Just bought a frame for my next build!!!

[CommuterBoy]

They're practically giving away 29er frames over at performancebike.com:

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...00_20000_53000

They have 4 or 5 frames for sale for $99. How could you not buy one?

I think I'm going to sell my Kona Dawg and built a killer 9er hardtail. I've been itching to build one for a while. Might sit in the garage for a while, but at a $200 discount, I had to jump on it. I love a new project!!

[Gary the No-Trash Cougar]

Nice! No better winter project than starting a new build. Is it going to be a commuter, trail bike or all-purpose? 29er HTs can be a lot of fun, I thoroughly enjoy mine. Keep us updated!

[08HardRock]

I wish I had a greater knowledge of building, this seems like it could be a lot of fun.

[CommuterBoy]

Main purpose will be full time mountain bike duties, especially if I sell the Kona in order to build it. Big fat knobbies. But I think I'm going to do a nice suspension fork with lockout, and run the same brake rotor size as my commuter cyclocross bike, so I can just throw the 'cross wheelset on it and have a street friendly 9er for occasional commuting duties.

[Gary the No-Trash Cougar]

That's a great idea! I would be worried about having to adjust the calipers with each wheel swap, but then again my only experience with disc brakes is with BB5s.

[CommuterBoy]

Originally Posted by 08HardRock

I wish I had a greater knowledge of building, this seems like it could be a lot of fun.

Just dive in! everything you need to know is online (park tool's website is an awesome resource). It's really not hard. You can buy a sweet set of tools with the money you save not buying a complete bike, and the end result is EXACTLY what you want. I can't see ever buying a complete bike again, honestly. It would have to be a crazy deal for me to accept someone else's idea of what the right bike for me would be.

[CommuterBoy]

Originally Posted by Gary the No-Trash Cougar

That's a great idea! I would be worried about having to adjust the calipers with each wheel swap, but then again my only experience with disc brakes is with BB5s.

My experience has been that the rotors that come with hydraulic systems (hayes at least) are a bit fatter than mechanical disc rotors... having mechanical discs on the commuter, and hydraulics on the 9er will make it fairly easy to throw the c'muter wheels on there, because you can compensate for the skinnier rotor by just adjusting lever travel at the handlebar...no messing with calipers at all, if you're lucky. Or you could just make sure that all 4 rotors were the same thickness, then it shouldn't require any adjustment at all.

[jkmacman]

They have 4 or 5 frames for sale for $99. How could you not buy one?

f that. niners are for girly men.

if you commuting like the geico ad says 'shoot i'm a pot hole, i ain't got a phone"

what you need a niners for that?

[dnlwthrn]

Originally Posted by jkmacman

f that. niners are for girly men.

if you commuting like the geico ad says 'shoot i'm a pot hole, i ain't got a phone"

what you need a niners for that?

Did you not read what his plan was? He's looking at a 9er because he can run knobbies for singletrack and then swap wheelsets and use cross wheels for street/commuting duty...

[CommuterBoy]

Originally Posted by jkmacman

f that. niners are for girly men.

if you commuting like the geico ad says 'shoot i'm a pot hole, i ain't got a phone"

what you need a niners for that?

Wha? This will be replacing my full suspension trailbike. I'll still commute on the 'cross bike primarily. Although a mile or so of my commute is on dirt. Just thought the fine people in the commuting forum would want to know.

[rodar y rodar]

Swapability rules! Mine are all rim brakes, so I have to give the brake adjuster a few turns for some combos, but I frequently swap wheels back and forth- mostly due to tire size, but when I upgrade my headlight I`ll keep the old one and be able to have an instant dyno system on all my 26ers.

[rodar y rodar]

Originally Posted by 08HardRock

I wish I had a greater knowledge of building, this seems like it could be a lot of fun.

If you want to, go for it- like C.B. says, Park Tool has a lot of step by step instructions. So does Sheldon Brown and the internet forums are great for asking questions when you get stumped.

The biggest plusses are that you can put together exactly what you want and that you`ll be better able to handle mechanical problems in the field if you have a grip on all the aspects of your bike. It also saves repair bills by being capable and confident to work on your own ride AND since you`re the one riding it you can very often get a better diagnosis of problems or potential problems than a shop mechanic who only spins the pedals on the stand and takes it for a lap around the parking lot. If you ever run into a specific problem that you can`t get straightened out, there`s no rule that says you can`t throw in the towel and go to the pros for help.

