once a decade bike purchase and build. HELP SPEC PLZ!

[craig z]

Yehaw, time to build my dream bike. I've started selling everything that's not nailed down on ebay to fund a new bike, and would love to have some input in spec'ing it out.

The plan is to buy all the components other than frame, and have them ready to go for Sept, when I hope to have the funds to decide on a frame.

The contenders for frame are:

Pivot Mach 5

Ells Epiphany

Intense 5.5

I've ridden all but the Pivot, and hope to do that when the Path gets a small built up someday--

would love to have input on specing it for these factors:

I'm 5'8. between 165 and 180 depending on season-
mid 40's, decent aerobic shape.

mostly a aggressive CC rider, but do the occasional trip to sedona/utah and drop small ledges every once and a while ( 3-5 feet) overall, tires stay on the ground.

I love to climb, and fancy myself doing more epic rides, or long weekend rides.

The only component i'm sure on righht now is a gravity dropper/joplin seat post.

need some suggestions, Bang for the buck wise on everything else.

Fork and wheels seem to be the one place where the options are just overwhelming.

ANYONE SELLING DECENT COMPONENTS THAT WOULD GET ME STARTED, I'M INTERESTED!

any help with spec'ing , trying to keep stuff as inexpensive, but still decent quality, would be much appreciated.

cz

[DHS]

wait a min, you're 5'8" and you want a small?

you should look at sizing again.

[denmother]

I'm 5'8" and I road a Large and it was a little too big. I say go for the medium.

[jeffj]

I think I would leave fork choice to be decided after you decide on a frame.

Wheelset (more specifcally the hubs) may also depend on fork choice given the different axle options available these days.

[dssgaffler]

Those are some nice frame choices. I'd say you have some really big decisions when it comes to all your components. When I look at components, I usually take into factor, cost, reliability and weight. You'll never get 2 people to agree on every component, but you can usually get a consensus of what products people think are quality.

IMHO for those frames, I think a Fox Talas 32 RLC fork would work really nice. Good luck with the build, and post the finished project whenever it gets completed.

[chongoblanco]

I say go for the intense 5.5 with a talas 36. and i would deffinatlely look at a size medium frame for your height.

As far as the gravity dropper or joplin goes, your seat tube will more than likely determine that for you. The smallest post size the Jooplin comes in is a 30.9mm diameter, the gravity goes as small as a 27.2mm

[CalEpic]

I think you have it backwards. Buy the frame first then the components.

[speckledtrout]

Originally Posted by chongoblanco

As far as the gravity dropper or joplin goes, your seat tube will more than likely determine that for you. The smallest post size the Jooplin comes in is a 30.9mm diameter, the gravity goes as small as a 27.2mm

I've read in a couple of different places that the Joplin is going to be available as a 27.2mm soon.

[mfoga]

You might want to consider the Intense Tracer VP which is coming soon. I know its coming soon and Jason has lots of good thing to say about it. Its 5.5 -6" of travel.

[jackofalltrades]

If you want to ride a Pivot Mach 5, Big Ring Cyclery in La Mesa has one as a demo.

[ArrrKelly]

Get XT component group and a Fox Talas. You're good to go.

[chongoblanco]

Originally Posted by speckledtrout

I've read in a couple of different places that the Joplin is going to be available as a 27.2mm soon.

good cause I want a joplin!

[Pato]

I vote Pivot Mach 5 with Pike up front and XT groupo if you can afford it. Make sure whatever frame you go with though that it fits well and you feel comfortable on it. Oh, and I'd definitely go with at least a medium for your height. I'm 5'6" and am on the cusp of a small/medium.

While you're at it, you should definitely build it yourself. Lot's of good threads on here with how to tutorials. Nothing like the satisfaction of riding a bike that you built yourself.

If you don't feel comfortable doing it by yourself and you don't mind shlepping all the parts up to LA hit me up. I have all the tools and will be more than happy to supervise/walk you through the installation.

Keep in mind that, if you go with the Pivot frame it uses a new front derailleur mounting type. It does not use the standard clamp on derailleurs. The front derailleur bolts directly to a tab on the frame. I'm not sure if the frame comes with the derailleur or not so ask your dealer about it.

Whatever you decide. Good luck and make sure you post up pictures of your new bike for all the world to see.

