Building a new bike...opinions
 

Ive been riding a piece of junk huffy just to get into trail riding. I am now riding multiple times a week and am constantly having to spend money just to keep the junker on the trail. I want to build a bike the way I want it and was wondering if the Access XCL 9r frame is a good platform to start with. I am new to this and have never built a bike from the ground up and would love to have something to be proud of and have fun riding instead of having to carry the bike out of the trails on my back because I destroyed another derailur or front fork. Im sure there will be more questions in the future. Right now I am just trying to find a decent frame to build off of for under $300 could be a 26 or a 29. Ive rode a few Specialized 29ers at the LBS and love the way they feel but a 26 may suit me just as well. If you have any questions to ask me that I need to answer to better help me narrow down my search please fire away since I am new to this.

Have you considered (or are you familiar with) bikesdirect? It's not quite as DIY as building up a frame from scratch but it's not quite buying an assembled bike from a bike store either. I've not used them but have heard good stuff (no affiliation) and their prices seem great.

I have not. I am just getting serious about mountain biking so I am still fairly uneducated about where to find everything and what all is good. Thanks for the tip I will check them out.

Here is my XCL...."26'r".
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/...79b81a344f.jpg
The frame was a birthday present to replace my aging Trek. A little searching on ebay and a couple of my favorite online stores, and I had a brand new bike for about $800! I've been riding for quite a long time...about 20 years and this rides just as nice as just about any other mountain bike I've owned. I have no complaints. The only "oddity" I found was when I installed the front derailleur, the placement of the seat tube cage mounts are positioned so that you just about have to use a top swing (you'll learn about all that great stuff as you go) derailleur. Personally, I have never liked the top swings, and got a "normal" top pull derailleur, and the band goes directly over the lower boss. It doesn't bother me...especially since I don't use a cage there..but I did think it was kind of weird.

I am not too worried about that cage. I may end up using one cage right now for hydration I have my camel back which to me is a lot more convenient. My current bike has no place for me to put a cage so I learned very quickly other hydration methods were needed.

That is a great looking bike! I may end up going that route. After I finish the new one I think the old one will get some more street friendly tires and spend all its time on the trainer and as a commuter.

I sat down and priced out a lot of the components that I would like on a bike....I figure if I build it, build it right the first time why build something then wait for it to break to replace it. In the end for a 29er start to finish I was looking at 1100 if I bought everything without searching for a deal.

Buuuuut thanks to Chris I checked out BD and found what looks to be a good starting point for me to buy and then continue to build on if need be. Would this Moto be worth my time...again Im a newb and am looking for something I can get years of service out of.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...antom29_08.htm

Looks like a lot of bike for $600.

Figured I would revive this thread. I decided to go ahead and build for the experience and know how. But need some opinions on components and compatability or if you have better suggestions. Ill just copy and post from mtbr.com

This will be my first ground up build. I normally only work on cars and trucks but want to build a bike of my own to replace my junk Huffy I break weekly. I am fairly new to this and have been doing tons of reading the past 2 weeks to try and figure out whats good whats junk and everything else but I am not sure about a few aspects. I mainly trail ride with the biggest drop offs so far being only about 4', tons of tree roots, and steep up hills. I am trying to keep this with in a reasonable budget ($1500) Yes I know I can get a decent bike from my LBS for that but I want the experience in building one so I can fix problems and for the learning experience. Here is a list of parts I have come up with. Let me know if something isnt compatible or I may be able to find a better product in a similar price range....or if I am just flat out missing pieces!

Access XCL 9r frame
Rock Shox Dart 3 fork
SRAM PG-970 cassette
Race face ride XC crank set
SRAM X.9 rear deraileur
SRAM X.7 front deraileur
Cane Creek S3 threadless headset
Ritchey Pro Rizer handle bars
SRAM X.7 trigger shifters
Easton EA70 stem
Race Face XC/AM X-type BB
Avid BB7's or BB5's
Forte Precision seat post
SRAM 9 spd chain
WTB speed disc wheels
Continental tires

I have no idea on cables, brake levers, or a seat. Let me know youre thoughts on where I may be going wrong or somewhere I may be able to better this.

Downgrade the derailleurs and whatever else you need to in order to get a nicer fork.

Since your running BB7's, why not get the Mechanical Avid levers? I've heard the BB7's perform very well with them.

I agree with the getting a better fork.

Pricepoint has a decent deal on the Tora right now.
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/191...oil-U-Turn.htm

Yeah I think I can pick the Tora up without blowing the budget. Any other problems ya'll are seeing on this or other suggestions? I will probably start picking up parts this week.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/162...-Build-Kit.htm

What all else would be needed with something like this? Besides the Tora fork, will the 2008 Tora fit a 29" it doesnt specify under the description.

You already suggested it yourself....for $1500, check out complete bikes at your LBS. You should be able to get something with better specs. And if you really want to get comfortable working on bikes, just tear whichever one you buy apart then put it back together.

If you're really set on building a bike on your own, have you factored in purchasing any required tools?

I have factored in the cost of tools, I can get a complete bike for that yes. I cant afford it all at once, so that was one of my other reasons for building one because I can get parts when I can afford them. I have a bike I can ride until this one is built and then the one I am riding is getting torn apart and rebuilt to be more of a commuter. I really want to do it more as a hobby/learning experience. Its like putting a model together or me working on my truck. It gives me something to do.

RS does make a Tora 29r.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...9.aspx?sc=FRGL

The rs 29er fork for ya.

Agreed on the suggestion to downgrade deraileurs and upgrade the fork. I had a Sram X.7 rear which I broke (my fault, not the deraileur's). I upgraded to the X.9 and noticed no difference. The only visible difference is cast versus forged parts, so I suspect the only functional difference is weight.

I think after all the suggestions, links, and browsing the LBS I will take y'alls advice and buy a bike from the LBS and upgrade a few parts of it. Today about drew the line for me with my current MTB, 12 miles on 17" frame when I need at least 21" was rough when I wanted to sit down I couldnt because my butt was too far back on the seat which was very uncomfortable!! Was a gorgeous ride though!!

But...building up the bike is just as much fun as riding! Plus, you can do it when it's too rainy to ride.

What's the point of buying something, only to upgrade random parts immediately? Why not just buy the bike with the parts you want already installed?

Im not going to replace them all at once. I may end up getting the Motobecane from BD due to price and switch a lot of the stuff to a better frame and upgrade the house parts for something a bit better. I'll still pretty much be building an entire bike but I will get out of it for a lot cheaper. Right now I just want something I can ride comfortably since my current bike is way too small and actually is painful to ride for longer distances.

Dude, for $1500 you can get a great new bike, like a Giant Trance X3 with SLX components and Fox forks and suspension. If you liked 29ers, you could get a Jamis Dakota 29 with SLX/XT components and a Reba Race fork. Why would you waste your money??