Mountain Biking - Think I decided on a new bike...

With as much freeride/urban riding as I've been doing lately, I decided I wanted a hardtail "all mountain" or "trail" bike. Most bikes in this category are FS, which drives me nuts. Just can't stand the feel (or lack thereof) of an FS. Anyways, after much searching and consideration I think I'm going with the 18" DMR Switchback (http://www.dmrbikes.co.uk/products/frames/sw_backcomplete.html) frame. One of the few hardtails really built to be a fairly light frame designed around 120-130mm of travel. Very cool concept. Trying to keep the build XC friendly but ready for some Northshore and technical downhills.

Anyways the proposed build so far is:

6" Avid BB5's all around
XT Dual Control (might sell in favor of an X-7/X-9 group)
XTR (non RR) rear der.
Specialzed Stout front hub on a 317 w/ straight guage spokes (its what I have laying around)
DT Onyx rear hub
East Monkeylite low rise bar



Unsure on the crank and fork though. For the crank I am thinking a XT level Bontrager w/ outboard bearings b/c I get a great deal on them, definately pulling the big ring off for a bashguard. Fork, I am really unsure... I'm looking at the Manitou Minute/Rockshox Pike/Fox Vanillas right now. I want something under 5lbs since I'm a little guy, probably 120mm to keep the head angle in check. Any suggestions, criticisms are welcome.

Interesting build. I couldn't ride that on the shore (I don't know how close yours are), but some people do. Heck people ride that for everything. If your knees can take it, it will be a fun ride :)

If the spokes will fit they should work.(You probably checked on that already though.)

Get the Vanilla, I've beaten the hell out of my Vanilla for the past 6 months and all it needed was for the oil to be changed. I've thrown it through more than I have any marzocchi product to date.

That's a cool frame, looks nice.

I've had good luck with my Sram X7 stuff so far, but if you already have some XT parts I dunno.

don't hold back on brakes - the full bb7's are very worth it

I'm not seeing what a BB7 offers over a BB5, except and adjustment window really. I've set up dozens of both, and can never notice a difference on test rides. Maybe I'm missing something here though?

Interesting build. I couldn't ride that on the shore (I don't know how close yours are), but some people do. Heck people ride that for everything. If your knees can take it, it will be a fun ride :)

Our "shore" is pretty small stuff... no drops over 6', and I refuse to do anything over 4' so far. Mostly just low ladders and skinnies with a few teeter totters. This bike will recieve 99% trail/XC use ultimately... just want something versatile I can ride anywhere without feeling too limited by my hardware.

Looks like a very nice build, especially as far as a quality/cost ratio goes. The rear derailleur is your call but personally I wouldn't spend the extra money for the xtr, I've never noticed that much of a difference. I would rather put the extra money that I would save by going with XT towards the BB7 brakes. However, I would go with SRAM anyway. :D

With the brakes the only difference I really know if is that it seems like everyone I know with the BB7's love them. Everyone with the BB5's hate them. Other than that I'm not sure of the difference. ;)

Our "shore" is pretty small stuff... no drops over 6', and I refuse to do anything over 4' so far. Mostly just low ladders and skinnies with a few teeter totters. This bike will recieve 99% trail/XC use ultimately... just want something versatile I can ride anywhere without feeling too limited by my hardware.


That frame is a pure XC/trail frame. I've heard of them snapping if pushed hard. This is DMR's shore hardtail:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?Main=ProductDetail.aspx&W=0&Manufacturer=&UberCatName=&Cat=cycle&CategoryName=Frames%20-%20MTB%20HT&ProdID=5360019027&UberCat=0

I want one.

Other than that, thats a nice build list you have.

re: bb7's vs bb5's - i think the adjustability makes all the difference. as soon as your rotor starts to bend even slightly, the pad adjustability has allowed me to move the pads around the rotor with ease without compromising on responsiveness.