About saving money on a build- it`s pretty tough to beat the price of a complete bike. I`m sure it can be done by buying used parts or watching for killer sales and just squirelling parts away for a long time, but I`ve never accomplished it. BTW, there aren`t all that many special purpose tools needed and most of them are relatively cheap.

[jkmacman]

i swap tires on this bike frequently



road 45 miles on tuesday w/nevagal + conti mtn king in woods and road, then wed did 22 miles on road w/ all terrainasuaur


if the frame is 99 bux, okay, but then two sets of wheels, 2 sets of tires and components, i think a used bike may be a better deal; just my 2 cents

on this webiste a ss for $185 is a better value as a comuter. but I'm 5' 9.5" too small for a niner? maybe although some shorter than me drank the cool aid

[CommuterBoy]

Originally Posted by rodar y rodar

About saving money on a build- it`s pretty tough to beat the price of a complete bike. I`m sure it can be done by buying used parts or watching for killer sales and just squirelling parts away for a long time, but I`ve never accomplished it.

I gotta disagree... looking at typical prices on the parts on my last build (cyclocross commuter) it would be well over $1500, and I put (maybe) $1100 into it. Plus, it's the only one like it in the world...how do you put a price on that?

So far on this bike, I have bought one part: the frame. List price is $299, I got it for $99. I'm currently eyeing a $600 fork at pricepoint for $350... I don't have any intention of paying full price for anything. The deals are always out there, and you can always come out ahead.

I hear you, there are some killer deals on complete bikes out there, but the end result is still something I immeidately want to customize to make it my own. I'd rather start from scratch personally. I'm in control of the deals I get on individual parts, and I get exactly what I want every step of the way.

[CommuterBoy]

Originally Posted by jkmacman

if the frame is 99 bux, okay, but then two sets of wheels, 2 sets of tires and components, i think a used bike may be a better deal; just my 2 cents

Where's the fun in riding someone else's bike? I could get a craigslist huffy for $50 bucks too...

First, I already have the second set of wheels on my cyclocross bike. Making them swappable would just be a cool novelty for the occasional road ride.

Second, this is my new bike. I'm selling a $2000 trail bike in order build my next killer mountian bike. I'm going to build it from the ground up, exactly like I want it. I'm going to spend at least $1000 doing it, using seed money I get from selling my old bike. I will spend the winter in my basement like a mad scientist, obsessing over every detail. Do you people not see the joy in what is about to happen here? Sure, I could get a sweet used bike for $1500, or even $500, but that is not even close to the point. Building a bike is like therapy. I am bringing something to life from a pile of lifeless parts. I am adding to the number of sweet bikes in the world. I am deciding what a bike should be like, for me and the trails I like to ride.

Stop sucking the joy out of my moment!! Fun suckers!!

[jkmacman]

I gotta disagree... looking at typical prices on the parts on my last build (cyclocross commuter) it would be well over $1500, and I put (maybe) $1100 into it. Plus, it's the only one like it in the world...how do you put a price on that?

i dunno where to or from you commute to, but this seems like a lot of money for a commuter bike

i agree if you need specific stuff, roll your own, but if you just need a bike. you can often get a used road bike in a garage sale for 20 bux

[AZ.MTNS]

Originally Posted by jkmacman

i dunno where to or from you commute to, but this seems like a lot of money for a commuter bike

i agree if you need specific stuff, roll your own, but if you just need a bike. you can often get a used road bike in a garage sale for 20 bux

Huge difference between need and want .

[rodar y rodar]

It IS a lot of money. And please don`t make me count up what I have into mine- if I knew, I might one day talk in my sleep and I`d be sunk for sure

Yes, you can get a bike for $20 at a garage sale, and you could get a dang good bike for $200 from Craigslist. Unfortunately, AZ MTNS is also right.

[AZ.MTNS]

To the O.P. please keep this updated as I am sure I am not the only one that finds this of interest .

[CommuterBoy]

^^ I will.

Originally Posted by jkmacman

i dunno where to or from you commute to, but this seems like a lot of money for a commuter bike

i agree if you need specific stuff, roll your own, but if you just need a bike. you can often get a used road bike in a garage sale for 20 bux

I commute from home to work.


I save about $500 in gas every year riding to work, and I don't have many other vices. Last year I spend about $3.50 on alcohol, for example. I like nice bikes. I like nice cars too, but I can afford nice bikes. I don't see a problem with putting a little money into something that saves me hundreds of dollars a year, makes me healthier, provides me with an outlet for stress, and generally improves every other area of my life. Maybe it's just me...

