Grab a cold beverage, settle in and watch me build the Hardcore Hardtail of my dreams. Dawley Eponym

In this episode I build my new, custom geometry, hand-built Dawley Frame with all the right bits and bobs.
Big ups to my Shredding Spree supporters:
Berd Spokes- bit.ly/3AgZmWt
Dawley Bikes- www.dawleybikes.com
Trail Tuned Suspension- trailtunedsusp...
Lucky Luke Brewing- www.luckylukeb...
Full parts list and frame geometry below.
Frame- Dawley Eponym/Custom/T45 Steel www.dawleybike...
Wheel Set- Berd Spokes, TR30 bit.ly/3AgZmWt
Equipped with Industry 9 Hydra hub with XD Driver
Handlebar- Oneup 35mm Carbon Bar. 20mm rise
Brakes- Shimano XT 4 piston
Rotors- Shimano 203mm centerlock
Stem- Race Face, Turbine R
Headset- Ridworks Zs/EC44
Fork- RockShox Lyric 150mm
Seatpost- PNW Rainier 200 mm dropper
Dropper Lever- PNW Loam Lever
Saddle- WTB Voltage/Chromoly/Wide
Pedals- RaceFace Chester
Cranks- Sram GX 170mm
BB-Sram DUB
Chain- Sram XX1 Gold
Cassette- Sram GX Eagle
Derailleur- Sram GX
Shifter- Sram NX
Bottle Cage- Wolftooth Morse Cage/Ti
Grips- Ergone GA2
Tires- Front: Maxxis Minion DHF
Rear- Maxxis Aggressor
Frame Geometry-
Head Tube Angle- 64 degrees
Seat tube Length- 400mm
Reach- 450mm
Head tube length- 120mm
Chain Stay- 430mm
Seat tube angle- 77 degrees
BB Drop- 55

[@hardtailparty]

Beautiful build. Purple was definitely the right choice! I have a feeling it'll be night and day from that commencal.

[@ShreddingSpree]

It’s pretty unreal man. I’m thrilled with how much nicer it is to ride.

[@cycling_plurality]

Very rad! We have the exact same taste. I have a custom purple hardtail with a similar build and BERD coming in Feb... my accents are just silver. I really like what Dawley is doing as well.

[@mattmitchell5320]

As a hardtail fan myself, I have to say that is an incredibly gorgeous bike build. Great job!!!

[@TheInimitableEd]

I’ve just been given an early 2000’s GT aluminium frame by one of my best friends (and my tattoo guy). I rode downhill semi-pro as a teenager and had more bikes than hot dinners, but I’ve never built a bike from the ground up by myself. This video (and others like it) is really helping me with figuring out how everything goes together and what tools I’m going to need. Brilliant video, and great to see a fellow Midlander in Dawley bikes getting some much deserved attention too.

[@ShreddingSpree]

Glad you liked the video! Get that rig built up!!

[@yourlocalhooligan]

I'm a hardtail guy myself. All my friends are buying softies while I stick to my trusty hardtail steed. It is quite a great feeling when I beat them down a rough trail and I can rock that smug grin. Gorgeous build dude

[@ShreddingSpree]

“You’re riding this trail in THAT?” Ethan W- 😏

[@pauls3616]

I re-watched your build today after watching your video of enduro racing in the hardtail division. I have been wanting to get a steel hardtail just for something simpler and I guess to remind me of when i started riding and had a Kona explosif.

[@ShreddingSpree]

Doing more with less is a good feeling. One of the many reasons I love a good hardtail

[@KeganVanSickle]

That is a killer bike. I love the purple and gold, royalty.

[@eliroberts9362]

as a mechanic, the only things i noticed that were sub-optimal, were torqueing bolts with the ball end of your hex wrench, and not greasing the pedal threads. gorgeous build!

[@ShreddingSpree]

Jokes on you, my t-handles don’t have a ball end! You got me on the pedal grease though. I Was running out of time to shoot by the time I got the chain on and started rushing through. Shocked nobody has commented on me hammering the barb into the brake line… Or using needle nose to crimp the cable end instead of the crimper on the cable snips. 😂

[@eliroberts9362]

@@ShreddingSpree oh look at that! Btw I use the hammer method for the barb all the time (it works just fine lol and I haven't had any issues because of it).

