Yacoby

Hi

My bike was creaking when pedaling, so I replaced the bottom bracket and added a SKS chainbow at the same time. However the crank doesn't fit on the new bottom bracket, and it is far enough out that the front mech can't reach the big ring (I was expecting 1-2mm of difference due to the SKS chainbow)

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The crankset is a Shimano FC-M361 and the previous bottom bracket was VP-BC73A. The text on this was 68x122.5. The Shimano docs suggest that I needed a "BB-UN26 (-K)" bottom bracket.

As this is no longer available I bought a UN300 122.5 LL123 (BB-UN300 Square Taper 68mm BSA Bottom Bracket 122.5mm (LL123))

I installed

I am relatively new to mountain biking and so need a better bike, which I would probably prefer to be of strong and cheap variety (strong, cheap, light, pick two). The bike I have ride at present isn't that upgradable and I have no wish to upgrade it as it would become more attractive to steal (It is left locked outside pubs etc) so I unfortunately can't slowly upgrade my current bike.

Given that I haven't built a bike from scratch before is it advisable to try and build one from second hard parts? Any comments or suggestions about the idea?

I am fairly new to mountain biking (XC) and have found that I need backpack, preferably with a water bladder.

The one thing I ended up unsure about was the size needed as I know I would want something at least the size of the CamelBak mule to fit tubes, spare clothes and knee pads into, however I wanted a bag that would adapt and cope with anything that I did (e.g. I occasionally do 6 - 8 hour more road orientated rides).

Have people found something the size of the Mule (12L) adequate? The alternatives would be something like the Nomad (18L)? Any other comments for someone looking at getting a bag that will last 3+ years.

UPDATE - Cheers for the information and the alternative options