Just a quickie... I've had a chance to ride a SRAM bike and really liked the shifting.  However, other than 0X1 and XX1, I'm clueless as to which groupsets compete with the Deore XT set?  I don't want to go with anything less that this quality.

Hey guys,

I just sold my car and should have cash in hand on Tuesday.  Therefore I want to get busy on this 29er build. 

So far, I was thinking the 062 until I followed a link from this forum to carbonal and saw this frame:  http://www.carbonalbike.com/carbon-mtb-hardtail-29er-cross-country-frame-with-vibration-reduce-system-1080g-ckmb01-sl.html

I'm sort of liking the idea of the kevlar relief in the seat stays.  Does anyone have any information on this frame and carbonal bike as a vender?  I assume most of you buy wheels from the same vendor at the same time.  I'd like to do XC/AM hoops.  Probably go Novatec for these.  Next season I'll buy a set of XC specific with DT Swiss.  Depending on $$ I might try and pickup some cheaper aluminum wheels from Aliexpress.  One of the places I like to ride in NorthPort is root garden central. 

Groupset:, I don't know if I can afford it this time around, but possibly looking at the SRAM Eagle XX1.  It might be too rich for my blood, but I don't know the price... or if it includes brakes.   If not, I would like to go the SRAM route 1x11, but need brake advice... Otherwise I would fall back on Deore XT full groupset.

Forks... I REALLY want the Fox 32 Stepcast Factory.  I see it several places for about $900, and a bit more for remote.  Might end up out of my price range, but next selection would be the standard 32 Factory.  Lastly would probably be something like a Reba RL.   Maybe one of you guys can chime in on the fork thing....

Dropper seat post.  I have seen a few different models, but what do you guys recommend?

Bars, I'll probably do the BEIOU's from Amazon again. Been happy with them thus far, and at $40, that's hard to beat.  However, if you have any other suggestions, I'm all ears.

Stem - no idea where to begin.  My default would be an Origin8 aluminum from Amazon.  Cheap reliable and I know I can get it within a week.

Saddle - Hmmm. I have a Selle SMP Extra now. It's heavy but for training and fun riding it's fine.  A carbon one just for racing would be interesting. Suggestions if you have them....

Pedals - I'll likely source these from wherever I get the groupset from. I'll stick with SPDs.

Tires - Suggestions for fast rolling with good tread for Florida. I've been out of the game for awhile, so my knowledge stops around the introduction of the Panaracer Fire XC.

Thanks and I'd like to get ordering started this week.   

TJ

Hello all,

Before I found out about this forum, I was pretty much only searching on Amazon for all things bargain bicycle.  After 20+ years away from the sport, when I started riding again this past March, I needed to replace my Shimano shoes that had deteriorated in the back of my closet.  I didn't want to spend a ton of money as I'm riding a vintage bike, I just wanted to be comfortable clipped in to my Shimano SPD 737 pedals.

I took a gamble on the Venzo shoes with included pedals.  I can't speak for the pedals as I have not used them enough to give feedback, but the shoes have seen heavy use since the end of March. I ride almost daily between 15 - 20 miles each ride, quite often hitting water, mud, some tarmac etc... These shoes have continued to hold up very nicely.  Granted they are not the same as my old Shimano shoes which I paid 4 times the price 25 years ago, but they are definitely doing a very good job of serving me in my abuse on them, and they are comfortable while being snug.  The soles are not as stiff as a high end racing shoe, but they are stiffer than most of the 'Vans Style' SPD shoes.  Actually not to bad to walk in either.  When they get all nasty, I take some Oxyclean and a brush, put them in the sink, scrub-a-dub for a couple of minutes, rinse and let drip dry.  Really brings back the color.  :-)

I know that one of the reasons this site exists is for fellow riders to share info on products they feel are reasonable/quality at lower price points.  I just wanted to put this one out here for anyone looking for shoes under $70.00 (pedals included).  It's a great package for anyone wanting to try SPD without sinking $400+ into pedals and shoes.

Below are the shoes I purchased.  Please note the sizing is off.  Just read through the reviews if you need help with sizing. 

I am a US 10.5-11 and I ordered a 44.5 which fit perfectly.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PJGWS4G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

TJ

Hey Everyone!

Just found this forum and I see there are some very knowledgable people on here.   I've done a bit of research and quite honestly, my brain is starting to glaze over.  So let me give you guys some details about myself and what I want to accomplish and hopefully you can point me in the right direction.

I was a bike industry professional from 1985-95. I've built hundreds of bikes and the only thing I haven't tinkered with at this point is disc brakes.  Sure I can figure that out, so I will be building the bike myself.  Also, I am willing to be a guinea pig for some of the parts out there like LTWOO since there doesn't seem to be much feedback on them.  I ride 15-20 miles almost daily, so I will definitely put this bike through it's paces.  Also, I plan to race the bike in the Florida FSC series in 2017. I'm 46 and I want at least a year to get conditioned and comfortable on a new bike, especially a 29er which I have never ridden.

What I want to accomplish is a bike suited for the Florida circuit, meaning we don't have much for hills, so I would prefer geometry that is a bit more agile, especially since I am coming from a 26er with a 71 degree head angle. 

I've seen some chatter on here about the FM 057 and a few others.  What would you recommend?  I have a budget between $2000 and $2500 for start.  Also the only online vendor I have seen (until discovering this site) was aliexpress.  I did research on them and it's quite mixed.  Not sure I want to trust a site like that.  I'll go take a peek at the vendors topic next, but if you have any advice/experience, I am all ears.

Thanks and I look forward to any feedback as well as building a new bike. 

TJ