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Objective was to build a bike that can handle anything I personally ride: technical routes @ Tokai etc yet not black routes where I'd require more travel. A comfortable biike. And a fast bike, I always ride fast! Really had to balance all of these factors. Bike has reasonably progressive geometry. I wanted ideally an XL frame so I could slam the saddle to the front but this large came up second hand on Bike Hub at a great price. 68 degree HT angle so it's quick to turn and climbs well with a short stem and really wide bars. I didn't want to go cheap but certainly didn't want anything that is too pricey and 'show-offy' (ironic since I'm posting this bike build!). Avoided SRAM due to exorbitant pricing and opted for a 'workmanship build' of Shimano XT, SLX and Deore. SLX cassette R2k at present time, SRAM GX Eagle about double if not mistaken. I didn't spend money anywhere unneccessarily such as an XT derailleur to save ~20 grams etc. Built by Hermanus Cycles - mechanic was really thorough with excellent attention to detail and communication. Wheels handbuilt by Nicholas - wheelbuilder.co.za for R10k. Great guy to deal with. Without further ado... YETI SB100 frame (full carbon) - 2020 (2nd hand)Fox 34 Kashima fork - 120mm (2nd hand)Fox DPS EVOL Kashima shock - 100mm (2nd hand)Spank 350 rims - 30.5 mm ID / 29"Cure hubs by Thirteen Industries (rear hub a whopping 108 points of engagement!)MAXXIS Rekon 2.6" front tyre / MAXXIS Forekaster 2.35" rear tyreSpecialized Phenom saddle - TI railsShimano XT shifter - 12spShimano SLX cranksShimano XT flat pedalsCSIX 36t chainringShimano SLX cassette 10-51KMC X12 chainTransX 150mm dropper (2nd hand)Spank Race 50mm stemShimano Deore M6100 brakesShimano XT rotors (180mm front / 160mm rear)Shimano MT500 bottom bracket CSIX 800mm carbon handlebarCannondale gripsCSIX headet spacers and top capCSIX ISCG05 chain guideAll Mountain fork guardAll Mountain crank defenderAll Mountain frame protectionBBB chainstay protectorTACX water bottle holderScott cable wrappersTOTAL COST: ~R67.5k

After almost 2 years of going back and forth on with what to replace my trusty Santa Cruz 5010, I finally left holy ground and pulled the trigger on a Deviate Highlander frame. A FREAKIN' 29er... I'm getting the black edition with 150mm rear travel. The aim is a more trail orientated bike, rather than full enduro, ie. no Zeb or 38 or piggy back shock. I haven't 100% decided on the build, but it will most probably be: RS Lyrik Ultimate 160mm; CaneCreek DB Air IL DT rims laced to Hope hubs Hope X2 brakes from my current bike SLX 12x group set (this is a big change for me: I haven't ridden Shitmano since before 2004) Bike Yoke Revive dropper. It's been great to deal with Ben from Deviate. I wish the SA distributors of bikes I was looking at, were this keen on doing business. Now for the long wait until July...

Hi I am building a Fuji gran fondo 2,5 I have bought a frame from a fellow hubber but the thru axels where not with the frame and I can’t seem to figure out what I need to buy ? All the info I can find says 12x 142 however nothing about thread pitch, and if the front and rear are the same size (I assume not ) Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

I purchased a steel frame, on the cheap. I hate the paint work, think of stripping it and respraying it. Dont know where to start, I have asked around for quote on doing this and all of them have been more than the cost of the frame. Any suggestion on where I can go to get this done in Cape Town. Or is it something I could DIY, just a clear coat over the steel? Just worried about the thru axles and small part.

Hi Last year I received a Bike for my 7-yr old son, which made me think about giving away bikes for others in need of one. I had a mountain bike that belonged to my eldest son, 18, who did not ride anymore. So I found a schoolboy who had to travel to school to give it to. Long story short. I wanted to do this again. So I gathered parts from friends. I have rear mechs and cassettes and a 26" wheel set and a 26" shock, 29" tires and mismatched pedals and some other parts. Hoping to build a bike from the unwanted parts of others. I got another bike together and a boy in our suburb took it out on a trail with me last weekend. I would like to build a bike for a friend though. He has been an amazing support to others although he earns mere peanuts. I was wondering if any of you have a similar desire and would like to build a bike or give away some parts to help me build a bike. He is 176 cm tall. I guess a medium to large frame would suit him well. I was hoping to build a 29er. If you are able to, please let me know. Thank you. Regards Michael

A custom build is always a rewarding project. Part of this is the agonising process of looking for the perfect fit of design and components. For me, the direction of the build gets locked down once the look, or in this case the colours, has been decided. Once that is done, then the hunt for a complementary build kit begins. Click here to view the article