I have been looking for hardtail sub 1K and noted mmmbop frame onsale.
With no experience on bike builds, any ideas on a spec suitable for hard trail/XC coming in on budget.
I bow to your greater knowledge!

new or 2nd hand parts?

Lets go for new to start with

Frame and headset will take £200 of the budget
buy this and flog the frame?

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Bikes/Mountain+Bikes/Rock+Lobster+Bikes/Rock+Lobster+853+Bike_RL-853-BIKE.htm

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/MTB++Parts/Transmission++Gears/Groupsets+-+MTB/Deore+590+Disc+Groupset++MT15+Factory+Wheels_2200.htm

an FSA headset

some tyres

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=40915

and some cheapish finishing kit (truvative, FSA etc)

I am currently building one. Aimed for £1000. It's looking like £1050 with all but stem and bars being new but on offer.

deore mechs £60 merlin
raceface ride xc crankset £65 merlin
cassette and chain 329 merlin
wheels £150 SSC
headset, stem, pedals headlock 2nd hand
fox float RL forks £300 (a steal) on one

As a total beginner, Im finding it much more fun learning than just plumping for the 1K boardman

I'm liking all suggestions.
Good point Jamiep re:learning/being involved with build

Rockhopper.

whats the crack with this double/bash chainsets vs triple – pros/cons?

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/slx-22-36-ring-setup-with-bash-guard-anyone-got-them

racing ralph Seems in favour of bash – protection may be the better option as my beginner riding is a bit reckless and will be refined with more practice

here's a possible build – bit over budget with SLX rather than Deore in places. S/hand bars and post.

where is that calculator?

good old Excel…

c'mon reggie – show us the column with the weights in it ! 😉

can you email it to me please – addy in profile

It is over budget but…
Like the spec layout Mr Gasket

c'mon reggie – show us the column with the weights in it !

I've got a model for the roadie with them in 8)

No problem RR but I'm off to bed so I'll do it in the morning

I'll sell you a barely ridden 18" frame with seatclamp and reducer headset for £125, there, thats £75 saved already 😉

another reason to learn excel. The reasons are piling up. Bloody excel.

model sent RR 8)

anyone else want a copy then just email me

I just rode mine for the first time this morning, running 1×9 gearing with chain guide and pikes. Loving it so far.

I would go for the Merlin groupset with the wheels, you might need to buy some Shimano gear outer from CRC too. On-One have some deals on saddles and usually have some cheap finishing kits for bar/stem/post, make sure you go for a short stem. You should be able to stay under a grand. I would spend a bit extra and get some Hope Hoops, decent quality wheels and always going to be worth a few quid second hand.

Why not just buy a ready built carbon 456 for a couple of hundred more. Far better a proposition IMO.

I'll sell you a barely ridden 18" frame with seatclamp and reducer headset for £125, there, thats £75 saved already

Or if you're tall, I can do a similar, if not quite as cheap, deal on the no longer available 20" version…
I've got lots of the other bits you might want to build it up with too if you're interested.