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I currently have a Marin pine 2016 (adventure trail steel 2.8 plus tire with rigid forks). I really enjoyed this bike. You would be surprised how it can handle rough stuff thanks to the steel and the plus tyres. I love seeing the face of guys on 3k£ full suspensions when they see my bike and asking themselves how I got there.
So that’s me convinced on the steel+tire hardtail.
As a lot of us I got hit with a case of upgradeitis…and went for it when I saw a genesis tarn frame for sale at a good price.
Now I need to build it. This is a first for me, so wanted to ask some advice.
I want it to be
- 2.8 wide plus tires with 120mm as I already have a full suspension for the mean stuff. So we’re talking fun trail riding (still small jumps drops etc…)
- cheap as I will use it for commuting when the road are bad for my road bike (can t have a million bikes if I don t want to end up being divorced!)
What I already have:
-Genesis tarn frame 12*148</p>
-Drivetrain: SLX cranks (no chainring yet) + 10 speed deore gear switcher
-Fork: brand new Rockshox Judy silver 120mm boost 110*15. I also have a recon 120mm standard 100m with (it barely clears 2.8 however)
- Wheels: Roval tranverse 110*15 + 148*12 but weirdly 29mm width which is narrow for plus tires (it s specialized way and they got some heat for this choice). It came with an xd hub and a used 11 speed cassette. I also have a spare 100*15 i40 wtb scrapper rim (40mm) on hope hub (can be turned into 110 boost with adapater and wheels dishing)
- A 27.6 KS dropper but the frame is 31.6!!!! Can I use a shim?
My 2 questions:
1) Drivetrain: With my mix of shimano and slx parts what do I do? My full suspension is shimano slx so pushed towards that for spares…but with the hub and the cassette already on the wheel… What is the cheap way with sram: nx 1x11? There shouldn t be any chainline issue right?
2) Fork & wheel: Is the Judy good enough? I could mount it on my pine which I will sell soon and get a better fork like a reba or more. This would enable me to use the WTB/Hope wheel with the better 40mm rim for plus tires…
+ any more advise for the rest of the build?
Thanks a lot for your help!
oops already in second page...I guess I m on my own
I love seeing the face of guys on 3k£ full suspensions when they see my bike and asking themselves how I got there.
So that’s me convinced on the steel+tire hardtail.
Yeah play nice if you want help...
Sorry I wrote out a response that got eaten by this shitty forum.
Try 2.6 instead of 2.8 on the roval wheels, would suit the 29mm inner width better.
Mixing drivetrain stuff is fine as long as you match speeds, and derailleurs/shifters. You can run Sram cassette with Shimano drivetrain.
As far as mixing SRAM and Shimano goes it's shifter and mech mixing that you need to watch out for. Your XD cassette will work with Shimano or SRAM but you can't mix rear mech and shifter.
Seat post, yes you can use a shim. In fact I have a 27.2-31.6 shim that I don't need which you could have for nowt if you want to email me.
If you're minded to get a different fork to the Judy then I'd suggest looking to something like a new Revelation or Yari rather than a Reba as the Tarn is a sturdy, fun bike which would justify it. I know nothing about the new Judy.
As you describe being on a budget, and as I understand the Pine Mountain is a decent bike, then what's the rush to swap? Your immediate constraints seem to be limiting the benefit of what started out as an upgrade.
I'd be included to keep the Tarn stored until funds allow you to build it up with less compromise.
Thank you for your answer.
@ dumbot: ok for the tires. I like the 2.8 feel though...
@st: I ve looked up the XD freewheel. They basically make you buy very expensive cassette right? Also 11 speed derailleur and switcher are expensive. Switching or converting that bu to something standard is not that easy right?
I don t really need 11 speed. I m usually happy with 10...
Yes I think I will follow your advise for the front fork. i will have a try at the judy but they should be upgraded very soon
As a Tarn owner, I would say a Judy is way too noodley for what the bike is capable of. Mine came with a Yari, which is the chunkiest fork I've used. It's perfect as the Tarn is an absolute tank downhill.
I think 2.8's is the smallest I'd go, I've got 3" Nobby Nics on mine, the BB is very low. I'm sure you'd have issues with pedal strikes on techy climbs with 2.6's...