The finishing touches to my hardtail mtb...

[fiju]

So i've been building my new mtb for xc and trail. Mostly new parts, but a few old but good condition parts thrown in. The idea was to build the best bike for as cheap as possible, whilst keeping weight to a minimum. I don't think the groupset helps with weight but hey ho. In total it's probably set me back around a grand, maybe a bit more.

Spec:
Brand X HT-01 frame
Nukeproof headset
Ultimate Use Vyce 40mm stem
Rockshox Reba SL fork set to 130mm (used refurbished 2010ish model)
Shimano Zee 1x10 groupset, with Saint shifter and 180mm discs
Absoluteblack oval chainring
Shimano siltec chain
Shimano XT cassette
Nukeproof Horizon Comp pedals
Stan's Arch 26" rims 19mm (used - not EX model)
DT Swiss 240s qr hubs (used)
Chinese carbon seatpost
Chinese carbon handlbar 720mm

The outstanding components are:
- Grips
- Seat
- QR skewers
- Tyres

I'm going to need some help deciding on the above parts, so if you could pitch me some ideas, that would be great.
I'm not sure if I like lock on grips, I haven't used them before but the rubber feels quite thin to me. Years ago I had some bmx grips on a mountain bike which were very grippy and squidgy. Not really sure though as I have no experience.


I've painted the frame and had the fork powdercoated. I also need some ideas for colour scheme and the remaining components.

So the frame is purple with blue pearl and matt clearcoat.
The fork is matt black.
White pedals.

I was thinking of going with a purple, black, white theme. I've looked at many pics of customised mtb's, and nobody seems to go for coloured pedals, or seat. Some may fit coloured grips but that's about it. Most just go for all black. What gives? Is it some sort of taboo? Will a white seat, pedals and grips look st?

Edited by fiju on Wednesday 3rd February 21:02

Edited by fiju on Wednesday 3rd February 21:09

[Simes205]

Looking good.
I tried building a cheap hard tail last November.
Failed by it being a SC chameleon failed further by only being able to get it in carbon.
Generally failed but it’s a nice bike!

I went for simple colours.
Bronze frame
Hope blue bits including hubs.
Hope black brakes might get some blue soon.
Bronze stem and matching bars.
Everything else black including grips.

Edited by Simes205 on Wednesday 3rd February 21:12

[only1mikey]

Contact points are very much personal preference, but I like ODI Elite Pro grips (lock on). They have a padded feel whilst feeling thin. The black grips have a white logo on the end which would compliment your pedal colour. Similarly, a black Charge Spoon saddle with white lettering would have the same effect.

Full white saddle and grips can look dirty/worn quite quickly...

[Mars]

There are lock-on grips and there are lock-on grips. I'd never go back to normal grips after using these:

[fiju]

Thanks for replies. Keep them coming!


Not sure I like the look of those above.

[anonymous-user]

odi x treme are my favorite grip, really sticky..

[Simes205]

Death grips on my full suss.
SC grips on my SC.

Death grips are better!!

[GravelBen]

Grips depend a lot on personal preference and hand size etc.

I don't like thinner grips personally as they seem to give me arm pump for no good reason.

Currently running Ergon GE1 Evo which are my favourite so far, but there are a lot I haven't tried!

Ergon GA3 were a bit thin for me (though they might they make a fatter version too), OEM Specialized grips were pretty good, OEM Giant Tactal were much too thin and squidgy, SRAM contour foam were cheap and surprisingly good but the ergonomic bulge wasn't in quite the right place for my hands.

[yellowjack]

fiju said:

Thanks for replies. Keep them coming!


Not sure I like the look of those above.

If you're not keen on Lock-On grips, have you thought about silicon bar grips?



https://www.highonbikes.com/products/esi-chunky-si...

These are just an example. many brands are available, and in a decent range of colours. I use Trek (Bontrager?) grips on my full suspension Giant Anthem, in black because I couldn't get orange ones to match the highlights on my frame. I like them, and moved to them from the OE lock-on grips that came with the bike when the "grip" wore off them. The silicon grips are remarkably hard wearing and very comfortable.

