Thought I would post my build here. I have just been replacing parts when they break and wear out.
I have had around 3,000 miles on it (my thoughts at the bottom of this post) on the trail and road.
Frame: 2020 Chisel Large
Seatpost: KS E20-I 120mm dropper post w/ Wolf Tooth lever
Fork: Rockshox Judy Gold (increased to 120mm
for free)
Cranks: Sram X01 175mm (upgraded after bb died)
Derailleur: SX (ordered an XT which will save 50 grams)
Shifter: SX
Cassette: SX
Chain X01
Tires: Maxxis Ardent Race (front) Maxxis Ikon (Rear). Both 2.35 and MaxxSpeed. I have Cushcore XC front and rear.
Grips: ESI Chunky
Brake pads: Disco Brake Kevlar pads (seriously, they are a steal at only a few dollars a pair. And they work so much better than the stock pads but at a fraction of the price)
Rotors: Shimano RT-66 rear Shimano RT-56 front
Pedals: RaceFace Chesters
Weight: 27.6 pounds
If you bought a Chisel, what should you do?
Get a dropper post. It's worth every single penny and gram on a hardtail. Also consider increasing the travel of the Judy fork to 120mm which is
free and only takes a few hours (if you aren't familiar with the fork). I think the fork
transformed how the bike felt. The extra 20mm of travel is appreciated so much, and I compensated for the slacker seat tube angle by sliding the seat forwards all the way. The increase in stability is insane, and after lowering the bars by 5mm, climbing is virtually the same (because of increased fork sag). The best part?
It's free.
My whole build was around 2,500 USD and it does everything very well from technical or smooth trails to even road riding. Not to mention that it has served me well in XC races with my skill and fitness being the limiting factors. Considering that I would happily send hours in the saddle any day, I think it's a purchase that was worth it and I have no intent in replacing it in the next few years.
The Chisel was a much better purchase than my $5,500 Santa Cruz Hightower, but I gotta admit, I sometimes wish that I had full suspension when riding the Chisel.
I can only imagine the 2021 Chisel is even better.
***These pictures are with a 100mm fork. IMO, the bike looks much better with a 120mm fork