Teamsloan

I did a similar thing for my 8yo son this past spring. Bought a Hotrock (with the rear disc tabs) on FB Marketplace for $100 and striped it down to the frame. I replaced everything except the seat post collar and the bolts for the water bottle cage. I also struggled with an affordable replacement wheelset and also ended up going with a Ali Express mystery wheelset. For the fork I shortened a Fox F100 RLC down to 60mm. Cockpit was a host of cheap Amazon parts and the drivetrain is SRAM GX 10sp with a Sunrace cassette. I'll attach the build list, but all in it came to around $800. I need to weigh it, but it feels pretty light...WAY less than what it was originally.

I love watching the pro mechanics. I’m a stickler for following the manual, but watching wrenches operating in a tent with World Cup points on the line gives you an idea of what matters and what doesn’t. It also shows some cool tips like rubbing wet pads together to clean them. I’ve never seen that before. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Have you tried contacting James from The Local Bike Shop in Conroe TX? He’s the US Dustributor for Hope and can get you whatever part you need. He’s literally the only one right now with online availability of 200mm orange floating rotors (I’ve been looking) and he’s helped me out with small parts in the past. I guess none of that matters now that you moved to Maguras, but in case anyone else is in need... …so about those Hope brakes you’ve moved away from…you looking to get rid of those DOT soaked, useless paperweights? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My take is that’s a SRAM quality issue, not a fluid issue. My 10yr old Hopes rarely need a bleed, but it’s been pretty easy the couple times I’ve done it. Same for the new Hopes when I was installing them (internal routing). I like Hope’s reasoning (waving my fanboy flag)… “When water does get in, the fluids behave in different ways. Mineral oil is hydrophobic, meaning that it doesn’t mix with the water. On the plus side, this means that its boiling point doesn’t change. On the down side the boiling point of the brake system is defined by the weakest liquid, so is reduced to 100°C. To make matters worse, water is heavier than mineral oil, so it tends to pool at the caliper, where it is subject to the most heat. Doh! DOT fluid is hygroscopic (it absorbs water) and that’s generally thought of as one of its drawbacks. As DOT absorbs water (even just from the air), the boiling point gradually falls. On the upside, this means that your brake is much more tolerant to water contamination. On the downside, it’s best to not go buy a huge bottle of DOT fluid as its shelf life once opened will be limited. Buy small volumes and don’t use an open bottle after a year or two.” I’ve got nothing against mineral oil either really. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don’t get the disdain for DOT 5.1. As long as you’re tidy (which the SRAM kit is) it’s easy to deal with. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have the Cascade as well (first dropper post). Dead simple setup. Works flawlessly. Running with the gray PNW Loam lever. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The specs looked pretty similar...but that PNW...those colors...😁

Interesting those are the exact colors I have. There’s no doubt a lower end remote will work. But the cartridge bearing in the pivot actually makes a difference. It’s not all about how easy it is to pull the cable, it’s a “feel” kinda thing too. The lever doesn’t jiggle or have any lose play in it’s action like lower quality ones can have. It has a precision to it. Also it comes in many matchmaker styles to keep your cockpit clean, which is nice and adds to that premium feel. Now, if none of that matters to you much and you just want a basic lever that pulls a cable, that’s okay. You can save your money. But sometimes it’s nice to buy your baby some jewelry. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi, I'm Brian.

OMG, I loved my PNW Loam lever so much I bought another one. My thumb is so comfy and happy with it's little pillow when the shredding starts to happen. The lever action is so smooth and the ergonomics are spot on. TOTALLY WORTH IT, but wait a little bit as they just hinted this morning on instagram that they're releasing an update. 🙂

SRAM level Ultimates are lighter than XTR I think. ;) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had to drive to College Station to find my son's, and I still paid $100 for a complete bike that I essentially threw out all of the parts from. I think I literally only kept the seat post collar. Keep looking, they turn up. But you might have to expand your search to surrounding areas.

I hate snap rings, especially when they’re for a brake lever. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I loved my Icons until they got the slightest bit wet. My WTB Weirwolf LTs were amazing as well. Both exceptionally fast rolling tires. Then I went chunky with Goma’s and Ardents and learned how to properly lean those tires. Now I’m back to WTB with the Vigilante and Trailboss combo, but there’s a tanwall Ranger on deck to replace the trailboss to get back to the small tightly spaced knob style. Like Austinbike said, ride it enough and you get used to it. I’ve heard the Assegai is the new silver bullet tire that can do no wrong. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sure there is! 9 years ago it was the Nevegal, then it was NN, then it was Ardents, then it was Minions, then it was... 😛

Chunky tires never helped me corner any faster. Braking grip, and technical climbing traction...yes. My fastest lap on inner log loop to date was on Barry's Evil Chamois Haggar with gravel tires. It's all about those side knobs and distributing your weight on them effectively. It sounds to me too like your tires are too soft. They need to hold their shape enough to not roll over. Having wider tires on narrower rims will exaggerate this issue. Also, if you're braking entering a corner and not losing traction, it means you could have gone faster without losing traction. Braking is demanding more traction of the tire that could be used for cornering.

Thanks, that works perfectly! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can handle that kind of lunch ride now. 😛

Sorry, my feet demand Swiftwicks. The only socks I actually request for Christmas. Every. Year. I blame @CBaronfor getting me addicted.

Part misidentification happens. I’ll let this one go. :) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

you can literally do a 100 mile loop of the SATN trails. It’s been done. Plenty out there for lunch rides. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’d love one of those wheel boxes. Gotta mail in my rear wheel for warranty work. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I thought the same thing.

I grew up on Santa Cruz, and spent countless hours between riding that park and the Quarries. That takes me back.

Hey, Travis Engle from Bike Mag highly praised them. So that's saying something in my book.