I WANT EVERYONE'S OPINIONS ON COMPONENT BUILDS

[slowgoat]

I just got a steal of a deal on a Kona Hei Hei 2-9 Deluxe and want to build it up from scratch. I finally feel like my mech skills are up to snuff for this, and I'm specing the components (and am EXCITED!)  I know I am building my own wheels: Stans Flow 29er rims, I'll use a nice hub like King or similar (cannot use HOPE), and have decided on a Rockshox Reba Team Uturn as the fork.  I cannot use Hope because I want to get a custom Action Tec Titanium cassette (36 or 39 tooth), and that cassette's lack of a carrier will shred the Hope's soft Aluminum.

Other than that, what do you guys think?  I am leaning toward XT cranks and full Sram other than that, but am needing some guidance. I'm leaning toward Thompson & King odds and ends, etc., as well.  What are some lesser known solid components that would spice up this build? What has worked or not worked for you?  Since it is my first 29er I want to do it right!  Thanks for the help! 

Oh, yeah. This bike is for bikepacking primarily, and I am a 290 LB clyde rider.  (Out of LIGHT, STRONG, and CHEAP I'll pick:  LIGHT AND STRONG!!!!)

[DaveC]

36h Flows with PHAT spokes on DT Swiss.
King BB, Surly crank, 20/30/40 rings.
Thomson Masterpiece post, X4 stem.
Salsa OS bar.
Ergons.
X7 Grip shift, X9 drivetrain.
BB7's w/ nice levers and 203mm front rotor.

[slowgoat]

 

Thanks for the info!  Sounds like you put the bucks in all the right places.

[AZTtripper]

King BB, Surly crank, 20/30/40 rings.

Dave did you have to modify the Surly crank to work with the 20 tooth ring.

[DaveC]

I don't have a Surly, but it comes standard with a 5 bolt, 58 bcd granny.  I use a Sugino crank and Shimano UN-73 bb, but recommended the Surly to the OP based on weight.

[Slim]

• A good torque wrench and some carbon assembly paste for less slippage. Grease where it should be and meticulous frame prep.
• Salsa flip-lock seat-post clamp. The best one out there and comes in a choice of colors.
• 2.2 or bigger tires with 60 tpi casing, no 120! Maybe look at the Geax TNT versions when they come out. If you are running tires tubeless you will want a stiffer casing to keep the tires from rolling.
• How tall are you? If you have long legs you might like a longer crank.
• Send your shock PUSH or similar, the stock damping is aimed at much lower pressures.
• I would pick a good hydraulic brake for modulation, power and ease of use, perhaps with goodridge hose for more durability(don't get the alu. fittings then!). BB's are easier to fix if you're willing to carry the parts and tools though. 8" rotor in front and maybe rear too. Not for power in the rear but for heat dissipation.
• I will not ride a MTB without adjustable seatpost anymore, Gravity dropper seems the most fail resistant design.
• Through-axle fork
• 36h rear and 32h front rims, nice and wide, brass nipples for ease of truing. Consider a 6  speed rear wheel for more stiffness and strength (see my build)

Have fun!

[jonesy792]

I'm planning a build also, the way I'm leaning right now is:
niner mcr9 frame
reba fork
xt/x9 drivetrain (undecided)
stans arch rims laced to dt swiss hubs
ergon grips

yet to be decided:
bar (probably carbon)
seatpost (??)
seat (I'll rent a few from the lbs till I find a comfy one)
pedals (??)
tires (I like the weirwolf's on my 26 but mabe small block 8, nonorapter, raven, ??  I do mostly desert riding)

any ideas?

[slowgoat]

Everyone told me there is no 5" travel fork, but in a Bike magazine I read last night, there is a new 150mm Marzocchi coming out (or out already?).  Looks like the perfect fork for a Lenz Behemoth. 

Was leaning toward 8 and 8 on the disc brakes, but which brakes?  Each line has multiple examples, was leaning toward stroker trails or juicy sevens or elixers. Any thoughts? 

Great comments!

[jonesy792]

Although I love my hydro's I'm going with mechanical brakes (BB7's) on my bikepacking bike for the sole reason of reliability.  If you are 100 miles away from the nearest bike shop and you have a bubble in the brake line (or worse) there is no way that you can fix it.

[slowgoat]

Great idea! Having never had an issue with hydraulic brakes, I guess I may be due.  I NEVER would have thought of that.

[jonesy792]

Yeah I've never really had problems with my hydros either, just got my first air bubble in the front brake recently.  I'm also putting bigger rotors on the bike (203 front, 185 rear) to make up for any loss in braking power

[AZTtripper]

I ran bb7's for years just recently switched to hydros no problems yet but it does make sense to use cable actuated for big trips.

As for the bigger rotors I bet you could get by with out them bb's have pretty good power when properly adjusted. That's the only down side is you have to do the adjustment manually but it is no biggie.

[jonesy792]

Just got my bb7's.  I love that they are fully adjustable, I always have had problems with my hydros not being adjusted quite right.  Now all I need is a frame to bolt them on....

[AZTtripper]

I don't have a Surly, but it comes standard with a 5 bolt, 58 bcd granny.  I use a Sugino crank and Shimano UN-73 bb, but recommended the Surly to the OP based on weight.

I went and looked at the Surly crank, Mr Whirly looks like a good way to run a 20 tooth with out having to modify/grind. I have a 20 on my Truvativ but it likes to skip when the chain is new and I don't want to grind on it as it looks thin already. I am thinking of going with the Whirly the 58 mm should do the trick though I see Surly doesn't carry a 20 but I did find one from Blackspire with the 5x58.

[slowgoat]

Bad news about the Truvativ.  The guys at Actiontec said the only cranks you had to grind are Shimano.  I am bummed, was looking at the Truvativ for this ride.  I know I can get an XT to work, may just stick with that.