Mountain Biking - 29er Build Advice

I am having a local shop build this up as my touring/MTB/commuting/dirt road exploring do it all bike. I have road/fixed gear experience but don't know a lot about MTB components. I knew I want 29er wheels, disc brakes and a dirt drop style handlebar setup. I went to them and this is what they worked up for me. Everything seems like it is suitable but i am looking for input as far as component selection etc.

Frame Surly Karate Monkey
R Der Shimano LX M581 SGS Long Cage
Fork Surly Karate Monkey
Brakes Avid BB7 Road 160mm F+R
Chain Shimano HG Labor 125
Shifters/Brake Levers Shimano Ultegra ST-6510
Seat WTB Rocket V Race Cro Mo
Front tire Specialized Borough XC 29x1.9
Rear Tire Specialized Borough XC 29x1.9
Tubes Bontrager 29er
Grips Specilaized Bar Phat
Cranks/BB Shimano LX M583 Triple 26/36/48t
F Der Shimano LX Traditional
Cassette Shimano LX 11/32t
Stem Salsa Moto Ace 105mmx15 degree
Seat Post Thomson Elite
Headset Cane Creek S3
Wheels Bontrager Race Lite Disc
Pedals Crank Bros. Candy SL
Handlebar On One Midge
Skewers with wheelset

That looks like it's going to be an awesome bike. You can't go wrong with a 29"er. I can't wait to see pictures. :D

Sounds like fun. The only thing I'm wondering about is how often you'll get to use that 48 ring. I guess it'd be quite often if you're doing this more for commuting, but it's just gonna be eye candy if you plan on doing more off road stuff.

That build sounds alot like mine, except replace the KM with a Cross Check frame. The one thing I did different was to buy bar end shifters, rather than brifters because they give me more flexibility. I currently have the bike built with an old Scott AT-4 bar, so I bought Pual's Thumbies and mounted the shifters as flat bar thumb shifters. If I choose to switch it to more of a road bike, all i need to do is buy a relativley inexpensive pair of road brake levers and drop bars. Its worked so far for me.

I'd vote bar-end shifter with a single chainring setup. You'd save a lot of cash, and in terms of gear range, you would probably be fine if you went with a 36 up front and an 11-34 in back, especially if you're coming from fixed riding. I've already decided that my commuter ride (should I ditch the SS one I have,) would be a Double Cross with 9 in the back and one (plus a chainguide,) up front.

You should consider a 22-32-44 crank or smaller. You'll need a 20-29-40 crank in order to match the feel of a 26er with the ubiquitous 22-32-44. If you're riding 26/36/48 on you're 26er, a 22-32-44 should probably be just about right.

I'd say 22-32-44: standard MTB. Going with a 20-29-40 might be a good idea if you were building the bike exclusively for fat-tired offroad use, but the setup you're planning will essentially be that of a big, beefy cross bike. That combination on the street would leave me two or three gears shy of what I'd want to have going down steep hills.

...which, I guess, is really not a problem. There's no shame in coasting on the commute.

sounds great. i will do a similar project with my Soma Juice soon. i have all my parts picked out....should be pretty cool. post photos when done.

Thanks for the advice on everything. I think I'm going to stick with standard MTB gearing for now. I can always change it later, depending on where I am going plus I am used to spinning and mashing from fixed gear riding so I can make do. When it's all built in a week or so, I will post up a few pictures.