Midlife cricycle project bike! Sub 10kg with pedals and a dropper? *Bike built post #61*

[k3n!f]

Sorry for the delay, I've been working or riding since I built it. It ended up coming in $2000 less than the Pro build, but with better hubs, spokes, handlebar, stem, saddle, tyres and my bike included pedals in the total price. Definitely worthwhile building it up "from scratch" from a value and customisation perspective.

It came in at 9.47kg with pedals ready to ride, but without a bottle cage as the carbon one is still in the post. Sub 9.5kg with a dropper and pedals is still pretty tidy. Enjoy some pics!

The colour scheme worked out really well. Thanks to those who convinced me to get the orange fork!

Still hate the brand, but they have made a very nice frame so I'm just going to ride it and feel a bit dirty.

Very smooth Fox DPS shock.

Really nice machining on the linkage.

The XTR crankset is very sexy. I normally take all the protective stickers off and just ride it, but I think I'll leave these on to keep them looking fresh.

Nothing shifts smoother than XTR. I have little interest in electronic shifting, I have enough digital things in my life to charge already.

I really like the custom decals on the fork.

Saddle needs some more time to break my bum in I think...

I left the steerer long and ran out of spacers that match. I'll need to fix it as it is messing with my OCD.

Clean cockpit.

First recon ride on the bike path. Goes good.

 

[Isaakk]

That's hella nice. Do you have a full parts list?

 

[caad9]

Still hate the brand, but they have made a very nice frame so I'm just going to ride it and feel a bit dirty.

This is perfect.

BTW, bike looks great and very, very tidy weight.

 

[k3n!f]

Thanks everyone!

The build was pretty straight forward. Tricky bits were faffing through my fist dropper install, maximum gumby attempt at a gravity bleed (see fuckwit thread) and extensive cursing trying to get the Pirelli tyres on, although they beaded really easily because they are so tight.

Looking forward to getting the suspension sorted. With recommended settings I'm only getting 90mm travel out of the fork so I might have to take out some volume spacers. I'll post a ride review when I've had some more time on it.

Full OCD level spec list with weights below:

Frame	Epic Evo	1773​
Shock	Fox DPS	258​
Fork	Fox F120 170mm + starnut	1442​
Front Wheel	DT240/Duke	574​
Rear Wheel	DT240/Duke	672​
Wheelset	DT240/Duke	1246​
Front axle	Kabolt	44​
Rear axle	Stock	33​
Valves	Stock	7​
Front Tire	Pirelli Scorpion	671​
Rear Tire	Pirelli Scorpion	648​
Sealant	Stans	160​
Front Rotor	MT800	143​
Rear Rotor	MT800	118​
Front Brake	XTR	194​
Rear Brake	XTR	210​
Crankset + 30t	XTR	522​
Bottom Bracket	XT	76​
Chain	XTR	237​
Cassette	XTR	362​
Chainring	XTR 30t	0​
Rear Derailleur	XTR	240​
Shifter + cable	XTR	125​
Handlebar	MCFK 720mm	128​
Grips	Ebay	34​
Stem	Newmen 50mm	70​
Headset	FSA	65​
Seatpost	Fox TF SL	365​
Seatpost lever	Shimano	37​
Seat	WTB SL8	150​
Seatclamp	Bike Yoke	9​
Bottle Cage	eBay	0​
Pedals	XTR	309​
Misc		50​
Total		9468​

 

[Ultra Lord]

Sub 9.5kg WITH A DROPPER @Cardy George!

 

[yuley95]

Thanks everyone!

The build was pretty straight forward. Tricky bits were faffing through my fist dropper install, maximum gumby attempt at a gravity bleed (see fuckwit thread) and extensive cursing trying to get the Pirelli tyres on, although they beaded really easily because they are so tight.

Looking forward to getting the suspension sorted. With recommended settings I'm only getting 90mm travel out of the fork so I might have to take out some volume spacers. I'll post a ride review when I've had some more time on it.

