With the coming of winter brings our winter short track series. In order to gain some sort of competitive advantage over my crew, I've decided a hardtail is in order. And to really make a difference a 29er seems to be the ticket. So here are the questions.
1. I've pretty much decided on an EMD from niner bikes. Cheap and light (both important)Is there some secret reason that it's a bad decision?
(EDIT: Plus it comes in Root Beer. Seriously how could it be better?)
2. Fork? Not a clue except that 80mm is enough travel (or is it?). I can get pretty much anything. Cost is an option so I'd like some value oriented choices.
3. Wheels. I've got a set of XTR center lock hubs that I was going to cut out of an old wheelset and build up on new rims. I'd like to go tubeless (does that make sense for 29er?). Stan's rims seem like the way to go. Leads to the next question....
4. Tires. I've used crossmarks pretty much exclusively for the last 3 years. Is there any reason to change from that? I did see the new stan's tires (the raven) and was intrigued.
Anything else I need to think about?
1. I've pretty much decided on an EMD from niner bikes. Cheap and light (both important)Is there some secret reason that it's a bad decision?
(EDIT: Plus it comes in Root Beer. Seriously how could it be better?)
2. Fork? Not a clue except that 80mm is enough travel (or is it?). I can get pretty much anything. Cost is an option so I'd like some value oriented choices.
3. Wheels. I've got a set of XTR center lock hubs that I was going to cut out of an old wheelset and build up on new rims. I'd like to go tubeless (does that make sense for 29er?). Stan's rims seem like the way to go. Leads to the next question....
4. Tires. I've used crossmarks pretty much exclusively for the last 3 years. Is there any reason to change from that? I did see the new stan's tires (the raven) and was intrigued.
Anything else I need to think about?
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