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Quality SSCX

Old 11-04-17, 03:26 PM
  #1  
Hiro11
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Quality SSCX

My gravel bike was recently completely destroyed in a bad crash. As a result, I'm back on the market for a new gravel bike. I'll use the bike for fast/flat road/gravel training and several 3-4 hour flat gravel events a year. I won't race cross on it. I don't need rack mounts and I'm not going to mount fenders on this bike.

Here are my preferences:
- Budget is $2K-$2.5K
- Single speed
- Steel frame yes, aluminum maybe, carbon maybe, Ti in my dreams (looks wistfully at the No22/Firefly/Moots)
- Room for big tires (preferably up to 45s)
- Threaded BB
- I don't mind a custom build, starting with a frameset is fine
- I want to bring it in around 21-22 lbs, but I prioritize reliability and quality over weight savings
- Fairly racy geometry: I like road/CX race geometry: about 4" of saddle to bar drop, ~73 parallel angles and short chainstays. I don't want ultra-steep true track geometry.
- I like disc brakes a great deal but I'm a little suspect of the idea of disc brakes on a SSCX bike as aligning the rotor while tensioning the chain seems like a total pain. I don't mind cantis, not a lot of braking around here.

I have a Kilo WT that I like, but that's a budget bike and a bit of a pig. I want something higher quality and a significantly racier. I really like the Nature Boy 853, it has some interesting rear dropouts that might make aligning the rotor a bit easier. The upcoming Wabi Thunder looks right up my alley and will likely come in well below the top end of my budget but might be a little too commuter-y for me. Beyond that, what are some other options?

Last edited by Hiro11; 11-04-17 at 03:34 PM.
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Old 11-04-17, 04:23 PM
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Wolverine has great dropouts (especially for disc brakes), fits fat tires while maintaining shortish CS, well priced, color choice, fork choice.
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Old 11-04-17, 04:27 PM
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Private Jake on sale at jensonusa in certain sizes. I keep wanting one of those. SS, stiff, short stays, bang.
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Old 11-04-17, 07:57 PM
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All-City Nature Boy, I have two - one in their 612 select cromoly (so basic one) and Reynolds 853, both disc and rear brake alignment is solid and easy. Built in chain tensioners and very nice finish and paint
I can measure exact clearance if u want but I used some pretty fat tires on them. Widest was 29x2.0 Schwalbe Fat Franks on relatively wide rims
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Old 11-04-17, 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by mongol777
All-City Nature Boy, I have two - one in their 612 select cromoly (so basic one) and Reynolds 853
All-City lists the 853 model as having 15mm shorter stays. Can you confirm? Are they just measuring with the axles in different spots in the dropouts?
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Old 11-05-17, 07:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Ryder1
All-City lists the 853 model as having 15mm shorter stays. Can you confirm? Are they just measuring with the axles in different spots in the dropouts?
My 853 is green, 55cm: from the center of BB to where axle would seat if you slam the wheel - ~400 mm, may be a bit more (crank is on so hard to make accurate measurement)
Regular one is 52 cm and measures around 410mm

853 feels a bit more snappy but regular is no slouch. 853 can be build up under 20 fairly cheap, i had mine around 19 at some point
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Old 11-05-17, 11:09 AM
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In the Raleigh thread, someone mentioned this company (Aventuron) selling Raleigh’s for below the corporate discount rate. I’ve no experience with them, but this price on the RXS is pretty amazing, if it checks the right boxes.

https://aventuron.com/collections/bi...nt=48156067917

(Edit: may not work for you OP, tire clearance is limited and no threaded B.B.)

Last edited by wheelsmcgee; 11-05-17 at 11:14 AM.
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Old 11-05-17, 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by mongol777
My 853 is green, 55cm: from the center of BB to where axle would seat if you slam the wheel - ~400 mm, may be a bit more (crank is on so hard to make accurate measurement)
Regular one is 52 cm and measures around 410mm

853 feels a bit more snappy but regular is no slouch. 853 can be build up under 20 fairly cheap, i had mine around 19 at some point
Thanks.

That green 853 + Whiskey keeps calling to me.
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Old 11-05-17, 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Ryder1
Thanks.

That green 853 + Whiskey keeps calling to me.
I love mine, https://imgur.com/1zAaKAk
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Old 11-06-17, 04:53 PM
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What's a good SSCX frame that's not expensive, relative i know, just let's shoot some numbers. I'm looking for steel
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Old 11-06-17, 09:29 PM
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For OP my vote is Nature Boy 853. Or if you are patient and like searching Nature Boy Zona.

Other options:

-Cinelli Mash SSCX (if you can find one)
-Cinelli Mash Work
-On One Pompino (dirt cheap)
-New Trek Crockett
-Surly Cross Check (race it up with a carbon fork)

Probably others I'm missing. Also – if you're willing to wait for it – with a budget of 2.5k you could have a Rock Lobster built.

Originally Posted by salad_goat
What's a good SSCX frame that's not expensive, relative i know, just let's shoot some numbers. I'm looking for steel
Nature Boy, Cross Check, On One Pompino, Handsome Fredward CX, Nashbar Steel SSCX. Extra cheap if you are willing to buy used.
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Old 11-06-17, 09:54 PM
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https://spotbrand.com/collections/gr...ucts/rallye-ss

https://spotbrand.com/collections/gr...nt=30536137548
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