Delilah

2.35 The rims are very wide and I want a decent amount of rubber between them and the rocks.

Glad you put a name to the phenomenon!

The Crests are on my Storm. Will NOT be buying them for the Tallboy

TheV happened! OCD is a b1tch!

It would be best if you could test-ride. Personally, I don't like Crests. Have them on my HT, but plan to replace them. Yes, they are light, but the flex is noticible. If you like playing in rocks, go for Arch. Another thing I hate about the Crests: when friends exceeding the rider weight limit want to test-ride my bike it causes a difficult situation... how to tell them they're too heavy without giving offence?

The tyres just arrived. Bought them from Easybike at a really good price. Unfortunately they sent the wrong size. LOL! First the wrong frame, now the wrong tyres Anyway, Matthew from Easybike is sending a replacement set and the courier will collect the 2.25's at the same time to take back. With the public holiday on Monday the switch will happen Tuesday.

Yep A very nice, helpful and charming bugger. He really does not seem to be selling you anything other than what you asked for, but the next thing you know you've upgraded 80% of the parts! Aaah, but he is very sweet and even convinced me to save a few $$$ by opting for SLX brakes (with XT Ice-tech rotors) that are apparently just as good as XT. Mind you, the savings never made it back to my pocket as I promptly spent in on a bit of XTR bling Thanks for the great service V! I can't wait for the courier guy's visit! EDIT: @awesme: I dunno how you managed to resist the siren's call...

Hi Caerus. The frame I originally received was a 2012 model with rear drop-outs. I specifically requested the 2013 with thru-axle 12x142. CWC just made a mistake and will be sending a replacement frame as soon as they receive it from their supplier.

Today I ordered the groupset for this build. I have to warn you all: TheV's prices are so good that you'll end up buying more expensive goodies than you originally budgeted for Bad things are sure to happen to your credit card! EDIT: Oh, and still no wheelset. The LBS has been busy, so only the front wheel is finished. It looks good though

Professional setup is obviously best. Try to take the bike to someone reputable. It is so worth it. If you really are "too close to handlebars", try a longer stem or set-back seatpost. The Storm 1 comes with a zero offset seatpost.

Tell me about it!

Not sure. It takes 2-3 working days for frames to/from CPT. CWC might want to wait for the 2012 frame to arrive safely before shipping the replacement. (For all they know I could be sending them a box of clothes hangers!) Worst case scenario, maybe Wednesday next week? EDIT: The replacement will look exactly like the 2012 frame except for rear axle.

Okay, the 2012 frame is packed and ready for the trip back to Cape Town. Clever disguise, no? CWC have arranged for their courier to collect it from my office tomorrow. Still no wheelset. LBS had to order the spokes and they only arrived today

You must be mistaken. I ordered that bike and received it within 2 days after EFT. Isn't she a beauty? http://friendsofbeamish.co.uk/assets/rusty.jpg

Wow, going to bed early was a mistake! I missed out on an interesting discussion. Excellent! Thanks for the heads-up, much appreciated. Yes, that is the one $811.69 - 10% discount = $730.52

Not to mention getting every little detail just the way you want it. Great for us control freaks

Silverback Mercury Elite (2012 29er duallie) with XT, SLX brakes, Stan's Crest wheelset sells for about R19 000. The 2013 one (Strada 1) shouldn't be too much more. Either would also make great donor bikes - ride for a while and upgrade the frame later.

Link in previous post The also have a 29er duallie with similar specs. It is always cheaper to buy a complete bike than frame plus separate components and wheelset. The Silverbacks are super value. Well, I assume. Their 2012 range was super value. Have not yet seen pricing for 2013 range.

My budget? That thing which has moved on to the great beyond? Or what this will actually end up costing? Well, you got it almost right with that list. Less on the group, more on the fork, about 7.5k for the carbon wheelset. Stem, bars, headset can be done for a little less if imported. You know, Silverback has a 650b dual-sus that comes in under 13kg. It is alu, but has xt with slx brakes iirc. EDIT: Link http://www.silverbacklab.com/2011_website_SILVERBACK/slider275_13.htm

23k for frame and rear shock. The Tallboy Carbon is a dual-sus 29er.

Hubs are red Hope 2 Evos. The rotors will be Icetechs, so no, they will just be plain. Cool, that confirms what I thought. Thanks!

Mmmmmm... sounds good. The black ones are new so maybe the LBS will let me swop for red ones Yep, 23k

Did you see the new Blur LTc in the classifieds? Apparently it can be set up 650b. Great colour too!

Sound like an "awesme" build! Which frame? Isn't nipple seize an issue with alloy rims only?

Cool! Thanks. This is my first build, so all help and advice is much appreciated! Brass nipples for the wheels? I got red ano alu ones.