Another budget DIY build!

supersonic

This months budget bike build!

A bit different this time - concentrating on a lightweight racy machine, with a change to SRAM drivetrain and a view to upgrading.

Frame: Viper Scandium - £220 (1410g)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=14958

Forks: Exotic Carbon - £100 (760g)
http://www.carboncycles.cc/?s=0&t=2&c=43&p=196&

Headset: Token ZeroStack - £13 (95g)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=38692

Wheels: Cypress XC - £85 (1934g)
http://www.woollyhatshop.com/view_product.php?id=1337

Chainset: Shimano M543 - £60 (est 900g)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=33513

Cassette/chain: SRAM PG970/PC971 - £37 (600g)
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... goryId=123

Shifters: SRAM X5 Twist - £25 (207g)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=35033

Rear mech: X5 - £24 (290g)
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/sram-x5- ... 17056.html

Front mech: SRAM, £11 (150g)
http://s233299868.e-shop.info/shop/arti ... -2009.html

Brakes: Hayes El Camino - £99 (840g, pair)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=28848

Tyres: Conti SpeedKing folders - £35 (1020g, pair)
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/continen ... 98206.html

Stem: Kooka Race 100mm - £20 (115g)
http://www.dirtyjobikes.co.uk/Parts/Ste ... _Race_Stem

Bars: PowerPlay Riser - £11 (240g)
http://s233299868.e-shop.info/shop/arti ... -25.4.html

Seatpost: Smica Pro 27.2 - £25 (230g)
http://www.sbrsports.com/1011/898-463419

Saddle: SDG FLY RL - £20 (250g?)
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/bicycle-s ... y-r-l.html

Grips: Nitrile - £10 (20g!)
http://www.poshbikes.com/product.php?id=256

Pedals: Shimano SPD520 - £19 (380g)
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp? ... rc=froogle

Tubes: Conti Light - £10 (250g, pair)
http://www.highonbikes.com/continental- ... rtube.html

That little lot comes to £824 and weighs 9691g or 21.3lbs.

Need to add a few quid and weight for cables, headset cap, rim strips etc but not too shabby for a self build!

blister pus

Nice build again, SS, interesting too.

Out if interest how much of a hit could a budget carbon fork like that take? Do they actually work over anything other than bumpy roads?

supersonic

Quite a bit as far as I know - know a few now that use them.

Could substitue a recon SL in there (add 100 quid, add 2lbs or so)

blister pus

Got me thinking that's all, I looked at the link and checked out the 29er version, given the right frame there's no reason you couldn't have the potential for a "2 in 1 bike" stick a 29er carbon fork on and some 700C wheels and you've got a nifty commuter too.

Salsa

Carbon forks take more abuse & filter out vibration more than you would expect, I had some Bontragers similar to those in that build (v nice btw, Scandium rides really nice although I prefer my Scandium Salsa with a Carbon rather than alu post) but changed them to the Ritchey WCS ones with the bend in the fork.
These are way better than that straight legged type, those flex backwards like anything under braking & don't track as well, plus there quite a bit heavier.
You can get the Token/Trigon ones cheaper than the WCS (approx £150 on Ebay) but they are the same fork, or so I have heard.
Mines at 19.13lb but cost a fair bit more than that build

supersonic

The straight legged ones can vary between brands (though a lot are the same fork). A lot of fore aft flex when braking is from the steerer.

jairaj

Any one know what the Viper frames are like? I've not heard the name before and quick google search didn't come up with much info either.

Also would I be able to use that frame with a 80mm fork? The head angle is 70.5 with a 100mm fork so for 80mm fork it'll be around 71.5? (i think) Is this a bit too steep or would I get away with it?

I'm aiming to ride it around local woods that are quite flat but have some nice twisty single track around them.

supersonic

It would make the handling fast. But depends on the crown axle length too.

Si78

Nice build supersonic!

I always find your builds an interesting read

And I can also vouch for the Xero Cyprus wheels, well chuffed with them after you recommended them to me for my budget semi-slick 'commuting' wheelset. Nice one!

supersonic

Next one will be a full susser - harder task I reckon.

Mark_K

jairaj wrote:

Any one know what the Viper frames are like? I've not heard the name before and quick google search didn't come up with much info either.

Also would I be able to use that frame with a 80mm fork? The head angle is 70.5 with a 100mm fork so for 80mm fork it'll be around 71.5? (i think) Is this a bit too steep or would I get away with it?

I'm aiming to ride it around local woods that are quite flat but have some nice twisty single track around them.

Been running my Viper framed home build for about 3 months now and got to say I've been getting on really well with it! Fast steering and light which is exactly what i wanted and at a Very good price i paid £170 for my frame in a CRC sale the rest of the bits second hand from here or in sales !
I have been eyeing up the 29er frame myself but wife would kill me lol
Nice Build with that one SS let us see it when its built up

jairaj

supersonic wrote:

It would make the handling fast. But depends on the crown axle length too.

what would a A2C of 425mm do to the handling?

Mark K £170 for a Carbon frame! Thats awesome :shock:

supersonic

Make it very fast! Remember forks sag into the travel too.

The frame is only part carbon, but still very good value.