Spec was to build an SS specific for around £500, for use as a commuter with road and very light offroad capability. Lots of searching and advice from you guys and I settled on a Scandal frame 29er with wheels from On-One, To keep it on budget I have compromised in using some old stuff of mine and bought some shiny new items, well brakes, tyres and drive are new, the rest is 'premium' second hand if you know what I mean? I've settled on 38/14 ratio because I wanted it to climb some serious hills local to me and hoped that with the larger wheels it would be comfortable on the flats. Test ride on Monday took me to Cheltenham, then up Leckhampton and across to birdlip, down the old road and loop back round (this probably means nothing to alot of you). Very pleased with the bike, BB7's worked a treat on the fast decents (a bit overkill if anything) and there was only one short climb that I had to walk, bit more leg strength required. Now got to wait for some spare cash and start the upgrades. Alu rigid forks give a hard ride so I want to replace with carbon fibre, same as seat post. With the leverage I give the bars I will stick with alu though.
Sorry for boring post without pictures (there on the way) but its my first bike I havent built out of scrap so I'm chuffed.
Happy riding.
I built one for a similar budget and for a similar purpose! Differences are Alfine, 26" wheels and RS Recon fork. Very pleased with mine too.
Tom