Questions regarding components for a 29er build
 

Looking to get a frame and build a 29er; I know it would be cheaper in the long run to buy one. However,
I would like to select components and build it myself for the experience.

Is there a general brand or series of derailleurs to get, for example? Or just whatever is out there?

Looking to go low-budget, but not dirt cheap.

Holy crap, gman! You have no idea what you're getting yourself into. (this thread...not the build:lol:)

Pretty controversial subject asking for general brands of crap:lol:



Who are you? Are you the XC guy who's gonna be churning out lap times? Are you that guy who just wants to see the very end of the trail? Are you that one dude who launched that last step-down? Are you the rich yuppie that just wants the best crap available?



I highly suggest Shimano XT drivetrains with SRAM chains. XT cassette, XT Shadow rear derailleur, XT crankset, XT front derailleur, XT shifters.


If you wanna save some money at the cost of a tad-bit-o-weight...check out Shimano SLX stuff. It's all excellent.



SRAM X.9 is ~ XT level stuff...I've found XT to last a bit longer.
SRAM X.7 is ~ SLX level stuff...I've found it to be pretty-much as good as LX level Shimano stuff.


I've just become pretty-much a die-hard XT guy given the experience I've had with X.9.

Who are you?
Are you the XC guy who's gonna be churning out lap times? NO
Are you that guy who just wants to see the very end of the trail? PROBABLY
Are you that one dude who launched that last step-down? NOT SURE WHAT YOU MEAN.
Are you the rich yuppie that just wants the best crap available? NOT ME.

What is the difference between long and short cage derailleurs?

the longer the cage, the more range it has - IE, the the bigger gears it can handle, because the more chain slack it can take up when you're shifted to the small-small combo.

The downsides are: slower shifts (relatively, some are pretty good), chain slap because there's more slack, and it's easier it is to bonk it on **** and break it.

What would be the recommended front/rear sprocket combos for a short cage?

I found this:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=205890

General rule
1 ring - short cage
2 rings - medium cage
3 rings - long cage

It depends on the size of your rings more than anything- each RD will have a rating for how many teeth it can handle (front+back). Check to make sure you're within the specs and you're good to go.

Sometimes you can get away with a smaller than rated cage if you are super careful not to cross-chain- IE, as long as you never use your big-big, you can use a medium cage on a triple. Not recommended though, because one brain fart shift of the front is enough to trash your RD.

PS: This is why I ride a single speed. Less **** to break and less decisions to make :)

I have had more crashes by getting confused over which gear to be in. If only I had known sooner.

Gman...I'd say a good SLX or X.7 group would be plenty adequate for general trail riding. I'm still a huge fan of SRAM chains. IMO...you can't beat the Shimano hollowtech II design cranksets. Maybe you should consider a 1x9 setup there...32t front ring 9speed rear.

Me too! That's why absolutely everyone everywhere should use the exact same bike I do - it's the best, for everyone. I'm glad you finally see the error of your ways, and posted a completely serious, non snide comment in a thread which is all about helping Gman select the right components for him.

You're a real asset to the community.

And Gman, Chelboed is more knowledgeable than I about these things, so I'll defer to him on brands.

Sorry if this is a hijack.... BUT...

I'm thinking about making my 29er a 1x9. Right now it's 3x9. It has a rear XTR derailleur with a long cage right now, if I were to put a single-speed crankest on the front with the long cage in the back, would that just be asking for trouble?

If so, can you buy shorter cages and just swap them out?

Edit: Currently running 11-32 on the back, thinking about going 11-34 for 1x9.

You'll be fine. If you ever wear out the XTR...replace with a short cage. 11-34 is a wise choice for such tall meats. If you can afford it...check out the search function over at MTBR...there's a guy there who makes 30t middle rings. (ramped / un ramped) 30t up front with an 11-34 in the back would be a pretty decent setup for a 29'er.

11-32 is a tad steep....though...there are alot of rigid SS 29ers out there running steeper gearing than 32/32. It's all doable...just depends on how much you want to get off and walk.

Bold is mine, added for clarity, hope you don't mind. Good solid information in the rest of your posts.

Good stuff! The way I read it, dminor was merely making light of your fallacious, and some might argue extraneous, postscript. No reason to get all torqued up. And to say he's not an asset to the "community" is laughably untrue.

Now that is funny. :kicknuts:

It might not be what you want to hear, but I would probably get a stock bike in your budget range and as you ride it, you'll figure out over time what works and what doesn't for you. There's nothing wrong with building it your way, and I've both built and bought complete several times, but it doesn't sound like you have any real specific ideas of what you want.

Fair enough. I'd take issue with calling it fallacious though- it's factually correct on all counts (my motivation, durability, and simplicity). Extraneous, definitely :)

And I'm sure he's an asset to the community- I was more trying to make the point that he didn't add anything but negative energy to the thread. Could've phrased that better though.

I think I will stick with the 3x9; I'm older now and I need all the help I can getting up those hills. Besides I may use it on occasion to ride to work; I'll probably go with a mild mountain tire.

You are absolutely correct. However, I am a glutton for punishment, I'll keep building it and learn along the way.

Just wondering... do some 26" mountain bike parts fit on 29ers? For example, brake parts?
maybe I could try and find some basket case bikes to use for parts?

most components are universal- pretty much the only things that are 29er specific are the frame, fork, and wheels. Disc/vbrakes, drivetrain, etc can all be swapped around AFAIK. Gearing will be different on a 29er (the wheel is bigger, so the same size cog goes farther), but other than that they should all be switchable.