With the exception of road bike, the other bikes in the family are 26″.

As a bit of a motivator, I fancy building up a new bike. On a budget.

So….

Frame – a Titus El Chulo in either 27.5 or 29 is cheap and looks like it will fit the bill. 28t chainring only an issue?

Wheels – whatever can be had – decent for best price.

Forks – 140mm Pike or similar.

So…assuming woodland trails, not too steep singletrack, would the stw massive recommend 27.5 or 29’er?

The frame will be a small….

I quite fancy the 29’er but really don’t know why…..

Geometry first.

Wheel size should be bracketed as a second tier consideration, like fork travel.

27.5+… 😆

Actually, get a 29er that can take 27.5+ wheels.

Or a 27.5 that can take plus… as I’ve just reread the OP and see it’ll be a small. 140 forks, that’ll be quite tall upfront mind, esp on a 29er…

But yeah, geo is probably the most important kick off point.

So…El Chulo frame make an ok start point? 65 deg head angle.

Forks will likely be 140mm Magura…..

Frame – a Titus El Chulo in either 27.5 or 29 is cheap and looks like it will fit the bill. 28t chainring only an issue?

Why? Why would you buy something with a max of a 28T chainring? Why would someone make such a thing?

My fun, cheap, woodland trail, singletrack bike was built using a Ragley Marley frame.

I’d agree on looking to something that could take B+ as an option.

140mm forks on a small 29er might give you a challenge in finding a nice riding position too.

If you want a rock crawling 29er for big days in the hill, with big tyres on big rims, a 28 is useful in a 1x system IMO.

I suppose they could change the method of construction, but I guess they figured for the bikes intended purpose it’s sufficient.

My big bike is already equipped with one, and once my HT has ground it’s 30 into paste, that’ll have one too.

EDIT. Actually, it seems they’ve been incorrectly manufactured, and that’s what limits the chainring.

So…El Chulo frame make an ok start point? 65 deg head angle.

Not too steep & singletrack… have you ridden a similar bike over that terrain? How did it feel?

It’s your bike, what do you want it to do/ride?

EDIT. Actually, it seems they’ve been incorrectly manufactured, and that’s what limits the chainring.

Shirley not, not like On-One is it? 😆

It doesn’t seem like that’s what the OP is after.

EDIT. Actually, it seems they’ve been incorrectly manufactured, and that’s what limits the chainring.

quell surprise

It doesn’t seem like that’s what the OP is after.

Agreed, but your speculation seemed rather more generalised.

Agree that wheel size shouldn’t be the deciding factor but given the chainring limitation, I’d go with the 29er just to stop it being quite so under geared.

Why build?

£1k gets you 27.5″ or 29″, wideish wheels, modern long n low geo, Yari RC, dropper….

I wouldn’t compromise on the frame at the outset.

Plenty of used hardtails at reasonable prices, or new in the sales.

What’s the total budget?

Ok, given I really only need frame, forks, wheels, tyres and chainring….

Bike will be trail focused as I’m a mature chap with no desire to buck, jump or be rad….

Budget = around £600.

So:

Titus frame
Magura forks
Wheels – likely from PX / OO

Why build?

Because I like doing it and also assembling components which offer overall decent value. Also like something just a little bit different.

I did spec a bird up but very quickly got to £1.4k

My mate has offered up his old Canyon 29’er frame but the Titus looks slacker.

If it’s a woods/messing around bike their deedar frames look much better for 144 quid.

I’ve ridden these and they are class frame for the money

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-iroko-3-2017-mountain-frame-EV294341