UprightJoe

I've started pulling together parts for a 29er. So far, I've got a frame and a set of XT hubs. I plan on building my wheels and installing the fork over the next week or so and could use some recommendations.

I've purchased a disc only frameset but I'm thinking about building the wheels to support rim brakes as well just in case I ever want to use them on a different bike. Is that a reasonable thing to do or should I just build them with disc-only rims? Also, any rim recommendations? I'm fairly heavy (220lb) but will only be riding dirt singletrack for the most part. Nothing too crazy... You won't find me barreling down a mountain at 70mph. Oh, also, they have to be available in both 32 and 36 hole drillings. I'm doing 36 for the rear and 32 for the front.

I also could use a recommendation for a 1 1/8" threadless headset. I want the cheapest headset that I can just install and forget about for 10-15 years. I don't care about weight. It can be built like a tank. I just want it to be relatively maintenance free and cheap.

Anybody have some recommendations here? I've not purchased a mountain bike in about 14 years so I'm way out of date.

ed 

Doesn't Sun make some Rhyno Lite 29er rims? Those would be bomber for you at 220lbs.

M_S

There's also WTB dual duty. I think the come in both 32 and 36h, but I may be wrong.

Cane Creek S3 for the headset.

ed 

UprightJoe

Thanks for the advice. The S-3, Tank Hit, and Tank Jump are all within my budget so I'll pick up one of those three.

As for the Rims, I don't think the 29er version of the Rhyno Lite comes in 32H oddly enough. I'm scouring shopping sites and finding the following rims that meet my criteria:

Salsa Delgado
Alex DM18
Alex Adventurer
IRD Clyde
DT Swiss TK 7.1 Rim
Mavic A319
Mavic A719
Sun CR18
Velocity Blunt

These are the only ones I've found so far with rim braking surfaces that are available in both 32H and 36H. I think of some of these as road touring rims or cyclocross rims. I don't know if that matters or not. Is there really a difference between a cyclocross rim and a 29er rim?

Do any of these stick out above the rest for a 29er? I would probably gain a few more options if I included rims that are disc-only. I'm not sure if I want to do that or not though.

Cyclist30907654

I wouldn't bother with rims which are V-brake compatible. For me, at least, there's no foreseeable way that I would go back to rim brakes.

S.D.XC

just a question, what's the difference between a 36 hole and a 32 hole drilling?

ca7erham

36 should be more durable. But I think just going 36 front and rear would be fine.

mtnbiker66

4 holes.

frankenmike 

Just use disc specific rims. They're lighter. The Salsa Delgados are sweet IMO. Laced to XT hubs should make a bomber wheelset.

UprightJoe

I think I am going to go with the Delgados. I've been googling them and I've yet to read a negative review. People seem to be very happy with them. They're priced pretty reasonably too.

theextremist04

+1 on Delgado and XT. Delgados are awesome rims; our bike shop has 1904875312904671209468 wheels with Delgados because the guy that does all the wheelbuilding loves them so much.

UprightJoe

Thanks again for the advice everybody (there was at least one other thread in addition to this one). It's been a long time coming but I finally finished this build:

XT Hubs
XT Rear Derailleur
XT Shift/Brake Lever Combo
Deore Crank
SLX Front Derailleur
Avid BB5's
Cane Creek S3 Headset
Salsa Delgado Rims
Panaracer Rampage Tires
Brooks Saddle
Nashbar Clipless Pedals
Trekking Bars

Pics are here: https://gallery.me.com/travishanna#100056

This is my first build and the first mountain bike I've owned in about 15 years. What do you guys think? I know I'm dying to hit the trails this weekend.

victim

Nice job, looks great. How many brewskis can you fit in the seat bag?

mzeffex 

beautiful. saving pic

kenhill3

Beautiful, nice bike.

guadzilla

Nice build - the colors are very tasteful!

Btw, for the archives -- the Sun Rhyno Lite does come in a 32h rim. That's what I am using to build my wheelset.

frankenmike 

Nice looking bike. IME those bars aren't very good for trail riding.(Tried em, got severe hand cramps) Your experience may vary.

cbchess

sweet build!
I've got the same bag but I use mine as a handle bar bag.

dminor 

I think I have one too . . . only I use it as an emergency tent or haul around the pony keg.

surreal

I think it'sa good thing you put the delgados on there; the rim brake compatibility could come in handy in the future, especially since your frame isn't disc-specific.

That's a nice build on a budget frame. I did the same thing with the base redline monocog. I liked the fact that the monocog had the dropouts and canti-posts that i wanted, but I feared it would be too heavy for my taste. I figured that, at <$200 for the frameset, i might as well build it up, and if i needed to switch to a lighter/tricker frame, icould use anything but the spindly seatpost on the next build.

As it turned out, the complete bike isn't all too heavy, and i love the fit and feel of the frame, so why upgrade? Cheap steel and ugly dropouts don't matter once you're moving down the trail. Your bike is basically the geared version on my frame, and I think you'll like it, especially as you've built it. If not, you can get a jabberwocky or something and sell the redline frame.

well done1
-rob

UprightJoe

Cans, longnecks, or mini-kegs?

Good to know - I looked for 32h online and couldn't find them. Probably should have talked to my LBS or something...

They're a bit of an experiment. I'm prepared to toss a flat bar on if I don't like them. When I was in high school, I used one of these and liked it a lot:

https://cgi.ebay.com/New-Vintage-Prof...ayphotohosting

I thought the trekking bars would feel the same but now that I have them mounted, I can see that there are some significant differences. Time will tell how I feel about them in the long run...

That was my thought process too. Most of the build will work on just about any disc-compatible 29er frame. I do think this frame is going to work out just fine though.

Just 3 more days before I get to take her out for a ride. I can't wait. It's making me crazy.

UprightJoe

I had to sneak out at 6am this morning but I finally got her out onto the trails. Great ride but those bars gotta go... I loved them on steep climbs but otherwise, they were lousy. Ordered a flat bar and some bar ends this morning...

mx_599

great looking bike! good job

mx