Yeti 575 Buildout
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Step 2: Choosing and Acquiring Your Components
Now that you have your frame, start measuring. You can also get the measurements from the Frame supplier’s documentation if you want to save time and order all your components at the same time as the frame, but we are in no hurry here. Get a precision measuring tool, or more specifically, a set of Vernier Calipers at the hardware store along with a cheap, thin ruler that has millimeters, centimeters and inches. Have a piece of paper and record measurements for: the length of the frame’s head tube and its inner diameter, the inner diameter and length of the bottom bracket casing, the inner and outer diameters of the seat tube, the depth of the seat tube which is unobstructed (see how far you can stick a tape measure down the seat tube so you know how long of a seat post it can accommodate). That’s it. Now, you should have already done this, but start asking all your friends what components they recommend and trust. You’ll get lots of different answers, but quickly you’ll figure out who knows what they’re talking about and who doesn’t. First hand experience is the best indicator of what you can expect. Find out if they’ve ever had problems and what the supplier did to remedy the situation. Once you narrow each component down to your top two or three choices, start shopping at any of the myriad of online dealers and keep a running list of what each item is going to cost. Don’t order yet because you want to do it in one or two orders/shipments to save shipping charges. Also, this way you will know exactly how much this little project is going to cost. Incidentally, we saved about $1,000 and got a better component fit than anything off the shelf. Here’s what you’ll need to select: Fork, Headset, Stem, Handlebars, Cranks and Bottom Bracket (usually come together), Pedals, Rear Cassette, Front and Rear Derailleurs, Front and Rear Shifters (levers), Front and Rear Brakes (each includes the Rotor, Calipers and Posts, Cable/Lines, and Levers), Seat and Seat Post and Seat Post Clamp, and Grips. You’ll need all your measurements handy when you order to choose the right diameter Headset Cups, Stem, Seat Post, Bottom Bracket fit. We chose a bottom pull, top swing (BP/TS) Front Derailleur because the 575 Frame requires the cable to route under the Bottom Bracket, but we wanted TS for maximum clearance away from the chain, mud, etc. Also, we went with the a bigger front brake rotor for more range and stopping power on our steep downhill runs where the center of gravity is clearly on the front end of the bike; this means we used 160mm for the back and 185mm for the front. Click here for a detailed list of the components we selected and how much they cost.
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