New Build - Ridley Blast MTB - Finally built!

Sammo123
Sammo123 Posts: 33
edited August 2014 in Your mountain bikes
Morning,

I have posted up a couple of generic pics in another section but figured I may as well put my progress in here.

My old Specialized Hardrock needed a new BB but while removing it from the frame it chewed the threads in the frame down to nothing. My LBS had a look but didn't think there was much point in attempting to repair it as there wasn't much material left anyway. So I had a look around and found a new Ridley Blast MTB frame for not too many pennies! Originally the idea had been to just source another frame similar to the Hardrock and swap all the components across, but after seeing this frame and with an unused credit card in my wallet I decided to just build the bike from new components. The bike is only going to be used for the occasional family bike ride around the woods and may even get used to commute to work or go out with mates every so often. In spite of the limited use it will get I still wanted to have the best parts I could afford on there! Now as far as I am aware I have ordered pretty much everything I need to build the bike and on Saturday I managed to get a few bits fitted to the frame after work. I got stopped in my tracks quite quickly though as I realised I didn't have the right tool to tighten up the BB and I had forgotten to order the brackets to fit my calipers :evil:

Have a couple of pics and I will update again when the next lot of bits arrive. Oh and how do I figure out what size axle the rear wheel needs?

The frame fresh out of the box:

181D68D6-1C1C-484A-B31B-1C361E5E2F9E_zpshhl1wkuu.jpg

I fitted the seat post and clamp and then forgot to take a picture before mounting it on the stand:

D06178D6-CDE1-4651-ACDB-0492E36DB848_zpsrpdvtdn4.jpg

I then fitted the bottom bracket and rear mech but didn't have the right tool to tighten the BB so that stopped play for the day. As soon as the rest of the bits turn up I can crack on with it!

460A3956-CCF2-44F8-BA6E-E08218131111_zpsbbeauakx.jpg

Comments

  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Did you ever weigh the bare frame, you have called it light a few times, but one man's light is another man's heavy!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • russyh
    russyh Posts: 1,375
    Yeah he did and out it I one of the other threads (you have too many threads dude) think it was 1.6kg or something similar
  • Sammo123
    Sammo123 Posts: 33
    It was about 1.7kg on my kitchen scales. Feather weight in comparison to my old Specialized!
  • Sammo123
    Sammo123 Posts: 33
    My shocks turned up today so I can get on with putting more together this weekend :mrgreen:
  • paul.skibum
    paul.skibum Posts: 4,068
    Not sure if you got an answer but I imagine that frame needs a 135mm hub with a 9mm QR - just like your old Specialized.
    Closet jockey wheel pimp whore.
  • Sammo123
    Sammo123 Posts: 33
    paul.skibum wrote:
    Not sure if you got an answer but I imagine that frame needs a 135mm hub with a 9mm QR - just like your old Specialized.

    Brilliant :mrgreen: Thanks for that!
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Sammo123 wrote:
    It was about 1.7kg on my kitchen scales. Feather weight in comparison to my old Specialized!
    Thanks, cans the plan to use it to reframe my Kraken as it's the same weight! That's about average for a decent ally frame.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Sammo123
    Sammo123 Posts: 33
    Right, I started putting this together last weekend and rapidly got frustrated with it. I think it was a combination of the workshop being extremely warm and me not being 100% sure on what I was doing. So in the end I dropped it at my friendly LBS and they are putting it together for me :mrgreen:

    I'm hopefully picking it up this Saturday so I can post some pics once I have it back!
  • CitizenLee
    CitizenLee Posts: 2,227
    Looking forward to seeing this built!

    Out of interest, what's that glass cabinet thing in the background?
    Current:
    NukeProof Mega FR 2012
    Cube NuRoad 2018
    Previous:
    2015 Genesis CdF 10, 2014 Cube Hyde Race, 2012 NS Traffic, 2007 Specialized SX Trail, 2005 Specialized Demo 8
  • Sammo123
    Sammo123 Posts: 33
    CitizenLee wrote:
    Looking forward to seeing this built!

    Out of interest, what's that glass cabinet thing in the background?

    It's our network cabinet. It houses all the networking equipment for the computers etc.
  • CitizenLee
    CitizenLee Posts: 2,227
    Sammo123 wrote:
    CitizenLee wrote:
    Looking forward to seeing this built!

    Out of interest, what's that glass cabinet thing in the background?

    It's our network cabinet. It houses all the networking equipment for the computers etc.

    Ah, makes sense now! Shame it's not a beer fridge though :)
    Current:
    NukeProof Mega FR 2012
    Cube NuRoad 2018
    Previous:
    2015 Genesis CdF 10, 2014 Cube Hyde Race, 2012 NS Traffic, 2007 Specialized SX Trail, 2005 Specialized Demo 8
  • Sammo123
    Sammo123 Posts: 33
    CitizenLee wrote:
    Sammo123 wrote:
    CitizenLee wrote:
    Looking forward to seeing this built!