[umarth]

Originally Posted by CommuterBoy

Last year I spend about $3.50 on alcohol,

That is why I think you are weird.

[CommuterBoy]

^^ That's fine, and understandable. . Just don't think I'm weird for having a nice bike.

[umarth]

If you set the frame up as a drop bar, I'll consider everything even. Feel free to hit me (this forum) up as you meticulously plan your commuter.

[CommuterBoy]

I have oversized drop bars, levers, and stem sitting in my shop already...I took them off of the commuter when I switched to bullhorns...but I don't think I'm going to use them. I'm going full mountain bike with this one at this point. For one thing, I want to use hydraulic discs, and there aren't drop-bar levers for hydraulic discs as far as I know.

BUT the entirely different route that I could go is selling the 'cross bike and making this new 29er the commuting machine. If I did that I'd keep my full suspension Kona for mountian duties, and then I'd run drop bars on this one for sure.

Also, don't think I haven't considered swapping the rigid carbon fork and most of the other parts off of my 'cross bike to make this thing happen overnight. I could have a pretty sick rigid drop bar 29er, with maybe some 2.5" slicks or something... I'm still marinating in the endless possibilities.

[Gary the No-Trash Cougar]

I'd say keep your Kona AND build this HT 29er, but I'm bike obsessed. It's probably still a great idea to sell it for seed money if you're not really going to use it anyway.

For those of you still confused or not reading posts all the way through, maybe I can help by arranging an outline.

CB plans on:
1. Selling his dual boinger
2. Building a hardtail 29er for trail use
3. Occasionally swapping over the 700c wheels from his commuter, just for kicks
4. The purpose of the ninja is to flip out and kill people

I think it's a great idea. While turn-key solutions are great, building and/or customizing your own whip gives you the opportunity to set it up exactly the way you want instead of settling for whatever the manufacturer or LBS decided was best for you.

[AZ.MTNS]

Drop bar 29er , then I can live vicariously thru your build .

[CommuterBoy]

^^ I'll put the drops on it at some point in the build and take a picture, just so you can drool on it.

I'd love to keep the Kona... I do use it quite a bit. Keeping it is an option, it would just make this project take a loooooonnng time. I might be OK with that. We'll see how impatient I get...

[Gary the No-Trash Cougar]

Also remember, there may be trails where you might actually benefit from riding a 26" bike, like twisty trails with tight switchbacks. A lot of people are also of the mind that dual sus is the only way to go with those trails up there in the Tahoe area (others disagree).

[CommuterBoy]

I've been a 29er nay-sayer for a long time, at least in terms of tight singlegrack. There are definitely advantages to the 26" wheels...more 'flickable' if you will. And yes, there are parts of the Tahoe Rim Trail for example that will be a significant challenge on a hardtail, regardless of wheel size.

I do a couple of day-long epics in the summer though...one charity ride and at least one self imposed torture test...and after 8 hours I'm pretty sick of lugging that Kona uphill. Having both would be sweet, but If I can only have one, I'm wanting to give a hardtail a shot for a while... if it sucks I'll sell it for a profit and buy another Kona.

[Gary the No-Trash Cougar]

That's the only way to go! There's little doubt you'd be able to find a reasonable buyer. I tend to favor hardtails myself, then again I don't have a terribly aggressive riding style and tend to stick to the tamer trails anyway. My 29er definitely feels more like a "fire road bike" to me, but I'm sure in the hands of a more skilled rider it would not be as much of a problem.

[rodar y rodar]

Drop bars on ST are a blast!

[nuck_chorris]

but its aluminum

[CommuterBoy]

^^

So is my Kona. And my commuter. Neener neener. Welcome to the 1900's.

[nuck_chorris]

Originally Posted by CommuterBoy

^^

So is my Kona. And my commuter. Neener neener. Welcome to the 1900's.

Its fine for you guys but ive had a bad experience with aluminum

[umarth]

Originally Posted by nuck_chorris

ive had a bed experience with aluminum

That must have caused some chafing.

[CommuterBoy]

People have had steel frames break too though... I can understand being leery of it if you've had it fail though.

Motocross frames are aluminum (even the ones with steel frames use an aluminum swing arm), the clasps on my climbing harness are aluminum (so are the ones on parachute harnesses). Caribiners and other climbing equipment are aluminum. Your rims are probably aluminum. Personally I trust the stuff.

