Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Mountain Biking
Reload this Page >

Possible bike build

Search
Notices
Mountain Biking Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Check out this forum to discuss the latest tips, tricks, gear and equipment in the world of mountain biking.

Possible bike build

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-11-12, 06:17 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 30
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Possible bike build

I have been riding my xtc 29er for a year now. I am mechanically inclined but haven't done too much work on my bike other than a new rear derailleur and some tinkering. Do you think building a bike is something that i should consider undertaking or should i reconsider? Would you recommend that i build a FS 29er or FS 26er being that i have only ridden a hardtail 29er? I am wanting to build a more all mountain bike. The frame that caught my eye is the Santa Cruz Nickel. Thanks alot!
BHugs is offline  
Old 02-11-12, 07:33 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
pablosnazzy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: fruita, co
Posts: 1,701

Bikes: rocky mountain SLAYER!!!! trek, voodoo, surly, spot, bianchi, ibis

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
if you want a more all mountain bike, i would go with a full suspension 26" bike. i assume when you say "all mountain" you mean there will be tight techy climbs, possible hucking and drops, and the like.

or, if you want to be ahead of everyone, build a full suspension 650b. in a few years, they will be the bike to have.
pablosnazzy is offline  
Old 02-11-12, 07:38 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
YamiRider1316's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Paradise CA
Posts: 442

Bikes: 13' Ragley Marley, 12' Pivot Firebird, 13' Pivot Point, 89' Bridgestone RB-1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
yeah given that you already have a hardtail 29er i would definitely go with a 26" AM bike. The nickel doesnt look bad. Not real familiar with that bike but Santa Cruz certainly doesnt make junk. With 5" of travel it should be able to handle most AM riding.
YamiRider1316 is offline  
Old 02-11-12, 10:11 PM
  #4  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 30
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
What about the Santa Cruz Heckler? Does anyone have any experience with this frame?
BHugs is offline  
Old 02-11-12, 10:20 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
pablosnazzy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: fruita, co
Posts: 1,701

Bikes: rocky mountain SLAYER!!!! trek, voodoo, surly, spot, bianchi, ibis

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
heckler is a pretty kick ass bike. as is the butcher. you won't go wrong with the heckler.

are you totally stuck on santa cruz, or would you be open to other bicycle suggestions?
pablosnazzy is offline  
Old 02-11-12, 10:58 PM
  #6  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 30
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I would totally be open to other suggestions! The more help and information i could get the better I would feel undertaking this build.
BHugs is offline  
Old 02-12-12, 08:42 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
JonathanGennick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Munising, Michigan, USA
Posts: 4,131

Bikes: Priority 600, Priority Continuum, Devinci Dexter

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 685 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times in 37 Posts
Originally Posted by BHugs
Do you think building a bike is something that i should consider undertaking or should i reconsider?
Building is a lot of fun. It's not often cost-effective, but I enjoy building and find it therapeutic. IMHO, you need a strong budget and willingness to tolerate a few mistakes.

Be warned! Once past my first build, I became hooked.
JonathanGennick is offline  
Old 02-12-12, 05:01 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
mrgrunt99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 153

Bikes: 1994 Giant Yukon (first mountain bike), 2003 Trek Fuel, Custom Full Carbon hardtail MB (in progress), Scattante with Dura Ace (custom build up)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by JonathanGennick
Building is a lot of fun. It's not often cost-effective, but I enjoy building and find it therapeutic. IMHO, you need a strong budget and willingness to tolerate a few mistakes.

Be warned! Once past my first build, I became hooked.
This statement is very true. I have done 3 builds in the last 18 months....its like an addiction. And i have learned things with each build.
mrgrunt99 is offline  
Old 02-12-12, 07:31 PM
  #9  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 30
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Why is building a bike not cost-effective?
BHugs is offline  
Old 02-12-12, 07:46 PM
  #10  
GSH
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 35
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Building your own bike is a lot of fun (I just built up a Soma single speed), but a big part of it is having the proper tools! Having a headset press to install a headset is almost manditory, plus special tools for installing various bottom brackets, cranks, etc. But if you can get access to proper tools, it's a blast and very rewarding. I have the Soma single speed for riding at Ray's Mtn Bike Park, and a Santa Cruz Superlight (FS 26") for local trails which can be quite tight singletrack.
GSH is offline  
Old 02-12-12, 07:48 PM
  #11  
GSH
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 35
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Regarding cost effectiveness, the biggies (Giant, Specialized, Trek) in the biz really drive a hard bargain with suppliers in Taiwan in building their bikes. It's very difficult to put a bike together piecemeal cheaper than they can, but it's still fun. You can find some good deals on components on sites such as Jensen, etc. Good luck!

Last edited by GSH; 02-12-12 at 07:57 PM.
GSH is offline  
Old 02-12-12, 09:11 PM
  #12  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 30
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Anyone have any advice about how to choose a saddle?
BHugs is offline  
Old 02-12-12, 09:32 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
YamiRider1316's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Paradise CA
Posts: 442

Bikes: 13' Ragley Marley, 12' Pivot Firebird, 13' Pivot Point, 89' Bridgestone RB-1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
some lbs's will let you try different saddles out. Probably the best way to choose one. What works and is comfortable for 1 person might not be for another so its hard to recommend saddles. On another note my buddy has 2011 trek remedy 9 hes trying to get rid of if you are in the market for a bad arse AM bike.
YamiRider1316 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
HasteTheMoment
Mountain Biking
2
04-26-16 06:19 PM
LouisianaRider
Mountain Biking
22
12-10-15 01:43 PM
MTBBDA
Mountain Biking
32
08-31-12 07:30 AM
TnBama
Mountain Biking
19
10-05-10 06:08 PM
Paul Barnard
Bicycle Mechanics
31
07-25-10 12:17 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.