I am building a freeride hardtail as my first mountain bike. I am only 14 so don't want to spend too much money. So far I was planning on using an azonic steelhead frame and manitou sherman fork but am not sure about what other components to use. I will try to buy most stuff used but any advice is helpful. Thanks
New here, building a hardtail
- Thread starter 50minikid
- Start date
This is going to be a bit of a challenge by building it up piece by piece. You need to be pretty saavy to know which are the right components and sizes, especially if you are looking for a bargain.
I would think about kissing up to the local bro's for parts and advice.
I would think about kissing up to the local bro's for parts and advice.
I am pretty mechanically inclined and my neighbor is a big bike guy and always willing to lend a hand. This should be a fun learning expierence. My only main question/concern is the cranks, I understand their are different lengths but is the mounting size universal or do only some fit certian frames?
I learned from bad experiences save up and buy a good! derailleur it makes a world of difference for about 100 shimano deore xt is uhhhmazing!
A little help with it
WTB pure v seat http://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cfm?LibId=37280
shimano deore xt(pricey but dont go cheap with these)http://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cfm?LibId=43043
brakes no need for hydraulic if youre just starting http://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=3480
Also learned get a good stem http://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=3311
Good cranks http://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=4618
fork sounds good
A little help with it
WTB pure v seat http://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cfm?LibId=37280
shimano deore xt(pricey but dont go cheap with these)http://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cfm?LibId=43043
brakes no need for hydraulic if youre just starting http://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=3480
Also learned get a good stem http://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=3311
Good cranks http://wheelworld.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=4618
fork sounds good
not the biggest help but might get you going in the right direction
XT works really well, but keep in mind that if you're new and plan on riding FR/DH, you'll almost certainly trash your rear derailleur before long. I'd suggest SRAM X-7 or X-9 over anything Shimano offers, for the sake of price vs. durability.
That said, DO NOT skimp on the cranks or wheelset. These take LOTS of abuse, and are always expensive to replace. Consider cro-mo 3-piece BMX style cranks, and also DH/FR cranks like the Truvativ Holzfeller. Race Face makes nice stems, bars, etc., but stay away from their cranks and bottom brackets. Way too many people have serious problems with these.
As for wheels, try Transition's REVOLUTION 36 wheelset (+/- $300) or Mavic's DEETRACKS set (+/- $500). The Transitions are plenty tough, and cheap enough that you won't hate yourself too much for crashing 'em. The Mavic's are tough enough that even after you do crash 'em, they're likely to be fine. Also, Mavic does a crash replacement program called MP3, where you pay 8% of the cost of the wheelset when you buy them, and Mavic will replace them for free no matter what happens to 'em. That's good stuff.
Avid BB5 and BB7 mechanical disc brakes are great. If you do go hydraulic, just don't bother with Hayes So1e, Shimano Deore, or any Tektro. Any others should be fine. Avid Juicy 3 or Elixer R and Hayes HFX9's are great brakes for the money.
Hope all this mess helps. Have fun, man!
That said, DO NOT skimp on the cranks or wheelset. These take LOTS of abuse, and are always expensive to replace. Consider cro-mo 3-piece BMX style cranks, and also DH/FR cranks like the Truvativ Holzfeller. Race Face makes nice stems, bars, etc., but stay away from their cranks and bottom brackets. Way too many people have serious problems with these.
As for wheels, try Transition's REVOLUTION 36 wheelset (+/- $300) or Mavic's DEETRACKS set (+/- $500). The Transitions are plenty tough, and cheap enough that you won't hate yourself too much for crashing 'em. The Mavic's are tough enough that even after you do crash 'em, they're likely to be fine. Also, Mavic does a crash replacement program called MP3, where you pay 8% of the cost of the wheelset when you buy them, and Mavic will replace them for free no matter what happens to 'em. That's good stuff.
Avid BB5 and BB7 mechanical disc brakes are great. If you do go hydraulic, just don't bother with Hayes So1e, Shimano Deore, or any Tektro. Any others should be fine. Avid Juicy 3 or Elixer R and Hayes HFX9's are great brakes for the money.
Hope all this mess helps. Have fun, man!