Building a new 29er under $2k AUD / 1.5k USD

[d36]

I have just started getting a rough idea of a new build.

The bike will be used for occasional xc and bikejoring races (mostly firetrails).

Heres my build so far:

Frame   062   $456 Workswell   
Handlebars   720mm carbon   $50   Workswell
Stem   ?      
Wheels   ?      
Crank Arm   ?      
BB   ?      
Brakes   SLX   $180   
Grips   Funn Combat   $14   CRC
Pedals   Electron Evo   $51.99   CRC
Shifter   XT M780 10 Speed   $48.99   CRC
Mech   XT M786 10 Speed   $79.37   CRC
Cassette   XT M771   $58.79   CRC
Chain   KMC X10SL Gold   $44   Ebay
Chainring   Black Oval 34t   $46.54   CRC
Saddle   ?   ?   
Seatpost   Chinese Carbon   ?   Workswell
Tyres   Ikon/Crossmark   $110   Ebay
Fork   Chinese   $150   Workswell
         
Total    so far is $1300 AUD which leaves about $500 for wheels.

Since I'm in Australia unfortunately my second hand market is not as good as you guys in Europe or America
I might be able to pick up a wheelset second hand but it could take months!
Same deal with forks so I figured I'd be better off picking up rigids whilst waiting for a good deal.

Does anyone have any ideas for some of my gaps? I was also thinking about  chinese rims or even one of the cheaper chinese sets with novatec hubs

and stem size? I currently ride a slack 26er with a 35mm stem
5"8 on 17 inch frame leaves meguessing around a 70/80mm stem?

[SportingGoods]

It looks pretty simple:
Stem: I trust Ritchey stems. Aluminum, light and cheap. Just use regular models, you'll be fine. It's impossible to tell the length for you, you'll have to figure it out.
Wheels: Cheap and OK is Shimano (MT66 for instance). I get some for sale, but I'm in France . Less cheap and very good is the wheelset you suggest (carbon/novatec - that's what I get and love it). DT Swiss hubs is a premium.
Crank Arm: You get a full XT group. I'd go XT, cheap and rock solid. SLX would do it too for less (but I prefer XT).
BB: Just pick Shimano XT, dirt cheap and very solid. No reason to pay more, no reason to pick lower quality.

[gohloum]

I don't have this full package, but my friend has some RXL stuff I got through Amazon.  I am considering ordering on of these packages next month just to check it out.   I don't need the waterbottle cage, so the one I will likely get is the seat-stem-bar-seatpost combo for about $50.  I have 2 other old Caloi Pro bikes I will put them on to try out.   That might save you a bit of $$$.  Quality seems up to par best I can tell.  http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Set-RXL-SL-Full-Carbon-Fiber-MTB-Handlebar-Stem-Seat-Post-Water-Bottlle-Cage-Cycling/32555042957.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.106.h0jM3T&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_8,searchweb201602_2_10057_10056_10065_10055_10067_10054_10069_301_10059_10033_10058_10032_10017_10070_10060_10061_10052_10062_10053_10050_10051,searchweb201603_1&btsid=719d1d2b-de02-4bc5-a4b4-2bd5414c9ae2

[SportingGoods]

40 bucks for bars + stem + saddle + seatpost 
Shipping included 

This is pushing the limit too far to me. At some point I want to pay the price of safety, not below. That said, the stem is a lot heavier then my aluminum stem, so who knows... it might be strong enough

[karstenhorn]

40 bucks for bars + stem + saddle + seatpost 
Shipping included 

This is pushing the limit too far to me. At some point I want to pay the price of safety, not below. That said, the stem is a lot heavier then my aluminum stem, so who knows... it might be strong enough

Some time ago I bought the RXL kit for my 036 and it is indeed crap..... Heavy crap as they are lying with the weight and stuff are much heavier than listed. Their stem is an aluminium core with carbon on the outside.... Useless   !!

Karsten

[Patrick C.]

D36, I'd seriously consider building a carbon wheelset.  If you can build the bike, you can probably build a wheelset.  The only tool you absolutely have to have is a spoke wrench (which you should have anyway).  You can use the frame to check dishing and truing if need be, and plucking the spokes gives a good idea of tension and how even the tension is.  The downside is that it will take longer to get it up and riding.  The big upside is the being able to say "I built these wheels".  Women (or men, or whatever) will throw themselves at your feet.