Full OCD level spec list with weights below:

Frame	Epic Evo	1773​
Shock	Fox DPS	258​
Fork	Fox F120 170mm + starnut	1442​
Front Wheel	DT240/Duke	574​
Rear Wheel	DT240/Duke	672​
Wheelset	DT240/Duke	1246​
Front axle	Kabolt	44​
Rear axle	Stock	33​
Valves	Stock	7​
Front Tire	Pirelli Scorpion	671​
Rear Tire	Pirelli Scorpion	648​
Sealant	Stans	160​
Front Rotor	MT800	143​
Rear Rotor	MT800	118​
Front Brake	XTR	194​
Rear Brake	XTR	210​
Crankset + 30t	XTR	522​
Bottom Bracket	XT	76​
Chain	XTR	237​
Cassette	XTR	362​
Chainring	XTR 30t	0​
Rear Derailleur	XTR	240​
Shifter + cable	XTR	125​
Handlebar	MCFK 720mm	128​
Grips	Ebay	34​
Stem	Newmen 50mm	70​
Headset	FSA	65​
Seatpost	Fox TF SL	365​
Seatpost lever	Shimano	37​
Seat	WTB SL8	150​
Seatclamp	Bike Yoke	9​
Bottle Cage	eBay	0​
Pedals	XTR	309​
Misc		50​
Total		9468​

Wow that frame is seriously light! Not much heavier than just the fork

 

[k3n!f]

I haven't posted an update for a while on this bicycle as life has been pretty busy. So far, it has 2200km on the clock, although due to trail closures from floods a disappointing amount of that has been on paved bike paths. The silver decals are holding up well and it has otherwise nearly been flawless.

There are three small issues that I have encountered. Firstly I haven't been able to get full travel out of the fork and have acceptable sag. I thought it was because it came from the shop with three volume spaces, but I've gradually reduced those to zero and still only get 100-105mm out of the fork when the sag is at 25%. I'm not sure, but I suspect the step cast forks might have a smaller spring volume so they ramp up much quicker than my vintage 32 on the last bike.

Secondly I had some issues with creaking, and after much frustrations and many googling I discovered that 12 speed XTR cassettes have a tiny plastic spacer which is installed on the inside of the cassette. I didn't know this was a thing so it must have gone in the rubbish bin when I built the bike. I unleashed my inner MacGyver and made one from a Chinese take away food lid and the creaking has gone.

Finally, I've had troubles with my feet unclipping with the new XTR 9100 pedals seemingly regardless of how much I tighten up the clipping force. Granted, my shoes are a bit old and the tread is worn down but it didn't happen with the 9000s. I think the problem is the silver machined surface either side of the mechanism which was flat on previous pedals has been changed to curved which gives my shoes too much wiggle room and the cleat pops out, usually when I'm in the air bunny hopping something. The other option is the cleats are just too worn, so I might start by changing them and seeing if it helps.

You Yangs this morning!

 

[beeb]

View attachment 395586

Boulder with those treads? Are you one of those who climbs it? (Kudos if so, it's not a terrible climbing trail...)

 

[k3n!f]

Boulder with those treads? Are you one of those who climbs it? (Kudos if so, it's not a terrible climbing trail...)

Yup, I haven't found that track before but had a good time trying to get up it. I think I walked three or four short segments but managed to get up the rest. Looks like it would be a fun trail on the way down too.

I'm one of those psychos that enjoys the challenge of a good techy climb, although my fitness it a bit down this summer.

 

[Ultra Lord]

Sub 9.5kg WITH A DROPPER @Cardy George!

@Cardy George

 

[Cardy George]

@Cardy George

6 months on and you're still banging on about a spongy post?

They have pills for that, you're never too young!

 

[Rorschach]

I do like the look of these. Solid looking bike

 

[shiny]

Finally, I've had troubles with my feet unclipping with the new XTR 9100 pedals seemingly regardless of how much I tighten up the clipping force. Granted, my shoes are a bit old and the tread is worn down but it didn't happen with the 9000s. I think the problem is the silver machined surface either side of the mechanism which was flat on previous pedals has been changed to curved which gives my shoes too much wiggle room and the cleat pops out, usually when I'm in the air bunny hopping something. The other option is the cleats are just too worn, so I might start by changing them and seeing if it helps.

