Ordered a CS 496...

[cwareham]

I don't think you'd run into interference with a big chainring. I run the 30t because I'm a wimp, not because of fitment.

[tripleDot]

@cwareham, I see you had an XT "boost" crankset. I'm not familiar with it but guessing it has something to do with aligning the chain with the cogs on a boosted rear hub. Is this different from the regular XT crankset, I mean physically? Also, can I just get the regular XT and some spacers to compensate for the rear boost hubs?

[cwareham]

It is to align with the boost spacing in the rear. I can't remember the dimension differences between boost and non boost crank, but I wouldn't count on a mismatched drivetrain working well without it unless someone markets a specific solution for adapting a non boost crank to a boost application. I'm not tuned in well enough to know off hand.

[bxcc]

Boost and Non-Boost cranksets just differ in the offset of the chain rings. It really won't matter too much as long as you have clearance between the ring and frame. In the Sram offerings, there is a 3mm difference between the two. Also, mix matching drivetrain is fine as long as the shifter and derailleur match. My wife's SC Tallboy 3 has a Sram crank with non-boost direct mount chainring, Shimano XT shifter, Shimano XT rear derailleur, and a Sram XG-1180 cassette. The shifting is excellent and precise.

[tripleDot]

Thanks for the explanation guys. That helps a lot.

[Silverado123]

Would this be considered a more hardcore hardtail like the Kona Honzo? 

[Bradshaw560]

What bottom bracket did you use? I'm looking to get this frame but really don't want to own a bike with press fit bottom bracket. I had to get a wheels mfg threded press fit on my fatbike to finally get rid of all the creaking. I wish this frame came with a threaded bb option.

[cwareham]

Shimano XTR BB94, which inexplicibly a BB92 BB. FWIW, after a few hundred miles on the bike, I like it. Simple, light, and so far, quiet.

[tripleDot]

Does this frame have internal routing for stealth dropper post?

[cwareham]

Yes.

[apctjb]

Nice build;

I just finished a similar bike; went with the Velobuild version of the frame (looks basically the same), XT 1 x 11 groupset, rockshox Reba fork, Farsport carbon wheels with 40mm rims, 2.6" tires, KS Integra dropper seat.  Just about 10kgs total build. I had hoped for lighter but the frame came in at 1500g rather than the advertised 1100g.

Only had it out for a couple of rides but loving it so far , the slack head angle (67.5) gives a lot of confidence on the descents, yet it climbs really well.  This one was for my wife and considering building another for me.

Did you know what your frame weighed in at?

[Silverado123]

Looks awesome!

[Carbon_Dude]

Definitely a nice looking plus bike apctjb, you should try out some 3.0 29+ tires (Chupacabras), it will make the bike feel like it can roll over anything.

[ottoreni]

SWEET looking!

What size did you get? 

I want to get one of these frames, but the short front-center measurement has me confused if I should go 17.5 or 18.5 for my 5'10" height.

Thanks!

[apctjb]

I want to get one of these frames, but the short front-center measurement has me confused if I should go 17.5 or 18.5 for my 5'10" height.

At 5-10 you could go either way. My wife's is a 17.5 and it feels a tad short in the cockpit for me at 5-11, but she has a 40mm stem. With a longer stem it could work fine.  I am ordering a 18.5 for me.