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We showed off my new bike at Sea Otter a few weeks ago. It is my personal build of our Elevator frameset. I went for the very on-trend silver parts kit look that turned out to be even more “on-trend” than I expected, as it seemed like almost every booth had a custom build shining in silver. Still, I’m stoked on my new Elevator, partly because of the finish and also because I’ve been riding versions of the Elevator for a few seasons now and knew exactly what mixed bag of parts I wanted on it. Parts to fit my actual riding and not just trying to stand out in a crowd of silver-decorated show bikes (mostly). 

I built up some DT Swiss 541 rims into some OneUp hubs. I am rather proud to find I still remember how to lace up a good wheel while sitting on my couch watching a movie. I know the rims well, but the hubs are new to me. They are very affordable and serviceable so I’m hoping for good things. The hubs flanges are cleverly sized so that you build a wheel with the same sized spokes front and rear and on both sides of the hub. On my last Elevator I ran Reserve’s alloy wheels which seems like one of the best wheel deals around. The Reserve wheels were flawless, but you know, silver.

Here’s a set of SRAM XO cranks with a voided warranty. I am a bit nervous I did some serious damage to them when I stripped off their finish, but even on the company dime I could quite justify the $3500 price tag for SRAM’s silver 1987 kit. The Crankbros large size Stamp 7 pedals are my most favorite MTB pedal. I put a pair on my BMX and they are a bit much, but on a hardtail with a pair of Vans I think they are a great pairing.

I’ve learned that on a full-sus bike I can get along with MTB’s trending “compliant handlebars,” but on a hardtail I prefer stiffer and stronger feeling bars. You can never go wrong with Chromag!

With an Odyssey OPTIS I can use lighter casing tires. The OPTIS supports the tire better so folded over tires slicing themselves on rock edges happens far less often. I’ve been trying lots of different tires lately, but I keep coming back to the predictable feel of a good old DHF on the front.

Frame: Fairdale Elevator Frame Large Reach
Fork: Some Marzocchi 140mm (I do like the Elevator with a 140 fork over the stock 130mm)
Handlebar: Chromag 35mm
Stem: Chromag Riza 38mm reach
Headset: FSA Orbit ITA with a Odyssey Conical top (which does not really fit but you know… silver)
Brake Lever: SRAM Motive Ultimate (it seems a silly splurge, but the carbon levers on the ultimate brakes are noticeably less cold in the winter)
Brakes: SRAM Motive Ultimate (silver! Love the light action of these brakes)
Grips: Chromag Clutch (these are my favorite clamp on grips for my big hands as they leave me some room to move around on the grip, whereas most MTB grips are narrow single position if you are ham fisted)
Saddle: Fi’zik Aplaca
Seat Post: PNW 220mm (I had to shim this to fit the Elevator, but… silver!)
Seat Clamp: Chromag
Cranks: SRAM XO 170mm
Chainwheel: 32T
BB Parts: DUB
Pedals: Crank Bros Stamp 7 Large
Rims: DT Swiss 541
Front Hub: OneUp
Rear Hub: OneUp
Front Tire: Maxxis Minion DHF
Rear Tire: Schwalbe Big Betty
Chain: SRAM flat top
Cassette: GX Transmission
Rear Derailleur: Eagle 90 (read about setting that up on an Elevator here)

If you have any questions about your Elevator frame build we are happy to help. Enjoy yourselves! -Taj