Chinertown

Chinese Carbon MTB => 26er & 27.5 (650b) => Topic started by: jwilds1 on January 06, 2016, 01:09:15 PM

Title: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: jwilds1 on January 06, 2016, 01:09:15 PM
Well, after putting together my IP-057 last winter, and seeing my son start to dwarf his 24" Trek MT220 (and him being an awesome kid), we are going to start assembling components for a 14" 26er build for him.  He's 11-years old, so I'm hoping this bike will last him at least a few years, with multiple add-ons required to make it keep fitting, like setback seatposts and longer stems.  My rough math puts this at a 24.5" standover, and he was measured having a 25.5" "biking" inseam a week or two ago.

Goal is sub-$1500 with all-new components and sub 22lbs.  Here's what we're looking at:

Frame - FASTEAM? 14" 26er - $360 shipped http://goo.gl/pDgStv (http://goo.gl/pDgStv)  I did take a look at the CS-016 frame, but the reach is very long.

Fork - Reba or SID, if I can get a good deal on one.  $250 budget

Wheels - Anything cheap & light.  He only weighs 65 lbs.  $250 budget

Drivetrain - XT 2x10 with 165mm cranks.  Currently debating keeping 2 in the front and selecting the 38/24 setup, or removing the big ring from the 40/28 and replacing with a bash guard.  Regardless, I'm getting the Shadow+ medium cage considering it's only a couple bucks more.

Brakes - Strongly leaning towards BB7's instead of XT hydraulics.  I don't seem to have any luck bleeding brakes, although this frame is external-route, so I don't have to cut/disconnect to route.  As I type this, I remembered another plus to the XT levers - adjustable reach for my little guy's hands.  We shall see.

Misc. - Carbon seatpost (excess cut off), used aluminum bars, shorty stem I had lying around from my build.

Going to sit with him this evening to sort out his most important part - COLOR SCHEME!  Frame comes in gloss green, gloss white, gloss pink (ewww), and matte black 3k weave.  Going to be doing a lot of eBay, Amazon shopping the next few days.
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: bxcc on January 06, 2016, 04:26:04 PM
Awesome plan. Keep us posted on progress amd needed parts. We can share any special deals.
Speaking of special deals, are you open to the idea of a 29" Reba 120mm? Which can be set to 80 which should be close to a 110mm 26er.
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: jwilds1 on January 07, 2016, 09:25:30 AM
This thing is going to be white, and I mean WHITE!!

He gave me two options - White w/ green (which would drive the SID fork), and white w/ red (Reba).

Pulled the trigger today on the frame, a very slightly used Reba for $175, wheelset (WTB Frequency I19 rims, SRAM X9 hubs - claimed 1785g for the pair), and the drivetrain.

For those interested, I was able to find two 26er frames in XS on eBay.  The one I purchased is branded a FASTEAM but has no logos.  Sold by dashinebike1.  There was another that popped up today, FR-902 sold by cfbstore.  The geometry looks very similar, but the FR-902 has two things going for it - internal routing and BSA bottom bracket.

I did ask the frame supplier, though, if they included headset & BB - unclear because two different areas of the listing told me two different things.  If they don't supply those items, I will cancel and go with the FR902.
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: jwilds1 on January 08, 2016, 01:21:53 PM
So everything's ordered, and here's where I'm at:

(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4TLvI2UY52U/VpAK76P6BRI/AAAAAAAAL4E/L-H0H7FtkUs/s537-Ic42/Capture.JPG)

21.7 lbs without pedals at $1400, not bad.  I'm going to go full "weight-weenie" and throw everything on the scale when I get it.

The frame comes with a BB92 and headset, but if the bottom bracket is junk the groupset comes with one.  Parts should start rolling in next week, and I'm going to try and push the frame supplier to get it shipped out prior to Chinese New Year.
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: jwilds1 on January 19, 2016, 08:22:04 AM
(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hpQ9hMgLP9g/Vp4-woTQ_QI/AAAAAAAAL5Q/fS-ZJ1Wo9bQ/s800-Ic42/20160116_152849.jpg)

(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O7Jqv54Iwts/Vp4-xX1gyyI/AAAAAAAAL5Y/ZPUCI2kKO5A/s800-Ic42/20160116_153152.jpg)

(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uID3EnJu2aI/Vp4-wnj5pfI/AAAAAAAAL5g/PIz--JsPM1g/s512-Ic42/20160116_152900.jpg)

(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ItPXDbLTc1Q/Vp4-wrssgDI/AAAAAAAAL5M/8xWryEOaq3Y/s512-Ic42/20160116_152907.jpg)

(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W99jzHT980A/Vp4-xKUYbDI/AAAAAAAAL5c/rLhSQq1xApo/s512-Ic42/20160116_153126.jpg)

(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o6nZJrlCWRI/Vp4-xd7jWWI/AAAAAAAAL5U/_7ZsiFOZ2Hw/s512-Ic42/20160116_153143.jpg)

Compared to my XMIPlay bike, this was lightspeed (no fault of Peter).  About a week from order to it being at my door, and that includes a mis-ship across the state.  So far, so good. 

