I want to build a British bike

ZMC888

I'm from the UK, but I'm an expat in China, have been for many years. What I want to do is build up a 160 is travel full suspension AM/Enduro bike with as many British made parts as possible, if not made in UK, then a UK companies' product made in Taiwan. This is because Chinese people are incredibly inquisitive and any bike ridden by a foreigner will be photographed a great deal and shared around social media especially if seen at bike meetings or competitions, so that can help UK business, well and some pride for me of having a nice bike that is exotic because it isn't local to Asia. I've been riding for well over 10 years and have a good idea of the parts I want, but if you have any ideas or I've missed something please chime in, also I'm price conscious so any alternatives.

Some deal-breakers: tapered head tube, 142x12 rear axle, threaded BB, 30.9 or 31.? seat post, 27.5 or 26 inch frame.

Frame: Orange Alpine 160
Cranks: Hope crankset with spider less chain-ring
Brakes: Hope Tech 3 E4
Head set: Hope Tapered Headset
Wheels: Hope Tech Enduro – Pro 2 EVO
Pedals: Hope F20 Flat Pedal
Handlebar: Renthal Fatbar
Stem: Renthal Apex 40mm
Grips: Renthal Lock-on
Seat: Charge spoon or Brooks
Seatpost clamp: Hope

Not sure about forks, shocks and tires, prefer Manitou and Marz, but Rockshox fine too.

poah

so long as you have the cash

ZMC888

POAH wrote:

so long as you have the cash

Yeah, might take a few more months to save up. Noticed the 26 inch Orange Alpine is 500 quid less than the 27.5, that will pay for the forks to stay 26.

rockmonkeysc

Forget the Orange. It's rather agricultural and not an amazing ride. It's OK but nothing special.
I would go for a BTR Fabrications Pinner. Hand built in Somerset from steel. Options for custom geometry, rides extremely well according to those I know who have tried it. Its something a bit more special than the Orange.

ZMC888

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Forget the Orange. It's rather agricultural and not an amazing ride. It's OK but nothing special.
I would go for a BTR Fabrications Pinner. Hand built in Somerset from steel. Options for custom geometry, rides extremely well according to those I know who have tried it. Its something a bit more special than the Orange.

I'm kind of intrigued with the BTR Pinner. TBH I'm not sure about trying a steel frame full squish, but I could be convinced but I'd need to test ride it. My suspicion would be that you'd always build from alloy for a fully unless you couldn't.

I'm might even switch to building a European bike to give more options.

BloggingFit

Bird Aeris

http://www.birdmtb.com

rockmonkeysc

Steel is the best option for custom building frames. The K9 industries steel full suspension frame is one of the best I have ridden and not heavy.