I have recently very reluctantly agreed to let go of my 2008 Specialized FSR XC Comp , but have comfort in knowing that it is in safe hands with one of our fellow riders, Mohamed Zaree (famous for one particularly rough and self-documented over-the-handlebar incident). The FSR XC is an awesome trail bike.
That said, you guys would agree that it is always exciting to build a new steed! I am in the process of putting together a new trail bike build now. Although I will not be getting the frame and some parts for a while, I thought I'd share the fun with you and document the build process here.
Considering that my riding style has evolved a bit into the more aggressive side of cross-country riding (what is known now as "all mountain"), I initially wanted to go for something with a bit longer travel. By longer travel I mean somewhere in the 120-140mm range at maximum (the 2008 FSR XC has 100mm of travel). We can talk about the criteria for choosing the best all-around bike for riding in Egypt, but that's another thread's subject. So anyway...
My first frame choices where almost settled on either the Yeti 575 or Titus Motolite. Both are very respectable, highly rated trail bike frames with very refined designs and excellent weights for their class. These frames also have lot of potential to experiment with different build specs: you can build up either frame to a light and fast XC rig or a heavier all-mountain/light freeride machine depending on what you intend to do with it. (Considering the riding options in Egypt, 95% of us would be on the XC riding spectrum, anyway)
Two things about those frames scared me a bit though: their price tags (even on discounted 2009 or 2008 models) and the fact that they both have carbon bits in the rear triangle. I like to look at fancy carbon frames and parts, but I don't like to buy them (especially with the frequency with which I crash ). Carbon is not only expensive, but also if it breaks (and it eventually does) you can't re-weld it and most repairs are either very expensive or useless. This website should give you a good idea of what I mean http://www.bustedcarbon.com. One day if I have money to burn (highly unlikely) I am going to get an all-carbon trail steed like the S-Works Stumpjumper.
Enough about carbon. So I almost went for the Yeti. I say almost because a sweet deal on a 2009 Marin Mount Vision 5.8 frame came my way that I could not resist. The Mount Vision's suspension is designed by John Whyte, who founded Whyte Bikes ( a UK-based "boutique" brand of ultra-high end mountain bikes).
So why did I choose this frame? (besides the fact that the price was right)
Marin's Whyte-designed Quad-link suspension has a great balance between plushness and efficiency. This is a cross country machine that can take more beating and handle more aggressive riding with no complaints. The frame also can be configured with Maxle dropouts if I decide to "upgrade" to SRAM's new 15mm axle standard. In short, it's a good do-it-all frame if you built it right (Note I am buying the frame and building it up, not the complete Mount vision 5.8 bike. My final build will be very similar to the original spec though with a a few changes).
I could go on about the history of this bike or thoughts about this suspension design or other bike geek stuff that I am sure you're not very interested in, so without further ado, here is my parts selection (as it stands in Dec. 2009):
Frame: 2009 Marin Mount Vision 5.8 Quad-Link
Rear Shock: FOX RP23
Fork: TBD- see below
Saddle: TBD- See below
Seatpost: Sette APX
Seatpost Clamp: Whatever comes with the frame
Handlebar: Sette XLR 3.4 Low Riser O/S Bar
Stem: Sette Edge O/S 31.8mm
Grips: ODI Rouge lock-on (brown)
Headset: FSA Orbit (comes with the frame)
Shift Levers: Shimano XT
Front Derailleur: Shimano XT
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT
Derailleur Cables: Whatever comes with the XT drivetrain
Brakes: Hayes Stroker Trail (white)
Brake Rotors: Avid CleanSweep 185mm front, Hayes V6 160mm rear
Crankset: Shimano XT with Hollowtech II bottom bracket
Chain: Shimano HG73
Pedals: Shimano PD-M324 (the double sided clipless/platform pedal. It's pretty heavy but extremely reliable and very convenient)
Cassette: Shimano XT
Wheels: DT Swiss X1800
Tires: WTB Motoraptor 2.4 front, WTB Prowler XT rear
I am yet to order the front fork, but the options will be either the RockShox Tora 318 or the RockShox Recon 351 U-Turn. There is also the Manitou Drake Super Air Absolute, but I generally prefer RockShox (Would love to get the Fox 32 F120 RL120 the complete bikes comes with, but it's a little too expensive and I have 9mm QR hubs, not 15 mm Maxle)
Pictures and build diary to follow as I receive the parts.
This post was last modified: 12-25-2009 11:31 PM by Hani.
Still waiting for the fork but I just HAD to start putting what I already have together:
Shiamno XT bottom bracket installed:
Read the torque rating of your new components, kids!
...and put those torque wrenches to good use!
So carbon scares me, but these carbon handlebars are just too sexy . I am swapping out the alloy Sette XLR for the Truvativ Noir Team carbon bar (165 grams claimed weight):
This is looking really good! I'm starting to plan my next bike(s)--even though I won't be upgrading for a good year--and the Marin Wolf Trail is high on my list for an all-mountain bike (with a Transition Blindside to cover the downhill side of things). I'm anxious to hear how it handles.
We'll have to meet up sometime so I can get my jersey and see the bike!
I can wait to get the fork and go ride this thing! The parts have been trickling in for forever now and the frame has had enough time sitting in my living room . Besides, my hardtail is begging for a full drivetrain overhaul.
The Wolf Ridge is basically Mount Vision on steroids (longer travel, burlier frame). Word has it on mtbr forums that the Mount Vision can run a 140mm fork, but without some form of adjustable travel that would put the nose too high up to reap the good climbing properties of this frame.
Let's see if we can meet up this weekend. Don't think I'll have the bike built up by then but will sure have your jersey if we manage to meet up.
Got the fork last night (thanks Neal!). Well, not the Magura I planned to put on this frame but the Magura is not here yet. This is a Manitou Super Air Absolute 130mm and should be as good as I think the Magura would be for this build.
Hope to finish off this thing in time to ride it next Friday!
This post was last modified: 03-24-2010 12:25 AM by Hani.
Super plush on the descents and rocky singletrack without wallowing on the flats and climbs. The ProPedal thing on the Fox RP23 shock came in handy on the really steep sections. I actually haven't really set proper sag on the rear yet.
The Manitou Drake Super Air Absolute is great! The Absolute platform really locks out for the climbs. It is a 130mm as opposed to the Fox 120mm fork that is specced on the original Mount Vision 5.8, but I doubt this does any drastic changes to the handling. It does put the front end significantly higher than I was used to with the Specialized (100mm) so need to pay some attention to putting some extra weight up front on the steep climbs.
Platform suspension front and rear for the super steep climbs, just enough travel to rail the descents and ride the rough stuff with confidence, decent weight. I think it is a winning formula for the type of riding we di and nature of terrain we have over here.
Too bad we only get to ride weekends
This post was last modified: 03-27-2010 05:19 AM by Hani.
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). The FSR XC is an awesome trail bike.
). Carbon is not only expensive, but also if it 