But seriously, you can get pretty close to US$500 for a carbon wheelset.  That's probably closer to AU$700, but I think it would be worth it.  Everyone says wheels are the best upgrade, so why not upgrade from the start?   My 27.5, 35 mm inside width rims were $380 US including shipping and paypal fees.  I used XT M8000 hubs at about US$70 total.  They weigh 60 grams more than a set of DT Swiss 350 hubs, and will require a little more maintenance, but I decided to go with the XTs (I used DT 350's on the first wheelset I built).  I used DT Revo spokes, but DT Comp (or similar) cost less, so you could have hubs and spokes for around AU$150.  Depending on the rims you choose, you might even get closer to your original $ target.

[Patrick C.]

also, is that $456 for the Workswell frame in Australian, and does it include shipping?

[activ3]

I'm running a Chinese wheelset with Novatec hubs on my 062 frame and so far they've been great. The hubs did arrive without any grease but after lubing them up I haven't had any issues. They're 30mm ID and I paid $380 shipped for the complete built wheelset on eBay.

I'm 5'9" and with a 50mm stem the bike feels great. One of my favorite low cost saddles is the Charge Spoon. It's reasonably light for the price and very comfortable.

If you're forced to buy a new crankset I'd consider a Raceface 30mm BB with one of their 1x cranks. The Aeffect is affordable and well built, although a tad heavy.

I'd definitely hold out for a deal on a fork, I was able to find a used Talas 95-120mm for $250 on Pinkbike which ended up being perfect, allowing me to add travel and slacken the HA on the fly.

[d36]

also, is that $456 for the Workswell frame in Australian, and does it include shipping?

yeah frame with shipping

For a rigid fork, frame, handlebars, seatpost and carbon wheelset I have been quoted $945 USD shipped from workswell
This leaves about $700-750 for the rest of the bike so well within budget.

I got really excited yesterday after seeing someone posting some sid forks for a good price... sadly he didnt list the size and it turns out they were 27.5s

For some strange reason I cant see to find XT cranks being sold without a chainring (or two).

[Vance72]

You can try red fulcrum hp wheel set from bike discount. 192 euro give or take. 19mm internal width which is ok for xc. 1751 grams and 28 spokes. 192 euro should be around 300 Aus dollars plus shipping. come with adaptor for 15mm front thru axle and you can convert rear to 12x142. I'm not sure what sort of riding you do or your weight but these would be OK initially.

[JohnnyNT]

Hey d36,
Sorry for hijacking the thread bu I just recently (3 weeks ago) moved down under and have completely no idea where to look for bargain (apart from Gumtree) and what are dedicated bike forums/groups in here (I'm in QLD).

When  it comes to your build, I would suggest Uno Ultralight stem , it's cheap, light and reliable, you'll find them on ebay. If you can't find xt crank without rings, you can always try too look for x9/x0 (the BB is slightly different, look for the whole package).

Hope this helps

[d36]

Aussie bike forums are not very active but theres a few facebook groups thats are worthwhile joining.

QLD MTB Buy, Swap & Sell is probably the biggest and best.

[d36]

You can try red fulcrum hp wheel set from bike discount. 192 euro give or take. 19mm internal width which is ok for xc. 1751 grams and 28 spokes. 192 euro should be around 300 Aus dollars plus shipping. come with adaptor for 15mm front thru axle and you can convert rear to 12x142. I'm not sure what sort of riding you do or your weight but these would be OK initially.

Been thinking about budget alloy over the last few days

I can also get some stans no tubes xc ltds for only $449 AUD (approx $300 usd)
wheelset claims 1620g

[JohnnyNT]

Aussie bike forums are not very active but theres a few facebook groups thats are worthwhile joining.

QLD MTB Buy, Swap & Sell is probably the biggest and best.

Thanks for the advice, I tried joining, my request is hanging for over a week now though.

[d36]

Well its officially started

Today I ordered the frame, handlebars and seatpost from workswell
I also bought some brand new fox 32s for only $250 US from chain reaction (so so cheap)