Stumpy plan coming together
Discussion
after far too long finding the bits i wanted, i am finally putting my stumpjumper together. It's in the shop today having the head and bottom bracket faced and the fork and cranks fitted.
First time i've built a bike, so what advice have you got for me (bearing in mind i WANT to build it myself), and that i want it to stay in a reasonably bike shaped piece for a while to come.
it's a 2005 120 expert frame, recon 130mm fork, xt cranks, nothing super flash, just reliable and fun, hopefully.
First time i've built a bike, so what advice have you got for me (bearing in mind i WANT to build it myself), and that i want it to stay in a reasonably bike shaped piece for a while to come.
it's a 2005 120 expert frame, recon 130mm fork, xt cranks, nothing super flash, just reliable and fun, hopefully.
i was after an s-works, but settled for a 2nd hand stumpjumper expert frame, M4 alloy, in really nice condition. with new xt and sram x9 bits it should be fun. the fox rear shock looks to be fine, doesn't have a full lock out which might bother me, we'll see.
The s-works frame saves a few grams, but when you're carrying 8 spare kilos like me, the only advantage is the show off factor, and that's the last thing i need when everyone else flies past me. just wanted something nice that i could learn with and still enjoy (sold a gary fisher hoo koo e koo last year and replaced with a bianchi road bike for my commute!).
The s-works frame saves a few grams, but when you're carrying 8 spare kilos like me, the only advantage is the show off factor, and that's the last thing i need when everyone else flies past me. just wanted something nice that i could learn with and still enjoy (sold a gary fisher hoo koo e koo last year and replaced with a bianchi road bike for my commute!).
Doing the right thing getting BB faced - I would usually suggest doing the brake mounts as well, helps prevent squeaking and uneven pad wear.
As for building, take your time, theres nothing particularly complicated. If your using new forks, don't cut your steerer too short, Run a few spaces above your stem height, at least till your sure you've got it right.
Make sure all the contacts surefaces are clean and very lightly greased - seat post, handlebar clamp, brake lever mounts etc. Prevents scratching and squeaking.
If you've had the forks and cranks fitted there the hardest bits anyway.
Cables - use good quality outers, and cut them with a proper tool not a saw/knife/scissor/teeth.
Make sure you get the routing correct - I know on a lot of specialized this is a bit of a t
t as they run under and around the main pivot near the BB.
These days I always use a full length outer for my rear derailleur, less pretty, but you can run it where you want then and it stands up to british slop much better.
Which-ever, just make them nice and long.
Make sure you finish the bare ends of the cables, if you aint got any of the little nipples, use superglue. Stops them fraying, and thus stops them stabbing you in the leg.
Make sure your brakes are freshly bled, discs cleaned with alcohol/solvent, and pads are good.
Basically, you might aswell make everything dandy now - as if you dont you'll wish you had when you have to take it all apart again.
Enjoy, and lets see pictures when your done. The Stumpy is a big seller for a good reason, very good bike.
As for building, take your time, theres nothing particularly complicated. If your using new forks, don't cut your steerer too short, Run a few spaces above your stem height, at least till your sure you've got it right.
Make sure all the contacts surefaces are clean and very lightly greased - seat post, handlebar clamp, brake lever mounts etc. Prevents scratching and squeaking.
If you've had the forks and cranks fitted there the hardest bits anyway.
Cables - use good quality outers, and cut them with a proper tool not a saw/knife/scissor/teeth.
Make sure you get the routing correct - I know on a lot of specialized this is a bit of a t
t as they run under and around the main pivot near the BB. These days I always use a full length outer for my rear derailleur, less pretty, but you can run it where you want then and it stands up to british slop much better.
Which-ever, just make them nice and long.
Make sure you finish the bare ends of the cables, if you aint got any of the little nipples, use superglue. Stops them fraying, and thus stops them stabbing you in the leg.
Make sure your brakes are freshly bled, discs cleaned with alcohol/solvent, and pads are good.
Basically, you might aswell make everything dandy now - as if you dont you'll wish you had when you have to take it all apart again.
Enjoy, and lets see pictures when your done. The Stumpy is a big seller for a good reason, very good bike.
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