tapieromateo

Hi everyone!

I recently received a Ritchey Swiss Cross Frameset as a gift (fits me) Pic below(sorry about the terrible paint skills). I'm trying to build it into a gravel grinder. I've never been owned a gravel bike before, or a cross bike for that matter. This would be my first "foray" into that world. Currently ride a Specialized Tarmac, a Steel commuter bike, and a 29er.

I plan on using this bike for training some days in the week (alongside my tarmac), exploring around, and the occasional 120+ mile gravel ride I do with a friend (have done a few on the tarmac already, on 25c). My Idea is to make this bike as versatile as possible. Maybe doing some light touring (no racks, just soft bags)

Currently, the bike has:
Ritchey Frame and Fork
Ritchey Comp Stem
Ritchey Seatpost
Prologo Saddle
Campy CX10 Cranks and Bottom Bracket
TRP CX9 Mini V-Brakes

Thinking hard about what parts to put on it. Honestly, so far I've been leaning towards a set of Fulcrum 7 CX or Fulcrum 5 CX, and Salsa Cowbell bars, but that's about it. haven't been able to decide on groupset, tires, tubes or no tubes (!!! Just remembered I have a set of Stans 29er Tubeless Kit laying around)

Thanks in advance to those who read and/or reply.

shoota 

Lucky you! I would seriously think about going tubeless since you have a bike for everything else. Then I would get the biggest tire that would fit in there, likely to be ~38mm.

tapieromateo

Finally Got the bike home.

Put the wheels from my Tarmac on it (Fulcrum Racing S-Four), a spare handlebar I had lying around, and a 105-5800 FD that I had originally intended for my Steel Commuter.

Apparently, according to my calculations, I can fit a 44mm Tire on it. Will be converting this wheelset to tubeless (have the stans kit ready), thinking about getting Panaracer GravelKing or Gravel King SK, or even some Clements X'Plor.

Let me know what you guys think!

egear

The stem looks a bit slammed for gravel riding. You might want to replace the stem with a 7 degree upright. Sweet bike though. Buy the MSO's in 120tpi they are great.

shoota 

Man I'm jealous.
I'd be shocked if you could get a 44mm tire in there. Regardless, I think that would be overkill anyway. The 36mm Tubeless MSO would definitely be a good choice. The 35-38mm GK SK would also be a great choice.

tapieromateo

It's a 110mm 7 Deg. will point it upwards thanks!

Yes! I measured with the tires I currently have on it (Conti GP 4Seasons 25mm) and they measured 26mm. and the tightest spot in the frame measured 12mm. Leaving the 3mm safety clearance, + the tire width gave me 44 mm! i'd play it safe and go at most 40. But liked either the 36 or 38mm ones.

50voltphantom

Those are such pretty frames.

tapieromateo

hey!

Many months Later, the bike is ready! I used the groupset from my road bike, (got new gears for her) Threw in some Panaracer GK SK 35, the old rims from my old bike, and new bar tape from Supacaz (great stuff)

Took her on her maiden ride yesterday, (second and third photos). Great performance, excellent ride quality, very smooth, responsive. Tires performed well on pavement, mud, sand and even a couple river crossings.

The only things at the moment are:
-Will change that stem for a shorter one.
-Front brake shudders when braking on pavement at speed. will need to look into toe-in, but I would also appreciate your suggestions.

hope you guys like the looks any further ideas for her?

tdilf

I'll take one of those frames for free too! Nice bike - such a classic. I would get the new shorter stem, flip it and put salsa bars on (Cowbell or Cowchipper) and put at least 40c tires on it. Not sure what to tell you about brakes - I don't know much about canti or V-brakes.

tdilf

BTW- I love the looks of the new Ritchey Outback!

superdex

nice ride! if I'd change anything -- and this would be based on what's around me, would be lower gears. Swap the chainrings out for smaller, and off you go.

Oh, your rear brake cable is a touch long at the seatpost. Should make a straighter line from the cable boss, and the rear der cable could maybe be a touch shorter in the front too. I'd address only if you have shifting gnomes...

mstateglfr 

Love the skinwall tires.

Where are you riding?- pretty good weather to run thru streams right now and have green hills.

tapieromateo

the ride was 30-ish k away from Medellín, Colombia. Great weather all year-round, very bike friendly, and with all sorts of terrain, from super smooth tarmac to mud, sand, river crossings, 43% grades and, of course, gravel.

mstateglfr 

Well that's some incredible riding for sure.

shoota 

nice!

lewdvig

Hey, could you post some closeup photos of the rear brake setup? I'm trying to switch from canti's to cx9 on my Swiss Cross and the rear is giving me fits.

rumrunn6

art. hang it on a wall all cleaned up next to those pics blown up big

hoovbikes

Sweet build man. What psi are you running on the gravel kings? I'm pretty sure I wanna get some, but am trying to figure out the max pressure that can be used for my road commutes.

shoota 

You guys, this thread is over a year old. If you don't quote them or mention the OP (@tapieromateo) then I wouldn't expect to see a response from them.

hoovbikes

Good point. Thanks for putting in that extra work for us!

tapieromateo

Was gonna send you a DM, but not working for me yet.

Used a rear derailleur outer (the short bit between the frame and the RD) with a thingamajiga (just to keep the cable in line, don't actually need it) and works like a charm. only 'issue' I can think of, is that when the handlebars are turned, the rear cable tightens and brakes the bike a little

tapieromateo

that's how I store it

tapieromateo

Thanks for Quoting me. I knew I had something pending

tapieromateo

45 PSI (in the back). I'm not a heavy rider (120 lbs) and I do not need all that much pressure. Also, I keep the front Panaracer GKSK (wheel and tire) stored and ride with a regular vittoria Zafiro most of the time (in the front)

hoovbikes

Gotcha. I'm slightly heavier myself, so the research continues, but thanks for the info!