Suggestions on best crankset/front shocks/disc brakes

[Robert Merivel]

I'm actually a decent mountain biker, but I must confess, I've been out of the loop lately. Just purchased a Scott Spark 10 frame. Had an ancient hardtail litespeed out of the stone age. I don't know if I should admit this but I'm also a "weight weenie." Probably an obsessive, compulsive ww. Anyway, I'd like to keep this bike around 20 pound range. I already have on the frame the x.o rd and xo shifters and shimano xtr front dr. Sram 9 speed cassette. DT 240 wheelset, 99gr easton 90 handlebars, sram chain, Ritchey wcs stem, Ritchey wcs carbon seatpost. Ritchey wcs headset.

So, I realize these wheels are probably pretty heavy and would consider some lighter ones if the funds are there, but if I can still pull of the 20 lb range and not have to take out a second mortgage, that would be great. I know nothing about what's really good in the disk brake world and the forks are a mystery too...fox, dt, rockshoc...?
Disk Brakes
Crankset complete
Forks
pedals
saddle
thanks for any suggestions in advance.

 

[flyor64]

I'm actually a decent mountain biker, but I must confess, I've been out of the loop lately. Just purchased a Scott Spark 10 frame. Had an ancient hardtail litespeed out of the stone age. I don't know if I should admit this but I'm also a "weight weenie." Probably an obsessive, compulsive ww. Anyway, I'd like to keep this bike around 20 pound range. I already have on the frame the x.o rd and xo shifters and shimano xtr front dr. Sram 9 speed cassette. DT 240 wheelset, 99gr easton 90 handlebars, sram chain, Ritchey wcs stem, Ritchey wcs carbon seatpost. Ritchey wcs headset.

So, I realize these wheels are probably pretty heavy and would consider some lighter ones if the funds are there, but if I can still pull of the 20 lb range and not have to take out a second mortgage, that would be great. I know nothing about what's really good in the disk brake world and the forks are a mystery too...fox, dt, rockshoc...?
Disk Brakes
Crankset complete
Forks
pedals
saddle
thanks for any suggestions in advance.

If you really want to get the bike down to that weight (20 lbs on a fully suspended bike is hard...), you're going to have spend some hard earned cash! Check to spec on full Spark LTD...most of it will get you going down the weight saving road...it's a good stepping off point

http://scottusa.com/gb_en/category/376/spark

It's a great bike btw...I have & race a Spark 30, which I've tinkered with quite a bit and couldn't be happier. Nowhere near as light as your 10 will be built up, but still quite light for an FS bike. Good Luck

 

[newenglandrocks]

some suggestions

pedals - this one is easy - Crank Bros 4xTi are simply the lightest

fork - if you want to spend alot of money, DT Swiss Carbon are the lightest for the given travel. For less money, Manitou Absolute MRDs with 130mm travel are 3.5 pounds. In both cases, get a thru axle fork. Quick releases are for road bikes... both forks are much lighter than similar offerings from Fox, Rock Shox and Marzocchi. If you can go with a 120mm fork, I think both Magura and Fox have lightweight offerings as well.

crankset - there are many carbon offerings out there, but if you are going to be banging rocks regularly (I live in New England, there are lots of rocks, and we whack them with our pedals), XTR is the way to go for impact resistant lightweight cranks. You can pair them with Hope or Chris King BB for some bling (questionable weight savings)

Brakes - Formula R1s are the lightest at 270g per set, including levers and rotor. I am running Magura Marta SLs - they are 330g per set, and work very, very well.

Saddle - this is personal - comfort over weight savings, I say...

If you want to see how to build up a 20 pounds 5+ inch travel bike.. take a look at this thread. This is how it's done...

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=4959031&posted=1#post4959031

 

[Robert Merivel]

If you really want to get the bike down to that weight (20 lbs on a fully suspended bike is hard...), you're going to have spend some hard earned cash! Check to spec on full Spark LTD...most of it will get you going down the weight saving road...it's a good stepping off point

http://scottusa.com/gb_en/category/376/spark

It's a great bike btw...I have & race a Spark 30, which I've tinkered with quite a bit and couldn't be happier. Nowhere near as light as your 10 will be built up, but still quite light for an FS bike. Good Luck

Thanks flyor64 I'll follow up on your suggestions.

 

[Robert Merivel]

pedals - this one is easy - Crank Bros 4xTi are simply the lightest

fork - if you want to spend alot of money, DT Swiss Carbon are the lightest for the given travel. For less money, Manitou Absolute MRDs with 130mm travel are 3.5 pounds. In both cases, get a thru axle fork. Quick releases are for road bikes... both forks are much lighter than similar offerings from Fox, Rock Shox and Marzocchi. If you can go with a 120mm fork, I think both Magura and Fox have lightweight offerings as well.

crankset - there are many carbon offerings out there, but if you are going to be banging rocks regularly (I live in New England, there are lots of rocks, and we whack them with our pedals), XTR is the way to go for impact resistant lightweight cranks. You can pair them with Hope or Chris King BB for some bling (questionable weight savings)

Brakes - Formula R1s are the lightest at 270g per set, including levers and rotor. I am running Magura Marta SLs - they are 330g per set, and work very, very well.

