Help with an MTB build cost/spec, please!

[ReaderScars]

I would appreciate some input about a low cost build under consideration, based around the following:

26" steel hardtail, 140mm forks, single speed, QR hubs.

The only certainties are frame and single speed - an NS Surge approx £200. I would really appreciate suggestions/ideas about spec and cost for the rest of the bike - for instance I'm considering refurbed Rockshox (at about what, £150 if they're available?) - unless there are other options?

So, taking into account the cost of the frame and the expected spec/cost of the forks, what sort of total cost am I looking at?

I know it's a 'how long is a piece of string?' question, but without going for higher spec components, what would you use to put an appropriate build together (that is, choosing gear that can be upgraded as or when it needs to be).

Very interested in your thoughts...

[richardxjr]

Bouncy SS 26" is a bit different these days ... I built my SS a few months ago for £500, great fun to plan and nail together and it's the one bike I'd keep. I went into a bit of detail on my spec choices.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[anonymous-user]

Buy separates, dont just lump for an "all in" Groupset. Look at bike-discount.de who normally a bit cheaper even than the UK web giants. Try to find the non-groupset stuff too, its good value kit and works just as well. Its not quite as refined as stuff like XT and there is a weight penalty but its half the price... http://www.bike-discount.de/en/shop/crank-4456/l-2...


You should be able to finish it for well under £500 if you are patient and hunt around. Merlin are normally good for wheels and I'd look around the classifieds on singletrackworld for finishing kit like bars, stem and seat posts which are just tubes, why pay new for something that really cant "wear" out. The classifieds are usually very good, regular forum users selling stuff and normally priced to sell quickly.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 5th February 20:29

[ReaderScars]

Thanks for the thread and links richard, pablo, got some researching and reading to do now

[tjdixon911]

I built up a Cove Hand Job for my other half last year Total cost was a bit over £500 with Rock Shox, 2x9 mix of XT and XTR bits - most bits were second hand, the only new bits were Superstar Wheels (£99) and Shimano Deore Brakes (£65ish).

I'm going to break a 26" bike soon..

[lllnorrislll]

I am Currently building up an Inbred and I agree with Pablo to buy seperates as and when they come up on offer, I personally found Ribble a good place to pick up some bargains and they have an 8%ccode currently on their front page.

[tjdixon911]

This was my thread when building the bike above;

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

There have been plenty more threads from others since also..

[P-Jay]

I'd go for SuperStar Wheels, apart from being very good value, they endlessly adaptable - they even have a 135x10mm rear option if you want QR without the flex.

140mm forks with QR is tough though, I don't know of any, but then I'm very Fox-centric.

Charge spoon saddle of course

Personally I'd got for an SLX groupset, really is the sweetspot for VFM IMO, although you can save a bit with Deore brakes - they're outstanding for the money and outstanding at any price point IMHO - I've owned Hope V2 Tech brakes and Avid Code brakes - two massive, over-built DH spec brakes - and had problems with full days in the Alps with them - my little £50 an end Deores do full weeks in the Alps without needing to be touched - SLX are the same but have tool-free lever adjust instead of needing a little hex key and come with coolwave pads.

Nukeproof Pastic pedals. Tough as old boots and nice to use and cheap.

[deadtom]

I'm selling a SRAM X5 crank and GXP BB if you are still on the lookout for a crankset, it is a 110 BCD though which limits your choice of chainrings to a minimum of 38 teeth

and if its any help, my 140 mm travel 26" steel hardtail build has rockshox sektors, deore brakes and cranks and alex rims on formula hubs, all of which are cheap and work really well.

[Herman Toothrot]

P-Jay said:

Personally I'd got for an SLX groupset, really is the sweetspot for VFM IMO, although you can save a bit with Deore brakes - they're outstanding for the money and outstanding at any price point IMHO - I've owned Hope V2 Tech brakes and Avid Code brakes - two massive, over-built DH spec brakes - and had problems with full days in the Alps with them - my little £50 an end Deores do full weeks in the Alps without needing to be touched - SLX are the same but have tool-free lever adjust instead of needing a little hex key and come with coolwave pads.

Agree with this I have slx and Deore brakes on two of my bike and combined with Goodridge sintered pads they are brilliant I'd look no where else. I've had hopes, avids, formula before to compare, I'm contemplating removing my formula RX that came on my downhill bike and replacing with SLX.

[ReaderScars]

Thanks for all of the suggestions and links, build threads etc - they've definitely helped me start to put a spec list together.