Cove Hustler 29 - The Sub $2000 29er Trail Bike Challenge Build

oliosky

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Was looking for a bit of a change of scene trail bike wise and had someone interested in buying my old Spec Camber 29 but money is a bit tight right now so I challenged myself to build up a decent 130mm 29er trail bike with a new frame and 11 speed XT for under $2000. Wanted to build something slack-ish, no nonsense and low maintenance. Ended up settling on a 2015 Cove Hustler 29 frame that was being run out on CRC.

Frame, shock, headset and groupset picked up for around $1200 and the rest is a mix of bits from the parts bin, Australian online stores, gumtree and RB.

First spin this morning and its pretty damn impressive.

Frame - Cove Hustler 29 2015 large
Rear shock - Fox factory CTD kashima (130mm)
Front shock/fork - Fox 32 Float Fit 130mm
Handlebars - Renthal Fatbar lite
Stem - Raceface 60mm
Headset - Nukeproof
Grips - ESI Chunky
Saddle - Specialized Henge
Seatpost - Generic 31.6
Front brake - Avid Elixir 203mm
Rear brake - Avid Elixir 180mm
Cranks - XT BB, SLX Hollowtech II w/ Blackspire 32
Chain - XT 11 speed
Pedals - Shimano SPD
Rear derailleur - Shimano XT medium Cage
Rear shifter - Shimano XT
Cassette - XT 11-42 11 Speed
Front hub - Black
Rear hub - Also Black
Front rim - Alex
Rear rim - Roval
Spokes - DT Comp
Nipples - DT brass
Tyres - Maxxis HR II exo tr 3c /Kenda Nevegal 2.2

http://imgur.com/I0ggy8A
http://imgur.com/ogCykCW
http://imgur.com/X1hQuVi
 

oliosky

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Really nice build - love coves
So what was the final cost


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$1297- frame, shock, headset, chainring, cassette, shifter, rear mech, seatpost clamp and cables

$450ish second hand fork off gumtree

$130 - new front alex wheel from merlin

$50 - second hand rear wheel, tires and rotors off facebook

$30 - bb from pushys

$55 - brake adapters, seatpost and maxle from cyclingdeal

$55 - slx cranks off RB

$5 - set of banged up elixirs off a mate

Bars, seat, stem, pedals and grips from the parts bin (which is kinda cheating but hey they werent being used)
 
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Looks good, what's the tyre clearance like? Do you think you could fit a 2.8 in there and run 27+?

How's it ride compared to the camber?
 

oliosky

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Looks good, what's the tyre clearance like? Do you think you could fit a 2.8 in there and run 27+?

How's it ride compared to the camber?
Looks good man.

How's it compare to the camber?

What's the tyre clearance like, would 2.8's fit to run it as a 27+

Cheers
Hey mate. I reckon there wouldnt be enough room for a plus tire unfortunately. The cove rides great, solid in the rough stuff and stable at a bit of pace. In comparison to the camber, the cove really holds it line better, but it definitely doesnt go up hill as well.
 

tasty.dirt74

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Ride report..QC update perhaps?

Bit of a dig, but....

Saw these frames online for $900 + change,

Seems like a good price. Care to give a update as to how it rides?

It will be a upgrade from a 2012 stumpy 29er... Hoping the slight increase in travel and slacker angles will lead to more fun??
 

oliosky

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Bit of a dig, but....

Saw these frames online for $900 + change,

Seems like a good price. Care to give a update as to how it rides?

It will be a upgrade from a 2012 stumpy 29er... Hoping the slight increase in travel and slacker angles will lead to more fun??
I love it. Really fun no nonsense trail bike. I'm running a couple of offset bushings on the rear shock to slacken things out a bit which has impreved handling on the steeper stuff.

I've been looking at buying another one as a frameset and have found a place that has some in stock dirt cheap with an RS shock. PM me if you want details.
 

tasty.dirt74

Likes Bikes and Dirt
I love it. Really fun no nonsense trail bike. I'm running a couple of offset bushings on the rear shock to slacken things out a bit which has impreved handling on the steeper stuff.

I've been looking at buying another one as a frameset and have found a place that has some in stock dirt cheap with an RS shock. PM me if you want details.
Consider a pm sent!



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mas2

Likes Bikes and Dirt
I am also keen and have been looking at them on CRC.
What height are you and what size did you get?
 

oliosky

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Considering the thread dig, a few thoughts on the frame after 12 months riding:

Good:
Well built frame with pretty current geometry
Longish top tube for a large. Fits better than previous large specialized.
67 degree HA with a 150mm fork
Sturdy, robust, durable crash resistant aluminium
Threaded BB
Standard shock mounts
Good price
Headtube compatible with angleset headset
Really stable on wide open fast rough stuff.

Not so good:
Slightly portly and when built with parts that dont break its not a light bike, at all.
No internal dropper cable routing
Found the BB a bit high at first but the offset bushings really helped
Fox shock kept losing IPF pressure over time (but schrader valve mod fixed that)
Pivot bolts have a tendency to loose off, especially the main pivot bolt.
 
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