Finished-off* my first ever ground-up build on Christmas Eve, and took out for its first short spin today. I'm chuffed.

Largely pre-owned kit and mostly from here.
(Thanks to all vendors and advice givers!)

The fork choice was a financial decision … but, see below, I reckon that they may be staying for a while.
This is a build conceived to be used where I've previously felt rather silly and oversuspended on my Stumpy FSR (Local. With the kids. Cannock etc)… A situation accelerated by me loaning out my old Klein hardtail to a friend's son.

EDIT: More here http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevindavitt/sets/72157622693304945/

First observations:
-I'm re-enjoying rigidity .. though haven't been further than the rough-stuff round the outside of our local park yet.

-A little bit of 'take-off' drivetrain slippage once or twice … hopefully just a matter of some trimming to do

That's all.
I'm pleased though.

*"Finshed": I've already learned that there is, actually, no such state 😕

is that a proper top cap? or just one shoved on? looks cool 😀
yup a bike is never finished….always fettling to be done, enjoy!
😀

sweet, like the red and black. what size is it?

walla24:
Yep. It's a proper top cap .. with my own choice of embellishment of course.
http://www.ninerbikes.com/fly.aspx?layout=bikes&taxid=123&parts=true

(Though I got mine second hand on here)

Tails:
Thanks. Nothing revolutionary, I know, but, you're right… with the Carbon forks the Red/Black turned out OK.

It's a 16" and seems just about cock-on for me.
(I have the legs of an elf)

(I have the legs of an elf)

what are these in inside leg length? if you don't mind. i'm umming and ahhing about a new frame, and can't decide between big frame 17.5 or small 16

Tails:
I'm no tailor (Suits you sir!), and I've a had a few glasses of red… So the measure was done as furtively as possible using a Stanley tape measure in an vain attempt to not look like I was fiddling with myself.

I think I'm about 30" inside leg??

😆 thanks buddy.

possibly the coolest idea ever! nice one

Look great well done.

That's one of the nicest looking bikes I've seen in a while.

There's something about certain hardtails which looks just er 'right' if you know what I mean.

We sell the top caps here in the UK.

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/userimages/procart23.htm

it's a plain top cap with a lip so you can mount your favourite beer cap.

Like beer? We also have ahead spacers that open beer. Bar end plugs that take beer caps. Beverage wrenches. Hip flask cages. And bottle openers made from d chains

Aww. Thanks Jock.
Any, er, rightness, was purely unintentional 🙂

Nice pic of the Memorial park.

Nice bike too

Hey hey – nice build!

Great to see the frame looking so good! Really cool build. Carbon forks look ace too.

Anyway, hope you enjoy riding it and your son doesn't overtake you too quickly! 😉

MM

Aha! Mountain Monkey…. the main (frame)provider and instigator of the build!
Alas, he's already overtaking me:

^^ That's him 2 minutes after the Inbred pics were taken.

charlie- love the dedicated booze-related page! awesome stuff, like the chain opener 😀

Hi Kev,

looking good Fella ;0)

Chris

That look alright.

BTW is that Saruman's tower (Orthanc)? What's the riding like in Rohan and Fangorn forest?

Hello Chris..
Told you it wouldn't wait till after Christmas 😉
Reckon I'll see you shortly … brakes could do with a bit of bleeding.
All OK apart from that though.

Buzz..
Does it make me a little less of a geek that I had to Google that? 😉

(As pointed out by Bernaard above) It's the Memorial in sunny Coventry's War Memorial Park … you can just see Gollum, though.

Nothing beats the Schneider

Franziskaner is a close runner up

Paulaner all the way..

… just need to source a cap.
(Then Franziskaner, Erdinger, Augustiner for me)

It is nice testing them though.