thanks for the suggestions. i should add that it wouldn't be the first bike i build; just the first 'real' mtn bike... for the lack of options over the long weekend i went ahead and built it up. (already had the wheelset built, and i didn't really want to just buy a complete bike).

one thing i haven't managed to find, is the seatpost clamp for it. from what i can read, it appears to be a 33mm clamp, which isn't that common these days. and the seatpost is a 27.2 to the best of my knowledge. could anyone out there confirm this before i go ahead and order the clamp?