I missed out on the Nashbar carbon bars. That hurts, I've not seen anything close to $40 from a reputable u.s. retailer. Tideace still going strong for those that have them?

.bump

Still looking for thoughts on trustworthy vendors for handlebars/seatposts...aliexpress, web, ebay, amazon or otherwise...

Thanks for the heads up. For the shifter (1x11), would the correct order be a "Rear Bar Mount "?

Have a few tire gauges, but nothing that fits presta. I do have a presta convertor for my air compressor, but I'm not sure if that would work/be accurate. I'll have to check, although I'm probably better off buying a bike specific gauge. I was talking to the LBS guy when I grabbed the bike, he cautioned against running too low a psi, saying that he's more than a few bikes come back with pretty good damage to rims. He suggested 20psi to start. Was off wandering today with the family, so I'll have to check to see what psi they're at now that I've remembered.

Well, one final update. Yesterday my wife made a comment which she's learned to regret...All these used bikes and talking about building bikes...why don't you just get what you want?  So I did.  I'd also like to say that I was a little inspired by Carbon_Dude and his 6Fattie Stumpie. Sweet bike.

I ended up buying a 2017 Trek Fuel EX 8 27.5 Plus. I found a killer deal at a LBS on a demo they've had for just a few months and I couldn't pass it up. Feels good to support a LBS and the bike is literally everything I want in a bike. Full suspension with a good amount of travel. Plus size tires. Dropper post and BOOST (although that's not as big a deal, but I'd rather have it than not at this point).

At some point, I may still try and build up a carbon HT. It really does intrigue me quite a bit. But that will have to wait til at least next year.

So a quick update. I noticed a 2011 Salsa Spearfish for sale locally. Super tempted to go for that instead, even though it's 5 years old. So I'm going to test ride it and decide this weekend. If I don't buy it, I think I'll be going for the FR202 from an eBay seller (88bike or Bikemall). I'm concerned that if I go the frame swap route, more parts than I expect won't fit the FR202 from my Gary Fisher. I'm fairly sure the BBs are the same, but maybe the GF BB is shot? 

On top of all this, I truly do want a FS bike and I can't afford to build one now. If I go FR202, I'll wait til next year to either buy or build a nice FS. If I go the Spearfish route, I'm probably waiting a fair while longer. I'm concerned about the travel on the Spearfish, but in all honesty, most of my riding here in Tucson isn't that Technical...and up until my frame broke, ridden with a HT.  All that said, having never had carbon and enjoying the one ride I did have with it, I'm still intrigued greatly by the FR202.  Especially with the price.  Did I mention that I ran across a custom builder that looks like they use the FR202 (or similar geo frame), the Leopard 29er. Paralysis by analysis...decisions, decisions.

@SportingGoods: I've read a lot of your posts on the FR202, thanks for sharing your build. One question, I thought the HTA was 69° on the 19" frame?

*edit:  And at $265 shipped w/headset and seatpost collar, it's extremely tempting, even w/o the 142mm dropouts.