Building a lightweight Unno Horn without losing ride quality

Building a lightweight Unno Horn without compromising ride quality

A lightweight mountain bike sounds simple. Choose the lightest frame, add the lightest components and keep removing grams until the number on the scale looks right.

In reality, a good lightweight build is much more complicated than that. For this project, the customer came to us with one clear idea: build a very light cross-country mountain bike around the Unno Horn frameset, while keeping it fast, capable and enjoyable on the trail. That last part matters. Because the lightest possible bike is not automatically the best bike to ride.

Starting with the rider's idea

Although Unno is not a brand we sell, that did not have to stand in the way of the project. The customer came to us with the Unno Horn as the starting point and asked us to turn that idea into a complete bike. From there, we looked at the build as one complete system. Not every component was chosen purely because it was the lightest available. The goal was to find the right balance between low weight, stiffness, control, reliability and the character of the bike itself.

That resulted in a build with some very distinctive choices. A Gemini Propus cockpit with HyperGrips ExtraLite. THM Clavicula XC cranks combined with a Carbon-Ti chainring. Trickstuff Piccola Carbon brakes. A SRAM drivetrain featuring components from the exclusive SRAM Eagle Transmission 1987 Collection, including the cassette and derailleur, complemented by the Hopp Carbon derailleur upgrade. ELKUCH XC SL wheels with 55 mm René Herse Fleecer Ridge tires.

Every component contributes to the bike in its own way. Some were chosen to save weight, others to improve performance, durability or simply because they perfectly matched the vision behind this project. Together, they create a bike that feels just as special to ride as it looks.

Lightweight, but still made to be ridden

The RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant suspension and 150 mm RockShox Reverb AXS dropper are a good example of the thinking behind this build. Neither is the absolute lightest option available, but both add real performance and capability on the trail. If the only goal had been to achieve the lowest possible number on the scale, a simpler setup would have made more sense.

But this bike still needed to perform properly on the trail. Flight Attendant automatically adjusts the suspension while riding, helping the bike remain efficient when pedalling and active when the terrain demands more control. The Reverb AXS dropper adds extra confidence on steep descents and technical sections. These components add some weight, but they also make the bike far more complete and capable.

And that is exactly the balance we were looking for. Saving weight where it makes sense, without removing the parts that make the bike faster, more capable or simply better to ride.

The details make the complete build

A custom build is rarely about one standout component. It is about making sure everything works together. The gearing needs to match the intended riding. The cockpit needs to fit the rider. The braking performance needs to suit the speed and terrain. The wheels, tires and suspension all influence how the bike feels once it leaves the workshop.

That is where our role in a project like this becomes important. The customer came to us with a clear vision and already had a number of specific preferences, including the ELKUCH wheelset. We advised on, sourced and combined the remaining components, making sure the complete build worked as one bike rather than as a collection of lightweight parts.

Protected from the first ride

A bike like this is built to be ridden, but that does not mean the finish should immediately suffer. The Unno Horn was therefore also treated with the BikeProtector Introduction Package, including PPF and coating.

The PPF protects vulnerable parts of the frame against stone chips, rubbing and everyday wear, while the coating makes the bike easier to clean and helps preserve the finish. Especially on a frame with this level of detail, protecting it from the start simply makes sense.

More than the brands we sell

This project also shows that a custom build at BikeSuperior does not always have to start with a bike or frameset from one of the brands in our showroom.

Sometimes a customer comes to us with a clear idea or a specific frameset in mind. Our role is then to bring the complete build together: advising on the right components, sourcing everything that is needed and making sure every part works together as one complete system. That is exactly what we did with this Unno Horn.

A lightweight cross-country mountain bike, built around one clear vision, without turning it into a bike that is only impressive on the scales.

Thinking about your own custom build?

Whether you already have a specific frameset in mind or want to build your dream bike from the ground up, we'd be happy to help. From component selection and compatibility to the final build and frame protection, every decision should suit both the rider and the way the bike will actually be used.

Because a great custom build is not about choosing the lightest component in every category.

It is about building the right bike.