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Readers’ Rides: Fair Wheel Bikes builds a large Open One+ under 16lbs

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Fair Wheel Bikes Open One+ 29er sub 16 lb large bike build
All photos c. Fair Wheel Bikes

When you think ultra light, what comes to mind? Small frames? Flexy components? A decrease in performance? Those concerns were all part of what motivated Fair Wheel Bikes in their recent build. After being challenged by a tall customer, Fair Wheel was tasked to come up with an ultra light build for a 29er race hardtail that wouldn’t give anything up in performance to get there. The result is a spectacular build that certainly qualifies as ultra light (especially considering the size), but one that claims not to give up anything in terms of performance…

Fair Wheel Bikes Open One+ 29er sub 16 lb large bike build

From Fair Wheel Bikes:

We were recently challenged by one of our taller customers to build a large hardtail mountain bike that pushes the limit on low overall weight without sacrificing the bike’s functionality and race-worthiness. That meant careful selection of lightweight components and hardware, excluding any options that could cause a notable decrease in performance. Obviously, lighter pieces will generally have a trade-off in functionality and/or longevity compared with their heavier counterparts, but the goal was to balance those trade-offs. No going with skinny tractionless tires, super narrow bars, or aluminum cassettes that don’t shift well. It seems to us we may have found a pretty good balance with this build. We’ll go over some of the highlights before posting the complete build list.

Frame:  We started with the Open One+ frame. Claimed weight for a Large is 885 grams. We started a bit behind the line, since our frame came in at 923 grams (923 grams not including the derailleur hanger, seat collar or cable stops in the frame. But it’s still a light frame for its size and well-regarded performance. To help shave off some of the extra mass we replaced the stock Cane Creek 110 headset with a set of Cane Creek AER bearings. Tipping the scales at 47 grams complete, the AER headset saved about 20 grams over the stock 110 headset. We shaved another 8 grams by swapping the stock collar for the Tune Schraubwurger.

Fork: For mountain bikes, the suspension fork is by far the heaviest single component, with even so-called “lightweight” forks coming in at well over 1300 grams. We opted for the not-so-common German:A Xcite Zero (air sprung), with actual weight at 1102 grams for a 29″ 100mm travel version with 36mm stanchions. Being a relative unknown (especially in the U.S.), this was arguably a risky component choice, but the appeal of saving almost half a pound was too good to pass up.

Fair Wheel Bikes Open One+ 29er sub 16 lb large bike build

Seating and Cockpit: For the cockpit, we used a combination of Schmolke TLO bars in a 700mm width (93 grams), mixed with a full carbon Mcfk 100mm stem (83 grams.) To complete the rear end of the cockpit, we again chose Schmolke for their TLO 27.2×350 seatpost (97 grams) and the tried-and-true Tune Speedneedle Alcantara saddle (90 grams).

Fair Wheel Bikes Open One+ 29er sub 16 lb large bike build

Wheels: As another generally heavy component of an XC race bike, the wheels were also an important factor in this build. We were fortunate enough to have access to a new, yet-to-be-released wheelset from Alchemist. Similar to their RR Marathon wheelset, these are the RR.29. Each full carbon rim uses Alchemist’s Ridge Reinforcement Technology to produce a light and stiff wheelset using their own hubs and Sapim CX-Ray spokes. Actual weight of this wheelset came in at 538 grams front and 709 grams rear. The offset rim design has an internal width of 26mm. The wheels were mated to a set of Schwalbe Rocket Ron 29×2.25 Tires at 285 and 289 grams. Whiskey tubeless tape, Stan’s sealant and KCNC tubeless valves were used to complete the wheelset.

Fair Wheel Bikes Open One+ 29er sub 16 lb large bike build

Shifting: The shifting of the Open’s 1×11 drivetrain is handled by Shimano’s flawless M9000 series XTR mechanical shifter and derailleur combo, mixed with a Sram XX1 10/42 cassette. The shifter was tuned slightly with some bolt replacements and a new barrel adjuster from Far and Near, taking its stock weight of 104 grams down just a few to 99 grams.

Crankset:  We opted for the THM M3 (372 grams), one of the lightest carbon cranks on the market, along with a RaceFace BB92 (56 grams) bottom bracket, Extralite OctaOne chainring (31 grams) and Parts of Passion chainring bolts (4 grams).  The POP bolts were at half their normal weight since the Extralite chainring already has the female part integrated.

 

Brakes: As with the shifting, Shimano M9000 XTR brake levers and calipers were not a difficult choice. Paired with some Ashima Ai2 160mm stainless rotors and alloy rotor bolts, this actually makes for an incredibly light, yet functional, braking system.

Details:  As is often said, “the devil is in the details,” and with what is listed above, the bike is off to a great start. However, continuing to shave a gram here or there through all the little pieces can really make a difference. Some of the details used were Alligator mini I-link cable housing with Shimano cable (21 grams) Extralite Ultrastar3 expander plug (6 grams), Kmc X11SL chain (235 grams), and Extralite Hypergrips (11 grams).

The final race-ready weight with pedals was 7.2 kg (15.8 lbs).

