Tanglefoot Hardtack Core Crafted 27.5+ Microshift Build

Shred gravel, devour dirt roads like they're double stuffed oreos, and conquer epic tours without the custom price tag.  Scope the Tanglefoot Hardtack Core Crafted Microshift SWORD 10 speed build. A killer offering of components that ride like a moist dream and save you serious dough compared to a full custom build. Don't let "core" fool you – this rig is packed with premium parts we love and trust, from the buttery-smooth Bitex hubs laced to Velocity Blunt rims to smooth stopping and hyper adjustable TRP Spyre brakes.  SWORD is Microshift's new bike packing groupset, including ergonomic 10 speed levers, a clutch rear mech and a wide 11-48 rear gear spread.  We round out the kit not with generic Samox cranks and questionable bottom brackets, but with a fully nickel plated chain from PYC (who makes chains for the big guys), a SRAM SX Dub crankset and SRAM BB, and super slick stainless cables. 

The Tanglefoot Hardtack is a bike you won't have to upgrade.  All the bits are ready for big tours, hard miles, rocky muddy singletrack.  No cheapo wheels, no Formula / Novatec / Joytech hubs that last a season before the freehub explodes and you can't get a replacement.  We spec Bitex hubs, fully rebuildable, fast engagement, same sealed bearings White Industries uses.  Upgradeable to Microspline or SRAM XDR freehub body.  These are laced and tensioned in the US to American made Velocity rims, which are taped at the wheel factory with Velocity tubeless tape. 

The stock Core Crafted Hardtack comes with tubes, unless you choose to upgrade to a tubeless set up, but if you start with tubes and wanna go tubeless down the road, all you need are valves and sealant. 

Core Crafted bikes allow you to customize the fit and look of the bike, but they are not custom bikes.  If you want say, White Industries hubs, or a Dynamo set up, or an E13 cassette instead the stock unit, that's a full custom bike, which we're happy to build for you.  Core Crafted bikes let you customize bar width, bar tape, pedals, bottle cages and stem set up.  

Building the perfect fit:

• Know your numbers: Grab a buddy and measure your pubic bone height (seriously, this is key!). Do it three times, take the highest number, and slap it in the order comments with your desired bar height (level with saddle, 1" higher, or 2" higher for that relaxed touring vibe). Same goes for shoulder width – measure those bony spurs at the top of your sockets, round up to the nearest centimeter, and boom, you've got your bar width.  
• Stem magic: Your PBH and height determine your stem reach. We've got a sweet Creemee Aluminum or Chromo stem waiting for you, depending on your frame size and riding style.

• Extra Small Frameset:  76cm to 78cm PBH, rider height from 4'11" to 5'4".  Creemee Aluminum stem recommended for all rider heights, Creemee Chromo recommended for heavier riders or riders with hand numbness issues or back / neck pain.  

  Small frameset:  77-80cm PBH, rider height 5'4" to 5'8".   Creemee stem (either style) for 5'4 to 5'6", 5'8" use the Peeper stem.
  

  Medium Frameset:  80cm to 84cm PBH, rider height 5'8 to 5'11".  Creemee stem (either style) for 5'8 to 5'9", 5'10+ use the Peeper stem.

  Large Frameset: 84cm to 87cm PBH, rider height between 5'11 and 6'1.  Creemee stem (either style) for 5'11 , 6' plus use the Peeper stem.

  Extra Large:  88-98 PBH,  Riders between 6'2 and 6'8". Creeme stem either style for riders 6'2-6'4, 6'5+ use Chromo Peeper stem.

Ready to roll (almost):

Once you've sorted your bar width and stem set up and added it to the cart, don't forget to add the rest of the important essentials. Pedals, bottle cages, bar tape (gel comes standard with the Core Crafted Build), and a saddle. We're tubeless wizards too, so if you want those tires living that supple life, add that as well. Need a dropper post that plays nice with SWORD? We've got that too. You can grab all this stuff from us, or if you're a DIY wizard, feel free to bring your own bits to the party.

The Analog touch:

We hand-build every Hardtack in our Vermont workshop, pouring Kat and Mark's sweat and expertise into each frame. Expect a 30-day turnaround or less, then bam, your new two-wheeled BFF is ready to ship and rip. Shipping is a breeze with Bikeflights and full insurance, and your bike will arrive fresh from a test ride, cables nestled in like cozy wee kittens. Shipping is billed seperately after boxing and weighing your bike. You just gotta pop on the pedals, bars (pre-wrapped and tilted to perfection, mind you), slap on the front wheel, and bolt those rotors. Slowpokes, this build takes 90 minutes, but quick types can have it ready in 20.

So, ditch the cookie-cutter bikes and grab the Tanglefoot Hardtack Core Crafted Build. It's your passport to endless dirt-shredding adventures, built with love by the Analog crew. Get stoked, get dirty, and get ready to ride.

P.S. The Hardtack can handle up to five bottle cages – go nuts with King Manythings, Widefoot Liters, and Simworks John Cages – just let us know where you want them parked in the order comments. 

Specs:  

Frameset:  Tanglefoot Hardtack frame and fork

Headset:  Rollcii stainless angular contact sealed bearing

Stem:  Ritchey Trail

Bars.  you pick

Grips: you pick!

Brake levers : Shimano Tiagra flat bar

Shifter:  Microshift Advent X

Brakes:  TRP Spyre 

Seatpost:  Readymade Alloy 2 bolt Microadjustable

Saddle:  You pick

Seatcollar:  Readymade 29.8mm

Crankset: SRAM SX Dub spindle 32t 

Bottom Bracket: SRAM Dub

Chain:  PYC fully nickel plated with quick link

Rear Derailleur:  Microshift SWORD

Cassette:  11-48 Microshift with alloy cog carrier

Hubs:  Velocity branded Bitex 6 bolt 100 x 12 and 142mm x 12.

Spokes:  Butted stainless

Rims:  Velocity Blunt 35 with tubeless Tape

Tires:  Continental Cross King Shieldwall 27.5 x 2.6  Tubeless Ready Black

Tubes:  Teravail or Kenda or whatever is handy.