ang1sgt

Can't find the post, but a few folks wanted to see the finished bike that I just built up.
Here it is on the Genesee River Path in Rochester NY this past Sunday.


Man! This thing has been a blast!

Chris

P.S. See my trip report at:
https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus-50/308180-rochester-genesee-river-trail.html

JumboRider

That looks great. What size chainring is that? It looks huge.

ang1sgt

It's a Shimano LX Trekking crankset so it has the 48 tooth big with the plastic ring on the outside. That's what makes it look BIG. Now my 20 inch tire Bent has a 62 tooth and that IS big!

I had a ton of fun building this bike up. Might have cost me more than most would care to spend, but the parts that count, are what I could afford. I hope to put many miles on this beast.

Chris

JumboRider

She looks solid.

ang1sgt

Jumborider,

Yep, it sure is a solid ride. I am thinking of going with some street slicks on it for a little more speed. I certainly have enough gear on it to do whatever I need to do. The Carbon front for is beefy enough to hold my 250 lbs as are the wheels. The Avid Discs are doing very well too. Easy to modulate on the hills and plenty of stopping power to the point of outright lock up.

Chris

JumboRider

This is a stupid question, but do you tend to pull your front of the ground with the light fork?

ang1sgt

I'll tell ya. With the fork and the front wheel it does make it easier to loft the front tire. Had to pop it up over some branches and such yesterday and had no problem. Steering is light and precise but the front end is really not light. I have the bike set up so that some of my weight is on the bars but not enough to give me any wrist pain or discomfort.

I didn't want to add weight to the bike by using a suspension fork. I thought that was unneeded. The Carbon fork adds an amount of absorption along with being lightweight. I figure I saved at least 3 to 4 lbs by going with this fork over a Suspension fork.

It's a good question!

Colt45

that is a sweet looking ride... what did that cost you to put together?

Air

Great job!!

ang1sgt

Colt, Don't tell my Wife! LOL! I've got well over $600 into it. Some parts bought before I worked at the Shop and some parts after I started at the Bike Shop. Some of the parts I got that are deep in the bike are like the XT Bottom Bracket that you'd never see on a bike less than a $1000 bucks. I have one of the really nice Cane Creek Headsets which is way over the top for this bike too. But these parts make a weight and a ride difference that you can feel and that is why I spec'd the bike the way I did.

Would I change anything?

1) If NASHBAR has a sale on their 853 Tube MTB frame I might just upgrade the frame. I've wanted an 853 tube frame since they started drawing tubing using this stuff.

2) 2008 Shimano XT stuff. Have you seen this stuff? Wow!

Could I have done it cheaper.

HECK YES!

Take a look at a $500-600 bike. Basic entry level Bottom brackets, Cheap chains, $9 dollar headsets. I could have used a steel or aluminum fork and saved better than half the price over the Carbon fork. (just checked, could have saved $100 at Nasbar just on the Fork!) I could have bought Tektro levers and brakes and saved a bit there too.

I also could have used some used parts in the build too. The ONLY used part was my Brooks Leather Saddle, and that was nearly new.

WHY did I do it?

I wanted to prove to myself that I still had the skills and the desire to build a bike and select the parts to build it. I am very happy I did it and the bike is a joy to ride.

Chris

Tom Stormcrowe

You might have a bit over $600 in it, but it specs like a $12-1400.00 ride!

Colt45

is there some site you used to build the bike? a step-by-step primer or something? way cool on the parts... my next upgrade to my specialized hardrock will be a new seat post and a brooks saddle...

ang1sgt

Colt,

No not really. I've been on or near bikes since 1973 as either a Young local racer/Mechanic, a loaded Tourist in England, or as a Dad with three kids and more bikes. I got back into a shop in 1997 and stayed there till 2000. Learned a lot about bikes and building them from a frame up with a parts kit.

In 2000, I retired from the Air National Guard and went stagnant for a few years off the bikes.

Then this Spring Nashbar had that sale. I looked over what I liked and wanted in my next bike. I wanted to try some different stuff like the SRAM Shifters and rear derailluer to be different. Other pieces on the bike are items that I liked and were unique. I wanted this bike to be an expression of what I wanted and needed in a bike and one that would also stand out from the typical Bike Shop Bicycle. I think I succeeded in that.

There are certain parts that you need right off the bat. Headset and bottom bracket are the two that I normally start with due to the special tools for prepping the frame and installing. After that it's just adding to the bike and then making the final adjustments for fit and function. The only thing that is not quite right is my cable housings and I put the wrong size ends on one set of cables. That will be fixed tonight.

Chris

Inthe10ring

What kind of Wheels are those? I like em' a lot! Sexy machine...

tourist

There's a great tool to use for this at:

www.speedgoat.com

I believe it's the bike lab tab. Cool to mess with.

ang1sgt

Inthe10ring, Thanks for asking.

They are Vuelta Starlite AL wheels. I got them from one of my LBS in a package deal that included front and rear rims, Michelin Tubes and Tires, Skewers and spare spokes. So far they have held up well and track true. My son loves em too and wants me to get him a set.

https://www.vueltausa.com/products/mt...tarlite-al.htm

Chris

P.S. I knew the Owner at the LBS I went to and got a deal at $179 for the SET!

Terrierman

Nice bike. Very nice, made all the better by coming from your own hands and mind.

jskwarek

What brand fork is that? I've been thinking about disc brakes on my FX as I've already got disc hubs, but this would require replacing the current Bontrager front fork as there is no provisions for a caliper mount.

Jason

Inthe10ring

I'm pretty sure that it's a Nashbar, or comperable fork. I think that Nashbar has them for about 149.99 , last time I looked... I wonder how well it would hold up against my cheeky bits...

ang1sgt

Inthe10ring got that right! It is the NASHBAR Carbon Fork and by the looks of it, it is made by FSA. I could be wrong on that though. It is very beefy! I've not had a single problem with it. I installed it with a Cane Creek S-6 headset and boy is that thing smooth. The Discs are Avid BB5's and they set up well and brake very well with my 265 lbs on them. I was concerned that I would might have a little shudder or shake with this fork and the discs, but that has not been the case.

The steerer tube is an Aluminum and that was what I was looking for. I don't know if I would trust the carbon steerer for my weight class.

Chris