[venom600]

Hey folks,

I'm going to order a Corsair Maelstrom build in the next couple of weeks and I'd love some feedback. Here's what I'm thinking so far:

Frame: Corsair Maelstrom, medium, adjustable headset, dirt color
Shock: Marzocchi Rocco WC
Fork: '09 Marzocchi 66 RC3
Brakes: Avid Code (203mm front and rear)
Brake levers: Twenty6 (gold)
FD: Shimano XT, e-type
RD: SRAM X-9
Shifters: SRAM X-9
Chainguide: Blackspire Stinger
Chain: SRAM PC-991 cross-step
Cassette: SRAM PG-980
Crank/BB: FSA Gravity Light, mega-exo
Handlebar: Sunline V1
Grips: ODI Rogue
Stem: Twenty6 (gold)
Seatpost: Thomson Elite
Saddle: WTB Pure V Race
Hubs: Hadley (gold)
Rims: Mavic 823
Spokes: DT Champion 2.0
Pedals: Twenty6 CroMo (gold)
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHf 3C 2.5 (both front and rear)

It's a pretty burly build, as-is, so looking for some potential weight savings without sacrificing too much burl. Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Prettym1k3]

Are you super sold on the 823's? You could go 521's instead.

And the 991 Cassette saves substantial weight, and looks way cooler.

 

[venom600]

Are you super sold on the 823's? You could go 521's instead.

Yeah, but I'd have to run them ghetto tubeless, adding back the weight of the tubes. Plus, I'm a hack, so tougher is probably better in the rim-department.

And the 991 Cassette saves substantial weight, and looks way cooler.

Do you mean the PG-990? It's only 5g lighter than the 980.....?

 

[Sandwich]

no comments, but I can't wait to see a legit picture of one! they look like great bikes.

 

[blue]

?

 

[Sandwich]

yeah, how about one that's not in captivity or pre-production?

 

[John P.]

Yeah, but I'd have to run them ghetto tubeless, adding back the weight of the tubes.

I've weighed quite a few 'ghetto' rim strips, and they're typically around 75g each. An average XC tube is around 175g. DH tubes (which, in my opinion, have a similar "flat-proof-ness" to ghetto tubeless) can weigh anywhere from 285-375g.

--JP

 

[Prettym1k3]

Shoot... I apparently have some sort of old 980 cassette... because my 990 on my big bike is substantially lighter than my 980 on my trail bike.

 

[venom600]

I've weighed quite a few 'ghetto' rim strips, and they're typically around 75g each. An average XC tube is around 175g. DH tubes (which, in my opinion, have a similar "flat-proof-ness" to ghetto tubeless) can weigh anywhere from 285-375g.

--JP

So I'd be saving about 117g per wheel by switching to 521s and then gaining back about 75g per ghetto rim strip. Net loss of 42g/wheel or 84g total. Not sure that's enough to justify the weaker rim.

Thanks for those numbers, though, JP. I've never bothered to weigh my ghetto strips, so now I know (roughly) what they weigh.

 

[jeremyb]

yeah, how about one that's not in captivity or pre-production?

http://www.vorb.org.nz/video-view-104340.html

No ride video tho' sorry

 

[venom600]

http://www.vorb.org.nz/video-view-104340.html

No ride video tho' sorry

Thanks, I hadn't seen that video. Although, in the video, the rider states that it's single chainring only....which is incorrect.

 

[MouseMonkey]

I have been riding that prototype bike in the photo with a different build (pretty close to yours actually) all summer and I would make one suggestion: Try to track down the new 2-Ring SLX front derailleur instead of the XT. The new cage shaping should work better with the chain angle from the idler. It's tricky to tune out chain rub with the XT, I have an XTR that I modded (easier to file the bumps out of the alloy cage) that also works extremely well.

Enjoy, it's a nice-riding bike.

 

[Sandwich]

http://www.vorb.org.nz/video-view-104340.html

No ride video tho' sorry

thanks for the video. Nothing really new there, though. I'm still waiting to see when these are out on the market...the maeler-demon is on my shortlist.

 

[Kntr]

I have used the Sram and Shimano cassttes back to back. I like Shimano XT much better. The finish is easier to clean and keep clean. The XT cassette is lighter. The XT cassette shifts quicker.

Also, which bashgaurd are you going to run? I think the Gamut is the lightest and I havent had any problems with mine.


Other than that, I think the build looks great. Order the darn thing.

Get a Hope QR for the seatpost.
What headset?

 

[William42]

The new SRS should be lighter then the gamut

 

[venom600]

Try to track down the new 2-Ring SLX front derailleur instead of the XT. The new cage shaping should work better with the chain angle from the idler.

Good suggestion. Thanks.

Also, which bashgaurd are you going to run? I think the Gamut is the lightest and I havent had any problems with mine.

Initially, I'll just use the poly-carb bashguard that comes with the Gravity Light crankset.

Get a Hope QR for the seatpost.

Frame comes w/ a seat clamp. Probably not a QR, though, so I'll need to add that. Thanks.

What headset?

Frame comes w/ the headset since it's adjustable.

 

[MouseMonkey]

Frame comes w/ the headset since it's adjustable.

Venom- Frames ship with zero degree headset... check the "headset" tech: http://www.corsairbikes.com/fly.aspx?layout=bike&taxid=59&sublayout=biketech

 

[Kntr]

He is right. The 1 degree headset is an option.

 

[venom600]

He is right. The 1 degree headset is an option.

Yep, it's an option that I had Go Ride add to my quote. So, the +-1 headset is included in my particular build. That's what I meant when I said it's included.