alan46

Nice one Lewis go for it ????????????????????????????????????????

Ideally id love to buy a frame & do a dream build but its just so much more expensive that way so its usually buy a complete (new to me) bike with as many parts that I'm happy with then swap parts from "old" bikes as necessary. Ive always had Orange Bikes over the last 10-15years(3 x fives & 3 x P7's) but fancied trying something different to single pivot so decided on a Nukeproof Reactor, especially at the moment very hard getting a 2nd hand one but think i was quite lucky last month- hardly any coming up on eBay, i was after a 275 Medium in alloy, then Wiggle's outlet store started auctioning off loads(comparatively speaking - maybe about 10) of Reactors & i managed to get one of the last ones at a good price - it was just the base model with SRAM SX which was the real weak point - suspension, brakes & general components weren't too bad....so i swapped the 12 speed SX drivetrain(as its the base groupset it had HG not XD driver) to my used 11speed Shimano XT drivetrain(with a new chain). Totally happy with 11speed- £75 for a new XT cassette whereas SRAM GX is about £150!! - for a mid-range cassette!!! Also converted to tubeless which saved a fair bit more weight(removed 320gram inner tube from each wheel- added an 8g tubeless valve & about 80g of sealant). Finally i removed the Maxxis Assegai, moved the minion to the front & put a new High roller2 on the back. So all in I've knocked about 1.2kg off the bike, it now feels like "my" custom build & i had an absolute ball in the process :)

Delighted about this- just bought a Reactor last month & would have been gutted if my Sam Hill signature grips had become obsolete already #bulletdodged ????