    Out of interest, what's that glass cabinet thing in the background?

    It's our network cabinet. It houses all the networking equipment for the computers etc.

    Ah, makes sense now! Shame it's not a beer fridge though :)

    Haha not a bad idea!

    I will try and make a list of the spec the bike will be when it's finished and post it up later.
  • *AJ*
    *AJ* Posts: 1,080
    Shame you gave up on the build. Theres so much to learn from building your own bike. :|

    Looks nice though!
  • Sammo123
    Sammo123 Posts: 33
    *AJ* wrote:
    Shame you gave up on the build. Theres so much to learn from building your own bike. :|

    Looks nice though!

    I think if it had been a bit cooler in the workshop I would of persevered, but it was like an oven in there and I rapidly lost interest!
  • Sammo123
    Sammo123 Posts: 33
    Ok, here is the spec of this bike. I'm not putting prices up as it will only upset me!

    Frame - Ridley Blast 7DA aluminium frame
    Forks - Rockshox Reba with 120mm travel
    Wheels - Easton EA70 XCT Wheelset
    Groupset - Shimano SLX M675
    Front & Rear Brakes - Shimano SLX M675 Hydraulic Discs
    Headset - Cane Creek 40
    Stem - Thomson Elite X4
    Handlebars - Nukeproof Warhead 760 Riser Bars
    Grips - Lizard Skins Lock On Peaty Grips
    Seatpost - Thomson Elite Inline Seatpost
    Seatpost Clamp - Hope QR
    Saddle - Charge Spoon Saddle
    Pedals - Shimano Saint MX80 Flat Pedals
  • Sammo123
    Sammo123 Posts: 33
    I just had a phone call from the bike shop letting me know it's ready to collect. I'm going to swing by on my way home from work tomorrow and pick it up :mrgreen:
  • AndyPatio
    AndyPatio Posts: 76
    Exciting times :D
    I can't wait to see pictures of the build.
  • Sammo123
    Sammo123 Posts: 33
    Right I finally collected the bike yesterday :)

    I'm really pleased with it! It's so nice to ride and I can't wait to go out for a proper blast on it!

    I took some quick photos in the house last night but I will try and get some outside if the weather is half decent this evening!

    9DBCDD35-DD2A-4A5C-A533-EF8F068BAE0B_zps3ufelnhb.jpg

    C0352F48-F492-49FD-B64A-95C28C2D5F60_zps89pw8o0k.jpg

    2205B9D4-D02D-4F7F-BBF2-6F6BC69425EC_zpskzrulrjf.jpg
  • Sammo123
    Sammo123 Posts: 33
    Oh you might not be able to see in the pics but the bike shop have had to cable tie the brake lines to the frame as they wouldn't clip into the cable stays. Is there something I can buy to clip the lines to the frame and make it look a bit neater?
  • holiver
    holiver Posts: 729
    Glad you got it built up, but the cabling does look a right mess! WTF is that rear brake hose doing?
    2013 Kinesis Racelight T2
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    Yes, sort cables/hoses, and your mile of headset spacers ;-)
  • Sammo123
    Sammo123 Posts: 33
    holiver wrote:
    Glad you got it built up, but the cabling does look a right mess! WTF is that rear brake hose doing?

    It has no way of being held to the frame. I need to find out if there are clamps or something I can buy to secure it to the frame. There are the mounts on the frame for the rear brake hose to sit in but no way of securing it down!
  • Sammo123
    Sammo123 Posts: 33
    njee20 wrote:
    Yes, sort cables/hoses, and your mile of headset spacers ;-)

    Hehe yeh the mile of spacers is my own fault. I gave them a bag of spacers and forgot to tell the bike shop I only wanted a couple of them fitted so they just whacked them all in!
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    It has no way of being held to the frame.

    Zip tie.

    How do you explain the fact it's about 100 yards too long?
  • holiver
    holiver Posts: 729
    Yeah the zip ties are normal. My Scandal as they are done that way too.

    The hose definitely needs shortening!
    2013 Kinesis Racelight T2
  • Sammo123
    Sammo123 Posts: 33
    njee20 wrote:
    It has no way of being held to the frame.

    How do you explain the fact it's about 100 yards too long?

    The bike shop don't carry spare olives for the hoses to be trimmed down. I'm a nightmare to get hold of when I'm at work too so they weren't able to ring me to order the bits needed to trim the hoses down. I have ordered the bits and will take the bike back when I get a moment so they can shorten the hoses for me :mrgreen:

Categories