[swissbiker]

I'm building my dream bike and would appreciate everyone's input on how I might swap out specific components. This will be my first _really_ nice bike and I want it to be a little bit of everything: lightweight, comfortable, robust, etc.

I live in Switzerland and I'll be riding it in the alps. I'm not really tallented on the bike yet, but I'm keen to learn. I've biked up 1500m in one day when I borrowed a Santa Cruz Tallboy (not LT) from a friend. I had a great time with some difficulties on the downhill part. I was wishing for more travel (hence my decision to get the LT now) and I had some brake fading (that was a 160mm front rotor, and here I've got it configured with 180mm). I plan to gradually build up to doing more downhill without risking any broken bones!

I weigh about 142 lbs, 64kg. And I'm 5'7", 170cm tall.

I'm comitted to getting the bike from Competitive Cyclist so I can only consider components that they have in stock now. I'm looking for top of the line stuff. Links to any of your suggestions would be very helpful.

I'm starting with the Santa Cruz Tallboy LT Carbon, XTR Trail base config and upgrading some components from there.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PRODUCT&OPTION=LOAD_PRODUCT_BY_ID&PRODUCT.ID=32189&MODE=

I'm completely undecided on the clipless pedals. I have a nice pair of Shimano SPD shoes that I'd like to use, but otherwise no idea. I had pain before in my knees so maybe a pedal with some rotation would be nice.

FRAME: Santa Cruz Bicycles Tallboy LT Carbon With FOX CTD Kashima with selected
components from XTR Trail package Matte Carbon/Orange Medium
Front Suspension
Fork:
Fox Racing Shox 34 Talas 29 140 CTD Fit Fork 1.5 Taper/15QR
Brakes: Shimano XTR Trail Brake Set M988 With Ice Tech Rotor 180 Front, 160 Rear, 6 Bolt
Cassettes: Shimano XTR Dyna-Sys Cassette 11/34 10-Speed
Chains: Shimano XTR Dyna-Sys CN-M980 Chain 116 Links 10 Speed
Bottom Bracket: Shimano XT Bottom Bracket
Cranks: Shimano XTR Dyna-Sys FC-M980 Trail Triple Crankset 175mm
Front Derailleurs: Shimano XTR Traditional Triple Front Derailleur FD-M981
Grips: ESI Grips Chunky Mountain Bike Grip Black
Handlebars: Enve Sweep Handlebar 9 degree
Headset: Chris King InSet Mixed Tapered Headset with Griplock Bold Black
Pedals: Shimano XTR PD-M985 Trail Pedals Trail
Rear Derailleurs: Shimano XTR Shadow Plus RD-M986 Rear Derailleur
Saddles: Fizik Arione CX Carbon K:IUM Saddle
Seatpost: Enve Zero Offset Seatpost 30.9
Shifters: Shimano XTR SL-M980 Shifters Front/Rear 10-Speed
Stems: Enve Stem 90mm
Tires: Schwalbe Nobby Nic TL Ready Snakeskin Tire - 29in 2.35
Tubes: None
Wheels: Mavic Crossmax ST 29in Wheelset - MAV0418
Water Bottle
Cages:
None
Computers: None
Cables Upgrade: None


I'll do my best to answer any questions but please keep in mind that I'm really a newbie on technical questions, so a short explanation or link to technical drawings would also help.

 

[ebarker9]

Dream bike indeed! Nice build. Only comments would be the following:

-Knee pain with clipless is mainly about cleat position and your overall fit on the bike. If you can find a shop that you trust to do a fit, that will be worth it's weight in XTR parts.
-Relating to the fit thing, the handlebars, stem, and seat are going to be really individual. If you don't know what you like, go cheap and then try stuff locally.
-Only "updrade" that I would make to that build would be to add a dropper seatpost. The KS LEV seems to be really well reviewed (although I don't see if at CC) or the Rock Shox Reverb. I think the Tallboy LT is set up for the Reverb Stealth cable routing, which would be nice, so you might ask CC about that.
-Those brakes are about as good as you can do. I have XT's with the Ice Tech Rotor and they're amazing. Can't speak for use in the Alps (wish that I could!) but I think you'll be good on that front.

Enjoy!