Originally Posted by jhota

and i'm looking forward to building it up. but i'm also looking for some help with finalizing the build.

what i either have (or have on order) so far:

FSA crank (48/38), with matching bottom bracket (square-taper). 12-25 9-speed 105 cassette and chain. XTR M-952 rear derailer. Nashbar frame, fork and stem. CK headset.

i plan to use 9-speed Campagnolo brifters (probably Mirage or Xenon) with a Jtek Shiftmate. also have the bars and saddle already picked out. seatpost will be whatever i can get cheap - as i'll probably break it.

where i'm stuck:

front derailer. anybody have any recommendations? Shimano, Campy, FSA? i've kind of been planning on using a Campy Mirage double, but if anybody has any better suggestions i'd appreciate the advice.

rims. hubs will probably be either Shimano XT or WTB, unless i get a deal on something else. 32 or 36 hole, 3x lacing. since this is going to be a "fun" bike, not a race bike, i'll probably go disc (unless i throw the NOS Onza canti's i've got lying around on it). that said, has anybody got any suggestions on rims? black with machined brake surfaces is my only real criteria. and clincher or sew-up? i've never owned a bike with sew-up tyres, but i've always heard good things about them - and there seem to be plenty of sew-up 'cross tyres available...