To compare quality, I would put this bike a little bit below my IP-057, but not by much.  There are some small blemishes in the paint that are only visible from 6" away.  I was at first worried about the rear caliper mounts and the gunk that was in them (thinking I was going to have to go buy a tap to re-cut the threads), but the caliper bolted in no problem.  Headset provided was unbranded, almost identical to the Neco that came with my bike that has been flawless so far.  Bottom Bracket was a hefty, all-metal BB92 that I'm using as a spare because my gruppo (XT) came with one at half the weight.  My gruppo also came with a standard BSA bracket that now will be a spare for my bike.

I was really worried about installing the press-fit BB, but with liberal amounts of grease and a home-brew press (all-thread + nuts + wood blocks), it went in straight.  I don't have a current picture of where I'm at with the build, but bottom bracket & cranks are installed, the fork/headset/bars are installed, tires/wheels are done (tubeless on the first try!) and next step is cabling.  I could use some help here -

This bike is made for external rear brake cabling and semi-internal derailleur cabling (both cables exit at the bottom bracket).  My help needed is what to do I do with the front derailleur cable where it exits the frame right in front of the BB, and re-enters behind it, going back up into the frame for down-swing?  Do I just sheath the cable at the downtube exit?  Do I try and find one of those plastic cable spacers that sit underneath the BB?
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: Carbon_Dude on January 20, 2016, 11:06:17 AM
From the looks of the hole sizes, your front derailleur cable w/o housing would exit from the small hole in the bottom bracket, then you would run the cable with housing behind the bottom bracket into the larger hole and up to the front derailleur.
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: cmh on January 20, 2016, 11:53:06 AM
From the looks of the hole sizes, your front derailleur cable w/o housing would exit from the small hole in the bottom bracket, then you would run the cable with housing behind the bottom bracket into the larger hole and up to the front derailleur.

Not sure I agree with that. If the cable exits one of the two small holes and runs around the bottom bracket shell and up through the single larger hole behind the BB, the cable would be running over the paint, and that's no good. The question I'd ask is if there's a stop in the bigger hole, and if so, I'd think that both cables are expected to exit at the two smaller holes, immediately go into housing, and the FD housing goes into the bigger hole, where the RD housing would go back to the RD, fastened down to the provided guides on the DS chainstay. There's no provision for an under-the-BB guide like jwilds1 refers to, so I'm guessing that's not part of the design, and probably wouldn't work well if he tried to use one due to the large radius under the BB. If housings are expected to go right up against those two smaller holes, I would have thought there would be some provision for aligning them - but this is all guessing on my part.
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: jwilds1 on January 20, 2016, 01:44:19 PM
Thanks.  It definitely is a little confusing.  The entry point at the headset looks as if it's sized to allow cable housing to be routed the entire length, but then you look at the two holes on the downtube and they definitely don't look sized that way.  I wouldn't have an issue with drilling them out a little, but would rather get closer to being 100% sure that it's the right thing to do.

I have seen a lot of FS bikes that route this way, with a small gap between the BB and cable.

I'll take care of the rear brake tonight and try and do some more investigating.
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: MTB2223 on January 20, 2016, 01:49:29 PM
Can you show us a picture of the exit hole of the front derailleur cable at the back of seat tube?
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: Carbon_Dude on January 20, 2016, 02:41:28 PM
Thanks.  It definitely is a little confusing.  The entry point at the headset looks as if it's sized to allow cable housing to be routed the entire length, but then you look at the two holes on the downtube and they definitely don't look sized that way.  I wouldn't have an issue with drilling them out a little, but would rather get closer to being 100% sure that it's the right thing to do.

I have seen a lot of FS bikes that route this way, with a small gap between the BB and cable.

I'll take care of the rear brake tonight and try and do some more investigating.

I agree, I must not have explained it well in my earlier post but I was thinking the same as you.  That is how my -036 full suspension frame would be routed if I had a front derailleur.  Does seem a little odd that a hardtail would be routed that way though.
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: cmh on January 21, 2016, 07:10:15 AM
I agree, I must not have explained it well in my earlier post but I was thinking the same as you.  That is how my -036 full suspension frame would be routed if I had a front derailleur.  Does seem a little odd that a hardtail would be routed that way though.

