Delilah

LOOOOOLLLL!!! Thanks Patches!

Thanks You actually should see these in person. It is impossible to capture the finish and tones of these with my limited photographic skills! Good advice, thank you. I'll speak with them tomorrow. Worth a shot

Hey V You're right, the rotors will "round" them off nicely! The conversion kit is part of a CRC order that Customs have been brooding over since Saturday Yeah, you're probably right. I didn't even think of that. I want to have the frame sprayed with a gloss clear-coat. Wonder if warranty would be affected? Well, no. Now you put it like that... I'm not at all happy. Did not know that I'm waiting for a shock that is not even available anymore. So next week Friday they're gonna let me know they can't find a shock?

http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/shorts/ATD_Mens_RWB_BikeShort_Chamois.jpg Good saddle + good chamois

Tubeless setup of the wheelset was the easiest one ever! The tires are not so tight on the rim that you need superhuman strength (and steel reinforced levers) to get them on (as with many UST rims) nor are the tires so loose that they don't create a seal (as with many tubeless-ready rims like Crests). With just a single layer of Stan's yellow tape and tubeless valves these aired right up with a floor pump. No mucking about with soapy water either. They even emitted nice popping sounds as the tires seated. I removed the valve-cores, added Stan's sealant, reinflated and shook them around a bit. There was no pressure loss overnight. Super happy with these rims so far, can't wait to ride them! EDIT: Single layer of tape, forgot to mention that.

I got an e-mail from CWC this afternoon. They are waiting for Dragon to send the replacement frame. Apparently Dragon have stock of the frames but not of the rear shocks that are supposed to come with the frame. The earliest they can get the frame to me (overnight shipping) is next week Friday If you'll excuse me now, I'm going to sit in a corner and sob quietly...

Yeah, service isn't what I had hoped for Not sure whether CWC or Dragon are to blame.

The rims are 12k gloss carbon 30mm wide XC/AM rims from Light-Bicycle. The rims were $165 each. Hubs bought from CRC @ about R2300 inc Vat. Two sets of DT Swiss anodized nipples ~ R470 inc VAT. The build plus DT Swiss Revolution spokes cost R1664.

Do you have red nipples?

Thanks! The wheels weigh 765.3g and 889.7g for a total of 1655g inc. the Stan's yellow tape. Not bad considering Hope Pro 2 Evos are not the lightest hubs by a long shot! Thanks Marnitz @ Dingo Cycles Potchefstroom.

STILL waiting for replacement frame CWC have not yet received it from their supplier. Once they do get it, it will be 2-3 days for courier to Potch. Obviously I'm not getting a frame this week All other components and goodies waiting for customs clearance. On a happier note, I just got these

Uhmm, the Slider is a full-sus. The Syncra is a carbon hardtail similar to the Storm 29er and the Slades look like Vida 29ers. No official rrp's yet released as far as I know, but prices should be similar to 2012 29er line-up for closest matching frame/group setup.

http://www.silverbacklab.com/2011_website_SILVERBACK/slider275_13.htm Under 2013 range. A few choices under 275 EDIT: Fixed link

But the noise is the best part! You won't like Stan's hubs either if noise is an issue. Good ol' Shimano? XT on my previous bike was pretty quiet and never gave problems. Parts won't be an issue either. EDIT: You on 26ers, right? EDIT 2: DT Swiss with rims of your choice could also work. Very good and very light hubs, but $$$.

Noted! Thank you

I've never heard of Plastidip. What is it and where does one buy it locally?

A summary of the fork predicament: This bike will be for playing. I already have a race-ready XC bike. So, I want 120mm of front travel. This can be achieved by either buying a 120mm travel fork or a 100mm Sid/Reba that can be adjusted by the LBS. The fork has to be black eventually, so either purchased like that or powder-coated. No 9mm QR. My front hub is 15mm Maxle. This can be converted to 9mm QR (don't want to, don't like it) or 20mm Maxle (if I absolutely have to). So, in searching for a fork I have found that: - All current Reba RL/RLT models are either 15mm with straight steerer OR 9mm QR tapered (That rules out Reba RL and RLT) - The highly regarded Reba RLT Ti tapered is only to be found in 20mm Maxle and heavy trail-specific guise for 29ers. These weigh in excess of 1.87kg. This is the heaviest shock in this list. I've found a 120mm travel in white and a 140mm travel in black. The 140mm black = R5969 from Buycycle. Will also need a conversion kit for front hub. - Sid XX WC 15mm tapered can be had for R8500 from Summit Bikes and will have to be powder coated and adjusted to 120mm travel. - Fox 32 Float Kashima 120mm (all of them in white only) @1.8kg weighs almost the same as Fox 32 Talas Kashima 120mm @ 1.84kg (can be had in black) according to the Fox website: http://www.foxracingshox.com/filter.php?m=bike&t=forks&f1=wheel&v1=29&ref=topnav Price for the Talas = $730 ex VAT and duties from Merlin Cycles - CRC have the 2013 Sid RCT3 tapered 15 Maxle 120mm in black weighing about 1.6kg. It is solo air though and less adjustable. Price = R7166 ex VAT and duties. Decisions, decisions

This is some learning experience. A lot of people who love cycling always buy complete bikes an never build (or have one built up) from parts. I've learned that a custom build, especially your first, is fun but stressful and hard work too. It forces you to read up about all the parts of a bike that you usually take for granted and just expect to always work. You have to weigh options and cost. There are MANY opinions out there, most are really well-founded and all are divergent! I now know considerably more about bike bits than before and have to say it came as a shock when it dawned on me how many different configurations exist for every single part AND how tricky it can be to assemble a whole that will all fit together and work! Respect to all bike designers and builders

Great idea!

Don't worry, there is NO way I'm putting a white fork on a black frame. Think I should try and find a Sid WC at a good price, strip it and have it powder-coated black. No decal will completely cover every last bit of white. Also, for some reason, I can only find straight steerer Rebas - even in white. At least the WC will be really light.

I like the way you think! Have been contemplating the possibility myself.

Yep, if they would only get some tapered ones What the heck is wrong with fork manufacturers? WHY are most 29er forks white???? This is SSSOOOOOO frustrating! Maybe we should tell Julias about this - Rock Shox and Fox are clearly being extremely racist!

CRC now have these in stock: http://www.chainreac...x?ModelID=85092 2013 SID RCT3 Solo Air 120mm tapered black 15mm maxle Perfect, just a bit pricey... EDIT: Also, these: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=85085 2013 Reba RLT Solo Air 100mm black 15mm maxle BUT it does not seem to be tapered

I get a better deal with Outsurance, because we also have house and cars insured with them (plus 4 bikes)

As am I! Thanks Jules 26er. Yeah, I always insure. It isn't that expensive with Outsurance. LOL! An asymmetrical fork for an OCD freak? Fox with Kashima is really nice, just a bit heavy.