Build List
  • Frame – Open One+ 922.6 grams
  • Fork – German:A Xcite Zero 1101.9 grams
  • Expander – Extralite Ultrastar3 6.1 grams
  • Cranks – Thm Clavicula M3 371.9 grams
  • BB – RaceFace Cinch 56.5 grams
  • Chainrings – Extralite Octaone 36T 31.4 grams
  • Chainring Bolts – Parts of Passion 3.9 grams
  • Pedals – Eggbeater 169 grams
  • Bars – Schmolke TLO 93 grams
  • Handlebar Tape – Extralite Hypergrips 11.1 grams
  • Shift Levers – Shimano M9000 XTR 99.2 grams
  • Shift Cable/Housing – M9000 Cable/Alligator Mini I-link Housing 21.4 grams
  • Rotors – Ashima Ai2 – 160mm 141.1 grams
  • Stem – Mcfk Carbon – 100mm 82.6 grams
  • Saddle – Tune Speedneedle Alcantara 89.7 grams
  • Seatpost – Schmolke TLO 96.4 grams
  • Seatpost Collar – Tune Schraubwurger 10.2 grams
  • Headset – Cane Creek AER Series II 47 grams
  • Spacers – Cane Creek AER 7.4 grams
  • Top Cap – Carbon-Ti X-Cap 5.4 grams
  • Front Derailleur – None
  • Rear Derailleur – Shimano M9000 XTR 221.7 grams
  • Chain – Kmc X11SL 235.8 grams
  • Brakes – Shimano M9000 XTR 411.7 grams
  • Bottle Cages – Fair Wheel V2 Carbon 38.4 grams
  • Bottle Cage Bolts – Kcnc 4.6 grams
  • Wheelset – Alchemist RR.29 1247.6 grams
  • Thru Axles – German:A/Open 88.6 grams
  • Rim Tape – Whiskey 15.4 grams
  • Cassette – Sram XX1 268.7 grams
  • Tires – Schwalbe Rocket Ron 2.25 1176.6 grams
  • Tubeless Valves – Kcnc Universal 9.8 grams
  • Sealant – Stan’s NoTubes 108 grams

fairwheelbikes.com

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19 Comments
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Lois
Lois
6 years ago

Choose a Trickstuff Piccola Brake and you will save another 100g

Klaster_1
Klaster_1
6 years ago
Reply to  Lois

Or RD tuning by Hopp, Berk seatpost combo, LB Flyweight/Extralite wheelset. Still a great build, though.

JBikes
JBikes
6 years ago

Unless custom parts are being made, I am not sure I see the surprise here.
Maybe it’s nice in that it may tell people about components they don’t know about.

Collin Snyder
Collin Snyder
6 years ago

The tire weights in the article do not match the breakdown list. 290ish grams would be a road tire. No way you’re going to find an off road tire that can handle anything more than the most highly polished marble floor at 280 grams. The breakdown weight of 1100 grams for the set seems more believable (light skin version of the rocket ron)

Mike
Mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Collin Snyder

I’ve got the same tires… mine are in the 550+ g range each. I think that’s got to be a typo. The parts list says: “Tires – Schwalbe Rocket Ron 2.25 1176.6 grams”, which is totally believable. Overall I’m struck by the ordinariness of this build in terms of parts. Totally everyday-rideable.

Jeff
Jeff
6 years ago

One thing I’ve always wondered on feather light builds… Once you’ve preset the torque on your stem top cap and tightened the stem bolts, why not ditch the top cap, bolt, and star-fangle. The stem is going to keep the torque consistent. The cap and star-fangle are really just a “tool” to pull it altogether.

Obviously, this isn’t super practical from an every day ride standpoint, especially with potential for crash and need to loosen/straighten/re-torque.

Jeff
Jeff
6 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

….I’m probably missing something. Feel free to set me straight on this.

Mike
Mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

Pretty sure there were some pros doing this at one point. Top caps seem belt and suspenders to me also. But then again, I like the 20grams of insurance.

BrainDamageAintSoBad
BrainDamageAintSoBad
6 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

Same reason you plug your bars. Also, if you crash you’ll unload the tension on the headset…and then also not be able to straighten the bars back out…

Anthony
Anthony
6 years ago

If you have the cash to play Fairwheel will not disappoint. Killer build.

Seraph
Seraph
6 years ago

With infinite funds I could easily build a sub-16 lb XC hardtail. Even without having to go crazy with custom parts. Next try to build something that light on a limited budget.

Robin
Robin
6 years ago
Reply to  Seraph

I’m going to assume that FWB’s customer had a finite budget.

Chris
Chris
6 years ago

Aluminum bolts to secure disc rotors seems a bit sketchy.

Mac
Mac
6 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Not at all when all 6 are there. I’ve seen forum WWs use 3.

Collin Snyder
Collin Snyder
6 years ago
Reply to  Mac

I wouldn’t consider myself a WW but I’ve used 3 forever, although I use standard Steel bolts.

Beat_the_trail
Beat_the_trail
6 years ago

My last MTB was a Trek Superfly 9.8sl frame built up with a reasonable kit (XT8000, Fox 32 fork Bontrager carbon cockpit) and some beefy wheels (I have a tendency to be hard on wheels, so I suffer there) it was 23lbs with pedals and cages. My new bike is a Chromag Rootdown BA with a MRP Ribbon fork beefier wheels, bigger brakes, more aluminum parts, less carbon and a Bontrager Line dropper. It’s nearly 33lbs. You’d think the 10 lb would be like carrying an anchor, but it’s not. In a lot of ways, it’s faster, definitely when I point it down hill, but even climbing, the extra mass is there but not a huge hindrance. Plus, it’s way more fun and I don’t worry about destroying it when I bail in a rock garden.

Mac
Mac
6 years ago

I’m impressed the wheels have a 26mm internal width at that weight. The fork crown however; that looks very noodly.

some slow guy
some slow guy
6 years ago

Looks like 2-4 grams of additional weight savings could be had by using a Cane Creek / eeCycleworks eeNut Preload/Topcap Assembly – 9.6gr for the expander/bolt/topcap altogether.

Nice build though for sure!

jxjjd
jxjjd
6 years ago

call me when the thing is more capable than a gravel bike… theres a reason these arent raced and its not a sponsorship issue

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