[TrojanInsomniac]

Wow, it's going to be a tough choice for you. All three are great bikes. I'm yet to ride an Epiphany, but I've had plenty of saddle time on both the 5.5 (FRO version) and the Mach 5 (my current trail bike). Going from the 5.5 to the Pivot, I immediately noticed how stiff and laterally stable the frame is. To many, the ride is a little more 'harsh' than say a 5.5 and even an Ibis Mojo, but it was exactly the feel I was looking for in a FS trailbike. The DW Link does a fantastic job soaking up the bumps with very little bob (I don't use the Pro Pedal as much as I originally thought I would). The 5.5 is a fantastic climber as well and also does a great job in absorbing bumps with very little bob. There does tend to be a little pedal kickback when climbing over some obstacles.

On the descents, the Mach 5's suspension does incredibly well in remaining active during heavy braking. Additionally, the Mach 5 handles square edge bumps very nicely. The 5.5 (VPP in general) does offer a more 'plush' feel while descending, whereas you'll tend to 'feel' a tad bit more with the Pivot. That being said, I recently purchased a slope style to use as a light DH bike.

My advice.......get out and try a Mach 5. If you can't find a demo, you're more than welcome to try mine out. I know you're a ways away, but I ride down in OC every weekend.

Enjoy building your bike out!

[pastamon]

Based on the way you describe yourself you don't need a lot of travel and even if your "dream bike" is a sub-30 lbs 6" travel "uber-all-mountain rig," the best bike for you isn't necessarily what you lust after.

Everyone who is somewhat honest with him/herself will realize that idealizing a big-travel bike, and justifying one's "need" for such a bike, quickly falls flat if you are primarily a cross-country oriented rider.

There is no shame in being a cross-country rider. That's what the vast majority of riders are, no matter how they classify themselves. There's no need to bolster one's prestige, ego, or projected self-image with a reference to "aggressive XC" if you're not riding very gnarly trails at high DH racer-styled speeds.

Occasional 2- to 4-foot drops on an annual trip to some place like Gooseberry Mesa is not a reason to build a 6" travel uber-all-mountain rig. Most of my riding friends and I do such drops on singlespeed hardtails set up more like XC race bikes than some bike geek's wet dream of a "slopestyle" bike.

All the above is my background on what should comprise a "dream bike" for any rider. A "dream bike" should be the bike that BEST COMPLEMENTS the rider in question. It should be the bike that quickly becomes your favorite. After 15 years of riding MTBs, which included owning and borrowing many different types of bikes, I have found that a bit of honest self-appraisal will take you closest to your TRUE "dream bike," and listening to the fantasies of armchair athletes will only take you further from the best choice.

I suggest the following bikes:

Yeti 575
Turner 5.5 Spot
Ventana El Ciclon or X-5
Santa Cruz Blur LT

and I would suggest a basic fork like a Fox Vanilla RLC or a RockShox Pike/Revelation/Recon.

20mm front axle is not necessary for you as you have described yourself.

And with all due respect to the people of STR, "bob" when you pedal is not the bike's fault. It's the rider's fault. So please stop focusing on which bike "bobs" the most or worst. The bike that bobs the most or worst is the bike whose rider is pedaling squares, and/or the bike whose rear shock is not properly set up.

Last, I would avoid Ellsworth like the plague. It's a deceitful company run in a deceitful manner.

[Scott V]

Another bike is the IBIS mojo. I recently bought a mojo Sl and love it. Don't have it built extremely light and it still weighs 27 lbs even. It climbs awesome and is super plush on the downs. No regrets so far. As far as forks I like the adjustability of the Fox TALAS. Have fun shopping.

[craig z]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

I think you have it backwards. Buy the frame first then the components.

I'm hoping to spend the money as I get it, with the big chunk for the frame coming last-- otherwise, this money will go to some unforseen household emergency... SO, i hope to get it out of my hot little hands by buying the components and wheels first!

Looks 90% Pivot.. I'll be testing one at Bigring hopefully this next week or two.

thx

[denmother]

Let me know what you think, it's on the top of my list also!!!

Originally Posted by pastamon

All the above is my background on what should comprise a "dream bike" for any rider.

One man/woman's fantasy is another man's dream.......or something like that. Please don't assume to regulate my dreams!!!!

[jfromlv]

From how you described yourself and riding style, I would seriously consider the Cannondale Rush or Rize.

Have fun choosing, new bikes rule!

[Pain Freak]

Screw it all, go buy it now. Why do you think we invented plastic?

Not because I'm a homer but from your description of your riding style I'd say you're perfect candidate for a medium Turner 5 spot with a Talas or Pike 454 fork.
This is basically my set up with the Talas and it has as much travel as I need. If I find myself needing more travel then I know I'm going off stuff to high. I do hit Sedona and Goodeberry a couple times every year and this is all the bike I need.

Postamon nailed it, you really don't need more travel then 5 inches.