Bike build advice

[paxton coyote]

 I've got word that I've acquired my dream frame/fork, a slightly used Salsa Fargo & hope to start building it as I go in spite of sending a son to college & a daughter overseas for foreign exchange this year, so BIG budget! Any advice for building this thing up, do's or dont's? I hope for B+ parts if I can but would love to hear ideas, some of mine so far include Cane Creek Thudbuster seatpost, Salsa Woodchipper bars, Salsa semi rims w/ Shimano XT hubs. I'm not thrilled about this new 10 speed stuff either so not sure what I'll do there, actually been singlespeeding it now exclusively since '06.

 I've had excellent results with my WTB Dual Duty rims thus far so they may be an option to. This thing will mainly be a gravel/dirt road cruiser/weekend RV with some lightweight overnighters & a dab of singletrack, cowtrails & bushwacking thrown in. Oh, I'm also 6' 5" & a Clydesdale at 260 lbs if that helps. This will be fun & looking forward to opinions.

  www.paxtonpeleton.blogspot.com

[AZTtripper]

Have you used a Thudbuster before? I have not so my info comes second hand. My partner on the 07 AZT 300 had one on his 26r for years but didn't like it on his 29r. He ended up taking it off and going with a standard seatpost. I personally like my Moots post it has just enough flex to take the edge off but not some much that you feel it moving around. They are pricey tho.

Just say no to 10 speed. I never had an 8 speed went straight from 7 to 9, but I have seen here and elsewhere on line that a lot of riders think the 8 speed stuff wears better. Too bad there isn't a good high quality 8 speed drive train aimed at the endurance crowd. Hint hint Sram an 8 speed 36/12 made to be just light enough to still be durable.

Good luck with the build up,

[fat bob]

I've got word that I've acquired my dream frame/fork, a slightly used Salsa Fargo & hope to start building it as I go in spite of sending a son to college & a daughter overseas for foreign exchange this year, so BIG budget! Any advice for building this thing up, do's or dont's? I hope for B+ parts if I can but would love to hear ideas, some of mine so far include Cane Creek Thudbuster seatpost, Salsa Woodchipper bars, Salsa semi rims w/ Shimano XT hubs. I'm not thrilled about this new 10 speed stuff either so not sure what I'll do there, actually been singlespeeding it now exclusively since '06.

 I've had excellent results with my WTB Dual Duty rims thus far so they may be an option to. This thing will mainly be a gravel/dirt road cruiser/weekend RV with some lightweight overnighters & a dab of singletrack, cowtrails & bushwacking thrown in. Oh, I'm also 6' 5" & a Clydesdale at 260 lbs if that helps. This will be fun & looking forward to opinions.

  www.paxtonpeleton.blogspot.com

Congrats on the Fargo, great bike.

The only thing I can add: for budget, get the 25.4 woodchipper... it's almost 1/2 the price of the 31.8.

Oh, and yeah to hell with the 10spd crap. 2x9 will work just fine

[Slowerthensnot]

i'd say track down some used 9,8 speed barcons, avid bb7 road brakes, cane creek levers, shimino un54 bb with an old deore crank with 110 bolt patten so you can run like a 26-36-46 or the like... wheels i'd say go slx on the hubs almost as good as xt and dont seem to have as many freehub issues....  have replaced way to many xt freehub bodies in this part of the world...  oh and wtb nano raptor tires... my fav gravel/ do it all tire

just my .02