New guy here.

[the converted]

I've been lurking for a few weeks while building up an 856.  Just thought I would throw a post up and give you guys a picture.

Mark

[Willie_B]

Welcome aboard. White seems to be the color of choice lately. Looking good.

[Skinnyboy]

good choice of colour 

[shovelon]

Looks Fast!!!!

Those are nice grips.

Terry

[w2zero]

I like those grips so much I'm buying another set for the next build.  Like that you can get them in a larger diameter too.  Great looking bike.

[Old Proflexer]

only bike i've ever sold that i regretted selling was my 856 - best of the bunch.

none better all around bike with a good front fork -

[the converted]

A friend of mine had built that frame up and painted it that way, so I can't take any credit for the color.  I was in the bike shop and saw the grips.  Total impulse buy.  I'm almost done with the build, just waiting for a few parts, and figuring out a few little issues.  I can't for the life of me figure out how the cable routing for the front der. goes.

[w2zero]

That cable routes through the lowest guide on the downtube and then across the delrin (like) cable guide on the bottom bracket shell that is closest to the hole in the frame and then up through the hole to the derailleur.    Hmm, sounded much clearer in my mind.....

[the converted]

I had that figured out, just didn't look like the cable guide I picked up would keep the cable off the BB.  I ignored my eyeballing, ran the cable and it works fine, but now my problem is that the chain drags over the tail of the derailleur when I'm on the small front gear and any of the 4 smaller rear gears.  I'm assuming that I can just get a different derailleur and it might fit better?  The one I have I have on there right now is a m737 if that makes any difference to anyone.

[mootsguy]

I'm assuming that I can just get a different derailleur and it might fit better?  The one I have I have on there right now is a m737 if that makes any difference to anyone.

I have used a Campy Record derailleur on my 855 and it works just fine.

[w2zero]

Um, kinda sorta rule of thumb not to use small to small.... for that very reason too!  Is the front derailleur as low as you can get it without actually touching the big ring?

[the converted]

Your right, and I know that I will never do it.  I'm just trying to make it idiot proof in case someone else takes it for a spin.  Now I just have to find a 220v outlet to plug my welder into so I can put disc tabs on the swing arm.

[Colin]

but now my problem is that the chain drags over the tail of the derailleur when I'm on the small front gear and any of the 4 smaller rear gears.  I'm assuming that I can just get a different derailleur and it might fit better?  The one I have I have on there right now is a m737 if that makes any difference to anyone.

I'm fairly sure that the M737 is Original Equipment on x56 bikes, so should work correctly. I have found it is a pain to get the derailleur correctly set up if it's been removed!
Col.

[fyrstormer]

I always size chains on the biggest sprocket and chainring, pulling them as tight as I can get and then giving back 2-4 links of slack before cutting them. Then I shift into a sprocket/chainring combo that puts the derailleur chainguide as close to vertical as I can get, and I adjust the tension screw on the derailleur mount to put the upper pulley as close to the sprocket as I can get without pinching the chain. That setup hasn't failed me yet.

Upgrade to XT parts as you go along, if you don't have XT parts already. The improvement in precision over LX is noticeable, much more so than the improvement from XT to XTR.

[the converted]

So she's "done" and I've gotten a few rides in.  Still thinking about what I want to do with the rear shock.  I just don't like how it rides.  I welded a tab on the rear for discs, and they seem to be working well.