Does this look like a good first set up for Trail

[tommbox]

Santa Cruz Bantam Large $643.08
Shimano XT Wheelset $336.30
Fox Float Fork 34 130mm $322.05
KS eten Dropper post $134.40
XT group set (1 X 11) $462.00
brakes rotors ice tech 180mm $59.77

tires Schwable Nobby Nic $47.98

Handlebars Truvativ Hussefelt Comp Riserbar $19.20
Stem Race Face Ride $14.39

Saddle WTB Volt Comp $34.56
Headset Cane Creek 40 $38.40
grips ODI Ruffian $19.13
brake adapter 180mm posts  $15.36
Spacers Race Face Kit   $12.24
Bike Parts  Sub Total  $2,158.86
I’ve been wanting to build a bike and I’ve been able to find all these parts.  I was trying to keep it under 2K but this is pretty close.

[Aaron Chamberlain ✓ supporter]

Looks great! The one thing I would caution on is the dropper post. I’ve been using the slightly more expensive KS Drop Zone, and it’s tough to keep it working properly. The action of the post is great – when it’s working. As soon as the cable gets at all dirty, reliability goes out the window.

I would recommend a different dropper post, or go with a straight post at first until you can swing a higher end one.

[tommbox]

Awesome. Thanks!  I just need to save up another couple hundo to get the better seat post.

[Alvin Mullen]

I disagree I have the KS eTen and it works fine.  The only downside to the eTen is it is only 100mm

[John Fisch]

You might look at downgrading the XT to a SRAM GX.  You may save enough to upgrade the dropper post.  I’ve found GX to be quite reliable if little heavier than XT.

[Aaron Chamberlain ✓ supporter]

John – based on what I could find, the new XT 11-speed group is actually a bit heavier than the SRAM GX. Also, I wouldn’t consider it a downgrade at all. I’ve ridden both extensively now, and it’s really going to come down to personal preference.

But that said, if Tom doesn’t have a preference one way or another, go with the cheaper option.

[Chris Daniels]

chiming in on the E-Ten. I’m coming up on about 40 hours on mine and it’s pretty good for the money. 100mm isn’t enough for me, but do-able. It’s not as snappy on the rise as a higher end, but we’re talking less than a second slower. If I was going to put $200 more anywhere, it’d probably be the wheelset. And yes, consider the GX if you need to align your budget quicker, but you will not be disappointed in the XT. Not sure if I saw cranks on the list… maybe it’s XT as well. If not, look at the RaceFace Turbine or Aeffect. Have fun, post pics when built!

[Author]

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