~$2K 29er SS?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by bvader, May 13, 2009.

  1. bvader

    bvader Long Live The Gorn!

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    So folks, lately there been a couple threads on "Budget/Entry" Level 29ers SS...but I am thinking budget around ~$2K...or less

    I am just getting started, fishing for thoughts... one requirement is Front Suspension.

    I am trying to decide if I want to take parts of my Spot SS (borderline sacrilege) have Phil Wood BB & Hubs, Eno Cranks etc, or just buy/build from scratch?

    So what can I buy / build for ~$2K and why?

    Steel or Alum or Alum w/Carbon Stays?

    So Let the suggestions flow!
     
  2. scruffylooking

    scruffylooking Stuck up, half witted...

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    Used Ti frame + parts transfer. :bang:
     
  3. thesergeant

    thesergeant Member

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    DON't TRANSFER THE PARTS! Your spot is awesome.

    You could always buy my Salsa for half of your budget, buy a new Reba for $400, pocket the $600 you saved and hit the trails!
    http://www.socaltrailriders.org/for...08-09-salsa-el-mariachi-29er-singlespeed.html
    [​IMG]

    But really though, I'd definitely look into a Steel HT. My preference is the El Mariachi but the Niner SIR9 is real nice too. I LOVE my AIR9 as well but it just doesn't ride the same as Steel.

    The question really is, what kind of riding do you do? What kind of distances? Racing? Is weight a major factor, etc?
    For light 29er SS frames I like the Salsa Selma and Niner One9.

    For a plusher ride but at the expense of some weight I'd go El Mar or Sir9.

    You can probably do a scratch build for ~$2,000 using any of the above frames with relatively mid to high end parts.
     
  4. Phishin Paul

    Phishin Paul Team Hardcore Cornbread

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    Late March I built up a new Salsa El Mar SS. I had several parts from an older take-a-part but got it built up a little over $2000.

    2009 frame
    Hope II SS hubs
    Stans Arch
    CK BB
    CK headset
    Surly cog
    Salsa chainring
    Ardent/Crossmark tires/Stans
    8 speed chain
    $1930

    The parts I had were:
    Juicy 7 brakes
    Thomson stem
    Thomson seatpost
    Time pedals
    WTB laser saddle
    Easton bars
    XT cranks
    Reba off Monocog
    25lbs if it matters to you. Feels damn light.

    I did take the Juicys off my El Ciclon and put new Elixir CR on that bike so that puts me over $2.

    The Sergeants bike would be a good way to go. The build from Salsa is solid stocked. I have been very pleased with the ride of the El Mar. I abuse mine with rides here as well as montly at Bootleg Canyon and it is very solid. Steel is the way to go in my opinion. Flex with front suspension and bigger tires rolls real smooth. Have fun with your build.
     
  5. mfoga

    mfoga Intense Whore

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    I built mine for just a tad over 1k. I used a few left over parts.

    I got a soul cycles Dillinger 1clearance frame for $250 but regularly $350.
    I got a set of wheel for about $200, got a clearance Manitou 29er fork for around $250. Had to get the rest of the small parts or use some parts I had laying around.


    [​IMG]
     
  6. jmr-rider

    jmr-rider New Member

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    a ti frame - moots or lynskey are very nice. otherwise, go with steel such as vassago, niner, salsa.
     
  7. Pho'dUp

    Pho'dUp Spam Musubi MasherSS

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    You got a weight in mind you want to hit? That would help decide what frame/parts.
     
  8. bvader

    bvader Long Live The Gorn!

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    Hmmmm I really don't know, not sure what a 29er should weigh...27 pounds or less? Is that realistic? Balance weight , ride and cost.
     
  9. Phishin Paul

    Phishin Paul Team Hardcore Cornbread

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    My build is right at 25lbs and I did not build it up to be light weight. You will run SS correct?
     
  10. bvader

    bvader Long Live The Gorn!

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    Correct.

    As for type of Riding , I don't really race...I participate, but I like climbing....Weight?...not a weenie...but don't want an anchor either. Most my SS rides are 3 - 4 hours of less, but thinking of CC on SS next year so there will be some longer rides.
     
  11. Chewyeti

    Chewyeti Circus Bear

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    I love my ON ONE scandal.... i probably have 1300 or so in it (careful shopping) and it weighs ~24 lbs or so.

    I prefer horizontal dropouts to EBB's any day of the week.
     
  12. Kritter

    Kritter Member

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    i have about 1500 into my GF Rig and its 24lbs...for 2k and aluminum you should be able to be 22lbs or less. All I changed from stock was seat/post/brakes/bars/grips/pedals.
     
