KeatonR

Thanks for the input. I consider this a conservative start for me. I'd love to get the stem lower and flatter, ultimately, but I'm going to ease into it. I want to get a bunch of miles under my belt first and then go from there.

KeatonR

I think it took about a month for the frame and fork to come in. After that, the build went really quickly. And I agree about the shop -- I have had a really good experience there.

KeatonR

Honestly, I went with them based on reviews and how they looked, but I can report back after this weekend about how they ride. But I love the system. I have changed the tires to something smaller and then back to the 40s with just a hand pump. The UST concept is really cool and user friendly. And I do love the look of the wheels as well.

derv88

Can we have an update on your new gunnar? Specifically looking for feedback from your riding experience. I am looking at Hyper X for a serious gravel racing machine, and your input here would be very appreciated!

-Jack

Hmmm

Gunnar's are beautiful! Nice!

derv88

I bought the Gunnar Hyper-XF that's on order, but still would love to hear a new owner report from you, KeatonR..

Koyote

You're not asking me, but I did get a new custom Hyper-xf a while back. I recommend that you buy the bottle of touch-up paint from Waterford, as the paint (on mine anyway) doesn't seem too sturdy...I've been racing the bike all summer, and have accumulated several chips and scratches. (Or, as I call it, "patina.")

Also, the bike is a little heavier than I expected, and the frame feels plenty stiff -- both of which suggest that it is built of a rather stout tubeset. That's okay with me, as I prefer sturdy over featherweight.

KeatonR

Sure. After a spring and summer of riding quite a bit, I can say that I absolutely love the bike and have no regrets whatsoever. I have two identical wheelsets, as I mentioned, one with 40mm offroad tires and one with 32mm slicks. I've put about equal mileage on each, but one thing that has surprised me is how capable this bike is as a road bike, when I need it to be. Yes, it's on the heavier side for a road bike, but I just did a 75 mile organized road ride with more than 5,000 feet of climbing and didn't feel like I was at a disadvantage at all. Having said that, where the bike really shines, for me, is offroad. I'm biased toward steel, but I really like the stability and the ride of this frame on the dirt and gravel. The bike can feel nimble enough when I need it to be, but there's also the comfort for settling in for long rides. I also really like the more classic geometry, with the close to straight across top tube (and the longer top tube, which works well for me). And for me, every component was an upgrade from my previous bike (a Lemond Poprad, which I also loved), so I've really appreciated the step up to Ultegra, the more appropriate and useful gearing, the much nicer wheels. All in all, this has been a really great bike for me so far.

njord4

Is that a custom paint job or one of their recent colors? Looks great.

KeatonR

It's the Dark Blue Pearl. It was one of the current colors when I got the bike in April, but it looks like it has moved to the Archived/recent list. I thought too much about the color and wanted a blue of some sort, and as I was agonizing over it the dark blue moved into the current column and that was it. Was close to doing Dahlia Blue, though.

RidingMatthew

beautiful bike! did you leave the tires the way they came or turn it around?

KeatonR

Well, the tires are still the way they were installed, which is how Mavic recommends running them. But when I re-do the sealant I think I'll switch the direction of the front one and see how it rides. The explanation I've read is that the recommended setup helps shed water in the front while maintaining traction in the back, but I live in a dry climate and don't find myself riding in wet conditions very often.

randallr

Nice! I, too, have a Gunnar from Vecchio's and it fits me like a glove. Perfect bike.

derv88

Did I show you the finished product?

randallr

No, haven't yet seen it