COMPLETE MTB · THE CONNECTED BUILD

The whole bike, connected.

From the frame to the final setup: one conventional, full-suspension 1×12 mountain-bike plan, with every component group accounted for.

A reference build, not a tested custom bike. This guide uses the documented Santa Cruz Hightower 3 MY23 to connect our component recipes. It is not your bike specification or an order-ready package. Exact frame size, rider fit and the unresolved checks below must be settled before ordering or cutting parts.

Start with a real frame.

The reference is a 29-inch frame with a 73 mm threaded bottom-bracket shell, a 34-tooth maximum chainring and a native 180 mm rear post mount. Its fork range is 150–160 mm with 44 mm offset. The linked assembly guides carry its headset, shock and seating dimensions.

Original frame specification, builds & diagrams

Keep the frame serial, generation, size and current hardware with this record. A different Hightower generation or another frame requires a fresh fit check.

One connected parts plan.

Reference MTB parts plan
Assembly	Candidate selection	Evidence and remaining fit checks
Frame & rear suspension	Hightower 3 MY23; retain its original frame-approved air shock, linkage and mounting hardware	Shock dimensions, tune & hardware Confirm condition, exact shock identity and service history.
Fork	Lyrik Ultimate D1 candidate: 29 / 160 mm / 44 mm / tapered steerer / 15 × 110	Fork, front hub & brake interfaces Travel and offset follow the frame specification; confirm exact variant, crown clearance and usable steerer.
Headset & cockpit	Cane Creek 40 IS41/28.6 \| IS52/40; Race Face Turbine R 35 stem + Atlas 35 bar; ODI Elite Pro grips	Complete headset stack & controls Stem length, rise, bar width and spacers depend on fit. Use the headset’s own crown race.
Wheels	Hope Fortus 30 SC 29-inch pair with Pro 5: front 15 × 110, rear 12 × 148; MICRO SPLINE rear driver	Rims, hubs, spokes & inflation Select CENTER LOCK versions for the XT rotors below. This differs from the six-bolt wheel example; verify exact wheel order codes and end caps.
Gearing	Mechanical XT 1×12: SL-M8100-R, RD-M8100-SGS, CS-M8100-12 10–51, CN-M8100, FC-M8100-1 + SM-CRM85 32T, BB-MT801	XT recipe, chain & connector Cassette-to-driver and system interfaces are documented. The crank’s 52 mm chainline still needs frame confirmation; choose crank length and check clearance.
Brakes	BL-M8100 / BR-M8120 front and rear; matching BH90 hose assemblies; RT-MT800 CENTER LOCK rotors, 180 mm each	XT hose fittings, pads & fluid This plan uses 180 mm instead of the linked recipe’s 203 mm example to follow the native mounts. Confirm caliper clearance, bolts and lockring/tool clearance on both ends.
Tires & inflation	Two 29-inch tubeless-ready tires, compatible tape, two valves and matched sealant; carry a compatible spare tube	Exact tire candidates & sealant quantities The Schwalbe 62-622 candidate requires actual inflated frame/fork clearance checks. Choose front/rear tread and casing for the riding; nominal size alone is insufficient.
Seating	OneUp V3 31.6 mm dropper + V3 remote with independent 22.2 mm bar clamp; WTB Silverado Traditional Medium Cromoly	Saddle rails, travel, collar & routing Measure travel, insertion and saddle height. The frame collar is a separate diameter; include cable and housing.
Pedals & rider contact	Shimano PD-M8120 + SH51 cleats and suitable SPD shoes; alternatively Race Face Chester flat pedals	Pedal threads, shoes & release checks Choose one route; include washers only as specified, and confirm clearance with crank boots.
Fittings, supplies & equipment	Frame axle/hanger, guides, guards, routing fittings, fasteners, fluids, service tools and trail repair kit	Small parts that complete the bike A chain guide or bash guard is optional and needs its own mount/clearance check. Electric assistance is not installed in this conventional reference.

Alternative recipes remain available: Shimano / SRAM comparison Hope crank connection Hope braking. Changing a system means revisiting its neighboring interfaces, not substituting one name in the order.

Nothing disappears between categories.

