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Probably my favorite kind of thread on this forum is the "new build" type - so here's mine ...
My first 29er - its a 2003 NOS X-Caliber frame and a mix of mostly new parts that took me about 6 weeks to collect. When I first got the bug to put together a new bike, I wanted something that would be faster, more efficient and better handling than my 4" FS Norco Fireball so that I could "get back to the basics" in my riding style. I had found myself getting way too lazy on that full suspension bike; just pointing it at something and riding over it - you know what I mean. I also wanted to stick to a reasonable budget. I succeeded in one of those! This bike ended up costing more than I thought, but it does appear to be faster and handles (carves turns) way better than my other bike.
Built it from the ground up, with no LBS assistance, some components: WB BW.8, '05 XT Crankset, '05 SRAM X9 trigger shifters/derailleur, Bonty RaceLite wheelset, Bonty Jones ACX tires, CC S2 headset, NOS Shimano XT Hydros (M755/756), Thudbuster, SDG S2000 Ti saddle (8 years old and still my favorite).
Anyways, a few observations about the build itself:
- Contrary to others advice here and GF's technical manual, the BB was not 73mm. It was faced down to 68mm ... which presented me quite a bit of confusion installing those new XT cranks, since I didn't bother to actually measure the shell! Once I realized it was 68mm, that new-style XT crank install was so simple.
- SRAM X9 drivetrain is absolutely brilliant. The XT shifters and whatnot off my other bike will be on EBay soon to be replaced by this stuff.
- The WB fork is very stiff, but is actually a little too "quiet". I really missed the air dampening sounds that my Marz Marathon SL makes on my other bike (let's you know when its working).
- I could not ride this bike without that Thudbuster.
- Got some Bonty RaceLite's from Nate the bike shop, they are nice and light, and the rear ratchet sounds very pleasing. Not too loud like CK hubs, not silent ... just right. I think they are DT Swiss Onyx hubs.
- I was gonna build this with Hayes HFX9 discs, but at the last minute found some NOS XT discs off of EBay. I've got the XTs on my other bike, and I can't imagine a brake system working better than these do (in my opinion anyways).
- Found the frame NOS from a bike shop in western Canada. $325 shipped. Its not my first choice (BB is too low), but it was cheap and in-stock.
All in all, I'm pleased with it. Its definitely more harsh than my other bike, but the 29 inch wheels are perfect and the harshness was something I expected. So far, I don't see any disadvantages to them whatsoever - only the advantages that I've read about here.
My first 29er - its a 2003 NOS X-Caliber frame and a mix of mostly new parts that took me about 6 weeks to collect. When I first got the bug to put together a new bike, I wanted something that would be faster, more efficient and better handling than my 4" FS Norco Fireball so that I could "get back to the basics" in my riding style. I had found myself getting way too lazy on that full suspension bike; just pointing it at something and riding over it - you know what I mean. I also wanted to stick to a reasonable budget. I succeeded in one of those! This bike ended up costing more than I thought, but it does appear to be faster and handles (carves turns) way better than my other bike.
Built it from the ground up, with no LBS assistance, some components: WB BW.8, '05 XT Crankset, '05 SRAM X9 trigger shifters/derailleur, Bonty RaceLite wheelset, Bonty Jones ACX tires, CC S2 headset, NOS Shimano XT Hydros (M755/756), Thudbuster, SDG S2000 Ti saddle (8 years old and still my favorite).
Anyways, a few observations about the build itself:
- Contrary to others advice here and GF's technical manual, the BB was not 73mm. It was faced down to 68mm ... which presented me quite a bit of confusion installing those new XT cranks, since I didn't bother to actually measure the shell! Once I realized it was 68mm, that new-style XT crank install was so simple.
- SRAM X9 drivetrain is absolutely brilliant. The XT shifters and whatnot off my other bike will be on EBay soon to be replaced by this stuff.
- The WB fork is very stiff, but is actually a little too "quiet". I really missed the air dampening sounds that my Marz Marathon SL makes on my other bike (let's you know when its working).
- I could not ride this bike without that Thudbuster.
- Got some Bonty RaceLite's from Nate the bike shop, they are nice and light, and the rear ratchet sounds very pleasing. Not too loud like CK hubs, not silent ... just right. I think they are DT Swiss Onyx hubs.
- I was gonna build this with Hayes HFX9 discs, but at the last minute found some NOS XT discs off of EBay. I've got the XTs on my other bike, and I can't imagine a brake system working better than these do (in my opinion anyways).
- Found the frame NOS from a bike shop in western Canada. $325 shipped. Its not my first choice (BB is too low), but it was cheap and in-stock.
All in all, I'm pleased with it. Its definitely more harsh than my other bike, but the 29 inch wheels are perfect and the harshness was something I expected. So far, I don't see any disadvantages to them whatsoever - only the advantages that I've read about here.
One that I rode on Sunday as a matta o' fact.
