Budget XC Racer

MrBibble

Hi,
Is it possible to buy or even build a budget xc racer hardtail? I'm toying with the idea of doing an endurance team race this year and thinking if i can build a cheapy that works and then more importantly if i like it and want to do more could i then steadily upgrade bits n bobs as and when?

I've looked at a few frames on CRC and everyone and his dog has some sale on a 100mm fork etc but not entirely sure what/where to start....

Any thoughts ideas appreciated 8)

hobbitsharley

MrBibble wrote:

Hi,
Is it possible to buy or even build a budget xc racer hardtail? I'm toying with the idea of doing an endurance team race this year and thinking if i can build a cheapy that works and then more importantly if i like it and want to do more could i then steadily upgrade bits n bobs as and when?

I've looked at a few frames on CRC and everyone and his dog has some sale on a 100mm fork etc but not entirely sure what/where to start....

Any thoughts ideas appreciated 8)

whats your budget??

supersonic

What is your initial budget for this project?

hobbitsharley

there is this if your budget stretches
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/PBOOWHIPX9/ ... plete_bike

not much to upgrade either

MrBibble

A lot cheaper than that! Less than £500, and that'll have to be a build as i cant spend that much in one go .....

hobbitsharley

Do you have any parts already or is it a buy everything build?

supersonic

Best you will do is this - upgrade fork ASAP.

http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?p ... Suspension

MrBibble

Its a fresh start....

Northwind

My official race bike owes me less than £500... Used Carrera Kraken + ancient Mavic Enduro rims + carbon rigid forks. Other bits put together out of whatever I could find cheap. Weighs something around 22lbs with racy tyres on, goes up hills like it's got an engine.

Most folks discount rigid forks but unless you're soloing a long race, or doing an unusually technical course, rigid works really well. Suspension's better, but lightweight high quality forks aren't cheap.

benpinnick

If you can stretch to the mnid 600s there's some 2011 bargains that might never need upgrading...

The Rookie

My Hardtail weighs in at just over 11Kg, Kraken frame, 100mm Manitou forks (Air spring and SPV), Juicy3's, powerspline chainset, X7/Rocket shifters with LX/XT mechs on Crossrides and running Panaracer foldings and all in cost about £450 (total just over £500 with 3 sets of tyres for differing conditions) most stuff bought through classifieds/ebay as nearly new but used, the lads bike isn't much heavier and cost about £150 less starting with a Spesh off ebay for £120 and adding a Manitou fork, RM5's and conti tyres along with an X9/X7 conversion and going to 9 speed rear (that was sold as needing some work). So yes, it can be done for £500.

Simon

njee20

By "Endurance Team" event you're presumably thinking something like a 24? In which case I'd just ride what you've got, you see anything and everything at those, save a bit more money and get something like a Whippet.

MrBibble

Thanks for the replies, some useful ideas to consider 8)

phil_pompey

MrBibble wrote:

Thanks for the replies, some useful ideas to consider 8)

My self build has cost me around the £550-£600 mark but if I was to buy a bike of equal spec it would cost around the £1200 mark. So you can save money doing it this way.

Have a look at my speck list so you can cut corners in places or buy second hand. Something to bere in mind when building though is tools that you'll need. I had most of the tools already but didn't factor in that I would have to buy little things like a bb30 tool. And if your not on good terms with your LBS then factor in costs of Headset fitting, Fork fitting etc.

Here's a link to mine:
viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12830641