Mountain Biking - BikesDirect for 29er Parts

So I found a great deal on a beautiful XL Niner SIR frame. I am way into steel and I'm tall so it seemed like a great idea at the time. Now I need a set of components and I'm kinda shocked at how expensive stuff is. I'm more or less a retro-grouch who is used to finding used parts for $5 or $10 at the local collective for my road and city bikes. The parts bins there though have pretty much nothing for mountain bikes and especially not for a 29er.

I looked at the component sets at Jensen which start at $650. That is a lot cheaper than buying the stuff individually, but it still seems like a lot to me.

So then it occurred to me that I could order a single speed 29er from BikesDirect, strip most of the parts and sell whatever I can't use (frame and crankset as the Niner claims to require an externally geared BB). I'm thinking the Windsor Cliff or the Dawes Bulls-eye. My criteria is the cheapest SS with disc brakes that is still available in XL.

I know the wheel-set may not be the top of the line, but I can't afford the top of the line anyway. I figure if stuff breaks I can replace it over time which is I guess, slightly wasteful but it seems like it would be much easier on my budget, save me a ton of time pouring over ebay and craigslist for used components.

I intend to use it for single-track - most of which is not very technical. Mostly I'll be using it at Palos (outside of Chicago) although occasionally it might see some action on camping trips in Wisconsin.

My question for you is, is this crazy? If so, can you suggest an alternative that won't break the bank? I'm hoping to get everything I need for < $500.

thanks!

I know a couple of folks who have done just that, Picked up a BD bike, stripped it and sold the frame and came out way ahead $$ wise.

Thanks for the affirmation John.

A further question is about the fork and head tube. The donor bike has a 120 mm head tube. The Niner's head tube is 130 mm. Will the fork's steerer (if that is even what they are called any more) be long enough?

thanks!

In the 2 cases I know of personally and from what others have told me, BD ships their bikes with the steerer tube at factory length so it can he cut to size. You could place a call to them and I ma sure they would verify that.

Sayeth the BD sales team:


11:28 AM
Hello,
The fork steer tube is cut to fit the frame.
Thanks,
Chris

This sounds like bad news to me... but 10mm? it looks like there are enough spacers on there so that there is 10mm to spare. What do you think?

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/images/bullseye_gray_2100.jpg

thanks!

I've done this, but in reverse because I didn't like the Pro Fantom frame. I figure I still came out hundreds of $ ahead than buying a preferred frame and components through a LBS, though I couldn't resist upgrading a few things at the same time. But, you need to be smart about what you are buying, make sure the fork, discs, crankset, etc. is a fit and the components are the ones you want. Recall, crank length will be sized differently for different sized bikes. Also, think about the size, color that's most popular if you are going to resell the frame.

I've done this, but in reverse because I didn't like the Pro Fantom frame. I figure I still came out hundreds of $ ahead than buying a preferred frame and components through a LBS, though I couldn't resist upgrading a few things at the same time. But, you need to be smart about what you are buying, make sure the fork, discs, crankset, etc. is a fit and the components are the ones you want. Recall, crank length will be sized differently for different sized bikes. Also, think about the size, color that's most popular if you are going to resell the frame.

Thanks! Good points!

I tried to order it today and it turns out that everything is out of stock except a very small frame silver Windsor. I think I need a larger frame size in order to get a large enough fork - even though it may be tougher to sell.

I signed up for the BD newsletter, but I have no idea how long it may be before they restock what I want. I may need to resort to Plan B.