Project MuddyBum - Update #1
Now that race season's over and training has calmed down for a short while before I kick off my "proper" base in November, I've needed something to fill that time...you know, because actually chilling out isn't really an option is it. I've actually decided to fill that time with something a bit different, bicycle related of course. Since September I've been trawling the internet and messaging friends in the search of the cheapest set of parts I can possibly find to build a reasonably good quality mountain bike to race over the winter.
This post is the first of two to just go through what I've done to build the bike so far, and how I've managed to keep costs and, importantly, weight down.
So when I first started I had all sorts of enthusiasm for the project, to finish it quick, to make it totally top end and maybe spend a relatively good amount of money on it. As I've gone on, and tried to claw back some of the £1000's I'd spent on travel during the racing season, I've realised that maybe I'd need to chillax on the spending front. To that end I began to research how I'd be able to pull off a race-worthy bike without breaking the bank.
It didn't take long for me to find the perfect frame, an On-One (part of British Brand Planet-X) Whippet- it had great reviews from racers and after a bit more research it looked like I'd be able to build it up as a 650b (that's the middle wheelsize for MTB's) - I got the frame at a steal of £199 as it didn't have any branding painted onto it.... there weren't too many choices in colour at this price point so the bike is, indeed, a strong mustardy yellow. Actually goes quite well with my love of both Batman and my local cycling club, the Manx Viking Wheelers.
First part sorted! Alongside the frame I also ordered two bottom brackets, one to fit a Shimano crankset and one for SRAM - as at this point I wasn't sure which direction I'd go in, and also an FSA headset to fit the frame.
So what now!? Well, one of the most confusing parts of the build so far as been making sure I've obtained the right parts to make sure it builds as a 650b conversion without totally screwing up the ride or geometry. After many hours of searching, it was looking like I'd need to spend almost £800 on just a set of front forks (Fox) to make it work nicely.... until I saw a saving grace in a forum post - someone had suggested using a brand I'd not heard of, this led to me ordering some X-Fusion Velvets - these are specifically designed to accommodate 650b wheels and also seem to be a match made in heaven for my new frame. At £350 with great reviews they were a steal! Bringing my total for the build to just over £570.
So that's the big spends out of the way, apart from the wheels it should be plain sailing for parts now.
Luckily my other half is a keen MTB rider, and like any good mud lover he has filled our garage with spare parts. I've managed to bring back to life a full groupset, comprising of SRAM X7 & X9 parts - so considering it's free, that's not a bad start for the build! The SRAM stuff isn't my favoured choice but it sure does keep weight down. I'll be running a triple until I decide to buy myself a new groupset too...which might actually help me on the hills anyway. My bars are second hand carbon PRO bars from a friend, costing only £25 and super low in weight, so that's not too much on top of the build! I had to buy new jockey wheels to resurrect the rear mech, costing £10 and with anodised blue bolts to match the detail on my forks. I'm waiting on a carbon seatpost from the other half, and already have a Bontrager saddle in stock.
So what's next!? I've got a whole ton of fiddly little parts, seatclamps, rotors, casettes etc to order, I'm buying some 2nd hand brakes from a mate - and actually have some wheels being made as we speak - so once they arrive I'll be able to get the project into full swing. As it stands, the bike weighs 5kg, with front and rear mechs, forks and stem attached. Hopefully there won't be too much to add to that, but if we can keep it under 12kg we're laughing! Budget should be about £1000, I think we'll be dipping over that but only slightly. Not bad for the quality of parts!
One thing I will say, after recapping on my original excitement over the build - MTB's are fairly involved when it comes to technology, unlike road bikes they come with so many different options and configurations. This has been a brilliant learning process for me, as a thoroughbred geek you can probably imagine how much I have revelled in all the detail.
Watch this space for the next update! :)
This post is the first of two to just go through what I've done to build the bike so far, and how I've managed to keep costs and, importantly, weight down.So when I first started I had all sorts of enthusiasm for the project, to finish it quick, to make it totally top end and maybe spend a relatively good amount of money on it. As I've gone on, and tried to claw back some of the £1000's I'd spent on travel during the racing season, I've realised that maybe I'd need to chillax on the spending front. To that end I began to research how I'd be able to pull off a race-worthy bike without breaking the bank.
It didn't take long for me to find the perfect frame, an On-One (part of British Brand Planet-X) Whippet- it had great reviews from racers and after a bit more research it looked like I'd be able to build it up as a 650b (that's the middle wheelsize for MTB's) - I got the frame at a steal of £199 as it didn't have any branding painted onto it.... there weren't too many choices in colour at this price point so the bike is, indeed, a strong mustardy yellow. Actually goes quite well with my love of both Batman and my local cycling club, the Manx Viking Wheelers.
So what now!? Well, one of the most confusing parts of the build so far as been making sure I've obtained the right parts to make sure it builds as a 650b conversion without totally screwing up the ride or geometry. After many hours of searching, it was looking like I'd need to spend almost £800 on just a set of front forks (Fox) to make it work nicely.... until I saw a saving grace in a forum post - someone had suggested using a brand I'd not heard of, this led to me ordering some X-Fusion Velvets - these are specifically designed to accommodate 650b wheels and also seem to be a match made in heaven for my new frame. At £350 with great reviews they were a steal! Bringing my total for the build to just over £570.
So that's the big spends out of the way, apart from the wheels it should be plain sailing for parts now.
Luckily my other half is a keen MTB rider, and like any good mud lover he has filled our garage with spare parts. I've managed to bring back to life a full groupset, comprising of SRAM X7 & X9 parts - so considering it's free, that's not a bad start for the build! The SRAM stuff isn't my favoured choice but it sure does keep weight down. I'll be running a triple until I decide to buy myself a new groupset too...which might actually help me on the hills anyway. My bars are second hand carbon PRO bars from a friend, costing only £25 and super low in weight, so that's not too much on top of the build! I had to buy new jockey wheels to resurrect the rear mech, costing £10 and with anodised blue bolts to match the detail on my forks. I'm waiting on a carbon seatpost from the other half, and already have a Bontrager saddle in stock.So what's next!? I've got a whole ton of fiddly little parts, seatclamps, rotors, casettes etc to order, I'm buying some 2nd hand brakes from a mate - and actually have some wheels being made as we speak - so once they arrive I'll be able to get the project into full swing. As it stands, the bike weighs 5kg, with front and rear mechs, forks and stem attached. Hopefully there won't be too much to add to that, but if we can keep it under 12kg we're laughing! Budget should be about £1000, I think we'll be dipping over that but only slightly. Not bad for the quality of parts!
One thing I will say, after recapping on my original excitement over the build - MTB's are fairly involved when it comes to technology, unlike road bikes they come with so many different options and configurations. This has been a brilliant learning process for me, as a thoroughbred geek you can probably imagine how much I have revelled in all the detail.Watch this space for the next update! :)
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