Yeah, sorry, I just re-read your comment and realized it was a total reading fail on my part. ^_^ I think we're all in agreement, so I think we should argue about it some more!
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: jwilds1 on January 25, 2016, 09:02:14 AM
(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4bZApCSsYIg/VqY2RoevaEI/AAAAAAAAL7Y/FUuxT5VDO6A/s800-Ic42/20160121_194821.jpg)

Here's where we're at.  Brakes are 100%.  Cockpit is 100%.  Drivetrain cables are 50%.  I did figure out that the entry points at the frame had stops, so it ended up being identical to my IP-057 there.  I'm going to use the long-sleeved Jagwire "stops" where the cables exit at the downtube, some of the rubber "rub resist" sleeves and some 3M tape and I think we'll be good.  I also have to figure out how the remote lockout operates - I installed everything on the bars, then saw the remote in the box o' parts.

Here's the weight/cost status too.  We're changing seats - I found a youth-sized seat from J&R bikes that is half the weight, so we should be pretty close to under 20 pounds, although I feel like I'm missing something in that list.

(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bwB9XZ2ht7Y/Vp4_CJqqj_I/AAAAAAAAL5o/gJ-yQrdiHqA/s512-Ic42/Capture.JPG)

And here's a shot of where the bare cables exit the frame - you can already see where the wear point will be.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yT0rMdFpTS4/VqY2Rjl1ZuI/AAAAAAAAL7U/lS4fKzzt_RE/s512-Ic42/20160121_195022.jpg)
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: MTB2223 on January 25, 2016, 10:03:47 AM
And here's a shot of where the bare cables exit the frame - you can already see where the wear point will be.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yT0rMdFpTS4/VqY2Rjl1ZuI/AAAAAAAAL7U/lS4fKzzt_RE/s512-Ic42/20160121_195022.jpg)
ahhh, don't use the bare cable at this point.
Try to use a housing. When it's not possible, use a small aluminum plate, drill two small holes for the bare cable and then use the cable with housings.
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: jwilds1 on January 25, 2016, 10:43:50 AM
ahhh, don't use the bare cable at this point.
Try to use a housing. When it's not possible, use a small aluminum plate, drill two small holes for the bare cable and then use the cable with housings.

That was never my intention.

I'm going to use this at the exit point along the downtube:  (http://www.cambriabike.com/images/product/ca4603.jpg)

With this:(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/321496951218-0-1/s-l1000.jpg)

And this: (http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/mMAAAOxyXzxTIUjx/s-l300.jpg)

To end up with something that looks like this: (https://coresites-cdn.factorymedia.com/rcuk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/IMG_9421.jpg)
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: cmh on January 26, 2016, 09:10:10 AM
Good call using the stops with the extensions, that'll help align things coming out of the holes. Should work like a champ!
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: jwilds1 on February 01, 2016, 09:08:46 AM
Well, good news and bad news...

Good news - everything's routed and operational.  Here's what the BB routing ended up looking like (yeah, I forgot the one rub sleeve, oh well - I'm not undoing everything to get it back on).

(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H4DVNrnKxjY/Vq9jgKdxFWI/AAAAAAAAL8Q/t5uDuFV3cyQ/s800-Ic42/20160129_193829.jpg)

Bad news - pretty sure my lower headset bearing isn't supposed to look like this:

(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZofwsVSos8E/Vq9jgEWGQJI/AAAAAAAAL8U/QPnb82jGeQA/s512-Ic42/20160129_193901.jpg)

I found that while trying to diagnose the front end feeling wobbly.  I had a similar issue when I first put my bike together, which ended up being the fork not being cut enough (no clamp load on spacers).  My main worry bead is that when I found this, I also noticed a small gap between the upper bearing and the cup it inserts into.  I don't know if the gap on the upper portion caused the lower to disassemble itself.  I didn't notice this when I first started putting things together.  I do remember that the crown race installed SIGNIFICANTLY easier on this fork than it was on mine - I can almost slide it off with zero force.

I'm going to order a quality headset and see if that resolves things.  Question - I'm sure the new headset I get will come with a star nut, but is there any issue re-using the expanding nut style clamp that came with the old headset?
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: Carbon_Dude on February 10, 2016, 04:07:29 PM
Reusing the expansion nut should not be a problem but I would think a new one should come with your new headset.
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: jwilds1 on February 17, 2016, 07:32:46 AM
UPDATE!

Well, it seems the junk headset was the culprit.  The Cane Creek headset showed up a week or two ago, and last night I finally got around to installing it.  I guess I learned that this is one place not to skimp, although I've had zero issues with the Neco I got with my 29er.  Everything fit with much better tolerancing - crown race, upper/lower bearing, hell even the top cap.

Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: cmh on February 17, 2016, 09:17:39 AM
UPDATE!

Well, it seems the junk headset was the culprit...

Hah! Turns out the same on mine. Spec on the frame cup was too small, headset bearing was too big. Stealing a bearing from my other bike fixed it, and Peter is shipping a new headset.
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: bxcc on May 13, 2016, 07:41:22 AM
Any updates on how the frame fits him? I'm thinking of getting a couple of frames for my daughters for this coming Christmas. How tall is your son and how is it working for him?
Thanks
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: jwilds1 on May 13, 2016, 07:55:42 AM
Sorry for the lack of updates - when we haven't been super busy, the weather's been junk.  So far, we've been limited to rides around the neighborhood without any trail rides.

As for the frame, it's okay.  My issue that I thought was resolved with the new headset was only partially resolved.  The upper cup in the frame is too big, so there's still a minor wobble.  I have to figure out a way to homebrew a shim setup (pop can or something).

Frame is a 14", and I went with 165mm cranks.  He was 4'8" back in March.  Cranks are a little on the long side, but I knew that was a risk we'd take.  Reach is great, though, and I have a short stem so I can change that out as needed as he grows.

I gave up on trying to get the BB7's adjusted, and considering it's my kid's life on the line, I felt better upgrading him to some SLX hydraulics.  For now, I haven't shortened the 1700mm long rear hose, so I just looped it around the stem.  I also need to install the remote lockout on the Reba.
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: bxcc on May 13, 2016, 08:22:42 AM
So 4'8" is doable. Perfect. I'm thinking something a touch bigger for my 9 year old who is 4'8" now. My 7 year old is 4'4" now and she has ridden her sisters XS 26" wheeled GT on pavement without issues. The frames would be Christmas presents and they wouldn't be ridden until this time next year. Obviously I have some time to spare but I'm trying to find frames that would work. I'm thinking some 12k weave options would be cool.
Thanks again
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: jwilds1 on May 13, 2016, 08:29:43 AM
Yeah, 4'8" is doable.  You may want to look into the smaller cranksets, though.  I decided on the tradeoff of making them a little too long for the ease of spec/purchasing - I was able to do a one-stop-shop for all of the drivetrain stuff.  This particular frame also has a PF bottom bracket which adds a small degree of difficulty as well.
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: bxcc on June 07, 2016, 04:22:43 PM
One more question. Any chance this frame will fit a 27.5 wheel/tire setup?

I'm pretty sure I am going to get at least one 14.5" frame but I am unsure which frame / size to get for my oldest. Peter's CS-016 in the 14.5" size might work as it's a bit longer and she is a few inches taller than her sister. Or maybe get two of these, one 14.5 and one 16. But if I go with the 16", it would be nice to throw in a 27.5 wheel when she can handle it. I'm thinking they will be roughly 4'6" and 4'10" or more when they will be riding these next spring.

So basically I have at least 4 months to collect parts and over analyze the frame choice. Over and over again....
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: jwilds1 on July 06, 2016, 08:58:10 AM
It's unlikely a 27.5 will fit.  I'll try and take some pictures this week, but with a 26x2.2 Nobby Nic, there was only about 0.5" clearance at the cranks.

Sorry for the delay in following up - actually had to get it operational to give you an answer (I have ZERO luck with tubeless setups).
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: watarski on July 03, 2017, 06:40:43 PM
I'm about to do the exact same thing for my daughter since she's outgrown her 24" Islabike. I see where you had some issues with the headset fitment. Did you ever get that resolved? Would you buy the white frame (Dashine) again, or get a black one from a different manufacturer?
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: jwilds1 on July 04, 2017, 08:10:32 AM
I'm about to do the exact same thing for my daughter since she's outgrown her 24" Islabike. I see where you had some issues with the headset fitment. Did you ever get that resolved? Would you buy the white frame (Dashine) again, or get a black one from a different manufacturer?

Headset issues not 100% resolved, maybe 94%.  There was some definite gap in the upper after installing the bearing.  I did my best to shim out the gap using cut up strips of aluminum cans.

If another manufacturer offered a 14" frame, I would consider it.  I'm just hoping I can get one more year out of this before he outgrows it (he's almost 13 now, and growing at a rate of 0.25" per month)
Title: Re: John's 26er Build for the Kiddo
Post by: watarski on July 18, 2017, 06:37:23 PM
Thank you for the reply John.  I just got my frame, but I'd like to upgrade the headset...I can't find specs anywhere!  I know it's integrated (IS)...but that's about it. Can you provide me what headset you purchased?
Cheers!