Just scored a new Winter project

[RhinoDave]

I wasn't planning on making any bike changes this year but this just fell into my lap today. Any suggestions on how to build it up? Surplus bin currently contains XT/BontragerMustang wheels with Mutanoraptor 2.4 tires. Manitou X-Vert 105mm fork, XT STI brake/shifters. Kore Flat Bars with bar ends, Fizik Nisene Saddle, XTR V-brakes. ATAC pedals. Lacking the drivetrain bits . Not sure of the condition of the rear shock as I haven't pulled it apart yet but if it's as good as the rest of the frame it'll only need a little cleaning.

[shovelon]

Rare find, 856 in small. 

Good show,
Terry

[Willem]

Love those 856's!

A nice black seatpost and riser bars from Nashbar will set you back $30 and look sweet on that bike.

You should be able to score very nice Race Face external BB crankset from Jenson USA for $150. (If you want to go 1x9 you can get the SS version for $109!!) That will come in black as well.

This should be a fine rig. Is it for you to ride, Dave?

[RhinoDave]

I'm going to build it up to see how it rides. I think I can match the dimensions of my K2 EVO which is also a small frame. I'm on the short side of 5'9" and I like a smaller frame so I think it will fit. My orginal plan was to build it for a kid my wife babysits for in the summmer and it may end up for this but it might be a bit large yet for him. The MMBA annual meeting and EXPO is this weekend with a big swap meet so I'm hoping to get the parts I need there. I agree with the black post and bars. I prefer flat bars with bar ends for long rides and risers for shorter and more technical rides. The wheels I have are black and the Xvert fork is black. I'll post more pictures as it gets built. Anyone know offhand the seatpost size and bottom bracket width? I think they are 27.2 and 68mm but I'm not sure.

[kiwi]

pretty sure the bb is 68 as you say...

[orange]

and pretty sure 27.2

[kiwi]

confirmed..copied from my 756 spec sheet
BB Shell Width: 68mm English
BB Spindle Length: 110 mm
Seat Post Diameter: 27.2 mm

[RhinoDave]

Time for the first update.
Serviced the rear shock and everything was fine. Old oil was a little dirty but not bad. I replaced it with 15 weight which might be a little thin but it's all I had on hand. I went to the swap meet and managed to score a cross link ELT with smart shock for twenty bucks. The fork looks as good as the frame and all mode lights work so it looks promising. Looks like the X-VERT is going to stay in the parts bin a little longer. If there is any interest, I'll list the parts spec and take pictures during the assembly process. Probably get started this weekend.
Saturday Morning- It begins

Part way:

Done except for cables and tuning:

Better pictures after it's done. Test ride tomorrow.

[shovelon]

Very nice.

Terry

[RhinoDave]

Well the weather was so crappy today (freezing rain) I finished the 856. Can't wait to give it a good test ride.
 It was a fun build. On a separate note, has anyone ever put a Swinger shock on a crosslink? Would it even work? I need to research this more. Final pictures below.

[shovelon]

An air swinger? I was wondering that myself. A little more travel would be nice. I do know that you need to  pressurize the platform chamber minimum 50 psi or you could damage the internals. I run 70 psi on mine at the rear, and 50 psi seems to have very little platform left.

I would use a 7.5 i2i swinger, and bump up length with a cross block, like I use on my Oz. That should clear both ends. You can get these swingers for a song anymore.

Andrew(frankd3000) did the same with a cane creek cloud nine.

Terry

Ok, hurry up and do it.