Looking at getting a dropper for the 256, obvious choice seems to be the RS reverb stealth with a 31.6mm seatpost. But what length and how much drop? Presumably more is better  I want to mount it on the LHS (I run 1x and have the fork lockout on the RHS) I believe to run the MMX remote under the bar on the LHS I need to purchase a RHS remote? Do these thing update yearly? With the current exchange rate these things are a steal at the moment, just not sure what I am looking at!

Before I push the button are there any other options I should be considering?

Many thanks,

Mike

Was feeling pretty pleased with myself last night after picking up a set of very reasonably priced DT Swiss hubs. Now feeling not so pleased as I am trying to figure out what would be a good compromise rim (preferably some sort of chinese carbon )

This wheel set will be running on my CX bike which I hope to race next season (for the first time) and I will also be doing a couple of CX sportives (off road endurance rides). For the sportives I plan on running WTB's 700 x 40C nano tyre tubeless and fairly low pressure, I thought this rim from light bicycle would be a good choice:

http://www.light-bicycle.com/wider-carbon-mountain-29er-rims-clincher-tubeless-compatible.html#.VOtNQ_msWLA

These rims have a nice thick rim bead @ 3mm and are relatively light whilst being quite wide (ID of 24mm) but I am nervous of the 40psi max pressure. I like the idea of the (relatively) large volume for the 40C tyre and the wide rim + low pressures, seems like it will make the bike a lot more pleasant to ride, not to mention faster off road.

For racing I am guessing I will have to go to something narrower (isn't the limit around 33C?) which presumably will need to be a higher pressure? Whilst I am sure I wont be heading for road pressures 40psi doesn't seem like it leaves much room for maneuver, I would like to stay tubeless for the races if possible.

Does anyone have any bright ideas? Is an ID of 24mm to much for CX? All of the CX rims i've looked at seem to be a lot narrower.

Many thanks,

Mike

Going to use this thread to document my IP-256SL build. Plan is to use it for 24 hour team xc races and it will probably form the basis of my first attempts at cyclocross before sorting out my CX bike. Bike will be largely built with 2nd hand Ebay sourced parts.

Ordered 20th September. I'm based in the UK.

Frame is a 21" IP-256SL. It arrived in UK customs on 25/9/2014. Customs charge was a very reasonable £37 inc the Post Offices £13 fee. Finally picked it up on 14/10/2014.

Wheels are the 35mm (30mm internal) hook less which will run DT Swiss 350 hubs. Rims have arrived but 1 of the hubs got lost (sent to Vietnam apparently) in the post so awaiting replacement). Rims were delivered 30/9/2014, 10 days to my door is pretty impressive!

Drive train will be SRAM X1 (weight of rear cassette is quite interesting!). Sourced X1 kit from Ebay, new straight off of a bike.

Braking is Shimano XTR BR-M988 Trail. Sourced nearly new off of Ebay. XTR RT99 180mm Rotors up front (Bargain from Merlin @ £40 for 2!) and XT RT86 Ice-Tec 160mm at rear.

Front suspension RS Sid XX world cup. New unused off of Ebay. Only worry about this is that it is 120mm travel not 100mm.

Have added build spreadsheet.

Okay, pretty much settled on the 256 sl. I'm 6'3" (189cm) so do I want a flat handlebar or a riser? Given the 256 sl is pretty much the same geometry as the Scott Scale 900 RC I figured that the Ritchey Carbon WCS 2XT shape Flat / 9deg / 700 mm as fitted to the Scott should be a pretty good choice, do any of the Chinese factories produce a bar to the same geometry as the Ritchey? Not looking for a "fake" but rather a direct purchase of similar geometry (if you can see what I mean!)

Meant to add, bike will be used mainly for XC endurance team racing.

Cheers,

Mike

Whilst I am agonising over most of the parts for my 29er the one thing I have settled on is the wheels.

I'd like some 30mm (Internal width ) hookless 29er wheels with DT swiss 240 hubs with XD suitable for SRAM xx1 and brass nipples. I believe the light bicycle 30mm rims are well regarded but don't come with the hub I would like and iPlay seem to offer the hubs I want but not the rims! Do any of them offer what I am looking for??? I think I am right in saying these should be okay for tubeless with some rim tap and maybe bontrager tubeless rim strips?