Stiffee spec, sanity check

[mackie1]

Just getting a quote at the moment but my friend just got his from Merlin and I'm very tempted too.

Standard Merlin build + the following upgrades:
Full SLX groupset (I think it comes with an XT shadow rear mech anyway so I'll keep that)
XT hubs
Maybe a maxle-equipped Revelation if it's not too much more. Would U-Turn be good for me since I mostly do XC riding?
Upgrade to Race Face AM stem/bars etc.
Tubeless rims/tyres (probably XM819 rims)
Maybe a swap to 2.1 Panaracer tyres.

Am I missing anything? Any suggestions?

Not sure whether to go purple (what my friend got) or anodised grey (+ orange pedals and grips)

[mackie1]

Trying to keep the cost reasonable, hope hubs + brakes would probably blow the budget a bit.

The SLX stuff is meant to be great, not quite as cool/boutique though.

Edited by mackie1 on Tuesday 13th April 10:13

[mackie1]

Ah, nice tip. I'll find out if they can do that.

[mackie1]

I was under the impression that it's a pretty good all-rounder. Geo looks to be very much like the handjob, just slightly slacker. I'm no expert though. Main drivers are the good deal being offered, my friend raving about his and that it looks damn, damn good.

[mackie1]

The XT/819 combo comes to about £85 for a front wheel going via their custom wheel pricing jobby.

[mackie1]

I'm 17st and 6'3" so pretty beefy.

[mackie1]

So a Hope Pro 2 rear hub would be a good idea instead of the XT? What other alternatives are there for similar money?

What alternative bottom brackets should I be looking at that would be compatible with the SLX chainset?

[mackie1]

That was going to be my next question. I should probably go for a 19.5 but might a 17.5 be more durable? It's only a tiny bit shorter.

[mackie1]

Thanks guys. Advice heeded and request for quote sent off. I'll see what they come back with

Still don't know what colour to go for. This looks ace:



But that's my friend's bike and I don't really want to have it exactly the same.

[mackie1]

I'm not quite sure about tubeless either. I know where I am with inner tubes, UST is a bit unknown to me but I get people saying it's the best thing evar too. Only £60 more though...

[mackie1]

Good point. Probably worth a shot, it wouldn't have been invented if it didn't have benefits.

I guess there's also no reason why you can't run normal tyres on a UST rim?

Edited by mackie1 on Tuesday 13th April 17:45

[mackie1]

Hehe, you like Coves then!

[mackie1]

I wonder how much it would cost to get it stripped and anodised instead of painted. I'm almost certainly going for the anodised finish.

[mackie1]

Missing paint saves weight too ;P

[mackie1]

Pondering going for the XT/ZTR Flow wheel option now. I didn't actually realise that Merlin did them. Works out about the same price too and the tyres will be cheaper.

Edited by mackie1 on Monday 19th April 09:36

[mackie1]

Finally got my cyclescheme voucher today. It's all ordered now! Can't wait.

[mackie1]

Decided to treat myself to the blackbox/u-turn/maxle equipped fork too. Really really can't wait now.

[mackie1]

Finally got it. Very happy! I will take some proper pics but there's a dodgy phone snap on the show your bikes off thread.