Help me build a trails bike in a week!!

Brit rider

Hey Guys,

Looks like having lay dormant for around 5-6 years the bike bug is back with a vengeance!

I used to ride street, trials, dirt jump etc back in my younger days but having had a spate of mates recently get in to trails and XC I'd like to get back in too. Looking to build a reliable, trusty steed that can handle mid distance XC, trails and the odd bit of ragging it down a mountain!

Being used to building my own bikes, and having one to hand I can cannibalise for some parts I want to keep spend down as much as I can whilst buying new frame, wheelset, brakes and maybe some drivetrain items. Basically I need to get a new bike built with mostly new bits, on a budget, use some old bits I have and then improve it all over time as cash comes in.

Only a few problems:
1. Big boys biking weekend (this coming weekend - 23rd June). She has to be ready for it!!!
2. I'm on a serious budget (Circa £500-700)
3. I'm clueless since tech seems to have changed so much!

Being an impulsive sort of bloke I've already bought this frame and rear shock:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251082157119
Specialized Stumpjumper Expert M4 with Fox Float RL Shock (2004)... Thats £200 already spent...

Any opinions?

Next is wheel set, brakes and front forks.... I reckon I have £300-500 combined to spend on these.... This is where you experts come in! What advice can you offer and where should I look?

Any help/advice you can offer is genuinely appreciated, hopefully my build over the coming week will be of interest to others who want to get back in to the sport and are on a budget!

Here's some images of what I have to raid bits from... Hoping to keep Drive train, tyres, handlebars/stem, seat/seatpost.


Untitled by Brit rider, on Flickr


Untitled by Brit rider, on Flickr


Untitled by Brit rider, on Flickr

Brit rider

SO initially, I guess the parts list to hit is:

1. Wheels

2. Front Forks

3. Brakes

Any suggestions team?

bennett_346

Might be difficult to do in a week, especially if there's compatibility issues and you need to send off for parts.

Brit rider

Haha, I know it'll be tight.... maybe even impossible. But I'm hoping if I can order the main bits tomorrow online, I'll then have a relatively complete setup by wednesday (allow 2 days delivery). hit the local bike shops wed/thurs/fri and build her up friday night ready for trails on Saturday!

I can hire a bike on the saturday but would much rather rock up on my 1-week steed

Mike

Brit rider

Anyone out there used Super Star Components? Seems like they have some cracking deals on bits I'll need...

i.e:
Seat Post shim/adapter
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=37&products_id=306

Wheel set, thinking all mountain ones would work well for my frugal budget and just stick my current tyres on:
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=535

Still need some ideas on forks, anyone got any suggestings for second hand ones in the region of £100-200? I used to run Bombers back in the day but no idea if there are still any good... Seems Fox has appeared out of no where and taken over!

Mike

nicklouse

try using the search button and you will find out the good the bad and the ugly.

Greer_

Superstar is brilliant quality (for most things). What weight are you? The best wheelset would be the stans superdeal for £220, but the other wheels are fine, just heavier. Merlin also does cheaper wheels (Shimano MT15 but you'll need centrelock rotors or adaptors.)

Check out merlincycles for a fork if buying new (Fox is probably out of your budget so I'd look at a Rock Shox Recon Gold http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/f ... brake.html £200 you'll need to buy a shock pump as it's air) and a full groupset (Deore 10speed inc brakes) http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/m ... upset.html for £246. I'm not sure if the front mech will fit your frame though. You'll also need to remove the current bb and fit the shimano hollowtech ii bb as its compatible with the cranks.

Shimano Deore brakes are cheap and work well http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/m ... -rear.html for those ones you'll need to buy rotors. And for any brakes you buy you'll need the correct adapter for your frame. So £90 for brakes + £30ish for rotors and adaptors. Shimano XT brakes can be had cheap from germany (£125ish) but I don't know if they'd arrive in time.

Greer_

Oops ya don't need a groupset so ignore that, but your current cranks may not be compatible with the bb in the frame, and the front mech may be the wrong size, so give us a bit more info about your drivetrain. Thats £540 all in roughly :shock:

Brit rider

Greer_ wrote:

Oops ya don't need a groupset so ignore that, but your current cranks may not be compatible with the bb in the frame, and the front mech may be the wrong size, so give us a bit more info about your drivetrain. Thats £540 all in roughly :shock:

Wow cheers for the info!

