Mountain Bike parts advice

[ManiacMagoo]

I know quite a few on here ride and looking for parts advice. I sold my 2012 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR last year in hopes of building my ultimate/dream bike. I was set on building a Canfield One but seeing it was discontinued this year I will be building up a 2014 Canfield Balance once the frameset is released.

As for riding style, well it is a huge mix. I put over 5,000 miles on my Stumpjumper FSR in Alaska in a 4 month period doing everything from DH, single track, to even commuting 52 miles a day on it with road/dirt tires on it. I'm looking at putting the best components on it. Which is where I lack knowledge since I have always bought complete bikes and upgraded to whatever local shops had.

I plan on running some kind of 26" wheelset even though I know it will run 27.5" if I wanted. I was thinking about getting the Canfield crankset, Crampon pedals (only will ride platforms), and wheelset. Any help would rock because the onlys bikes I have build frame up where my Redline race BMX bikes years ago lol.

 

[Skeeno]

If you want the best, look for the Shimano XTR line. The SRAM XO or XX is also top notch, but the Shimano brakes get the best reviews.

 

[OTHGbronco82]

If you want the best, look for the Shimano XTR line. The SRAM XO or XX is also top notch, but the Shimano brakes get the best reviews.

Pretty much this.^^

I happen to have a Shimano Deore XT rear derailleur that I'm not using and willing to let go of.

As for a build for the Canfield Balance, I would build it with maybe a full XTR build group and a CC double barrel air rear shock and a Pike on the front with either a Stan's no tubes, Mavic, or DT Swiss wheel set a Chris king or FSA headset and Renthal bar and stem.

Or, a sram XO or X01 build group with the same stuff as above for running gear. These are pretty much my top builds that I would want. Remember, this is what I would do. You need to figure out what you want and what works best for you. Plus, both of these builds aren't exactly cheap.:roll: I come from more of a gravity oriented background as I hate to go uphill. A single ring on the front would be a really good option too and it wouldn't be to bad for a little DH.

 

[ManiacMagoo]

My Specialized had Sram 9 components with Avid Juicy brakes. I do know I will never run Avid brakes again because we could never get them to stop gobbling. My Srams had an issue when they where being pushed hard to drop the chain of the crank set even though the shop could never figure it out. I have a nice platform scare on my son from almost launching of a bridge in Alaska due to the chain dropping. Only thing that stopped me from going over was how adhesive my platform pedal bit the bridges edge.

I haven't touched Shimano components in ages so I can't relate to them now days. Cost on this bike is me since I going all in on it and not wanting to have to upgrade anything for several years.

 

[Skeeno]

The Turkey Garble is the major complaint of Avids.

I run the SRAM x.9 stuff and have never had an issue. A single ring and chain guide might be piece of mind for you. I personally need the little chainring around here.

 

[BigSki]

I had a Stumpy FSR Expert. It had the Fox Vanilla fork and shock and a mix of XTR and XT components that ran absolutely trouble free. I used a 180mm RaceFace crankset and rings and I ran bmx studded platform pedals. I always had a nice wide place to put my feet.

5000 miles in 4 months on a free-ride/ all mountain ( or whatever you kids call them these days) bike is a lot! "thumbsup"

 

[ManiacMagoo]

I grew up loving to ride. When I moved up to Alaska it made even more sense. Almost 24 hours of day light. If I want working I was riding with my kids either on the paved paths or at the single tracks at Kincaid. I was given crap for using it as a comer but nothing made me feel better than flying by people in spandex on their road bikes and struggling to keep pace lol.

 

[C*H*U*D]

...nothing made me feel better than flying by people in spandex on their road bikes and struggling to keep pace lol.

Alaska must be very different from Colorado :ror:

 

[OTHGbronco82]

My Specialized had Sram 9 components with Avid Juicy brakes. I do know I will never run Avid brakes again because we could never get them to stop gobbling. My Srams had an issue when they where being pushed hard to drop the chain of the crank set even though the shop could never figure it out. I have a nice platform scare on my son from almost launching of a bridge in Alaska due to the chain dropping. Only thing that stopped me from going over was how adhesive my platform pedal bit the bridges edge.

I haven't touched Shimano components in ages so I can't relate to them now days. Cost on this bike is me since I going all in on it and not wanting to have to upgrade anything for several years.

The components are a lot better now when compared to even last year so they're probably way better now compared to your old set up. You could always go chain guide with a Narrow Wide ring if you really want to be safe. For brakes, I'd go with XTR's or maybe some Zee's. I've heard both are really good brake sets.

If you aren't worried about cost then go Sram XX1, X01, or Shimano XTR. These are like the top three builds imo. The Cane Creek Double Barrel has gotten really go reviews. As for front forks, a lot is personal preference but, Fox and Rockshox are pretty popular.

