XC build priority list

[OnTheRivet]

If you are on a budget you should source everything from the "used" market. With some smart shopping you can build a really nice bike for 50% of what it would cost new. Particularly with XC stuff it never really gets ridden hard like Trail/enduro stuff so not that much of a concern with stuff being clapped out.

After the recent new Rockshox models, some shops still have the old models available with nice discounts. It is easy to find old series Sid models with 50% discount from the list price, for example. No need to buy second hand.

Check for instance the r2-bike.

True, I just got a new take off 2022 SID Ultimate for 50% msrp but this is a recent phenomenon with bike(parts) sales plummeting from pandemic levels. Used market is still a good bet.