XC KHS Team Alite build

[jonnodd]

Hi, The day has arrived where I finally finished my project! First time posting here and a relative newbie ( latecomer!) to the sport, so I want to do my bit and have my say. I bought a cheap store bike a year back, for fitness and riding with the family - but as is often the case with me I wanted better! I built this bike over this year from bits either new or near new as the budget allowed, and I'm very happy with the end result. It purrs along nicely!! I don't ride competition but enjoy utilising our backyard! Thanks to Farkin for the advice etc.

Frame ; KHS Alite team 4000 ( thanks pdogg)
Wheels; Bontrager Ranger
Hubs; Shimano F-HM495
Tyres; Bontrager Jones ACX-B
Brakes; Dice Whiplash hyd./Shimnao 160mm lock on rotors
Forks; Manitou Black Comp.
Crankset; Truvativ Isoflow/DMR V8 pedals
Gear der: Shimano 08 XT Shadow/XT front
Cassette; 8 speed Shimano/HG40 chain
Shifters; Shimano Alivio/Alligator braided cable kit
Bars; Truvativ riser alloy/generic clamp.

[Dug]

I bought a cheap store bike a year back, for fitness and riding with the family - but as is often the case with me I wanted better! I built this bike over this year from bits either new or near new as the budget allowed, and I'm very happy with the end result. It purrs along nicely!! I don't ride competition but enjoy utilising our backyard!

The addiction Grows...

Nice Bike I prefer to build rather than buy. See ya out there:D

[AngoXC]

Lovely choice in fork...they would be '03 correct? I run a set but Ive always been very sceptical about removing the fork boots because they are not semi-bath lubricated...have you knowticed any changes in performance? (ie, with stuff getting under the seals...stock ones on them were a bit...poor...)

Other then that, a magnificent set up! Ride her well!

[flying high dh killer]

Now you just need to go clipless. You'll notice a big difference, totally worth it for xc/trailriding.

[jonnodd]

Thanks Ango, I cannot offer much on the forks, I came across them on ebay for $100 ( as new ) so knowing they were at least a decent brand I bought them to trial. The budget thing again.... although I still managed to spend $1500! Took a bit of a gamble but I'm happy with them for my riding. You don't see many with boots on now so I'd presume that it isn't too much of a problem?

[AngoXC]

Thanks Ango, I cannot offer much on the forks, I came across them on ebay for $100 ( as new ) so knowing they were at least a decent brand I bought them to trial. The budget thing again.... although I still managed to spend $1500! Took a bit of a gamble but I'm happy with them for my riding. You don't see many with boots on now so I'd presume that it isn't too much of a problem?

Yeah, I got my for around that much from memory but Ive done a bit of modifications to them since...Absolute steal for that price though! I was talking to that seller (I got mine just before he started adversising...spewing!)...and he has about 10 sets of them and runs them on all his bikes!
They are a little more basic then most forks...the internals are not immersed in oil and dont lubricate themselves when you compress them like most forks...you have to inject grease though the holes under the arch. Thus, they only have wiper seals (keep things out) and not the oil seals (keep things in)...even then, they are fairly poor wiper seals...the next model up gets the Evil Genius Seals...the dust boots just help keep things clean on the inside...Ive since replaced the seals with an Enduro set (definatly check these out...seach for diymtb.com...around $60?) which work sweet but I kept the dust boots on. Just make sure you wipe all the dust of the stanchions after every ride...prolongs their life somewhat...

Ride them well mate!