2016 DMR Trailstar

[Elbo]

This is what I'm building up at the moment. Been MTB-less for a while, so just getting back into it and thought I'd build something I can do everything on. I'm not particularly fussed about going fast on the MTB, just want to ride it all day, throw it around and have fun, but I will try and use it for bike packing too and see how it goes.

I've almost got all the parts for it, so it should come together in the next week or two. Stoked! Expecting around 12.5kg, would be great to get it under 12kg but don't think it'll happen on this budget. Went for a 30T chainring to spin up single track and going for a red and black theme



Specs:

Frame	DMR Trailstar (Large)
Fork	Manitou Mattoc Expert 160mm (may drop to 140-150mm, but will see how it rides first)
Headset	FSA Orbit C-40-ACB
Bottom Bracket	Shimano XTR BB-SM93
Cranks	Shimano XT M8000
Chainring	Shimano XT 30 tooth, 1x11
Pedals	Shimano XTR Trail PD-M9020
Hubs	Hope Pro4, 15mm thru axle (Red)
Rims	Spank Oozy 295 (Red)
Spokes/Nipples	DTS Comp / DTS Pro-Lock
Brakes	Shimano SLX M675
Rotors	Shimano RT86 180/160 (still deciding)
Shifter	Shimano XTR M9000
Rear Derailleur	Shimano XT M8000
Cassette	Shimano XT 11spd 11-42T
Stem	Thomson Elite X4 50mm
Handlebar	Bontrager Rhythm Pro Carbon
Grips	ODI Ruffian Lock-on
Seatpost	Thomson Elite Layback 31.6mm
Seatpost Clamp	Hope QR
Saddle	Bontrager Kovee Elite
Chain	HG-701 11spd
Tyres	undecided

 

[Travis22]

Niceone Elbo!

Look forward to seeing it finished, and expecially setup for bikepacking.

Travis.

 

[Elbo]

Thanks mate! Pretty keen to get back on a MTB and especially do some backcountry rides

 

[Ultra Lord]

It's abit different to the original trailstar isn't it! Can't wait for a ride report mate, looks like a good thing.

 

[Hools]

Great looking frames these.

 

[Elbo]

It's abit different to the original trailstar isn't it! Can't wait for a ride report mate, looks like a good thing.

Very different! I probably got somewhat suckered in by nostalgia, but I'm very keen to get it built and ride it. Will definitely post a ride report when done. Hopefully christen it with a weekend of exploring.

Great looking frames these.

I'm very happy with the frame at this point. My only qualms would be a spot of paint run around the disc post mount on the rear, the badge isn't stuck on very well and the design of where the chain stays meet the seat tube doesn't seem to really suit the flow of the rest of the bike's curves. It looks strong though! Overall, I'm impressed with the finish; semi-matte black with what seems like a touch of metal flake/speckle throughout. Very understated, but black bikes always work well with a few anodised parts, in my opinion.

 

[Elbo]

Got a few more bits and pieces today

 

[frenchman]

Have you decided what rubber to run yet?

 

[Elbo]

Have you decided what rubber to run yet?

Not yet, but I'm thinking either Maxxis Ardent's front and rear, Ignitor/Ardent combo or Bontrager XR3's. Not gonna run anything too wide or heavy as I want to ride this thing around all day. Need to get some tape and valves to seal up the rims too.

 

[Elbo]

Did a bit more building after work today. 180mm rotor on the rear might be overkill, but will wait and see what it looks like when it's finished.

 

[Elbo]

Finished the build on this last night! Can't wait to ride it!
Total weight came to 13.1kg

 

[frenchman]

Looks like it'll be great fun mate! The large size is about an 18"? Or are sizes just differentiated by top tube length?

 

[mitchy_]

Nice! Geez it looks slack.

 

[wkkie]

Looking good. I really like the AM hardtails. Nice color choice too.

 

[Travis22]

Congrats Elbo, great job! Looks fantastic, strange but fantastic

(Ive still got my original Trailstar from 1998 - thus these ones look a bit 'different' to me).

Travis.

 

[Ultra Lord]

Nice build mate! Looks the goods.

How long till you get it dirty? Gonna throw up a cheeky ride report?

 

[slowmick]

Schweet looking ride . Hope it rides as well as it look :thumb:

 

[Asininedrivel]

Looks rad! Long too (for a large frame). Should be really stable over the rough stuff.

 

[Elbo]

Looks like it'll be great fun mate! The large size is about an 18"? Or are sizes just differentiated by top tube length?

Thanks mate! Looking forward to take it for a decent spin. It's hard to say because the geometry is so whack compared to other bikes. Virtual top-tube on the large is 634mm and the seat tube is 48cm. It's super long, but I'd normally ride a 19-20" and it feels fine.

Nice! Geez it looks slack.

Thanks mate! It's so slack! Think I will definitely drop the travel on the fork when I get a chance, just to speed things up a bit.

Looking good. I really like the AM hardtails. Nice color choice too.

Thanks! Spent quite a few months planning it out and ended up settling on a mostly black build with a bit of red. Never gone for coloured rims or hubs before, but I'm very happy with the Hope hubs and Spank rims

 

[Elbo]

Congrats Elbo, great job! Looks fantastic, strange but fantastic

(Ive still got my original Trailstar from 1998 - thus these ones look a bit 'different' to me).

Travis.

Haha, thanks Travis. I get what you mean. It's such a different bike to the old Trailstar, they probably should've called it something different.

Nice build mate! Looks the goods.

How long till you get it dirty? Gonna throw up a cheeky ride report?

I couldn't help myself and just went for a quick blast around the streets, so responsive and so much fun. I'll definitely do up a ride report after I get some saddle time in mate. Probably won't get a decent ride until October, flat out with work and moving house/city at the moment.

Schweet looking ride . Hope it rides as well as it look :thumb:

Thanks mate! I hope so too. Will report back after I get some decent ride time in.

Looks rad! Long too (for a large frame). Should be really stable over the rough stuff.

The length of the thing was one of my main concerns buying the frame without having ridden one. I got in touch with Ollie from DMR and he was adamant the Large was the way to go for someone my size (6'2"). I was considering the medium because the large seemed way too long. But for some reason it doesn't seem to translate in real life. Yes, I'm running a 50mm stem, but I'm also running a layback seat post. It feels very comfortable for me just cruising around. The test will be after a few hours in the saddle. I feel the bars are probably a tad too wide as they are now, so may cut them down 15-20mm both sides soon, but will test off road first.