[jkmacman]

back in the day (1970's) i had a bike frame break. it was a silver italia, and I have to believe that the bike was steel. it broke were top tube and front tube meet, probably a common location for breaks

i replaced that frame w/my sister's puch (red), but i had an untimely accident
tequila and bicycling are not a good mix

[nuck_chorris]

Originally Posted by CommuterBoy

People have had steel frames break too though... I can understand being leery of it if you've had it fail though.

Motocross frames are aluminum (even the ones with steel frames use an aluminum swing arm), the clasps on my climbing harness are aluminum (so are the ones on parachute harnesses). Caribiners and other climbing equipment are aluminum. Your rims are probably aluminum. Personally I trust the stuff.

one mans (me)garbage is another mans(you guys) treasure. don't get me wrong aluminum has some uses (downhill bikes) but for me its gone bad(chainring bolts, chainrings, rigid frames , cogs, etc.)

[rodar y rodar]

I`ll go for steel frames before aluminum too, but I have nothing against aluminum. It`s just like I go for apple-cinnamon oatmeal before I go for maple. Eventually I`ll eat it all. Well, I seriously doubt you`ll ever catch me eating the carbon fiber flavor. I`ll let the racerboys keep that ugly stuff.

[nuck_chorris]

Originally Posted by rodar y rodar

I`ll go for steel frames before aluminum too, but I have nothing against aluminum. It`s just like I go for apple-cinnamon oatmeal before I go for maple. Eventually I`ll eat it all. Well, I seriously doubt you`ll ever catch me eating the carbon fiber flavor. I`ll let the racerboys keep that ugly stuff.

uh, i disagree, I really want a Carbon SS frame, for offroad of course , i know i will never get one but a man can dream.....

[rodar y rodar]

Originally Posted by nuck_chorris

uh, i disagree, I really want a Carbon SS frame, for offroad of course , i know i will never get one but a man can dream.....

?????
You have alumnophobia and you want to ride a plastic bike offroad? Wow!

[nuck_chorris]

Originally Posted by rodar y rodar

?????
You have alumnophobia and you want to ride a plastic bike offroad? Wow!

its stronger than aluminum any day, do you know anything about carbon? element 14 FTW

[jkmacman]

i have 2 carbon road bikes, but carbon mtb freaks me out

[Maximus_XXIV]

If carbon freaks you out, stay out of new commercial airliners! They are making the entire body and wing structures out of it now for weight and to prevent fatigue issues.

[CommuterBoy]

Niner Air 9. I'd love one of those. But this frame was $99, those are $700. What are you doing to do?

I had a Schwinn 'S' Series carbon full suspension mtb. It was a '98 or a '99. They were pretty similar to the Trek Y Frames. That was a sweet bike. Full suspension is different than rigid in terms of fatigue, I know, but it was one of the first carbon bikes. Carbon has come a long way. The part of the frame behind the headtube was this big fat section, and you could grab it and push your thumbs into it and see the frame flex. I was worried about it until I saw a guy at a bike shop (he had a blemished frame that he used just for this purpose) take a hammer and just wail away on this carbon frame. He was showing no mercy,and other than chipping the paint, there was no visible damage. I felt pretty confident riding that bike after that.

Oh, and the swing arm was aluminum. haha.



My new frame has left West Virginia, by the way. I'm playing the FedEx tracking waiting game.

[jkmacman]

Schwinn 'S' Series carbon full suspension mtb

this sounds like an oxymoron

[CommuterBoy]

One of these, but mine was green and black:



It was a sweet bike. I liked the geometry, and the suspension was kind of unique...you are standing on the swing arm, so when you stand up and hammer, you basically lock out the suspension. When you sat town, it would get mushy. You could determine suspension travel by how much weight was on your feet, and how much was on your butt. It was a pretty good climber because of this same weirdness. Power to the pedals = less suspension. There were a few other frames of the era using this set-up...it was called "Unified Rear Triangle" if I recall correctly.

[nuck_chorris]

oh just to clarify im not talking about a FS carbon , im talking about fully rigid SS carbon

ex: Gary fisher superfly SS

[CommuterBoy]

Would you ride a FS aluminum frame, knowing that the suspension reduces frame fatigue?

[rodar y rodar]

Originally Posted by nuck_chorris

its stronger than aluminum any day, do you know anything about carbon? element 14 FTW

Admittedly very little. To be quite honest, with the way lawsuits fly around in this country, I can`t imagine that so many of the big players would risk losing thier butts with that many products if they were inherently dangerous. That theory applies to both aluminum and CF. Even so, I have to say that C.B.`s report of the hammer vs demo frame surprises me A LOT.

