Greg's Tall Tale - steel Hardtail trail bike
Greg's Tall Tale Mountain bike build is the very first Tall Tale build to leave the shop, let's check it out!
A Ready-to-go Complete Build?
We get this question a lot - Do you offer completes? And the answer is yes. Each complete bike we build is assembled to order, so while we are happy to swap out parts for you, we have tried to make it easy by offering some "stock" build kits. Those can be found on the product page for any of the frames that Sklar offers. This bike is built around the "GX Mechanical" kit, but Greg opted to upgrade to a cane creek helm fork. No problem. Because we order in parts and assmble completes to order we can be flexible. The lead time for a complete is usually around three weeks.
Why Mechanical GX in 2024?
Simple things work well and a mechanical drivetrain is a pretty simple thing. I am not opposed to technology, but on a bike like this that you either want to pull out of the garage and hop on to turn your brain off, or take on a long possibly multi-day adventure, a mechanical drivetrain is a great choice. I have been a fan of Sram GX for years because it performs great, isn't that heavy and it is realatively budget friendly. Mountain bike parts take a beating which means you are going to replace things from time to time. Replacing GX parts doesn't hurt so bad and I like that. You will see GX on all of my personal mountain bikes because IMO it is the ideal crossover of the best you can get for the least amount of money, which is the target I am always trying to hit in a bike build for you and for me. Unless you just want to be really fancy, that is cool too.
Benefits of the Cane Creek Helm Fork Upgrade
The Cane Creek Helm MKII is a great fork. I have tried all the forks over the years and these days they are all really good. The Helm is great for its' easy volume adjustment and the independent +/- air chambers. I find the ride to be super plush and nice and it is also cool that it happens to be made by a small company. I try to support those when I can.
A simple, fun, reliable trail bike
The combination of the GX Mechanical build and the Cane Creek Helm fork results in a mountain bike that excels in both performance and reliability. Some shiny bits like the cranks, bottom bracket and headset from White Industries are virtually indestructible and the Astral wheels run White Industries hubs that last forever and are super easy to service.
With the this build, Greg's Tall Tale Mountain bike build is truly a force to be reckoned with. Whether he's tackling steep climbs or ripping down technical descents, it is equipped to handle it all with precision and style.
Learn more about the Tall Tale here
