Finally posting some build pics (phone pics, sorry) relating to my recent thread about getting the CBoardman frame really cheap. I dismantled my old Mongoose and built it with the bits, plus a spanking new SLX drive train (not the chainset):
[url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/boardman-xc-frame-in-halfrauds-109-worth-it ]CLICKY FOR THREAD - frame £109 - bargain[/url]
[url= http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/hall.stewart/SeeBoredom# ]CLICKY FOR PICCIES[/url]
Some samples:
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I'll write down the full spec and give some opinion after I've had my tea.
What kind of profile is that top tube ? Looks good.
Yeah the "squashed" top tube is a bit strange. It's kinda diamond shaped in cross section <> but then oval where it welds to the seat and head tubes. I suppose it's distinctive.
Dyknow I was dead set on getting a 456 until I saw this. Funny how things turn.
OK my curry has been scoffed so here's the spec:
[b]New stuff:[/b]
CBoardman "Team" frame 18" about 1.7kg
SLX shifters with cables
SLX triple front dérailleur - bottom swing, bottom pull
SLX medium cage rear dérailleur
SLX cassette 11-32
Easton EA30 75mm stem
[b]Old stuff from the Mongoose:[/b]
Tora U-turn coil fork - recently serviced
Easton EA50 685mm low-riser bars
4 steerer spacers, 2 of them blingy gold
No name seatpost 27.x
Selle Italia PVC saddle - long, thin, hard and slippery - just how I like it
Truvative cheapy ISIS cranks with no-name small and middle rings
Superstar ISIS BB - 2 years light use and still running without problems BTW
M520 pedals, a bit worn but OK
No name bash
No name seat clamp
Deore hydraulic brakes but with a 185mm XT front rotor
Mongoose mushroom grips
WTB speed rims with Deore hubs (needing some attention)
Maxxis Advantage 2.1, 70a wire rear, 60a folding front - currently with tubes
Deore QR skewers
phew!
I've done two rides now: Purbecks and Cheddar. [b]Now for some opinion:[/b]
[b]Uphill:[/b] All-in, it's approx 1.5 kg lighter than the Monster Mongoose it replaces, and this makes it much nicer to pedal about. Moreover, the ride is way less harsh - and this is with identical tyres, wheels, seatpost and saddle. I cleaned "The impossible climb" without dramas, something I've only done twice on the TranceX and never on the goose. The back wheel just seemed to find it's way through the loose rocks better and it was a comfier riding position when grunting.
[b]Downhill:[/b] I took it to the "Cheddar Rock Garden" (which I have only done before on my TranceX), doing the full length twice. Obviously it's a fair bit slower which makes it more tricky to use momentum through the rough, but it was fine. Where the rocks were more intermittent, I was able to float the bike quite easily over the worst bits. The front feels sharp, lower overall, less banzaii than the Mongoose but OK. The longer TT seemed to put more bike out front when you want it. But I did notice the leg fatigue compared with rear suspension - it's quite a rough trail! I'm not entirely sure how long I can run the fork so I'm sticking to 110mm. On the smooth twisty singletrack of the Purbecks it seemed manoeuvrable enough too.
I reckon a light build would be quite racy - maybe take off the meaty 2.4kg TORA and put on my 1.4kg F120 fork from the TranceX (sagged-out a bit). And eventually some flighty wheels.
So far so good. Roll on winter riding 🙂
You need to change that fork fella. I just got rid of the next model up from that to some 140mm revs and they have made such a difference
"change that fork... made such a difference"
Yeah I can believe it. I find the TORA fine if a little unresponsive to small bumps and you can feel it weighs a tonne when you try and pop the front.
But that's it for bike-spending this year! 🙁
But that's it for bike-spending this year!
Ha Ha yeah mate you keep telling yourself that!!! Bet you don't make November 😆
Actually, it's my 40th birthday next week. But I don't think the GF will stretch to Revs though 😀