[nuck_chorris]

Originally Posted by CommuterBoy

Would you ride a FS aluminum frame, knowing that the suspension reduces frame fatigue?

as I mentioned above I would ride a down hill bike which is in the catagory of FS aluminum frames

[CommuterBoy]

When you see the results of this amazing build you will run out and buy an aluminum hardtail

[jkmacman]

i was hesitant to use a cf bike on the trainor, but wouldn't trainors have to have disclaimers on them if they busted cf bikes w/wreckless abandon???

[jasevr4]

Nice one CommuterBoy. Congrats on the fun ahead.

I've been looking for a bargain disk specific sscx frame for a while now but haven't had much luck. One day!

[nuck_chorris]

Originally Posted by CommuterBoy

When you see the results of this amazing build you will run out and buy an aluminum hardtail

I had thought about it but then i realized two things: 1: its aluminum 2: standard vertical drops

[rodar y rodar]

Aren`t trainers where people usually leave the bike that has some kind of problem or is their least favorite? I could be wrong, butI imagine it`s a lot easier on a bike than any other use.

[CommuterBoy]

Originally Posted by nuck_chorris

I had thought about it but then i realized two things: 1: its aluminum 2: standard vertical drops

OH, that's right, you're one of THEM.

[nuck_chorris]

Originally Posted by CommuterBoy

OH, that's right, you're one of THEM.

arent you?

[jkmacman]

Aren`t trainers where people usually leave the bike that has some kind of problem or is their least favorite? I could be wrong, butI imagine it`s a lot easier on a bike than any other use.

i just gave my brother a rear rim w/trainor speficic tire (yellow conti).

i think he said he uses a lotus bicycle on an old school trainor (the thing looks like a bike floor fan), he definately said he don't ride outside, as I told him the yellow conti cannot be used any place except on the trainor.

we're in the nyc metro area, and i totally understand if folks don't want to ride outside as he's not the first person in this area to express that the only ride inside

he thought the rim was from itally cause the skewer said made it itally, the skewer i had gotton from the guy that gave me/leant me the trainor

can i use my mtb on a trainor? i had an alum road bike, but swapped out the frame since it was too big

maybe rollers are better for mtb?

this is the bike i use on the trainor. dig the big kick a$$ xtr rear d.r, pity i couldn''t make it up gate hill w/o water break


small side of lake welch, harriman, ny. too bad no real mtb allowed here, we go over to ringwood for the mtb

[CommuterBoy]

If it has wheels, you can use it on a trainer. Slicks would be waaaaay more user-friendly on a MTB on a trainer.

But let's get back to how incredibly cool my new bike is going to be. You'll be happy to know I've decided to hold off on selling the Kona until I see how well Santa is going to treat me this year. The idea of having a hardtail and a full suspension trail bike is way too exciting to not at least shoot for. If I have to use mehanical discs and some lower end parts, it would be worth it to have two MTB's in the quiver.

[jkmacman]

have to use mehanical discs and some lower end parts, it would be worth it to have two MTB's in the quiver.

make the ht a ss.

i have 2 sets of wheels w/discs (avid juicy), while the breaks work great, they're incredibly squeky, lbs said use some rubing alcohol, it quiets them a bit, but the squek always comes out,

also on the newer nicer wheelset (mavics) there hand bult but the rear wheel bolt that locks on hub keeps loosening up. i'm almost tempted to go back to wrench that built them, but i don't want to end up buying more stuff i can't afford

[CommuterBoy]

I have BB7's on the commuter, no squeak at all. Hayes Hydraulics on the mtb, no squeak there either. Squeak comes from pad/rotor interface. One or the other can be changed to eliminate the squeak. The right pads will make your squeak go away.

As for single speed...not on this one. I'm building it with an 8 hour event in Tahoe in mind. SS is trendy and all, but it's about as functional as a plastic hammer for something like the Tahoe Rim Trail. Low maintenance and good looks is about all SS has going for it in my opinion. If I build a SS, it will be another 24" cruiser size bmx play bike.

Put locktite on your rear wheel bolt. It's not the mechanics fault. You can also rough up the area on the dropouts where the bolt rests, and rough up the flange of the bolt itself (that contacts the droupout), so it's not a smooth-on-smooth situation. That by itself will probably keep it from loosening.