I'm around 12stone and so enjoy chucking the bike around a bit so I'd rather go marginally heavier/stronger than lighter/flimsier.

I had seen the Hayes Stroker RYDE XC v6 brakes for around £100... any thoughts on which would be the better ones versus the Deores?

Regarding drive train/groupset: I'm actually thinking that a single mid size ring up front with bash guard will probably work for me (unless you'd strongly advise against?). The BB in the frame is an ISIS style but I'm struggling to find any online... I have stacks of decent chain rings around but will likely need some isis compatible cranks for around £100'ish. I have an XT rear mech that is not new but totally fine so if I could just keep my rear sprockets and mech I'd be happy. MIght upgrade later to 10 speed some something flashier.


Cheers,

Mike

Brit rider

Brand new pair of RockShox Recon Gold TK forks looks like a bargain! £202 inc Merlins special discount!


http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/f ... brake.html



Can't find them cheaper so looks like I'll pull the trigger on these tomorrow morning! As a cheeky bonus the colours even match everything perfectly so I'll look the part even if I do repeatedly meet trees mid-air on Saturday

Running total so far:

Specialized Stumpjumper Expert frame with Fox Float RL rear shock - £200
2012 Rock Shox Recon Ggold TK forks - £200
Superstar components All mountain wheel set - £130
Deore or Hayes Stroker Ryde Disc brakes - £100-140
Total spent so far £650'ish

Still likely need cranks and then little bits like cables, adapters, etc. Any suggestions?!

Greer_

I haven't used either brakes, but I've heard really good things about shimano, doubt the hayes will be bad though!

Adaptor wise, the forks are post mount (I have them!) so what size of rotor do you want for the front? Usual is 180mm or 160mm.

Are the brake mounts on the rear of the frame post mount or IS mount? Take a picture and upload it here or google it. Again, what sized rotor? Usual is 160mm.

Let me know what brakes you're going for, what sized rotors you want, and I'll give ya more info and links

The wheels are awesome for the price so you can't go wrong there!

Okay, an XT rear mech means you'll need any 9 speed shimano shifters and I'd recommend a KMC 9 speed chain (shimano chains are made of cheese). No front mech is fine if you think you'll have enough gearing. You'll need a 9 speed cassette (can be any brand, and had for around £20) so either 11-34 or 11-32. Do you have any cranks? You might be better either buying new cranks and taking/drilling the chainrings off. You'll need to buy chainring bolts. I'd recommend something like this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=40496, includes a bb, and if you don't have time to take rings off or put on a bashguard before your ride, it will still work.

You'll need a star nut for the fork http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=41053 and a topcap if you don't already? http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=8381 has both.

Any gear cables will do (preferably pre lubed outers and pre stretched inners) http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Cate ... goryID=570 just make sure you have enough.

You'll also need standard QR skewers for the wheels. They can be had from superstar, but many people swear by shimano QR skewers. Be sure to select QR adaptors when ordering the wheels if they have switch hubs. They can be had from superstar.

Give a complete spec list if you want me to check for anything missing! There would be nothing worse than forgetting something important. Write down on a bit of paper things like the star nut etc!

Greer_

Something like what is found here viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12611059 would be helpful

Greer_

I also can't find out much about the frame, is it a tapered headtube or straight? Will be either 1.125" gap if you measure both headset cups, or the bottom cup will be 1.5" gap and the top cup will be 1.125" gap.

YeehaaMcgee

If I were you I'd rent a bike for the weekend.

Greer_

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

If I were you I'd rent a bike for the weekend.

Would be easier! And let you source cheaper parts!

Brit rider

Greer_ wrote:

I also can't find out much about the frame, is it a tapered headtube or straight? Will be either 1.125" gap if you measure both headset cups, or the bottom cup will be 1.5" gap and the top cup will be 1.125" gap.

Sounds like a standard h1 1/8th style headtube... Will know tomorrow as I am off to pick her up. I will grab measurements etc then. There is a headset with it but not one I'd want to use if I can help it. I have a Cane Creek S-3 I may use but happy to invest in another if I must.