[@stevebennett3587]

👌beautiful build, really like the geometry of the frame, it looks super aggressive👍great job.

[@glenlyman2882]

BOSS! Thom Dawley just put my T16 frame (the one that looks like a hardtail but is actually a FS) in the mail to post out to me. Yes, he was great to work with, and was also patient with me on the color...or colour (Dragon's Blood)! I too love my hardtails, yet I'm stoked to get this thing built up. It was fun watching this one come together, thanks!

[@ShreddingSpree]

Awesome! Congrats on the new whip! I haven’t ridden a t16 yet but I’ll bet you’ll love it

[@dcouture79]

Sweet bike and great build video! Builds are one of the best parts of a new bike. I just built a Nimble 9 and you’re right, hard tails are a blast!

[@ShreddingSpree]

Thanks for the good vibes! Hardtails are RAD

[@sajidahmed1570]

What you said at 4:04 just earned you my subscription.... 😎

[@jeremyprovonsil7886]

8:10 you have the blocks, pinch them onto the brake hose with some vise grips just after where the barb will end. (Firmly, just enough to hold them still, don’t crush them!). The hammer is cringey and a lot of times will bend the barb. All you have to do is grab the side of a wrench or any flat, hard surface and steadily push/squeeze the barb into the hose. It literally slides right in every time!

[@ShreddingSpree]

Thanks Jeremy! I was close with my technique, just with the hammer instead of pressing in the barb. I’ve done it this way a half dozen times and haven’t bent one yet but I’ll try your recommendation next time. 🤙🏻

[@cynthetikmusic]

I love the copper and purple together

[@lindavos7144]

The colors are super cool !😍

[@therealridedmc]

Only 1 beer to build a bike? You must be much better/faster at it than me!!! The only advice I can offer is take a toenail clipper and go over all those zip ties one more time - it will give them the cleanest/smoothest finish possible. Trust me. Have another beer while you're at it. Just found your channel and I really dig it. Keep it up.

[@ShreddingSpree]

Oooo, I like the toenail clipper idea.

[@deanwylie9893]

Sorry mate, I wasnt able to grab a cold refreshing can of water. I had a nice hot cup of tea and watched this on my commute to work. The purple and gold combo looks amazing, glad you didn't over purp it with those purple pedals.

[@ShreddingSpree]

Now you know.. Always have cans of water on standby.

[@nakitojimo2001]

Purple with gold accents, that's a pimp-ass frame homie!

[@theslowrider]

Woaaaa that bike looks sick!!! Love the color with those golden parts!! 😍

[@X0X0LFertilizer]

Excellent video production quality and superb build!

[@petedog9581]

Had a CroMo steel GT rigid 29er. It was my commuter bike at the time. Fast. Rode for a couple of years and newer bikes pushed it back in the rear of the stable, so I gave it to my buddy w the promise he would start to ride w me. It is in his garage on flats. He wishes it had a kick stand. Lol. Anyway, sweet build. Happy trails.

[@ShreddingSpree]

Like… flat tires? Or flat pedals? 😂 you gotta whip that dude into shape!

[@petedog9581]

@@ShreddingSpree He is beyond hope. I was just going to ride metro park paved trails w him too. Lol.

[@ShreddingSpree]

@@petedog9581 I’m re-evaluating this friendship for you 🤣

[@petedog9581]

@@ShreddingSpree He's a football game, pizza and beer friend. I owed him about $400 and I gave him a $600 bike as is used. The only thing worse than leaving the bike on flats is if he would have ridden with someone else. If it stays on flats, we can stay friends. Then, I know I am not just a cuck. Lol

[@edtorres6463]

The best upgrade on my hardtail was installing the PNW Coast dropper. It is the ONLY dropper with 40mm of air suspension. It saved my lower back.

[@malkeeble1791]

Sick build mate - love it!

