Building the Lightest 29er Hardtail That I Can - Pre-Build Post

So, since the last time we spoke, I have bought and sold many, many bikes.  I can't take time now to review all of the different sales and purchases.  Needless to say, I'm having a little fun these days.  My two crazy boys are growing up and Daddy is getting a little more free time.

So, I am now taking on the project of trying to create a super light race-worthy 29er hardtail.  I had my eye on, and actually clicked the buy button on, a special from Ribble.com for their HTC SLX carbon 29er.  The trouble was, was that the purchase and sale, let alone the shipping from the UK was taking entirely too long and I was getting anxious to build my new steed.

That said, I found a deal on Ebay that I could not refuse.  For less than the price of the Ribble special, I found this bike:

This bike is exactly what I had my mind on to build in the first place, so I knew it was the bike for me and I was able to get it at a reasonable price.

Granted, I am already starting with a race-worthy bike.  I mean a carbon frame (I think sub 1000g), Rock Shox SID XX suspension fork, XTR 1x11 drive train with FSA SLK crank, XT hydro brakes, carbon handlebar and carbon seatpost, ESI chunky foam grips, FSA SLK stem and the list goes on and on.  It has so many nice parts...but, alas, I can't stop there.

I'm not sure what the bike I bought weighs yet, as it is currently on a truck somewhere in New Mexico headed towards me, but my aim is to build this bike and get it down to around 19 lbs.

To do this, I have purchased these additional parts:

1. Full carbon saddle (110g)

2. carbon seatpost clamp (13g)

3. Schwalbe Rocket Ron 29 x 2.25 for up front (approx 530g)

4. Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29 x 2.1 for the back (approx 540g)

5. Superlight thru axle for up front (approx 20g)

6. Stan Crest MK3 wheelset (under 1600g)


Now, could I have lighter parts...sure.  I could have built the thing totally in carbon, but I actually do have a budget and I have two other mountain bikes sitting in the garage needing to be sold before I go all out.  That said, with these parts, I think I can get pretty close.

I'll be back with some pics and the results.  Stay tuned!