This is still a may/may not affair but decision in the next few weeks:
Fork sorted 2014 Pikes are 150mm so happy medium there and Intense OK'd it
Q1.......My last two bikes (Trance 29er X0 and Tallboy LTC) have got Mavic SLR wheels fitted....I want as light as poss and as strong as poss ( these are 1620 the pair) .......ignoring cost are these still a good choice for a bike such as this????
Q2........If I go XX1 what is the best size front chainring.......loads of nadgery ups,downs,plantations and moorland but also usually finish with a firetrack sprint home......32 seems to be a popular choice but how is it on the flat fast bits (currently run 2X10 XTR 36/22 and this copes well on ups but a bit peddly catchy up on the sprints)
If 2x10 36/22 barely covers what you need then I reckon you're going to struggle with XX1. But I could be wrong and look forward with interest to hearing how you get on.
A1.... your Crossmax SLR wheels will be fine unless you want to run really wide rubber. Mavic reckon the 21mm internal width is good for tyres up to 2.3"; my preference would be for a wider rim with wider rubber especially if your running tubeless at around 20-25psi. If your planning to really throw the bike around you might want stiffer or stronger wheels; you may find that 20 spoked wheels are not stiff enough.
Q2.... When I went XX1 on a 26er I thought I would need a smaller chainring than a 32 for the big mountains. I was wrong, the 32 was spot on for my needs. On the 29er I tried the 28 fitted was great (its very hilly and techy where I rode it). If I was you I would try it with the 32; the 10t at the back makes a big difference over 1x10 gear spreads.
Many thanks as usual guys.........I'm desperately trying to keep the bike under 28lb and as I don't throw bikes around in too insane a fashion ( at 58 I don't bounce as well as I used to, hence two cracked ribs at the mo) so I think I'll go SLR's and 32 on the front and of course report in accordingly
Cheers P
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28lbs is a good target for a Carbine build. I'm wanting to get under 30lbs with my Nicolai Ion 15 build with big rubber (2.4" Hans Damf).
Post up pictures and let us know how it goes when done 
Will do...........aaaaaaaaaaagggggghh!!!!!!! It'll be old blokey postey photo time again