[PomBstard]

Without going for bling bits...

Another vote for ODI lock-on grips - my preference is either Rogue or Yeti which I've been using for many years. Comfy all day and good feel.

Tyres - really down to trails, weather and personal preference. My preferences, if its dry'ish and rocky - Maxxis Larsen TT on the back and Schwalbe Nobby Nic on the front, for something a bit knobblier that still rolls well, Maxxis Ardent F&R - they're pretty good in the wet too. I don't bother with anything chunkier as I ride uphill too.

Saddle - best value I've found over the years is the WTB Pure - CRC usually sell them for about 30quid or so. If you buy a certain high-end bike you'd notice the saddle is branded with that bike manufacturer's name but is identical to the WTB Pure. Ask me how I know...

Does your Zee groupset include the brakes? If so, I reckon these are a bit of a bargain for what you get - have been using them for about 4 years now, fit and forget, reliable, and easy to modulate with enough force to bring 110kg of bike and rider to a halt quite swiftly too!

[fiju]

There's just too much choice lol.

So grips wise, i'd like to keep it under £20 for now. Here's a few i've found that I like the look of.
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/chromag-wax-gr...
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/nukeproof-neut...
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/race-face-half...

Thanks for the tip about the silicone grips. Generic ones are pretty cheap on ebay, I might give them a go. Those yeti grips look nice too.
I think the issue I have with lock on grips is that they feel too chunky. I've never actually tried them other than looked at them in a bike shop so who knows. I have size 8 hands so make of that what you will.


Considering my skill level is zero, is it worth spending £100 on two tyres? £50 for a pair seems ok at this point in time.
Wire bead tyres are cheaper than folding tyres, can they still be used tubeless?
I'll be riding XC mostly, with a mix of on road and off road. The South Downs etc will do for now, nothing too mad (yet). So I'd like a tyre to suit. It looks like proper off road tyres have a fair amount of rolling resistance, I imagine that they'd be no good for on road? Another thing to note is that not all tyres are available in 26" these days, so those Maxxis Larsen is a no go.


I looked into WTB Pure, the reviews seem positive. But I also found Charge Spoon for around the same price, and also plenty of good reviews. It's also 100g lighter. I'm quite liking the one with green stitching - i'd have to change all the white bits for fluorescent green...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charge-Spoon-Cromo-Cyclin...


Yes, the Zee groupset includes the brakes. I bought it years ago when it first came out, and it's been sitting around waiting for me to do a build...
I research the balls out of every purchase, which is why I went for the Zee. I also got a good deal on it. In hindsight I should have splashed a bit more for XT just for the weight saving.

[Pilotguy]

I’ve recently done a resto on an old hardtail bike that had seen better days. Have a look at Impac tyres, they are good value and made by Schwalbe, who I’ve used for years. This seller does reasonably priced sets of tyres and tubes https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IMPAC-Trailpac-26-x-2-2...

Not sure I’d bother going tubeless while you’re learning TBH.

[Skyrocket21]

I've always found foam grips comfortable, they give less blisters and more cushioning, https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/sram-contour-f...

[Simes205]

South Downs riding

These tyres were my favourites for years on 26”.
Panaracer Fire XC Wired Tyre

[MarkJS]

Grips - Burgtec Bartender

Saddle - Charge Spoon (cheap a chips & excellent) or any WTB (I like the Silverado).

[anonymous-user]

I always wanted to try one of those super light Chinese carbon eBay special saddles on my mtb but never got the chance. I know a few people who use them on the basis that they’re not normally sat down for long and have nice padded shorts on. Saves a bit of useful weight and I’m sure google will find forums who can recommend a reputable source.

[missing the VR6]

I think the Fabric Scoop saddle is very comfortable for my 19 stone, had them on 2 bikes now.