Saddle - this is personal - comfort over weight savings, I say...

If you want to see how to build up a 20 pounds 5+ inch travel bike.. take a look at this thread. This is how it's done...

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=4959031&posted=1#post4959031

I've got some questions for you.

What do you ride? and components?
Do you use the Crank Bros 4xTi? If so, how do you like them? I am interested in them but heard that they have some issues.

I'm looking at the Magura Marta SLs "MAGS" for only $540 on ebay.
THe forks you suggest all sound good. That DT looks sweet...any experience with it.

Not many rocks where I ride...can't seem to figure out which ones, cranks, to get. FSA? Extralite? Hmmm.

Thanks

 

[flyor64]

If you want to see how to build up a 20 pounds 5+ inch travel bike.. take a look at this thread. This is how it's done...

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=4959031&posted=1#post4959031

That is one sick MOJO ...is it yours?

9060 grams on 5" bike...unbelievable!

 

[flyor64]

Rider weight limits...

Something just occurred to me...rider weight limits.

Not sure on some of the components listed, but I believe the Crank Bros 4x Ti's have a max rider weight of 180 lbs.

I could be mistaken, but either way if you're in that weight range, just keep it in mind when shopping for the low-weight stuff.

 

[newenglandrocks]

I've got some questions for you.

What do you ride? and components?
Do you use the Crank Bros 4xTi? If so, how do you like them? I am interested in them but heard that they have some issues.

I'm looking at the Magura Marta SLs "MAGS" for only $540 on ebay.
THe forks you suggest all sound good. That DT looks sweet...any experience with it.

Not many rocks where I ride...can't seem to figure out which ones, cranks, to get. FSA? Extralite? Hmmm.

Thanks

I ride an Ibis Mojo SL WTF NE, the NE being my designation for "New England". I ended up with the standard 2008 WTF build, with the following changes:
fork - Manitou MRD Absolute thru axle - need the stiffness for steering precision going over roots, logs and rocks
wheelset / tires - I went with Hope Pro II hubs laced to Stan's ZTR Arch (2nd heaviest rim in their lineup). Heavier rims and hubs, but we have alot of wet weather and I am banging into rocks constantly. I am using WTB Motoraptor 2.25" tires - good balance between weight and air volume, and they work very well in the wet
bottom bracket - Chris King for the bling. I don't think it is "better" than XTR, but looks nicer...
Fox RP23 shock - not interested in the 75g weight savings / lower adjustability of the DT Swiss
Salsa rock ring in place of big ring - again - banging on rocks
Crank Bros 4xTi pedals. I am easily 35 or more pounds under the weight limit geared up with water, food and everything needed for a 5+ hour ride. They have a two year warranty, and I figure the Ti will spring back after - you guessed it - repeated bashing against rocks.
Pedro's lock on grips. Foam OEM Ibis grips were not cutting it.

Pictures here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anitacola/sets/72157608399638332/

So far, things are holding up well after 6 months of riding. Except the 4xTi - they seem to require regular regreasing.

Albert

 

[Robert Merivel]

I ride an Ibis Mojo SL WTF NE, the NE being my designation for "New England". I ended up with the standard 2008 WTF build, with the following changes:
fork - Manitou MRD Absolute thru axle - need the stiffness for steering precision going over roots, logs and rocks
wheelset / tires - I went with Hope Pro II hubs laced to Stan's ZTR Arch (2nd heaviest rim in their lineup). Heavier rims and hubs, but we have alot of wet weather and I am banging into rocks constantly. I am using WTB Motoraptor 2.25" tires - good balance between weight and air volume, and they work very well in the wet
bottom bracket - Chris King for the bling. I don't think it is "better" than XTR, but looks nicer...
Fox RP23 shock - not interested in the 75g weight savings / lower adjustability of the DT Swiss
Salsa rock ring in place of big ring - again - banging on rocks
Crank Bros 4xTi pedals. I am easily 35 or more pounds under the weight limit geared up with water, food and everything needed for a 5+ hour ride. They have a two year warranty, and I figure the Ti will spring back after - you guessed it - repeated bashing against rocks.
Pedro's lock on grips. Foam OEM Ibis grips were not cutting it.

Pictures here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anitacola/sets/72157608399638332/

So far, things are holding up well after 6 months of riding. Except the 4xTi - they seem to require regular regreasing.

Albert

Nice bike, nice pictures, too.