[@davidziemelis1593]

Gotta be one of the nicest hardtails I've seen

[@chickensendies]

Absolutely stellar build! I'm a purple fan myself 😁😁😁

[@LordHolley]

I own 4 bikes, 2 are HT. I need to dust off my FS. My HTs by far get the most use. I'm really digging that Purple/Gold theme. Great looking ride!

[@pauls3616]

What a fantastic looking bike. Hope it rides as good as it looks. Thank you for the video.

[@ShreddingSpree]

The ride definitely doesn’t disappoint! I’ll get a ride analysis done soon!

[@FirstLightRider]

One thing (extra) left to do…shred with Steve at HTP again. Great video. Looking forward to future content with this and the Stumpjumper. Keep it coming

[@ShreddingSpree]

Definitely gotta have a hardtail party with Steve on this thing!

[@hardtailparty]

@@ShreddingSpree aw yeah!

[@arnorademeyer3367]

Quick tip on bolts like your stem etc put a tiny bit of greace on it so it don't seeze up. And a nother tip i learned after getting a dropper if it is acting up and dont wanna comr up easily use suspension oil

[@goonandgitracing7053]

Just came across this chanel and video, and this is the nicest bike I've ever seen, excellent build and quality

[@diveaddict6885]

Beautiful frame

[@filipmatatko2802]

Fuuuu....looks awesome! Very good component balance and colour choice!

[@ShreddingSpree]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Redhood-417]

Amazing build. Love the color selection.

[@seasonedsurfer23]

Super nice build, and those geo numbers look like it should be fun. Love a steel hardtail.

[@ShaunB181]

Wow this bike looks and most definitely would feel AMAZING I’m a huge fan of the purple couldn’t think of a better dream looking build 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ShreddingSpree]

You and me both!

[@clydes001]

Bike looks real nice. Congrats on the new bike. Hopefully I’ll get it see it around the local trails!

[@ignaciotapia6704]

I freaking love this dude

[@scottmasker4389]

This bike is sick. Well done. Go barney. Lol. Shred on🤘

[@WasabiWei]

Beautiful build and a very therapeutic video. Thanks for the wind-down material.

[@ShreddingSpree]

💜

[@mattlyone3147]

Love the purple. Looks great.

[@ShreddingSpree]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@GokkunGuru]

That’s a truly awesome build with top components man. Congrats!

[@halnogaies1256]

Wow, beautiful!

[@b1gchr1s29]

The best most robust mountain bikes are built of steel, i have a Ragley blue pig and absolutely love it

[@djsonfire0001]

Lacing those need with white spikes are dope!

[@ShreddingSpree]

I think I agree!

[@chrisandrews5881]

What a beauty! loving that low standover height. Enjoying my Ragley Blue pig steel hardtail

[@ShreddingSpree]

Ragleys are dope! Ride the 🥜 out of it!

[@ezsolc]

Awesome build.... I also have a purple ht build...love them

[@ShreddingSpree]

Nice 👍

[@ericj250]

I like this video. My dream is to build a prince theme

[@ShreddingSpree]

I could see prince sitting on this bike for an album cover photo. Like the purple rain cover. But in full Lycra with the fluffy scarf thing coming out the top

[@andrerodriguez7603]

I love riding my 2010 Yeti ARC hardtail. Excellent for climbing and responsive enough for single tracks. The aluminum frame makes it very light.

[@jpm408]

Is that a bigtop arc 29er?

[@andrerodriguez7603]

@@jpm408 nope, mine is older model with 26” wheels. Out of production.

[@archie68x]

Awsome build mate & love the colour scheme 👍🤟 , just recently bought a Kona Honzo ESD which is purple also and so much fun 🤩 I actually ride it more than my dually now 😎 Cheers 🍻

[@scottbeaman6355]

Never in my life have I seen a copper head set it's dope

[@freerideforever888]

Top notch vid man!! Bike looks trippy!!! 🤩🤩🤩

[@MBdrummer3288]

That is one BEAUTIFUL machine. My god 😮,

[@christiantabangay3202]

beautiful that would make a great se or big ripper I use to ride bmx and practice flatland 4 hours a day but then my bike just got busted up because all the parts were from the junk shop or my neighbors old kids bike or just hammy down standard parts and I called it frankinstein. rip my sweet ride I use to use it as a means of transportation to go to work but someday I will ride again into the sunset great build though so satisfying 👍👌🇵🇭❤️

[@ShredTactix]

Perfect! Love the geometry, and the build choices!