I'm beginning to come on board with the idea of chucking a full on new groupset on the bike, Merlin have the Deore groupset (with disks!) a mere £250 but no stock (My maths says thats only £150 as I was about to spend £100 on disks anyway). Can't find this price anywhere else though so I'm at a bit of a loose end on this.
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/mtb-parts/transmission-gears/groupsets-mtb/deore-10-speed-disc-brake-groupset.html


YeehaaMcgee, it's definitely still an option... Just one I'd like to avoid. Right now I know I can get everything I need by Wednesday and little odds/ends can be sourced from my local shops.. of which we have a few. To be honest I'd rather be supporting them on the whole build but the priority right now is minimum spend so I'll likely get on to them more as I upgrade to nicer parts over time.

YeehaaMcgee

Well, rent a bike now, and spend more time getting just the bike you want afterwards, rather than a rush job.

Torres

If you'd rather support a local shop then why not buy a full bike from them?

You'll be able to haggle with them a bit and save some cash; plus you'll get full support and warranty. There's no point buying a bargain frame if it needs a complete bearing overhaull (or worse.)

mrmonkfinger

Greer_ wrote:

I'd recommend a KMC 9 speed chain (shimano chains are made of cheese).

I seem to recall reading KMC made Shimano's chains? Might be wrong.

I don't think they're made of cheese though.

YeehaaMcgee

KMC do make shimano chains, but they make them out of cheese.

mrmonkfinger

someone should tell shimano, quick

YeehaaMcgee

They already know. They eat them with crackers for their dinner.

Papa Ado

Yes, we make Shimano chains - but not from cheese of any kind. Not even a hard cheese like Romano.

Sram chains on the other hand...

Brit rider

Hey guys,

For those following, here's an update of progress so far:

Picked up frame last night, whilst I think it was a bargain the bearings were shot so I've ordered a new set (35 quid), removed the junk ones and will install fresh ones Thursday.

Have ordered a full Deore group set, but with a 2 ring front setup + bash guard.

I also pulled the trigger in the rockshox recon gold tk forks and superstar components AMX wheel set. Should all be here tomorrow.

Have now installed my cane creek headset in the new frame and just need to hunt down some brakes and rotors then I'm good to go!

Assuming no major compatibility issues we should be ready to
Ride this weekend :-)

Will grab some pics and post them up tomorrow.

Mike

Brit rider

Quick question - as the bearings are gubbed I am unsure if the shock will still be upto par. Does it HAVE to go to Mojo or can it be self serviced? It's a fox RLC.

bennett_346

Forks?

EDIT: Forget that i take it you mean Triad rear shock, you can service air sleeve yourself bt not damper.

cooldad

Aircan/ seals are easy, a few minutes work. Anything else needs specialist help.

Brit rider

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the help on shocks, I'm going to run to run it this weekend and see how she feels. If needs be I'll probably just send her in for a full service to be on the safe side (+ the lock out and pro pedal mode no longer works so would love that to be fixed!).

OK so all my parts seems to be arriving today (1 day late!). First problem is that whatever monkey assembled my Hayes disc brakes has put the left hand lever to the front brake and the right hand lever to the rear! The levers can be flipped but this means all the branding etc is hidden. Not the end of the world but if I were to unplug the hoses and swop them over pretty promptly am I likely to introduce a load of air to the system or will it be ok? I have brake fluid but no bleed kit. Is there a cheeky way of bleeding without locating a bleed kit in such short time if I need one?

Cheers,

Mike

mountaingoatimnot

Sounds like you have euro configuration brake levers - good olde blighty likes them the other way round ! You could swap hoses across provided they are long enough, but then of course you'll have to doa full bleed.

It might help to say whereabouts you are - some kind forum member could be local enough to offer the use of their bleed kit, which Hayes beakes do you have as i believe there are two different bleed kits ?

Twelly

Either run them the wrong way round just for this weekend, you will soon get used to it, or carefully swap the hoses. Not sure about Hayes but I swapped the hoses on my Shimano brakes and lost a very tiny amount of fluid. When I reattached the hoses, the brakes worked fine, maybe not as well as they could and they would probably benefit from a bleed but they were still powerful enough.

cooldad

Or just flip them. The branding is extremely unimportant.