Surly Troll build

hellyhanson

I'd be grateful for some thoughts and advice.

I have a road bike but want to get a MTB for MTBing, winter commuting and putting baby seat on. Basically a bit of a work horse. I have a view on bikes that they are designed for particular purpose and at the end of the life span, they end up in land fill.
So enter the Surly Troll. Looks like a bike that is very multi-purpose but more importantly could change and evolve over my life time.
But I can't afford to buy the complete bike (£1200). So thinking of getting the frame and putting entry level components on it. I know thats a very expensive way of having an entry level bike, but I'll have the frame and can replace things over time.

Is this totally bonkers? I should say that I've never done a build before but think it would be great fun.

But can anyone advise on which components are good value without breaking the bank? (Particularly advice on wheels).

Thanks

rockmonkeysc

To be honest, as much as I like 26" wheeled mountain bikes I wouldn't buy one now that they are looking like manufacturers are trying to kill them off. Also a 29er would probably suit your use better.
Maybe take a look at the On One Parkwood or Whippet.
Custom builds are nearly always more expensive than a full build.
The Surly isn't going to be much cheaper with any sensible build.

supersonic

It's a nice frame, but look at the on one offerings too.

Groupset, Shimano Deore:

http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-deo ... 62877.html

Fork, SID:

http://www.merlincycles.com/rockshox-si ... 55482.html

Wheels, Shimano:

http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-mt1 ... 54512.html

The change will easily buy you light mid range finishing kit from the likes of OnOne or Superstar.

shindig

I did exactly the same. Bought a Troll fame and build it up with bits from my parts bin. I use it for everything from commuting to Single track. I sometimes have my Rockshox revaluation on, sometimes the rigid forks it came. I have Marathon extreme tyres for commute duty and botranger Xr4 team issue for more aggressive stuff. All in all a great bike. The frame will also take 27.5 wheels and 29 wheels. Highly recommend as a do it all bike. The steel frame feels nice.

rockmonkeysc

How can the geometry be right for three different wheel sizes?

stuisnew

RockmonkeySC wrote:

How can the geometry be right for three different wheel sizes?

This is exactly what I think every time I hear someone say how their frame will fit a different sized wheel

veronese68

I could be completely wrong but I don't think there is a huge difference between the rolling diameter of a 26" wheel with a 2.7" tyre on it and a 700c with a relatively skinny tyre on it. Disc brakes means the rim diameter is irrelevant.

Chunkers1980

Yes Veron, you are!