[@matthewelliott1976]

sick bike bro for realz , nice!

[@Casual_BackPacking]

Foam core will help a lot with vibration

[@jamesweldon8118]

I can already tell you're gonna get 100k subs in under 18 months

[@freemanadriv02]

Beautiful. Ride safe always

[@TheBarrettCompound]

Love the color 😍

[@ianpaulino1625]

Nice Build

[@Red_Bull2]

I love the use of shimano XT’s, they are great brakes that most people don’t realize how good they really are

[@juls_anto8087]

Awesome 👍 very good hardtail bike😁

[@ShreddingSpree]

Thanks ✌️

[@DirtyPandaMTB]

Sweet looking frame man 😍

[@Dream-season]

Stunning bike!

[@yengsabio5315]

Interesting build, & a good-lookin' one, I add! There is a local frame builder here at my end. I will save some for his frame build. Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines! #RideOn #KeepBiking

[@ttinnovations3310]

NICE ... like a sharp knife ...

[@soggymochasines]

Awesome build. Gold peddles would have been the way I would have gone. Great job.

[@smiley37greg]

She's fly homie!

[@JimmyBeanz13]

Nice build! Love the purple! I love my assegai/agressor combo on Ragley HT. Just switched to double ass though, may not roll as good, but going to see if it helps rear breaking when chattering through the rough stuff. One thing I know is traction will not be a problem! Mines all anno purple on a dark grey frame. I love the geometry you chose! The Ragley frame(big al) checks all the boxes except seat tube angle for me though at an amazing price point.

[@ShreddingSpree]

Thank you! Yeah those Ragleys are sweet! You’re assin pretty hard with one out back too. Lmk how you feel about it

[@ManiacMaxi]

Well, at first I thought: Wow, seems like a budget-friendly build there... then you pulled out the rims. I love enduro hardtails and steel frames, so this bike build is fire!

[@ShreddingSpree]

True. I felt like it was kind of just beyond budget friendly before the wheels. But then Berd stepped in and took it to 10000

[@ManiacMaxi]

@@ShreddingSpree Haha, thought so! How much does it weigh in? Not sure if I just missed it during the video..

[@ShreddingSpree]

It’s 30.4 lbs 🏋️

[@tnmtb3599]

First off completely beautiful build, the one thing I would change would have been trying to get a purple or gold i9 hub on the wheels instead of the black one, but… that’s just me being me. Nice work man!

[@ShreddingSpree]

I’m with you. I would’ve loved gold hubs. Wasn’t an option in this case tho.

[@prakadot]

super sick build! 🔥🔥🔥

[@dadbod4life]

What a bike!

[@bengray_adventures]

Sick build .! And love the frame 💜

[@swampy1584]

Stunning bike

[@zacharyberryhill]

The gave me a braingasm. I wish I could meet you irl. Purple color aside you can see the passion in this. Absolutely love this man. Definitely taught me a lot. I’m new to the mtb world. Kinda scared of it because of how pricey it can be. But I’m definitely hooked. As a first time mtb’r I tackled an intermediate trail in the Appalachia area for my first real trail ever! Did pretty good on a hardtail 29er Rockhopper. But I definitely have realized I need to upgrade my set up. Hydraulic brakes are the best thing I have going on lol.

