My goal with this bike was to create the perfect bike for BC Bike Race and Downieville. I wanted something that was light and climbed well but could also handle rough, high-speed descents.  With these things in mind, I opted for a 120mm Fox 34 Float Step Cast Factory fork for the extra stiffness and travel instead of going with the slightly lighter 100mm fork. I took the same approach when picking tires, I went with the Maxxis Aspen 2.4 MaxxSpeed with Vittoria Air Liner Light tire inserts for extra rim protection and the ability to run slightly lower tire pressure in the hopes to get added traction. Finishing off the build I went with a Shimano XTR 12-speed drivetrain, 2-piston XTR brakes with a 180mm rotor on the front and 160mm rotor on the back, Fox Transfer SL dropper post and Float SL shock, Velo Senso Ray saddle and Xpedo M-Force 8 XC pedals.