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So my current bike is a 26er with traditional spacing. I just ordered a 29er Boost and plan on moving most of the parts across, apart from the bits which are Boost-specific.
So, I'm now torn. I don't want to spend lots of money, but also don't want to skimp. Happy to buy second hand (the frame is ex-demo anyway). Do I either:
a) Buy new Boost wheels, forks and cranks.
b) Declare Boost either a very marginal gain or something for later. This means I can reuse my cranks, just add Boost adapters to my Hope hubs and get a cheaper fork.
So, What Would STW Do? Is Boost really worth it?
You'll need new wheels and fork anyway so why not go boost? Try your existing chainset, if it doesn't work, then replace it. It can be very frame dependant.
I've got some 29er boost wheels taken from an Orange hardtail if you're interested.
Why? I can reuse my nice hubs and non-Boost forks are cheaper used.
Either I missed that you had hope hubs or it was a stealth edit.
Second hand forks will be cheaper, yes.
Can you build wheels? The cost of rims, spokes, spacers and building might well cost more than pre built wheels.
The Crank all depends on the chainline on your new frame and of course the clearance between the chainring and the rear stay, if you're lucky you may be able to shift a spacer from one side to the other on your BB, but again this is reliant on the clearance of the chainring.
Wheels, you're going to 29, so guessing new rims, spokes, adapters, etc, seems expensive to just use the same hubs, might want to just sell and buy another set?
Actually doing a price breakdown of building was next on my todo list. I can half build a wheel...
I'd try your cranks and gears first to see what it's like. If it doesn't work then buy boost specific.
If you do reuse your hope hubs use the proper hope adapters and not a boost kit as the little spacers that sit in there are really annoying.
It might be cheaper to sell your decent 26er wheels and buy some 2nd hand wheels than rebuild your wheels.
Boostify your Hope wheels, its easy and no real compromise. I use the Wolftooth bosstinator kit, which spaces the disk and then redish the wheels slightly.
Boost is no real benefit AFA i can tell. Just more marketing b•llocks. Also youre right about second hand forks, in the non-boost variety.
Cranks: well, depends on your cranks, but chainline might be the only issue if they clear the new frames chainstay.