Cove Handjob XC full bike?

Dick Scruttock

Can anyone point me in the direction of somewhere that sells Cove Handjobs as full bikes or is it a case of only buying it as a frame only and building it up myself?

cat_with_no_tail

Merlin Cycles

If you email them, they'll change bits for you so it's built how YOU want it.

jay12

merlin do a cutob built verson but it's not that good e.g it has a full deore groupset and RS rebas, it's not that they are rubbish it's just that the frame deserves better
EDIT: i didn't know that they did that CWNT

cat_with_no_tail

Yeh, in the ads for the Hustler and the Stiffee they say:

Merlin Cycles wrote:

Any custom build possible, email for a quote

I would imagine they would do the same for the Handjob. They are going to be building them up from scratch anyway, so why not.

Edit: I bet you could still do a build cheaper by sourcing all the parts yourself and then paying your LBS to build it for you though. But I would still get a quote from Merlin as they offered.

Dick Scruttock

I will drop merlin a email now thanks.

TBH i can build the bike up myself, dont need my LBS to do it.

I have a full 2008 XT groupset here off my Santa Cruz that there is nothing wrong with so i could use those bits to start with.

What would people use in the following areas:

Fork,
Wheels,
Brakes.

Main use for the bike will be winter riding and cross country. I dont want to spend a ruck load on the forks and other bits. I could possibly just buy new bits for my Cruz and put the hand me downs on the Handjob.

jay12

fork:RS reba or fox F series
Wheels: mavic crossride or mavic xm717 on hope pro 2 or xt, basically choice is endless
Brakes: Avid juicys depending on your budget or maybe shimano slx or xt

or get a different cheaper frame

Dick Scruttock

Wheels could be my wheels off my Blur possibly which are 717's on pro 2 hubs as i want some pro 3 AM's for it.

Thanks for the fork and brake advice, i am going to make up a buying list now.

ride_whenever

If you want a thoroughbred xc build:

Sids, avid elixir mags, xtr/tune hubs with stans ztr 355/olympic rims, dt comp spokes or sapim cx-ray.

Then your full xt gruppo and lightweight finish kit, eg. exotic carbon.

supersonic

Nice build, but the 4.6lbs frame sorta ruins it lol.

jay12

supersonic wrote:

Nice build, but the 4.6lbs frame sorta ruins it lol.

i agree. the handjob Xc is more of a trail bike tbh. not as harcore as the stiffy but still not the best frame to use for your suggested type of riding when you can get a cheaper and lighter frame

Dick Scruttock

jay12 wrote:

supersonic wrote:

Nice build, but the 4.6lbs frame sorta ruins it lol.

i agree. the handjob Xc is more of a trail bike tbh. not as harcore as the stiffy but still not the best frame to use for your suggested type of riding when you can get a cheaper and lighter frame

Can you point me in the direction to the other frames?

jay12

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=20658

supersonic

XC budget slayer:

http://www.supercycles.co.uk/site_detai ... ductID=403

Dick Scruttock

Thanks but neither of those frames really float my boat.

Any others? Willing to spend up to £500ish

jay12

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=42058
not out yet though

supersonic

What sort of thing does float yer boat? Lol.

Dick Scruttock

Quite like the look of the Orange G2/3 but only available as a bike iirc.

supersonic

Merlin Malt 4 or RL Tig Team SL?

jay12

orange g3 frame
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/118506.html

Dick Scruttock

Is the rock lobster team sl alloy or steel? Very little info on what frame material is used other than Easton, i guess alloy but i have no idea.

supersonic

Easton aluminium. The Tig Team 853 is 853 steel.

The Spiderman

Rock Lobster Tig Team is alu,Team 853,853 steel.Nice frames but top tube lenhth is a bit short,so make sure it fits.........

Other nice steel frames,Orange R8,New Pace 104,Cotic Soul,but all steel frames are going to be over 4lbs and the last few are quite pricey.

Not so many nice alu frame only options around.Kinesis XC Pro2 is nice but everywhere seems to be running low,whcich makes me wonder if Kinesis are planning an update.On One Scandal is really good and cheap at £200 but new frame is slot dop out only,which makes wheel changing a bit more of a faff and it does`nt have a repalceable mech hangar.

Sometimes see Konas as frame only.Kula Primo or supreme frames are very nice.New Giant XTC frame is meant to be lighter and is £350.