White looks very sleek... But I've owned enough white bikes
Here is my Blizzard Blue Nimble, I've had it for a few months now but only now can I say I've got it dialled in. The bike is fantastic and I feel like I made almost all the right choices on components. If I were going to change anything on the build it would be Arch EX rims (didn't exist when I built the bike), because they are a lot lighter and with the symmetric spoke angles strength is less of an issue, and I could run more XC-ish 2.1 tires if I chose to use the bike a lot on smooth fast trails and pavement, without compromising the tire profile. And for cosmetic purposes I wish the logo on the bars wasn't facing forward at 0 degrees (it always points down because I have the bars angled up a bit). I also wish I had gotten a crank with a removeable spider, so I could put smaller cogs on, front and rear... for clearance over log crossings, which is considerably tighter than I'm used to with the low bottom bracket. Where I brushed an obstacle on other bikes I slam the bash into it with this one, but the rear tire follows so closely behind the bashguard, control isn't compromised much if any. There is such a small delay between the contact of the bashguard and the contact of the tire. As far as pedal strikes I am happy with the compromise of awesome handling over easier pedaling around obstacles. I think I will get used to it and be happier in the end.
My Fuel EX was stolen so I was on a tight budget and built this bike for about $1800.
Component list:
Frame: '11 Canfield Nimble 9, Large
Fork: '11 Rock Shox Reba RLT w/ Poploc, 20mm axle, at approx 95 mm travel (of 120mm possible)
Headset: Cane Creek 40
Seatpost: Thomson Elite 330mm
Clamp: Salsa (Blue)
Saddle: SDG Bel Air RL (snow camo)
Stem: Ritchey WCS C260 80mm (bead blast black)
Spacer: Wheels MFG 1.5 mm
Handlebar: Raceface Turbine 700mm (8* sweep)
Grips: ODI Rogue lockon (w/blue clamps)
Brakes: Shimano XT M780
Rotors: Shimano RT67 (SLX) Icetech, 180mm frt, 160mm rear
Crankset: Shimano SLX, 32t Salsa ring, 32t BBG drilled bashguard
Front wheel: Stan's Flow/Wheelsmith DB14/Shimano Saint
Rear wheel: Stan's Flow/Wheelsmith DB14/DT Swiss 240s Singlespeed Centerlock
Rear Skewer: Shimano XT
Cog: Surly 21t (DT Swiss spacers)
Chain: KMC X8.93 (w/half link)
Tires: Maxxis Ardent 2.25 Maxxpro front and rear w/Stans sealant
Pedals: Crank Bros Candy C