridden both SRAM and Shimano and honestly like the feel of the SRAM over the Shimano. Buddy that I always ride with only loves Shimano. Some of their components will work together so you can do some mixing and matching.

1x10 vs. 1x11.... realize that they do require different rear hubs and some hubs will not allow you to just by a new hub body and switch between the two. See the info on XD drivers.

Rest if pretty much up to you and what you want for aesthetics, feel, price, etc. If you can, buy an entire bike from a brand as you will get much better support not only from the LBS but the mfg as well. From there, go out and have fun on it.

 

Thanks for all the info and advice. Talking with peter from carbon speed about the best frame and wheelset for my needs. I will start to buy other parts once I have the frame

 

Have you read the huge thread on the frames? While there are a lot of happy people, I've also read a bunch of poor QC and tweaking that had to be done to get it right.

Since this is your first time you are rolling the dice because it doesn't sound like you have the experience to fix what may be wrong. Worth spending a little more on some of the ones that have already been linked.

 

Sounds like our terrain in Austin. Are you choosing hard tail because of budget, or because you like hardtails? I ask because a local shop (if you're around here) has some leftover 2015 Devinci Atlas carbon frames. Not sure that he could get you a build for $2k but I'd bet you guys could work something fairly close.

He'll tell you to go to Chain Reaction or Merlin Cycles for the drivetrain - look at Shimano Deore, SLX, or XT (best that fits the budget). I've used all three and they are all solid performers for the price. Same for brakes.

Saddles I really like WTB Pure or Rocket.

Seatpost I'd go with KindShock LEV if you can afford it, or an eTen if you need to keep it cheaper. Both droppers, so disregard if you're not interested.

That's all I got for now.

 

Yes, I am in austin too. I just prefer hardtails and they are cheaper so I can spend more on the components. I have a buddy with a chinese frame and xx1 groupset. I think he's going to help guide me through everything. He loves his setup; super fast and light.

 

Superfly 9.7 | Superfly | Cross Country mountain bikes | Mountain bikes | Bikes | Trek Bikes
Bike Flights can ship it.
2015 Trek Superfly 9.7 Carbon 19.5" PRICE DROP!!! For Sale
Solid SLX, XT and Deore components. This is a good frame to ride and do upgrades on. Better than a Chinese and you won't be saving anything doing a build. Better resale value.

 

You spammed your bike once already, now let it be.

 

I got NO connection with that Cali bike. I'll list it as often as I think it applies.

 

My two requirements on the frame would be threaded bottom bracket, and thru axle 142 ( or boost ) rear. With a budget of $2k carbon wheels will force you to go cheap somewhere else so start with aluminum rims on nicer hubs and plan on them getting re-laced to carbon later.

The deals forum here is great.