So I bought my Warp DS2 back in September, and absolutely loved it. I got it for a good price (less than $500 out the door including clipless pedals), and it suited me well. I knew that I would need to do some upgrades, but figured I would wait until components wore out or failed, and would replace them as they went. A month into it, I replaced the fork with a Marzocchi EXR Pro, and the bug hit me. I've been afflicted with "upgrade-itis" ever since. The list is now as follows:
Avid 185 mm mechanical discs and SD 7 levers
SRAM X.7 triggers and R/D
SRAM XGEN F/D, PC 970 Cassette, PC 99 Chain
Hand built 36 hole RhynoLites 3X laced to XT hubs
Holzfeller Cranks (22,32,42) and gigapipe BB
I will install the brakes, levers, shifters and R/D myself this weekend. I'll install the F/D when it arrives next week, then the bike goes to the LBS for installation of the cranks/BB and cassette, and drive train dial-in.
So basically, I've replaced everything but the saddle and seatpost, tires, headset, stem, handlebars and grips. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention...I also installed bar ends (rolls eyes). In the end, between the price of the items I've purchased, shipping, installation as well as calculating in what I've received in return from selling off the used parts, (yes some of this is estimates, but I'm guessing conservatively here) my $500 Warp will now be a $1200 Warp. My intention was to make the build better than the DS1 for a grand. I missed the target, but didn't compromise on what I wanted on the bike, either. It will be a nice build.
In the end, I'm glad I did it. It's been a learning experience. Would I do it over again? Probably not. I keep second guessing whether I should have bought a VT 2. Don't get me wrong, still love the Warp, but I can't help but fall into the second guessing trap, especially when I think of what I've spent on upgrades, and what I could have spent on a new bike with better components off the LBS showroom floor.
As a relative newbie, I never realized just how much I would get into the sport, and how much time and money I would be willing to devote to it. It's been fun, and I look forward to doing more with the bike. I'll post pics of the bike when I get it back from the shop after the drive train install. For now, I'm off to ebay to look at rear shocks......
Clyde
Avid 185 mm mechanical discs and SD 7 levers
SRAM X.7 triggers and R/D
SRAM XGEN F/D, PC 970 Cassette, PC 99 Chain
Hand built 36 hole RhynoLites 3X laced to XT hubs
Holzfeller Cranks (22,32,42) and gigapipe BB
I will install the brakes, levers, shifters and R/D myself this weekend. I'll install the F/D when it arrives next week, then the bike goes to the LBS for installation of the cranks/BB and cassette, and drive train dial-in.
So basically, I've replaced everything but the saddle and seatpost, tires, headset, stem, handlebars and grips. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention...I also installed bar ends (rolls eyes). In the end, between the price of the items I've purchased, shipping, installation as well as calculating in what I've received in return from selling off the used parts, (yes some of this is estimates, but I'm guessing conservatively here) my $500 Warp will now be a $1200 Warp. My intention was to make the build better than the DS1 for a grand. I missed the target, but didn't compromise on what I wanted on the bike, either. It will be a nice build.
In the end, I'm glad I did it. It's been a learning experience. Would I do it over again? Probably not. I keep second guessing whether I should have bought a VT 2. Don't get me wrong, still love the Warp, but I can't help but fall into the second guessing trap, especially when I think of what I've spent on upgrades, and what I could have spent on a new bike with better components off the LBS showroom floor.
As a relative newbie, I never realized just how much I would get into the sport, and how much time and money I would be willing to devote to it. It's been fun, and I look forward to doing more with the bike. I'll post pics of the bike when I get it back from the shop after the drive train install. For now, I'm off to ebay to look at rear shocks......
Clyde