Mountain Biking - Building up a 2007 Kona Kula Supreme frame

Hey everyone,

I recently purchased a 2007 Kona Kula Supreme frame, it has 25 miles on it and is flawless. I have decided to make this a long term project to eventually create a nice racing bike. Long term being this summer, or longer if needed.

I had some ideas about what to do, but have been thinking a lot about kind of creating a light duty XC bike that would be light and light duty.

Maybe something that I could put rigid forks on, at least for the time being.

Other than that I have thought about v-brakes... I am kind of open to any suggestions about anything.

Sorry about the limited information, but does anyone have any ideas about what I might be able to do to this bike? All I know is i am going in the direction of a XC race bike, light duty. Also, what do you all think about rigid forks?

Thanks-

I bought a very similar bike setup in a unique way. The 05 Deluxe is the same frame as the Primo, and I believe similar geometry to yours. Mine came used with a Kelly Rigid fork, and a 29 inch Velocity wheel. It rode very nicely like this, but I wanted it much like it left the factory and went back to 26 inch wheels and a Fox RLT 100 fork. the Kelly fork was designed to keep geometry similar to stock with the 29. I still have the parts it came with if you are interested and keep meaning to put them up on Ebay or Craigslist.

I can't imagine racing a rigid fork, I got punished enough on my SID equiped hardtail on last Sundays race, thank you very much.

My thoughts:
1) v brakes - fine if you don't ride in the mud a lot
2) drivetrain - perhaps a two ring crank, if you just want the bike for racing and are fit, I love my 29-42 setup
3) race hardtails need flat bars, it's a rule. ;)

how much money do you want to spend?
i think v-brakes should be fine for a "light duty" race bike

That's a sweet frame.

Use V's unless you need extreme braking power- this will save weight and money and still slow you down enough. I would skip the rigid fork and use an 80 mm instead. It might weigh a little more tan a rigid, but you will not wear yourself out over rough terrain.

how much money do you want to spend?

Well, of course I want to keep it to the minimum but am willing to spend what it takes to create this. Preferably under $2,000, but honestly I don't know what to shoot for. I have not built up a bike before and am only basing this off prices of components that friends and acquaintances have said I can get, or what they have offered for sale.

Any more input? Thanks to all who already have.