Good Evening, long time MTB rider, First HG build!

[Andyota]

Heya,

I’ll start by saying, I did not know Schwinn Homegrown existed until a couple years ago, but I’m hooked now (this may surprise you reading the next few paragraphs).

Me:  I’m no spring chicken, I remember when mountain bikes became a trend.  I’ve been an MTB rider/builder since the early 90s, and a rabid  enthusiast since then.. I even had a subscription fo MTB Action back in the day.  Idolized John Tomac and Ned Overend, et al, and ate up anything I could find at the local bike shop. 

I’ve been out of the loop for a decade or so, and have been observing the industry from afar, aghast at $5000+ bikes that these “kids” have been riding around on the sidewalks at the Universities while I cruise about on my second-hand, rebuilt cro-mo 1990 Mongoose IBOC Comp (its modern, right, after the oval Biopace rings went away).  I’ve had a few bikes, from an early 2001 K2 Flyin’ Monkey and a mid 90s GT Avalanche aluminum frame, but my IBOC has been rock solid.  I’ve recently purchased a 2000 HG 19″ (without an ICBM headset, bummer), and have started accumulating parts.  I’m confused with wheelsets.  I want to build a 1×10 or 1×11 drivetrain, XD or Shimano, but being a heavier rider (losing weight steadily but presently at 300#) I feel I’m limited to a 36-spoke stout/heavy wheelset and affordable hubset.  I need some guidance.  I’m not riding downhill or even technical single-track courses, but I want durability to be able to ride what my skill level and energy demand.  I expect that I’ll be down in the 270# range once the bike is done. On my mongoose I’m running Deore LX hubs, Araya 25mm/26″ rims 36H and they are strong as hell.  no issues with staying true, nice Continental 1.95″ tires.  Can I go to 32H rims/hubs in 27.5″ without turning them into tacos?  I’m looking for real-world experience.  I need to ride, It’s a sanity source.  

Thanks, you guys are great.

[bikeric]

Welcome to the Homegrown cult family!!  You can comfortably run 27.5×2.0″ tires on any Homegrown hartail.  I question if your frame has disc mounts?  I have found it difficult to find quality 650b/27.5″ rims with a brake surface.  If your frame has the old Hayes 22mm caliper mounts there are options for mounting modern disc brake options.  If you don’t have disc mounts, your build will be more difficult (but not impossible).  I just picked up a couple of new ICBM headsets off eBay to keep in my stash of stuff.  They are running $30 each which is pretty good since they do not exist elsewhere.  Get em’ while you can.

I can’t speak on the strength of 27.5″ wheels compared to 26″.  I’ve built them, but never actually gone off-road on them yet.  My 26er is just my go-to ride right now if I’m not on the 700c gravel bike (also a Homegrown hardtail).

Good luck in your build and keep those posts coming.  I too strated biking again for weight loss and can say I’ve lost 30lbs in 4 months.  Feels so much better.

[Andyota]

I’m set for brakes,  found a good condition older Hayes set with the 22mm rear, and I have a backup A2Z adapter if I need to go with XTR or newer Hayes hydro. The ICBM headset is the next crucial step. I keep an eye on eBay as I can. I feel like I can go with a better quality 32 or 36 hole rim and be ok, and as long as I keep riding my current beast (‘93 Mongoose IBOC Comp), I’ll be in a much better place by the completion of the build. 

Thanks, and keep an eye on things, it’s coming along well. 

[Andyota]

As an aside/additional item,  For headsets, I found one used from a good friend, and have ordered 2 of the new Flea-Bay ones you mentioned.  Also, I’m looking at adding a 1×10 or 1×11 (would 1×12 fit??) drivetrain to this build, but there is so much out there.  Any input on SRAM vs Shimano vs other chinese no-name, ISIS BB vs other splined or older square spindle cranks?  I want strong, but afordable, is that a thing anymore?

[bikeric]

I was doing some wheel building over the weekend and set a 26″ rim on top of a 27.5″ rim.  The 26er didn’t fall through and it really made me question what the big deal with 27.5″ is.  I’ve got a 27.5″ specific bike myself, but it’s really not a big difference at all.

The A2Z adapter for Hayes 22mm mounts only seems to work with older I.S. Magura or Hope calipers.  The older I.S. XTR calipers will not fit (I’ve tried it).  Also remember you need to get the “Front” I.S. caliper (Magura or Hope) with the A2Z adapter because a Rear I.S. caliper will require a 180mm rotor which doesn’t fit the frame.  Every standard post mount caliper I have tried to fit with the A2Z adapter will also interfere with the frame. 

Can’t go wrong with Shimano cranks.  XT is strong and SLX is just as strong and even cheaper.

Shimano 10 or 11 speed cassettes always fit my older hubs.  Shimano 12 speed seems to be XTR only and requires a different “microspline” freehub.

I’ve not run SRAM 11 speed because the XD cassettes are too pricey for me to consider buying a hub to fit them.  You can find Shimano 11sp cassettes for about half of SRAM 11sp cassettes.

[Author]

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