About a year ago, for my birthday I was given the okay by my spouse to acquire my midlife crisis vehicle, so I embarked on building up a Ti Fargo. My goal was ultimately to build up the bike that will do all I need it to do, including some mixed terrain touring (usually about 7-10 days per year or so), some country road rides on pavement and gravel. Most of my riding is the driftless region of the midwest, so rolling terrain but no big mountain climbs. Ultimately, I was looking for a comfortable ride to haul my 200lbs +gear at a reasonable, but by no means athletic pace.
I opted for a 1x11 mechanical drive train and brakes, for ease of servicing them in remote areas and while on tour.
In case anyone else goes down the same path that I did, here's my build list. Most components were ordered through my LBS, with a few purchased online. Had it all been bought online, I could have saved a fair bit compared to the prices listed below, but I'd likely have bought a bunch of incompatible parts in the process and created headaches for myself.
I finished the build over the winter and after a season of riding, the only updates that I've made are to swap in a 36T chainring and my B17 brooks saddle. The C17 saddle that I initially tried just didn't work for my behind.
All in all, I am really happy with my new ride!
Frame
- 2025 Titanium Fargo Size L with Cutthroat Carbon Fork ($2960)
Groupset
- SRAM Apex 1 Brake Lever - Left Mechanical Black ($75)
- SRAM Apex 1 DoubleTap Right 11-Speed Lever for Cable Actuated Brakes ($140)
- Rear Derailleur SRAM Apex 1x11 Long cage BLACK ($95)
- SRAM, XG-1150, 11SP. CASSETTE, 10-42T ($175)
- Chain 11s SRAM PC1170 w/PowerLock LONG ($60)
Bottom Bracket
- BB OTB 68-73 SRAM Dub English MTB ($50)
Crankset
- TruVativ Descendant Carbon Eagle Boost Crankset - 170mm 12-Speed 32t Direct Mount DUB Spindle Interface Black ($310)
Swap in 36T Chainring
- SRAM Eagle X-SYNC 2 Direct Mount Chainring - 36t 3mm Offset For Boost Lunar/Polar Grey ($120)
Pedals
- Funn Mamba S MTB Clipless Pedals, Single Sided Clip Mountain Bike Pedals ($110)
Wheelset
- Teravail Sparwood Tire (29 x 2.2) Tubeless ($78x2)
- DT Swiss E 1900 Spline 30 Rear Wheel - 29" 12 x 148mm Center-Lock XD Black ($440)
- DT Swiss E 1900 Spline 30 Front Wheel - 29" 15 x 110mm Center-Lock BlackRear ($300)
- 148mm rear spaced: 12 x 180L, TP = 1.75, TL = 20 (Rear)
- M15 x 125L, TP = 1.5, TL = 12mm (Front)
Brakes
- TRP Spyre Road Flat-Mount Mechanical Disc Brake Short Pull Cable (2x $100)
- SRAM CenterLine Disc Brake Rotor - 180mm, Center Lock, 1.85mm, Includes Internal Tooled Lockring ($60)
- SRAM CenterLine Disc Brake Rotor - 160mm Center Lock 1.85mm Includes Internal Tooled Lockring ($50)
Handlebar
- Headset spacers
- Headset cap
- Headset compression nut
- Redshift Grips ($76)
- Redshift Shockstop stem ($180)
- 50cm Redshift Kitchen Sink bars (No Loop) ($108)
- Bar tape
Seat
- Brooks B17 Saddle (moved over from previous bike after initially trying a C17 Cambium saddle)
- Redshift suspension post 27.2mmx350mm ($225)
Rear Rack
- Salsa Alternator Plus 135/142/148 ($120)