...now back to how cool my bike is going to be, hijacker.

[jkmacman]

...now back to how cool my bike is going to be, hijacker

i didn't hi jack the thread, you're taling about a $99 frame from performance bike, for an 8 hour race next year at tahoe

[CommuterBoy]

^^ Correct, and you're talking about what bike you can use on your train"or" and disc brake problems, and posting pictures of two (2) of your own bikes. ...just sayin. It is my party, after all.

Originally Posted by nuck_chorris

arent you?

Why yes... yes I am.

[CommuterBoy]

My frame is in Sacramento! Anyone down there want to run it up the hill for me?

[rodar y rodar]

Time for a sick day. Still got any of that piggy cough with you?

[CommuterBoy]

Just about over it... could totally justify a day off though. Only problem is all I will have is a frame to stare at. That could get old by about lunch time.

[jflurett]

Originally Posted by CommuterBoy

Stop sucking the joy out of my moment!! Fun suckers!!

Reminded me of South Park:


Cartman: I think Sexual Harassment Panda is cool.

Stan: You would think that, you little ass-sucker.

Cartman: What did you call me?

Stan: An ass-sucker. It means you suck ass. You see an ass, you suck it. You're an ass-sucker.

[CommuterBoy]

It's here! and I'm sending it back! Chalk it up to ignorance of 29ers, but this thing is huge. Comparing and measuring it up with my other frames, it's scary big. I'm going to be near a Performance shop over Thanksgiving week, so I ordered the next size down and I'm returning this one. I'm going to eat it on shipping for the new one, which will bring the total price of my new frame to $130...worth it to get the right size though. I'm mad at myself for not reading more reviews before I pulled the trigger...everyone says to order a size down from normal. Live and learn.

[nuck_chorris]

Originally Posted by CommuterBoy

It's here! and I'm sending it back! Chalk it up to ignorance of 29ers, but this thing is huge. Comparing and measuring it up with my other frames, it's scary big. I'm going to be near a Performance shop over Thanksgiving week, so I ordered the next size down and I'm returning this one. I'm going to eat it on shipping for the new one, which will bring the total price of my new frame to $130...worth it to get the right size though. I'm mad at myself for not reading more reviews before I pulled the trigger...everyone says to order a size down from normal. Live and learn.

thats aluminum for you!

[CommuterBoy]

^^

It must have gotten wet or something during shipping and swelled up. If it were steel I'm sure this wouldn't have happened.

[rodar y rodar]

Doh! Well, better luck with the replacement.

[CommuterBoy]

...It's not like I'm in a huge hurry. I might as well get it right.

[Gary the No-Trash Cougar]

Originally Posted by CommuterBoy

^^

It must have gotten wet or something during shipping and swelled up. If it were steel I'm sure this wouldn't have happened.

No, it would just have rusted to slag instead.

[nuck_chorris]

Originally Posted by Gary the No-Trash Cougar

No, it would just have rusted to slag instead.

well thats no prob for a carbon or TI frame , unless theres some kind of fire invovled

[Ronin Six]

Are you gonna hang existing/spare parts on it and build up from there? What's on your shopping list of parts to get for this?

BTW, I just ordered one of these frames myself as a parts mule for a component transplant from my decade-old 'vintage' alu HT rigs (one has 1" steerer, other has U-brakes, both of which have held up fantastic with years of hard riding btw). Swapping out what I can, and getting shiny new parts from what's not compatible. Will slowly upgrade much of the old parts over time, of course.

[CommuterBoy]

Well I was going to sell my FS Kona and do this up as my main trail bike with all new parts, but getting rid of my full suspension trail bike is sounding like less and less of a good idea the more I think about it. So my new plan is to hold out until after Christmas (we'll see what Santa and the wife can pull off) and see what's left to buy. I have an extensive christmas list from pricepoint
I also have a birthday over the holidays, so I could wind up with a fairly complete bike by January. At that point I'll see about 'borrowing' some parts from the Kona to make it rideable while I continue to gather enough goodies to have them both fully complete.

The problem is that the expensive stuff (wheels and fork) aren't swappable, and I don't know if Santa has that much coin. Stealing the 29er wheels off of the cyclocross commuter is not my first choice, but it might come down to that, at least temporarily.

As far as what I want... strong wheels, suspension fork w/lockout, 3x9 speed drivetrain, and hydraulic discs are on the 'must have' list. Everything else is negotiable.