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My how biking has changed! I stopped riding about 4 years ago after work took me away from anywhere not flat. I've still got my 2013/14 Cotic BFe, though now drivetrainless i'd like to see it rolling again.
I'd like to run the new SLX 12sp kit but I'll need microspline hubs... So new wheels are on the menu. If I'm grabbing a fresh set of rollers, why not go 27.5 is my thoughts.
I liked the Bfe when I had it, i was running 160mm up front and smashing it round glentress and inners and it was great. But the Geo is now a bit steeper than is fashionable.
I like the idea of being a stubborn Bstard and running what I have despite the trendy kids on big hoops, and speccing components that are somewhat futureproof if I want to go 27.5 for a next bike.
But I'd also like to avoid throwing good money after bad. A used wheelset on Hope pro 2 evos will be about £315 after rebuilding the hubs and converting it to what i need. follow that with another £300 on drivetrain parts and it's starting to get expensive when I could buy a bike whole for not much more!
Mainly I'll be riding Glentress/Inners/bikeparks if it's relevant.
Frankly, i'm leaning towards building it, riding it and just enjoying it.
TL;DR: Should I spend £600 rebuilding a slightly outdated frame on 26" wheels and kit that I can move on to a more modern frame next year, or should I stop wasting my time on a bike I could replace and get an objectively better ride out of?
You could just not go Shimano 12 speed and do it on the cheap. Sunrace and Sram make 11-50 cassettes that’ll fit on a standard shimano freehub, or there are multiple 11-46 cassette options.
If you picked 11 speed with a wide range cassette you could run the new deore 11 speed mech which is about £40 - I couldn’t find the matching shifter in stock so picked up an slx one for £27 (band on so it doesn’t matter what brakes you’re running).
I picked up a Sunrace 11-46 cassette for around £40 and a sram pc1110 chain for £10. So all in (excluding cranks) £117. Bargain.
The mech actually says it can cope with up to a 51t cassette so if you can find one that fits on your freehub that’s very nearly the same as the microspline 12 speed cassette range.
What wheels have you currently got? If they're decent just build it up as 10 or 11 speed then go and enjoy it. That'd save a fair bit of expense and hassle.
Frankly, i’m leaning towards building it, riding it and just enjoying it.
Just do this.
Put £600 towards a new bike when you kill this one.
I'm running a Mk1 Soul with 1x11 XT. Love it way too much to worry about changing it
I did think about doing that, however the wheels on there already are starting to seriously show some age anyway. Im not sure how much a rebuild and retrue on some straight pull cup and ball bearing hubs would be. Theyre XT m778's with the 22.5mm internal rim.
Agree on the 1 x 11. One extra cog is not going to make a great deal of a difference and will reduce costs.
£315 for a set of used Pro 2 evos? I hope mine go for that much.
I'm assuming 135QR rear and either 100xQR or 100x15 front. Which is what my set are at.
Wife is very happy with her Sunrace 11 speed 11-50 cassette.
£200 for the evos on Flow Ex's, £75 for a Microspline hub adapter + £30 new bearings.
135QR rear with 20TA up front currently.
I'll have no use for a spare 1x11 mech when I eventually replace this set. I was thinking i'd just relace the Pro 2's onto 27.5s and minimise waste and cash in the longer term.
£315 for a set of used Pro 2 evos? I hope mine go for that much.
I think he's factoring in a microspline freehub and perhaps some new bearings into that?
I still ride my 2011 BFe, and it's a hoot. Completely different to my Rocket Max (obvs), and it's tiny, so I look like a gorilla, but it's loads of fun for blasting about, pulling skids and popping off stuff. Just stick an 11 speed on it (more than ample) and go hit some turns.
Fair enough. Bearings are good and I've also go the 20mm end caps as well.
As others have mentioned, there are 11 and 12 speed cassettes that will fit HG. I believe Hope Microspline might be in short supply currently.
If the cups in your existing hubs are okay, there's no reason to get rid really.
11 speed set up with a wide range Sunrace cassette with a 12 speed mech to cover the range would do the job.
Sounds like it's worth rebuilding.
I didnt realise that there were 12Sp HG hub cassettes!
I'll have a look at what it would take to service my existing wheels then, even if you are all dashing my noisy hope freehub dreams!
If I was to stick a 11-50 Sunrace HG 12 speed on, paired with a SLX mech and XT shifter, what size chainring would be reasonable? Looking at going for an Oval ring from Superstar, would 36t be fine as its 26", or would I better off with a 34t?
I'm running a 32 with 11-46 on my Pitch, seems like a decent enough range.
If you want to keep costs down look at snail rings on eBay.
I had an old 26" Bfe and I used to ride the wheels off it. My time on that bike coincided with my peak fitness and enthusiasm and I probably rode it more than I've ever ridden anything else. I also used it like a big bmx and hit DH tracks all over the place including Morzine, Les Gets, Pila etc..
So no, the angles might not be fashionable but it's still a rowdy bike. Mine is long gone but if it was all I had in the garage I'd still be happy to ride it.