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So I’m building the GF a SC Blur frame I found on eBay as ‘I only need the frame I have the rest of the parts’, well it turns out I only have wheels, forks seat post and bars as the bike I was intending to cannibalise for the SLX 2x10 groupset which I had left in my folks garage my old man has taken using and I don’t have the heart to deprive him... so I’m looking to build a budget groupset and because I’m rubbish my idea of budget always gets away from me...
So using my internet-fu I currently have an 1x11 NX drivetrain inc cranks, B.B. and chain in various baskets for £194.96 unless anyone can do better?!
Brakes wise I was going to go SRAM Level for £70 (they only need to be entry level as she coming from crap mech disks) and scavenge some disks and mounts out the garage, however I’ve seen some Clarke M2 beaks for £65 with disks and mounts. Which sounds cheap, suspiciously cheap anyone know if they are any cop?
Need a cheap Stem and grips too... damn.
The Clarks always seem to review well. Along the lines of "We can't believe how cheap these are.." No getting away from the fact that they lack stopping power though. Being a big, heavy nugget I rejected them and went for Deores which imho are pretty much the best value brakes out there. Power may not be such an issue for your gf, particularly as they improve if mated with good aftermarket pads
Jump over to bike bargains.co.uk
the step below deores are decent.
I've got a set of Shimano M500 brakes that have only had a couple of rides before being swapped out for a set of Hopes I happened to have lying around. I even bought an Epic Solutions bleed kit and a spare barb/olive for them for reasons that now escape me.
I've also got a specialized stem kicking about somewhere. I think it's 75mm long and has an insert that can be moved around to give all sorts of different rise angles (plus or minus 6 or 18 degrees I think).
Anyway, drop me an email if you are interested.
NX drivetrain came to £196.40 in the end which is cheaper than I could fine a groupset online.
If anyone is interested:
Decathlon-
Nx Cranks 175mm 30t chainring £49.99
PG1130 11-42 Cassette £49.99
NX 1x11s shifter £14.99
Tredz
NX rear mech £44.99 (using £5 standard email voucher code)
Amazon
Sram PG1130 chain £13.95
SRAM GXP BB £22.49
Total £196.40
I'm holding fire on brakes until I've stopped being lazy and sorted through the pile of dead / semi-dead / undead X0 brakes I have in the garage as there is at least half a dozen and I've got to be able to make at least one working set out of them.
I've got a full XT 2x10 groupset (inc brakes) I'm about to put on the classifieds had about 400 miles use. I've also got a brand new set of XT brakes I've just found in my office that I should have returned to CRC - only I used the brake pads so I cant!
If any use, let me know
Can't help with the rest, but
they only need to be entry level as she coming from crap mech disks
Not just about power/bling - it sounds like you'll be doing the spannering, so you need not make sure they're not going to be a pain in the arse either to adjust (lever throw for smaller hands?) or keep maintained - sticky pistons, bleeding etc.
Edit: "I’m holding fire on brakes" never mind then!
Good online shopping work!
I found a cheap stem from Planet X - think it cost a tenner for a 70mm one - although if you wanted longer there were cheaper ones.
I managed to pick up some Sram Guide r for £70 almost brand new a few weeks ago. They are specced on a lot of bikes and people seem to take them off and whack on Hopes instead so there are some bargains to be had on eBay.
For another bike I also picked up some very cheap new/old stock Deore m535’s last year with rotors and everything. They’re not the most powerful, but they’re good enough for most stuff. I’ll actually be selling mine on soon though as I’ve got the above Guides to go on instead 🤗