Advice needed with hardtail build

Lewaah

I've owned a specialized hardrock since 2010 and I am looking to upgrade spending around £1000 building a lightweight hardtail that I can thrash around the Bristol trails. So far I have found a frame, groupset and brakes (links below). I am now looking for advice on a wheelset and forks. 1) I am not sure how to split the money, for example spend majority on forks and less on wheels or vice versa. 2) I don't really know what I am looking for in forks (newbie). I am happy to spend the 400 on forks and wheels as I dont mind spending extra on the final parts.

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROOC456P/o ... _456_frame

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/m ... upset.html

Any advice on other frame or groupset options is also welcome, let me know what you think.

junglist_matty

Lewaah wrote:

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROOC456P/o ... _456_frame

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/m ... upset.html

£650 blown on frame and groupset doesn't leave much room for the rest! £350, can't see it coming in under £1000 to be honest. Not unless you're willing to go with Second hand forks, and Second hand wheels, bearing in mind the 456 works with "trail" forks (120mm plus), which are either:

1. Light and very expensive
2. Very heavy (2.5kg plus) and not that cheap

You may just about get under the £1000, but bearing in mind you'll soon rack up the bill on the little bits:

Saddle
Seat Post
Seat Collar
Stem
Bars
Grips
Tyres
Tubes

junglist_matty

double post

Tom Barton

Like Matty said. To do that frame justice, your going to have to get a bit imaginative or up your budget.

Forks - you need at least 120mm fork on the front and the bike will be best served by a 140mm travel fork IMO.

ebay - might be worth a look - for example:

A 120mm float: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fox-32-Float-120-Terralogic-Fit-Qr-15-White-/331009810219?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item4d11b8df2b

150mm RS revs: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rock-Shox-Revelation-RL-Dual-Position-Air-Forks-2012-26-15mm-Maxle-Tapered-/161096464110?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item258218f6ee

Key when buying on ebay - set your budget (i.e. £200) - don't be tempted to creep above it bidding. You may end up spending close to RRP for a new fork otherwise in a silly bid battle with someone. Always make sure there are pictures of the stantions up to see - a scratch on a station means an expensive service to prevent the fork steadily losing oil and getting clogged with crud. Remember - these are used and complex parts - they may not have had all the love a seller tells you and you may have to expect to get it serviced after you've bought it.

I wouldn't buy new forks for £200 - you'll only get entry level stuff not befitting the bike.

£300 will get you these from Bike-discount.de http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k735/a65707/cobalt-2-wheelset-15mm-black.html - Definite bling factor and they are pretty solid wheels. Not a good choice if your definition of thrash involves jumping but amazing for the money. Alternatively go for Hope pro 2's on a 'middle of the road rim' for around the £300 mark - smooth and they'll last forever if you can stand the Hope clicky noise.

For finishing parts - consider selling the hardrock which will give you a bit of cash for some finishing parts or swap parts over temporaily while you save up for flasher ones and sell the hardrock later. Your call - but you'll be hard pressed to finish your bike off with worthy kit without spending a bit more.

Tom Barton

And I should have said - V.good frame and groupset choice

jamiemcknight

I tried to do the same but with a 456 evo 2 steel frame and thought I could build the complete bike for around £1200 but being honest with myself I couldn't do it for £1200 it cost more like £1500 to 1600. I just couldn't bare to put heavy or cheap parts on it especially the forks. In the end I bit the bullet and bought new revelations RLT which weigh in at 1600g. Also bought a wheelset from superstar components on sale.

paulneenan76

It can be done. Head to superstar and pick up an AM wheelset (I think they've got a sale on). On One and Superstar have good bars, stems, and finishing kit. Merlin or the Germans are good for drive train. On One are usually chucking out RS Forks at brilliant prices.

You've gotta hunt, research, compromise, and sometimes hit eBay or classifieds here to get a bargain, but then that's what's fun about a build.
Alternatively, smash the shoot out of a credit card and go proper bling on it

Lewaah

Appreciating the advice guys! Looks like i'll be going over my budget but never mind!