Yeti DJ (2004)

Order and Delivery

Trail build as ordered

There can be in my experience many differences between what is put down on paper, what is ordered, what is built and what becomes after trial and error the "right" build". For this project, I chose to let a bike shop build the bike. At the time of this build they had that experience that I didn't have and have seen all the pitfalls that can occur before.

So I went down to AD Cycles in the full knowledge that there would be changes to the specification. Either as a result of my inexperience, their experience, component availability, budget and impulse!

It had previously been agreed that the Marzocchi forks would probably be sourced from that well known Northern Irish company. I know that that company drives small bike businesses to despair. On the other hand if the UK distributers of Marzocchi can't supply to dealers, what is the solution to this dilemma? Answers on a post card please.

First issue was Halo components; the Combat rims were not available in white. The wheels I'd seen in he window had been built for another customer. The easy solution was to upgrade to SAS rims.

I'd decided prior to going to the shop that a nice headset was required for a Yeti. So I ordered a Hope in gold to match the Halo hubs.

Next up was the chain device. I was doubtful that Blackspire would be available and was prepared to go for something else. That something else was E.13 of course! An eye watering price in the catalogue, and the warning that most chain devices give grief to the workshop. I'd seen this previously on the SX Trail whose E.13 device had required some "modification" in the workshop. A quick call was made to Evolution to check the ISCG was old and not '05. Unlikely since it was an '04 frame. Hopefully the E.13 will work on the Yeti. Subsequently I found the compatibility table on the e.13 website that says that the DRS is compatible with the 2004 DJ.

Strangely I agreed to a Shimano XT rear mech. Saint had been mentioned but budget forced the issue. A generic cassette was chosen to keep costs down too.

White handle bars are in very short supply. Also seen by some as not "right" A nice, short 640mm, Kore Elite riser bar was offered and this fitted the bill. i.e. it was black.

Despite spending ages deciding Avid Juicy brakes, these were not available. I spied a 2005 Hope M4 and quickly agreed on that and a Mono Mini for the rear. 180mm rotors on the front and 160mm on the rear.

I also decided that the spare Syncross Mental pedals were indeed mental and chose some new DMR V.12s in white. There were some nice Gusset's, but these only came in unsuitable colours. Yes, even unsuitable for my taste.

Everything left I supplied from my spares collection. A motley bunch of components but unfortunately I'd run out of cash.

Yeti DJ as delivered 19/01/2008

The "new" old Yeti DJ was collected from AD Cycles 19/01/2008. It looked really good. And the bill was within my budget. A couple of surprises though: Instead of the 2005 Hope brakes, Andy had ordered new 2008 items with floating discs! This was a very nice surprise indeed. Secondly, as the Hope headset includes a Head Doctor - I didn't know that - this was used in preference to the Danger Boy six shooter cap and star washer set up.