  13. Pho'dUp

    Pho'dUp Spam Musubi MasherSS

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    That's a whole another can of worms. EBB, Sliders, Track ends.

    29er Sspeed should be 25lbs. or less.

    My Zion cheapo steel 4130 (5lb.+ frame) weighs about 24.7lbs. with sussy fork. If I ran a Scandium/Aluminum/Ti it was easily be 1.5lbs. lighter. That's with 1800gm wheelset and 600gm tires and std heavy 29" tubes.
     
  14. bvader

    bvader Long Live The Gorn!

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    Damn my Spot SS 26" build is 26 lbs...:)
    It just got heavier with those PW hubs I just bought from thesergeant ;)
     
  15. station

    station Is this thing on?

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    I built my 29er for $725. For a nice SS you should pay less. Here's how I did it:

    I bought a used SS redline for $500. From that I kept:

    Chris King headset
    Reba fork (race, w/poplock)
    Avid 7s
    Lock on grips
    WTB saddle

    From that bike I sold the rest of the parts & frame on craigslist where I recovered most of the cost ($400).

    I then took the $400 and with the help of STR and a few other sites (Singletrackminded.com and ridemonkey.com) I collected the following:

    XT shifters
    Xt derailers F&R
    Salsa seat clamp
    Monkey light bar (all above for $125)

    WTB lazer disk wheelset ($100)
    Mountain King 29er tires (free fom a friend)
    Thompson seat post ($50)
    Thompson stem ($50)

    From a friend:
    XT crank set
    XT casette
    XT Chain (all above $150)

    From The Path bike shop in tustin:
    New cable housing
    XT Scewers (all above $50)

    Then I ordered a Motobecane 29er frame from bikesdirect.com. Now, I didn't just jump into ordering this frame. I studied the geometry, compared it with similar Gary Fisher models (basically the same geometry). Studied the materials used and weight (basically 1/4 lb heavier than the Niner EMD) and lets face it, the frame was probably made in the same warehouse as trek or Gary Fisher anyway. Plus they were on sale for $99.00. I figure at $99 if it lasted 3 months it would pay for itself. At the time i was spending $60 for a talk of gas. $99 is less than my iphone bill. :)


    Then I put the whole thing together with some help from a friend. I did end up paying to have the drailers adjusted but that was $50 and I'm not going to incude my laziness in the cost of the build. I figured at that point I had done enough work. ;) Oh! I did powder coat it orange, but that was $80 you don't need to spend so I'm not going to count it.

    Here's how it turned out...

    [​IMG]
     
  16. Pho'dUp

    Pho'dUp Spam Musubi MasherSS

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    Well with a $2k budget 25lbs or less is very doable. Unless you're trying to build heavier = tougher. Or you blow most your cash on a Ti frame.
     
  17. Shortfuze

    Shortfuze New Member

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    To give you an idea/options besides a SS, here's my 1x9 Salsa Dos Niner which I'm actually getting rid of...

    2007 Salsa Dos Niner (Small with 1" Relish rear shock)
    Chris King Headset
    2009 Rock Shox Reba SL 29er 80mm Front Suspension/Fork
    Mavic UST C29SSMax Wheelset (still running Slime tubes in them - not used as tubeless yet)
    2.25 Kenda Nevegal
    2.2 Specialized 2 Bliss The Captain Control
    RaceFace Evolve XC Single Crankset with BashGuard
    MRP mini-me Chain Guide
    Sram X7 Shifter
    Sram X.9 Rear Der.
    Avid BB7 Brakes (185 F/ 160R)
    9 speed Shimano Cassette
    50/50 XX crank Brothers Pedals
    Thomson Elite 31.8 90mm Stem
    RaceFace Evolve XC Low Rise Handlebar
    ODI Rogue Lock On Grips
    RaceFace Evolve XC Seatpost
    Specialized Indie XC Body geometry Saddle

    The build was quite a penny, but with a looming Dental bill for my son, It's on the market for $1200. Don't want to part out, although I know I'll probably get more. Just need to move her along to make it as painless as possible LOL All the parts purchased are new components. I figure I logged 8 miles on her altogether.

    Luckily I have my other bikes to tide me over, but my 29er venture has been put on hold for now. Now the pics:


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  18. bvader

    bvader Long Live The Gorn!

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    Some reason I am thinking steel...I have bad memories of Harsh AL hardtails. Maybe that is not a concern with a 29er.
     
  19. mfoga

    mfoga Intense Whore

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    I cant say the ride is soft but you get use to it, maybe worse if you get a rigid fork.
     
  20. Pho'dUp

    Pho'dUp Spam Musubi MasherSS

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    If weight isn't a big concern, go steel.
     

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