Mountain Biking - Finally basically finished my MTB build. (And got pics)

Well, after ~1 1/2yrs of slowly gathering parts when they came up at good prices, I've finally gotten my bike together. I can't wait until this snow dries up so I can get it on some trails. I've got ~$350 into it, with much of that cost reduced by selling a few things from the parts bike I got to take the shifters/derailers off of and a couple items being b-day/Christmas presents. It shifts like butter, should stop well once I get to bed in the BB7, and is stout enough to take some decent jumps/drops. I wouldn't have been able to afford a comparable bike new, so I'm excited to finally get it finished. I still have to tune it up more and cut some cables, but this is basically it. Weight according to my pretty accurate digital scale is 31.1lbs.

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt54/firstRWD/Bikes/P1120490.jpg
http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt54/firstRWD/Bikes/P1120491.jpg
http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt54/firstRWD/Bikes/P1120493.jpg
http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt54/firstRWD/Bikes/P1120494.jpg
http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt54/firstRWD/Bikes/P1120500.jpg
http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt54/firstRWD/Bikes/P1120495.jpg

As for the parts, which if not new are all in perfect functioning condition:
Frame: NOS Fetish Discipline
Fork: New Marzocchi DJ2
Derailers: XTR f/r
Brakes: New BB7 front, Tektro rear from parts bike with matching Avid G2 rotor
Lever/Shifters: Deore LX
Tires: WTB Moto Raptor front, rear will be one of a couple decent lower knobs I have
Wheels: Deore hubs laced to Alex rim in rear and unknown front rim, DB spokes.
Generic stem and Ritchey Pro seat post, both of which I'm hoping to trade for a Thomson Elite stem I have that's too long for this build and a couple decent posts that don't fit this frame.

Wow! $350? :thumb:

Looks like a hell of a bike for $350.

Nice.

XTR f/r, Dirt Jumper for $350? WOW, great patience on the build and very nice bike!

Yeah, no kidding...good job!

Noice! A year & a half takes a lot of patience, but it definitely paid off. Good job!:thumb:

Thanks, guys! It makes me even happier with it to see that a lot of the more knowledgeable members think I did pretty well. Here's my cost breakdown. I might have forgotten a couple little expenses, but not much.

150 - fork(partial gift)
50 - frame(gift)
50 - brakes(gift)
30 - chain
20 - tires
10 - seat post
12 - chain ring bolts
8 - cables
15 - grips
5 - rear brake disk
5 - pedals
2 - bash

The donor bike that I scored in trade for an 80s road bike was the real score of the project. I had found the road bike on the side of the road on garbage day a couple years ago. I cleaned it up, regreased everything, and road it last summer. Then one day I started talking to a regular customer at my work about bikes. He had a nice 2003 Trek hanging in his garage for ~5yrs because he cracked the frame after 1 1/2 seasons doing XC racing. He kept everything well maintained by the LBS, MTB seasons aren't that long in WI to begin with, so all of the parts on the donor bike still work like new.

Sam, I was always watching your progress as you built your bike up too. Also well done.

Just . . . wow.

Damn, $350. That's awesome!

NICELY done,Brother!!! Sweet ride,especially for $350? WOW! Can't wait to see dirty pics of it (with obligatory big grin on yer face :)) :thumb::thumb::thumb:

Hey, I really dig that. Nice looking set up. And whadya know... it is possible to make a decent bike by upgrading stuff...

Can't wait to see dirty pics of it (with obligatory big grin on yer face :)) :thumb::thumb::thumb:

You mean like... pictures of it in my bed? ;)


Hey, I really dig that. Nice looking set up. And whadya know... it is possible to make a decent bike by upgrading stuff...

Absolutely possible. Honestly, if I had had the money I would have just bought a nice new bike rather than mess around finding deals on parts, etc. But if you don't have the money to just go drop on a new bike, upgrading parts as you can afford it is a great way to grow with your bike(as better parts generally allow you to ride better and do more) and end up with a great bike over time without having to spend a lot at once.

Very nice looking bike! Well done!