[@ShreddingSpree]

Well I’m stoked that you’re stoked! Keep it going friend. As long as you’re more stoked on riding than buying new parts you’re doing it for the right reasons and the barrier of cost isn’t major. It sounds like you’ve got a solid setup so I hope you ride the wheels off that bike. When I lay in bed at night and think about riding bikes it makes just want to wake up and pedal. 💜

[@zacharyberryhill]

It is definitely addicting. I rode mtb as a kid/teen. But on low end budget bikes. When I purchased the bike I have and first hit the pavement it felt amazing. And every second of free time I have now there’s like a tick in the back of my brain telling me to go ride. Can’t throw a lot of money at anything right now as I have two very young children and they are priority. However right now I’m trying to learn as much as I can from riding and also from watching videos such as this to learn where to spend my time and money properly. After I watched this I literally went out and tuned my bike up best I could. I love stuff like this though. Love the edit and music and your vibe. I was even drinking a beer when I came across this. But it was very educational too! I’ll stick around man for sure.

[@thescandiflick]

Sweet Sweet Bike... Ive been waiting for this review as Im also considering to get the Eponym Frame from Dawley.Thom the owner of Dawley bikes is super helpful and very responsive.Communicating with him is part of why I would even consider it more to buy a frame from him. I look forwards for a ride review too ! Hope it rides as good as it looks.

[@ShreddingSpree]

Supporting small business is rad. Especially when they’re passionate and talented with what they do. This bike RIPS and I’m excited to do the review on it. It’s easily the best HT I’ve ever ridden.

[@thescandiflick]

@@ShreddingSpree I’m thinking of a mullet setup on the Eponym, seems like Dawley frames respond well to this setup Is yours a mullet as well ?

[@ShreddingSpree]

@@thescandiflick no I went full 29 on mine. Based on what I’ll be mostly using it for I think the 29 on the rear is a better choice for me. Ask Thom about his thoughts on this because I believe he’s run both setups. Also, the lower rear end will alter the stance/geo of the ride so that’s an important thing to consider.

[@thescandiflick]

@@ShreddingSpree Yes I read his blogs very interesting and so much to learn

[@lemojak76]

Im thinking of getting one, by any chance what is your height ShredSpree? I am 5'8"...the medium is about right but I think I can go longer on the reach a bit. Thanks

[@toxicmale1744]

Got to say that's a beautiful bike. Steel is still real.

[@troygerencer1620]

That build just "sexy" ! Nice job

[@GokkunGuru]

Hardtails for life!

[@edjack1993]

Work of art.

[@ShreddingSpree]

🤌🏼🤌🏼

[@FernandoSLima]

Wanna press like button thousand times.... Amazing.

[@Ryan-mv5wi]

tip for pushing brake barbs in get a vice and a hammer makes it way easyer reccoment using soft jaws tho

[@maligatorbaseball2789]

That looks amazing!

[@diveaddict6885]

I9 hubs sick hubs that’s what I run on the rear, CK on the front

[@METEORA_47]

hydra sound always sick

[@agent7574]

Sick ht bro.. Liked the vid Watched it twice

[@charlotachado6214]

nice build bro 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@mjbbiggzy4023]

I recon gold pedals would look so nice 👍

[@ShreddingSpree]

I hear you. Didn’t want to over do it. And I like polymer pedals because the color doesn’t get scraped off over time.

[@did4h2k]

with 30°C in my flat atm a cold beverage is a must :) now lets watch the remaining 19:41 minutes ;)

[@ericfolsom2251]

Gold peddles would be a great color

[@daledubose3032]

Awesome build

[@scvkurt03]

Gorgeous *and* shreddy! Congrats man.

[@ShreddingSpree]

Thanks KG!

[@Toolex]

Sick video!! Didn't realize you ran centerlock rotors

[@ShreddingSpree]

I got 6 bolt on the stumpy. I like center lock tho

[@poulin160]

Sick bike

[@T_track]

Lol love the water stay hydrated

[@MartinTeerly]

Beautiful 🤩

[@ExhumedToConsume]

The first 30 seconds of this video are just a giant flex on full suspension/emtb owners lmao

[@dylancarter8378]

great work! keep it up!

[@NilleGs]

Sweet build! But you need to get a layer of carbon assembly paste bewteen everything thats in contact with carbon! That includes in this example stem, brakelevers because theyre in contact with youre handlebar. This special grease just got little particles included so its just increasing the friction between the two objects that are involved. Otherwise your handlebar will brake off or something else bad! Have a great one!