 

[OTHGbronco82]

I had a Stumpy FSR Expert. It had the Fox Vanilla fork and shock and a mix of XTR and XT components that ran absolutely trouble free. I used a 180mm RaceFace crankset and rings and I ran bmx studded platform pedals. I always had a nice wide place to put my feet.

5000 miles in 4 months on a free-ride/ all mountain ( or whatever you kids call them these days) bike is a lot! "thumbsup"

I haven't seen a 180mm crankset before. Interesting. I have Spank Spikes on my DH bike right now. They have tons of grip even with my wallyworld shoes. They do like to make my legs bleed a lot though.:roll:

 

[ManiacMagoo]

The Canfield Balance come with a 200mm Cane Creek double barrel air CS in the rear. For the fork I'm torn between the RS Pike and the 160mm X-Fusion Sweep.

I had some killer platforms I paid $200 for on my FSR. They where super light, sealed bearings with 1/4" stainless steel set screws for the pegs that screwed in 1/8". They had amazing grip on any shoe and even my son.

After looking a lot today I think I'm going to run Canfields crank set. Then add either yhe XO, XO1, or TXR components to it.

 

[CM9000]

xtr line. but I must say.. I love my avid bb7 with 203mm rotors on my trials. they stop ya from hiting a car pulling out infront of you.

 

[Canyon Crawler]

Hello ManiacMagoo,

I'm shock that no one has asked: What is your budget?

Shawn
AKA: Mountain Cycle Shawn

R.I.P. Danny Magoo Chandler And Kurt Caselli

 

[ManiacMagoo]

I don't have one for my bike lol. I've sold some stuff and planned somewhere around $6,000 when I'm done since the frame is $2100 with rear shock front fork will be around $1000, components another $1200-1800, plus all of the smaller stuff.

 

[Canyon Crawler]

I don't have one for my bike lol. I've sold some stuff and planned somewhere around $6,000 when I'm done since the frame is $2100 with rear shock front fork will be around $1000, components another $1200-1800, plus all of the smaller stuff.

If I were you, I would go buy a Santa Cruz Bronson that is in your price range. Most of the parts you are going to like. Slowly change the few that you don't like. And, you won't have to spend tme building it. It's a great all around bike. It is a 650 though, but anything good that is new is going to be 650 or 29. you Can run 26s on it if you have a wheelset that you like. I'm riding a newly built SC Nickel in the long travel mode and could not be happier. Well, I could if I had a Bronson, just a little happier. There is a new review of it at MTBR.com. SC has a $10,000 version, but they also have something in your price range.

 

[ManiacMagoo]

I'm set on getting a Canfield Balance, thanks though. After my last bike I swore this one was going to be built which is part of the fun.

 

[OTHGbronco82]

The Canfield Balance come with a 200mm Cane Creek double barrel air CS in the rear. For the fork I'm torn between the RS Pike and the 160mm X-Fusion Sweep.

I had some killer platforms I paid $200 for on my FSR. They where super light, sealed bearings with 1/4" stainless steel set screws for the pegs that screwed in 1/8". They had amazing grip on any shoe and even my son.

After looking a lot today I think I'm going to run Canfields crank set. Then add either yhe XO, XO1, or TXR components to it.

That's a good plan. I think a Pike on all black would look pretty good on that frame. Plus there are a lot of options for travel and wheel size with the Pike. The Spank Spikes are like $130-ish. If I had the money they'd be on all my bikes.

Post pics when you start building."thumbsup"

 

[jsowens]

Personally, unless you're racing and counting every single gram, I think top shelf components are a waste. You can get crazy good performance out of Shimano XT or SRAM equivalents for cheaper and in reality the top shelf stuff is only a few grams heavier.

If money were no object I'd just get crazy nice everything, but on a realistic dream bike I'd tone down the drivetrain parts a bit, splurge more on suspension and wheels, and round out a reasonable cockpit. If it were my build I would go for a RS Pike, full Shimano XT, custom wheels built with Hadley hubs laced to Stan's Flow EX rims, etc...

 

[OTHGbronco82]

If money were no object I'd just get crazy nice everything

That's basically what Magoo said earlier.

So total in my head for what you want Magoo breaks down like this:

Frame- $2100
Fork- $1000-ish
Drivetrain- $1500
Cockpit and other misc. controls- $500-700
Wheel set- $500-1000

Total- Just over $6300 on the high side of the prices Right about where you set your price point plus you would get to build your bike yourself. I'd say go for it. Tons of fun building and a really strong bike.

But, you would have one hell of an Enduro/Light DH bike.

 

[Skeeno]

Building is fun. I built my hard tail and duallie. Love them both, but they aren't even close to 6k combined. I wish I had the scratch for that, though.