Forum menu
Dear STW massif,
Wonder if I could ask for your help with the delicious task I now have: working out how to build up a hardnut Bfe for boshing about as my 80% of riding bike? 😈
BACKGROUND
Basically, I was starting to think I needed to go for the XC bike and a full-susser 2 bike strategy (in addition to my On One 29er for work commuting), but a very wise friend suggested a better approach was ditching my current beloved hardtail - a Genesis Altitude 20 - and creating a gnarly-friendly hardcore hardtail that can suit 80% of my trail riding but also gobble up the rougher trail centre and north shore days planned the other 20% of the time (probably once every 6 weeks).
As such, I've decided on a Bfe rather than a much-desired Dialled Alpine because that would be too OTT for the 80% of riding. We reckon the Bfe is hardnut enough but sound for the normal weekend riding, given the Soul geometry.
So - I hope - the BFe bit isn't up for negotiation 🙂
But there's still plenty of room for imagination and advice...
THE BRIEF
To spec out this Bfe so that it's properly top of the range: super-fun, a little bit bonkers, cool-as-a-cucumber, air-and-DH-friendly but suited enough for the riding I do.
THE RIDING
80% of riding: Stanmer Woods and Wild Park near Brighton (location of last year's Brighton Big Dog), which is lots of carefully created singletrack, log rolls, with frequent small jumps and bits of north shore.
20% of riding: days to North Downs; skills course once the weather half improves to learn jumps and shore riding; a weekend or two at Afan, Glentress etc; Rogate, Chicksands, PORC; oop North.
Oh, I'm 6'1 and weigh 17 odd stone, substantially prefer down to up, and like to go hard - hence also the need for a burly bike.
THE BUDGET
Less than a new Orange Alpine 160 🙂
This is going to be my main bike for a few years, so don't hold back too much!
What do you recommend?
sounds like you after something similar to my evil. ive built it with coil u-turn lyriks, saint brakes, cranks, mech, xtr cassette, stans flow rims on pro2 hubs with a pair of ardents for genereal use and a pair of dual ply big bettys for more rocky stuff. wide bar, short stem, single ring and e13 lg1, burgtec pedals etc...
[url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/new-bike-27 ]clicky linky[/url]
it could be lighter but i wanted something i didnt have to be gentle with. the downside is ill be overbiked sometimes but, like the bfe, its actually got pretty sensible geometry with the fork wound down a touch.
have fun, those bfe's look reet nice!
hey slowride - actually your bike is very high up on the list of inspirations; properly plush, looks great 😀
do you think Lyriks or Pikes are better suited to my needs?
cheers!
you could use either really. i have had a few sets of pikes over the years and think they are a great fork. they save you a pound or so over the lyriks too.
if you arent too fussy over the weight then definitely the lyriks; stiffer, better damped and more tuneability plus dh-slack head angle for when the need arises. if you weigh 17 stone then the lyriks would probably be the sensible option, im about 12.5 and can feel the extra stiffness.
I have had a couple of sets of Pikes and the damping is nowhere near as good as Mission Control on the Lyrik. I pondered whether to go the Pike route on my 5 spot but ended up purchasing a Lyrik Solo air which is just over 5lbs so nearly the same as a coil Pike. It can be adjusted internally for travel too so covers all bases.
SLX drive. Saint brakes. Fox 36 Vans. Thompo stem/post. Pro2 on Flows. Hope HS/BB. RF Atlas bars. Flat pedals. Whatever saddle suits your arse.
Strong and good value.
Mcinnes, for your size/weight I would think the BFE would be spot on, I considered a BFE but went for the new soul instead (only weigh 12.5). I also ride Stanmer, north downs and the odd trip to wales, lakes, g.tress, etc and a BFE with a decent set of forks (Lyrics, 36's) and a good set of 200mm disks would be a superb all rounder for the type of terrain you ride.
Thanks all. These help.
Duggie - thanks for the points on Lyriks.
Backhander - thanks for the general suggestions.
GlennG - see you out there on them thar hills then!
go for a slx with bash ring, 36's, rims 819's maybe proII's DMR flats or DX spd's thompson seat post steam SDG bel air or gobi saddle its your A$$ you know which you prefer! Monkey dh bar any tyre but high rollers 8) then post pics please dude!!!!!!!
My build is similar to some on here, but I would say forget about the Saint brakes, and just go for the very very good XTs. Much cheaper, and perfectly good for everything including DH with the right discs.
Sunline V1 bars are lovely, low and wide and good value too - when you are running longer forks I much prefer these to my Easton DH carbon hi-rise bars, and so am selling these.
Thomson stem and post.
ProII hubs on Flow rims
Running a Renthall 34t ring, an MRP Mini-G2 chain device with a 11-34t cassette.
I'm running Wotans, but for the South Downs I think you'd be better with something that can be wound down and run shorter without limiting damping. So, probably Coil u-turn Lyriks or Pikes would be pretty good.
Sounds like you are planning on having a lot of fun on it. Enjoy!
My Prince Albert gets used for very similar riding to what you have stated:
Mavic 721s on ProII hubs
U Turn Pikes
SLX cranks
Saint rear mech
9 speed set up with E13 bash & Blckspire stinger & blackguard
Stratline pedals
Straitline stem
Sunline V1 745 bars
Thomson post
Charge spoon saddle
Formula K18 brakes (I am probably changing these soon as I am not 100% happy with them).
Gets used mainly on Surrey Hills for all dayers, mincing DH at Aston Hill DH tracks, Chicksands, Woburn and has been to Scotland, done Snowdon and will be going to Morzine in July.
The bike is a lot of fun and has never really been found wanting. The best upgrades I did were the stem, pedals and forks - feels a lot more solid and confidence inspiring now.
Lovely job - thanks people. Let the speccing and purchasing and assembling begin 8)
What size are you going to get? Im 6foot2 and ride the 17.5inch one, but a 19inch would be more suitable for xc but less good for larking about on.
also, if you really want long travel forks, get ones you can adjust. Pointless running fox 36 vans at 160mm all the time, if most of what you do is xc.
Coil Lyriks would be best probably. I run 120mm marzocchis on mine and its rides nicely.
59 - yep, bit torn on the sizing for the reasons you outline. But logically, given that 80% of the riding will be playful singletrack rather than days doing dirt jumps or hardcore DH, I think I'm likely to err on bigger than the more chuckable 17.5".
Whatdoyouthink?
On the forks, yep - totally agreed. Adjustable forks FTW. Looking at Lyriks or Fox 36 that are adjustable.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Smaller frame with longer stem for XC + layback seatpost, shorter stem & inline seatpost for playing about on?
A bit of a compromise but if you are right between the two sizes it should work OK.
Sizing has been my headache for my Bfe build.. I'm 6 foot and have gone for the 17.5" frame, I agree with jfeb and feel you can make a smaller frame feel bigger when needed with stem/seatpost options..
The geometry for Cotics is low but long, so most other brands 19" frame's are simular top tube length to Cotics 17.5"
would like to see pics when complete.. 8)