Bassi Hog's Back

Alright, here goes!

Having recently ordered a Hog's Back frameset from The Woods Cyclery, I thought I'd muster up the courage to do one of these 'projects' threads. Hopefully, it'll serve as a reminder to savour the process (something I love as much as riding) and an aide memoire to cringe over in the future.

My thinking is an honest, rough-stuff oriented Hog with a mix of new and old bits carried over from the Riv, in silver and black. My off road rides are rarely fast or far, so I'm coming at this build with that reality check squarely in mind. That dose of realism made me change my initial plan for a 650b x 48c wheelset for a cushier 26 x 2.3 one, which I think would suit the aesthetics of the riser-bar vibe slightly better too.

Anyway, here's the spec which is now kinda locked in:

New 51cm Hog's Back frameset in 'Loch Ness' (greeny-blue)
New baby pink CK headset - profligate but so cute
Used Middleburn RS8 X-Type cranks, 2x (38t and 26t)
Used Shimano 8sp cassette (11 - 40t)
Used Deore XT M737 derailers
New Shimano BBR-60 BB
Used MKS Gamma pedals (silver and black)
New TRP Spyke Brakes and 160mm rotors that come with them
Update 10/02/24: couldn't say no to £99 New Deore M6100 hydros in the end
Used Deore XT M739 levers, silver
Update 10/02/24: as above
New RH Humptulips 2.3" tyres, standard casings, or Schwalbes
Update 17/02/24: went for Conti Race Kings
New Kinlin TL-23 26" rims
New Deore M525 disc hubs, silver
Used Paul QRs, silver
New Nitto S84 seatpost
Used Brooks B17 saddle
Either new SimWorks black CowCows or used silver Soma Dream Riser bars (undecided, I got on well with both)
Update 15/02/24: ended up going for Stooge Motos
New ESI Extra Chunky grips, tan(!)
Update 10/02/24: these don't look right, gone for glow-in-the-dark Ourys instead
Used Riv Silver 2 bar-mounted RD shifter
New Riv Silver 1 downtube shifter for FD
Used SimWorks Obento rack
Update 10/02/24: opted for a fluro yellow Allygn Diamond Rack instead

Once the fit is dialled in, I'd love the idea of a clear-coated custom stem from August Bicycles. One step at a time though! Finally, here's one of C&L's off road oriented stock Hog builds which has a nice vibe that I'm after, see you again soon xx :

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Very good. Great wheel and tyre (size) choice.

Fun project!!

My off road rides are rarely fast or far, so I'm coming at this build with that reality check squarely in mind. That dose of realism made me change my initial plan for a 650b x 48c wheelset for a cushier 26 x 2.3 one

the wheel size of free thinkers / cerebral cyclists/ the connoisseur / those who have experienced ego death etc etc

I can get behind this - that stock photo looks absolutely great (for a few days in the summer...)

Very nice. Stunning colour, and a rather pleasing fork crown.
So glad your Riv has sold, was going to ask if you'd consider posting (assuming a box long enough has been manufactured).

the wheel size of free thinkers / cerebral cyclists/ the connoisseur /
those who have experienced ego death etc etc

This thread has paid for itself already.

This sounds very promising, if anyone can pull off tan grips it’s you.

2x8 and 26x2.3” but disc brakes is brilliant.

That’s really kind, thanks! Yes, the biplane fork crown is a nice touch. Coming from a Riv, I’m loving the Hog’s dedicated dynamo routing through the fork blade (shame I’m not putting that to use tbh). You have a beaut of an Atlantis, am I right? A familiar name..

Oh god, that is becoming a bit of a trademark :) I’ll eyeball the build once it’s done; have a feeling tan might be at odds with the otherwise bold frame colour. Glow in the dark Ourys might be an idea… Good to hear from you Tijmen.

TRP Spyke Brakes

Are you sure about this? Deore br-m6100 hydraulic brakes are only 100£ or so...

Superb, great components and colour. I could stare at it for hours, but definitely built to be enjoyed.

nice!
I would agree that pre-bled hydros are a cheap and fit-and-forget solution over cable pull.

Always open-minded. I’ve ordered the Spykes (£88 for the pair, including rotors) but could return them. I’ve Googled around for M6100s but can’t seem to find them for less than ~£150 a pair.

could put mt200's on a bike like this (40# new on ebay rn (no discs)), probably more comparible to the spykes as you ride premium gravel and not the downhill park.

there are m6100's on ebay used , but still pushing over 100 without discs in the uk

if the spykes are orderd tho? might as well see if you get on with them, it will at the very least be charming

I'm here for it! Sounds like a lovely build.
I always end of fitting guards and dynamo lights to bikes like this though.
Maybe it's just a scandinavian thing

You're right, will give the Spykes a go and can always change later on to satiate the brain worms.

Both of those would suit the build really well. There's a new silver QR disc 32h SON 28 dynamo on eBay for £180 at the moment which is tempting but in reality 'long days in the saddle' are a rarity for me with two young kids etc.

Mudguards are a hard yes, probably in readiness for Autumn '24.

That does sound tempting! (but I know the feeling too well - two girls aged 1 and 3)
I've found having dynamo light removes a (mental) barrier which means I ride more not having to consider lights. Day time running lights are also means no one can claim they weren't able to see me on the road.

My vote is for guards with some texture, like the hammered finish or like VO zeppelins.

Are you set on the riv shifters? You can use your rear derailleur with any 9 speed shifters and even 10 speed old road pull ratio shifters. You could combine that with a 9 or 10 speed cassette, since you haven't bought a new cassette yet. It would make the jumps between gears on a 11-40 cassette a bit nicer.

I like that idea and it’s one I’ll probably try once (if?) this cassette gives up the ghost. I used the 40t 8sp friction on the Riv for about a year and got on well with it, can’t say I ever found it too jumpy but then again I’m not a fast rider/pay much attention to cadence.

OK so new parts have started to arrive! This should complement the downtube decal:

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Good start! Exciting times

While cable discs might fit better with the theme you have going on (well, kind've), I do agree that the step up to hydraulic is worth it and inexpensive. Your rides are short too, so the easier road-side-repairability for the one-off chance if failure doesn't seem worth the hold back. But you probably expected this answer from me of all people lol.

I have some SRAM Guide brakes bled and set for a project that won't happen any time soon that you can have. Got them cheap from here. If SRAM is too off-brand, it still might be a good way of testing to see if you wanna head down this route.

tempting but in reality 'long days in the saddle' are a rarity for me with two young kids etc.

I have an 8, 6, and 2 yr. I very much understand that feeling. I just finished re-installing dyno lighting on a bike because for me, rides are more often rides of opportunity rather than planned. If I get a free hour to ride, and it's dusk or already dark, I'm out of luck if my lights aren't charged or I put my headlight in the wrong place after juggling all the kids stuff and now it's missing forever.