I’ll be honest, I’m always scouring the marketplace for deals on bike parts, even ones I don’t necessarily need. That’s how I stumbled upon an old 2014 Rocky Mountain Fusion 29, priced at a mere $40 and conveniently located just 15 minutes away from my place. Despite its rough exterior and a frame peppered with stone chips, there was something about it that compelled me to make the purchase. Little did I know, this impulsive decision would kickstart what I now affectionately refer to as the “Marketplace project.”
The Project’s Objective
Last year, I owned a Salsa Journeyman which, while suitable for bikepacking, felt a tad too heavy for my liking. Additionally, the drop bars I’d installed didn’t quite meet my expectations. So, I made the decision to part ways with it and embark on a quest for a lighter mountain bike equipped with drop bars and front suspension.
The Frame
The Rocky Mountain Fusion 29, an entry-level bike, boasted an ideal fork angle of 73 degrees, compared to the 73.5 of my LCKD N LDED 5.56 carbon gravel bike. The only drawback was its 135 mm Quick Release rear, but that wasn’t a deal-breaker considering the affordability of compatible wheels.
The Wheelset
One morning, while on my way to work, I chanced upon a seller offering a set of 29” Alexrims with little information provided. After negotiating a price of $60, I acquired these non-boost mountain bike rims with axles in near-pristine condition. Despite knowing they wouldn’t fit my frame’s quick release setup, I couldn’t resist the deal. With the help of my friend Dom, a tech-savvy individual, we managed to swap the hub for a 135 QR one at a minimal cost of $50.
The Suspension Fork
Scouring the market for a suitable suspension fork led me to stumble upon a brand new 2015 non-boost Fox 32, complete with a fresh race crown, priced at $300. The seller, unable to use it due to compatibility issues with his front wheel, accepted my offer of $240 after verifying its pristine condition.
The Groupset
Despite my desire for a GRX 2×11 setup, used groupset were fetching prices close to retail. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a GRX 810/400 groupset priced at $600, which included shifters, brakes, front, and rear derailleurs—a deal too good to pass up. However, upon consulting with Dom, we encountered compatibility issues with the frame’s ISO brake mounts and the GRX calipers. Opting for mountain bike calipers compatible with GRX levers, coupled with other adjustments, resolved the issue seamlessly.
Handlebar, Seatpost, and Stem
Utilizing available resources, I incorporated a brand new FSA A-wing AGX alloy handlebar and a carbon fiber seatpost into the build. For the stem, I opted for a 40 mm one from my previous fat bike project, ensuring a reach similar to my carbon gravel bike.
Tires
Taking advantage of a set of Vredestein Aventura tires sent to me by my friends at bikecomponents.ca, I outfitted the bike with these 700×38 treads, still in good condition from the previous season. You can read my review here
The Testing
With limited terrain available due to the early season, I logged around 150 km to assess the project’s performance. The initial rides proved promising, with the bike handling impressively well. The Fox 32 fork, once properly adjusted, complemented the bike’s agility, while the gearing setup facilitated climbing and cruising alike. In essence, riding this transformed bike felt akin to being on cruise control, a testament to the success of the project.
In Conclusion
With the completion of this project, I am immensely satisfied with the outcome. As I eagerly anticipate future bikepacking adventures, I also look forward to implementing planned upgrades in part two of this endeavor.
Notably, the final weight of the bike stands at a respectable 27 lbs, a testament to the success of the meticulous planning and resourceful execution that went into its transformation.
Moreover, the total cost of the project amounted to a modest $1480 CAD, underscoring the value obtained through savvy deal-hunting and strategic part selection.
I would like to thank Dominic from RIDE custom bikes for the assembly of this project.
