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As a (sort of) follow on from the "What will be your next bike?" thread I've got a Salsa Spearfish frame that I need to build up over the next few months.
The Spearfish is a FS 29er designed for long distance, multi-day rides. Think along the lines of the Colorado Trail Race, The Tour Divide and the Highland Trail. 80mm shock and the frame is apparently optimised for 100mm forks but since it's out of warranty we'll assume that 120mm will be fine. 135mm QR rear end. The bottom bracket is PF30 but there's already a converter and HT2 BB (for 24mm spindle) fitted. Tapered head tube, a headset came with the frame. I've a couple of build options in mind, one is conservative, the other isn't.
What parts would you spec and why? (Why could even be "because", duh!") Parts can be top of the range, money no object or cheap and cheerful. common STW favourites or wacky. The bike isn't for trail centres and bike parks so 160mm forks are out, other than that ...
you need a nice light pair of hoop xc hopes to start with.
email in my profile........ 8)
Jealous! I've had a Spearfish and loved it - really regret selling it...
Anyway, kit wise the component with the biggest impact for me was the wheels. I had Crossmax SL's which were OK, Superstar something-or-other on DT hubs which were horrid and then a set of Reynolds AM rims on I9 hubs. The hubs were terrible (and not the first time I've had that issue with I9 hubs) but the rims and build made a massive difference to how it rode. Seriously, if ever a bike needs a stiff set of wheels its the spearfish. I swapped back to the Superstars whilst rebuilding the I9's (again) and it felt slow and flexy in comparison..
Other thing to consider is the Pressfit BB. I ended up with a Hope after trying all the usual suspects - it was the only one that lasted a decent amount of time.
Did CYB and 'Degla on it rather than taking my AM bike - it was a rocketship. For reference I ran it with 120mm in the front which was fine. The rear gets a bit overwhelmed when you're properly trucking as it didn't seem to have enough damping, but then it does only have 80mm of travel!
I would/will get as close to a 2017 Deadwood build spec and call it a Spear Wood or maybe Dead Fish.
Actually doing the same as an over winter project with a split frame version. Sounds like you have the early better looking imho version.
If I can get the Q sorted with 92mm BB and 12 x 142 rear think I will try SRAM Eagle 1 x 12. DT Swiss wheels, KS dropper, B2 or Motobars, XT brakes.
Probably swap out the Fox rear shock for RS RT3 with Reba 100mm up front.
Still have a yuk colour anodised frame though.
@flange - the previous owner fitted the BB converter but can't remember what make/model it is. I've not looked. Good to know that 120mm forks will be fine, I suspected as much.
@mariner - It has a recently serviced RS Monarch RT3 fitted (and I've a spare)
Similarly this is an over-winter project.
Is that a spare spare or might sell spare?
It came with the frame, the seller's comment was "spare monarch shock (that TF say is on the way out but still holds air)" so probably not something to sell on.
I was trying to describe the colour, I'd say it's flame orange, here's how the previous owner had it set up.
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