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New bike time (What would you build?)
The wife has hinted that when tax time comes round I can get a new bike 
Now, what to do? I've always liked the idea of building my own but know that it rarely works out cheaper than buying a ready made bike but at least I'll get what I want. The olny thing is, I don't know what I want!
I know I want a dual sus, race inspired, carbon xc bike that is reasonably high end, but not sure how to get there.
If I did a self build I was thinking of the following but I'm happy to take alternative sugestions:-
Frame
Yeti ASR C or Niner Jet9 RDO or Whyte M10C or something else?
Groupset
New 1x11 Shimano XT (hopefully to be released soon)
Fork
RS1 but maybe above budget so happy for cheaper alternatives
Wheels
Shimano XTR? Easton EA70 XCT?
Stem, post, bars
Easton ec70 or something else?
Saddle
?
I know there are other items - headset, cables, etc but I'll sort them later.
What are your thoughts on the above? Any better recomendations, or just go buy an off the shelf bike?
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I'll give you a go Andy, if this doesn't convince you to go to 29, nothing will!
John, I've run an Ardent Race on the front of Spider for the last 18 months and had no problems - as long as the pressure is around the 22-25psi mark.
First impression of the Ikon is good and felt very similar to a Crossmark, (a tyre I've always had on the rear and also love the grip and rolling speed) I just thought I'd try something new.
Looking forward to it, mate. What about the pedals? Did you go the XTR's? I've seen that Shimano are bringing out a new version of the XT Trail Wides (M8020)... Tempted myself or might pickup the M785 for a bargain price.
Your new weapon looks like an Alfa in the car world... Damn nice
Currently got my old XT race pedals on but I will put the new XT race on when I get the new crankset.
First proper ride will be at Ourimbah this Sunday (unfortunately can't make the MTBGP race on the Saturday)
What time you riding Sunday? I was gonna hit up OMV with a newbie (I think he'll be overly ambitious and most likely stack a number of times)... You tempted with OMV or Ourimbah only? I could probably convince him to come to Ourimbah but I'll need to get the minister on board for me...
Took it for it's first proper outing yesterday to Ourimbah for a few laps. First lap was used for setting it up, adjusting shock and fork pressure, changing brake lever position etc. Second lap I started to get used to how the bike felt and by the third lap I just enjoyed it! The fork and shock still need to be tweaked but it's not far off.
The thing climbs so well, this is partly dowb to it's light weight but also the suspension keeps the rear wheel planted. My old bike had to have the shock set firm to help eliminate pedal bob but this caused the rear to ping off rocks slightly when tech climbing - this has disappeared on the Niner, minimal bob but still enough movement to follow the trail obstacles.
The Niner also inspires confidence on descents. The head angle is definitely XC but with a 120 front shock, it soaks up the roots and rocks and compresses just enough on the corners to let the side knobs of the tyres bite into the dirt. The rear again stays planted and laterally stiff to help the rear tyre maintain traction.
Still waiting on Shimano releasing the 1x11, when this is on, it should drop down to about 10.5kg and it'll be the ultimate XC marathon weapon.