View attachment 395590

I gave up on Shimano pedals for this reason, can’t remember the XTR generation pedals but tried new cleats, maximum tightness and feet would still pop out at the wrong time. Mainly in the air or bunny hops. Been running HT M1s for a while now. No more random feet popping out. Lightweight too

Bike looking great as well.

 

[silentbutdeadly]

XTR pedals make for very expensive bottle openers in my experience when their bearings expire...whereas the XT versions just go on and on and on...

 

[Calvin27]

MacGyver and made one from a Chinese take away food lid and the creaking has gone

Sub 9.5kg build, chinese takeaway container spacer. Love it haha!

 

[Rebo]

@k3n!f Fantastic looking build and bike - thanks for sharing! How did you remove the original frame decals without scratching or damaging the frame - did you just peel them off carefully?

 

[Rorschach]

@k3n!f Fantastic looking build and bike - thanks for sharing! How did you remove the original frame decals without scratching or damaging the frame - did you just peel them off carefully?

Pretty sure they're just stuck over the top as the originals will be under the clear coat

 

[k3n!f]

@k3n!f Fantastic looking build and bike - thanks for sharing! How did you remove the original frame decals without scratching or damaging the frame - did you just peel them off carefully?

Sorry for the slow reply, I haven't been around much this year.

They were just stuck on over the stock decals. They were vinyl and lasted for about 4000km before they started looking scabby, so I removed them. The only aftermarket stickers left on are the fork decals which still look great.

I'll try and write a review/update of this bike soon. There are not many bikes that are this fast on the climbs, but still fun to shuttle at Maydena. Very impressed.

 

[Stredda]

Sorry for the slow reply, I haven't been around much this year.

They were just stuck on over the stock decals. They were vinyl and lasted for about 4000km before they started looking scabby, so I removed them. The only aftermarket stickers left on are the fork decals which still look great.

View attachment 405796

I'll try and write a review/update of this bike soon. There are not many bikes that are this fast on the climbs, but still fun to shuttle at Maydena. Very impressed.

And a KOM nice work!
I'm looking for a light trail bike and I think the Evo Epic is too XC for me so looking at the Stumpjumper ST and I agree with you that Specialized sucks with the higher end pricing for the spec that you get but I can't find anything that comes close to ticking all the boxes that the Stumpy does.

 

[Ben-e]

I haven't posted an update for a while on this bicycle as life has been pretty busy. So far, it has 2200km on the clock, although due to trail closures from floods a disappointing amount of that has been on paved bike paths. The silver decals are holding up well and it has otherwise nearly been flawless.

There are three small issues that I have encountered. Firstly I haven't been able to get full travel out of the fork and have acceptable sag. I thought it was because it came from the shop with three volume spaces, but I've gradually reduced those to zero and still only get 100-105mm out of the fork when the sag is at 25%. I'm not sure, but I suspect the step cast forks might have a smaller spring volume so they ramp up much quicker than my vintage 32 on the last bike.

Secondly I had some issues with creaking, and after much frustrations and many googling I discovered that 12 speed XTR cassettes have a tiny plastic spacer which is installed on the inside of the cassette. I didn't know this was a thing so it must have gone in the rubbish bin when I built the bike. I unleashed my inner MacGyver and made one from a Chinese take away food lid and the creaking has gone.

View attachment 395589

Finally, I've had troubles with my feet unclipping with the new XTR 9100 pedals seemingly regardless of how much I tighten up the clipping force. Granted, my shoes are a bit old and the tread is worn down but it didn't happen with the 9000s. I think the problem is the silver machined surface either side of the mechanism which was flat on previous pedals has been changed to curved which gives my shoes too much wiggle room and the cleat pops out, usually when I'm in the air bunny hopping something. The other option is the cleats are just too worn, so I might start by changing them and seeing if it helps.

View attachment 395590

You Yangs this morning!

View attachment 395586

Looks... Epic I like the angles, I reckon it would be a fun bike!

How are you finding the Pirelli's?