Good donor bike?
 

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Good donor bike?

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Been eyeing up a full suss frame with either 160mm or 170mm travel, MX wheels, 30.9mm seat post diameter. My thoughts for keeping costs down is to pick up a donor hard tail and swap the parts over. Not that bothered about the forks as I can buy new but something with reasonable wheels, 12sp group set and decent finishing kit would hit the spot.

Was thinking about the CRC brands as plenty were sold off cheap but guess On One would also be worth a look? Any of you avid sales watchers seen other brands that seem to offer big value in the second hand market atm?

 
Posted : 10/10/2025 4:30 pm
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Or any stupidly good deals on new?

 
Posted : 10/10/2025 4:32 pm
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Issue you will have is that stock wheels are usually where money is saved, used drivechain is likely well worn and stock finishing kit can be hit and miss.  There’s a lot of bargains out there if you have the time to shop around and it’s quite good fun.  Combine new parts like drivechain with some choice used parts.

 
Posted : 10/10/2025 5:20 pm
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Yeah, true. Shouldn't have really sold my Pace which would have been perfect but then I wasn't planning on building another bike up!

 
Posted : 10/10/2025 6:05 pm
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The build is all part of the fun! 😀 

 
Posted : 10/10/2025 6:32 pm
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Posted by: razorrazoo

The build is all part of the fun! 😀 

Yeah, it certainly can be and my last few bikes have been built but I fancied a full new bike this time. Then my wife changed jobs and the financial situation became sub optimal so I'm looking for bargains again! 😆 

 

 
Posted : 10/10/2025 6:51 pm
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Not sure it’s worthwhile if I’m honest. Deore drivetrain groupset can be had for £175. Those db8 brakes on banana industries £48 (need clamps). Everyone has spare stem and bars; if you’re nearby I have sensible stuff I can pass on to you. Wheels are trickier but can always find something sensible second hand. Tyres are being sold off cheap, even today someone suggesting banana industries again for £20/25 pretty decent tyres.

I honestly think that will work out more fun and cheaper than the faff of a donor bike, but others may disagree 

 
Posted : 10/10/2025 7:33 pm
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Probably right tbf.

 
Posted : 10/10/2025 8:41 pm
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It's really the wheels and cassette that have ramped up costs on my last few builds. I have spare Hope Tech 3 E4's so that's a speedy bit sorted.

 
Posted : 10/10/2025 8:42 pm
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What are "MX wheels"?

Bird were selling DT Swiss XM1700 wheels for £350 and they had Race Face bars and stems pretty cheap on their ebay store.

https://www.bird.bike/?s=wheels&post_type=product

 
Posted : 10/10/2025 10:03 pm
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MX = Mullet = 29" front, 27.5" back. 

Cheers, I'll check it out.

 
Posted : 11/10/2025 10:35 am

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