Bonty Privateer Rebuild :: Parts/Build Advice Welcome

Duff code. Split into 2 replies.

It appears the content of my post isn't being displayed. When I edit it, it's all there. When I preview it, it's blank. Odd...

First Half:
I love my Bonty, even if it's a 97/98 Trek job, but in it's current build, it's too heavy for me. I am riding more than ever, on lighter bikes to work, and when I take this off road, it's like I'm ploughing a field. If I am keeping it, I want to make it lighter, given that I know it's a steel frame, but still, there is room for improvement I hope, without losing reliability.

Looking for ideas or recommendations for the components as I've not gone down this route before - nothing has broken on this bike despite minimal care and regular riding, but as I believe don't ride mechanically punishing routes, I think I can get away with going lighter.

About what kind of riding I'll be doing:
This is going to be my only off-road bike, and it gets ridden 2-3 times a week, most weeks, all weather, sh1t or shine. I've had the frame sprayed twice and it's in great condition, a tribute to steel and good design. I am not doing rock gardens on it but some of my routes have 60 second descents at high speed over rutted farm fields. I am looking at the rigid carbon forks, and thinking about them going wobble-wobble-pop. There are a couple of 3ft drops to take at speed too. Are they up to it?

It will get dirty and left for weeks without being cleaned :shock: in the works bike hut. I am not building an ornament. I am expect the bits to stand up to a couple of years use at least, no gossamer wonder parts that the team mechanic will swap every week for me.

Not looking for the lightest as I don't have that budget, but up to say, £75-100 a wheel, £150-200 on the crank. They look like the biggest expenses. The fork doesn't need too much travel as the frame was not designed for modern long-travel shocks.

This is the current setup:



Bombers from 2002.
HS33's
Sus post and Comfy saddle for when my back was bad - now swapped.
Stem now swapped for a Kore Elite.
Crankset is Suntour Duro. I know... It was black and very cheap.
It's on Schwalbe Marathon + MTB tyres because I was commuting on it, never flatted but they are useless in mud - the panaracers are going back on.

2nd half:

I want to keep the scheme black and red ano. The frame is in vgc, helitape is now yellowing but the paint is a very metallic black (link as the pic is very big but shows off the finish):

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/e19/e19a911a446199a573ee17ca8b7a3698_3b7.jpg

I was thinking of going with rigid carbon disc forks:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200662090171?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

carbon crank:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.co/Models.aspx?ModelID=40193

putting some lightweight v's on the back (the frame has no disc tab):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260854712663?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

..and running some lighter black-spoke wheels. I'll need a disc wheel for the front and a rim for the back. Any suggestions or comments on these choices?

Look at carbon cycles through Google they do the exotic carbon fork which is a very good price and has some good reviews. Waiting to ride my newish build - 98 coyote ht4 which I have some of the exotic forks. They also do carbon bars, stems and seatposts. Cranks wise deore ht2 with bb for around 60 new, not the lightest.