All 34 component groups accounted for
Component group	Recipe	Place in this build
01 · Frames and framesets	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
02 · Suspension linkage	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
03 · Frame fittings	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
04 · Fork assembly	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
05 · Rear shock	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
06 · Headset	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
07 · Handlebar and stem	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
08 · Hand contact	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
09 · Shifting controls	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
10 · Derailleurs	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
11 · Cranksets	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
12 · Chainrings / chainwheels	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
13 · Bottom bracket	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
14 · Cassette / sprockets	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
15 · Chain	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
16 · Chain management	Open the connection	Chain retention in drivetrain; optional added guide/bash guard requires documented fit
17 · Pedals	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
18 · Complete wheelsets	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
19 · Rims	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
20 · Hubsets	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
21 · Spokes and nipples	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
22 · Tires	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
23 · Tubes	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
24 · Tubeless	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
25 · Brake assemblies	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
26 · Brake wear and fit parts	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
27 · Saddle	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
28 · Seatpost and clamp	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
29 · Dropper actuation	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
30 · Cables, hoses and routing	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe
31 · Electronic and power systems	Open the connection	Not required for the mechanical reference; AXS is a separate alternative system
32 · E-bike drive system	Open the connection	Not installed; an e-bike requires a purpose-designed frame and matched electrical system
33 · On-bike equipment	Open the connection	Optional riding equipment; trail repair supplies included in the service plan
34 · Care and service	Open the connection	Covered by the linked assembly recipe

“Covered” means the guide explains the connection. It does not mean every product combination is verified. This completes the conventional MTB assembly path; other riding genres and electric systems retain their own requirements.

Turn the plan into a complete order.

Frame and suspensionFrame, shock and both mounting ends; linkage hardware; fork axle; frame rear axle and hanger; headset bearings, crown race, cover, preload hardware and spacers.
Two complete wheelsCorrect front/rear hubs, rims, spokes and nipples; two tires, rim preparation, two valves and sealant. Include driver, end caps and two rotor lockrings appropriate to the selected wheels.
DrivetrainCranks, ring and mounting hardware, bottom bracket and specified spacers, cassette, derailleur, shifter and clamp, cable/housing, chain and new connector. Record chosen crank length.
Two complete brakesLevers/clamps, calipers, two rotors, pads and retention hardware, hoses of adequate length, correct fittings and mounting bolts; specified fluid and bleed equipment.
All contact pointsStem and bar, grips/end plugs, saddle, post, frame collar, remote/clamp/cable/housing, pedals and compatible shoes or cleats.
Finish the small partsRouting ports/grommets, protection, prescribed lubricants and treatments, tools, inflation and trail repair supplies. Check what each box includes before duplicating or omitting hardware.

Build in a useful order.

Confirm the frame identity and size, rider measurements and every unresolved interface. Record exact part numbers and manufacturer manuals.
Inspect the frame, linkage and original shock assembly. Fit approved hardware and replace worn parts using the frame instructions.
Establish headset, fork, stem and spacer fit before cutting the steerer or bar. Confirm crown and tire clearance.
Plan internal hoses, shift housing and dropper housing while access is available. Follow frame-specific routing order, including any access affected by bottom-bracket installation.
Fit the bottom bracket, cranks, chainring, cassette, derailleur and shifter. Size the chain by the exact drivetrain procedure and set adjustment.
Complete wheels and inflation, axles, rotors and brakes. Fit and bleed hoses with the correct system-specific fluid and fittings.
Set the saddle, dropper, controls and pedals for the rider. Check steering and suspension movement without pulling or pinching lines.
Complete the final checks below, then perform a controlled function check, brake bedding and rider-specific suspension setup.

This is an assembly map, not a substitute for component installation procedures. Use each joint’s specified torque and thread treatment; one generic torque value cannot cover a bike.

Complete means checked, not just installed.

Final build record
Check	Record	Completion requirement
Identity & fit	Record frame size, rider fit, exact versions and serials	Resolve chainline, shock tune/hardware, steerer length, dropper travel and actual clearances before signing off.
Fasteners & retention	Check all mounting hardware with the applicable instructions	Axles, headset/stem/bar, cranks, pedals, saddle/post, pivots, rotors, calipers, clamps and cable retention.
Motion & controls	Check steering, shifting, braking, dropper and suspension through their operating range	No binding, unwanted contact, leaks, loose parts or hose/cable tension; verify pedal release where applicable.
Tire & suspension setup	Record pressure, sealant, sag and damping for the rider	Respect all component limits; recheck tire clearance, seating and air retention.
First ride & follow-up	Controlled function check and manufacturer brake bedding procedure	Reinspect after the initial ride and follow the manuals’ service intervals. Resolve any fault before normal riding.

Still required for this reference: the actual frame and rider measurements, exact component order codes, frame chainline confirmation and hands-on clearance/function checks. These are deliberate open fields—not compatibility passes. The guide now connects every assembly so those decisions have a place.

Compare published manufacturer builds Find buying & assembly support

Manufacturer sources checked September 28, 2026. Product examples and interface comparisons are identified separately from bike-specific fit. No assembled custom bike has been tested by iCyclery.