Show us your gravel/cross bike...
07-25-15, 03:18 PM
#3301
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Location: Portland, ME
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Only had her two days, but she's seen three rides and at least 40 miles. Only thing I want to change is the tires for something more gravel (Clement MXP). I don't trust their traction on fast turns, even with minimum PSI. Even though they are great on grass, like in the picture.
07-25-15, 10:30 PM
#3302
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Location: Central Valley CA
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Bikes: '04 Serotta CIII, '01 Lemond Poprad, mid 90s Burley Rock N Roll Tandem, Old School Specialized HardRock, '15 GT Grade alloy
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Jackass Meadow
08-02-15, 08:30 AM
#3305
Chases Dogs for Sport
Niner RLT9 with 2016 Build
Here's my RLT9. I've changed the spec since this year's DK200 based on what I learned there. The Cowchipper 2 bar replaced the stock carbon Thomson cyclocross bar. (Nerve damage in the hands was my biggest issue at this year's DK200.) A 1x Quarq Red crank and Shimano XTR Di2 rear derailleur replaced my Ultegra setup. I've gone with a DT Swiss thru-axle conversion. And an auxiliary shifter allows for shifting from the tops. I love the bike. Looking forward to next year's Dirty Kanza!
Last edited by FlashBazbo; 08-03-15 at 09:01 AM.
08-03-15, 09:27 AM
#3308
Two-Wheeled Aficionado
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wichita
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Bikes: Santa Cruz Blur TR, Cannondale Quick CX dropbar conversion & others
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Here's a few pics of my conversion. This bike has had several lives since I bought it in 2010. It is working really well now.
build list:
2010 Cannondale Quick CX frame
Cannondale Super Fatty DLR80 headshok fork
Sram Wide S Series cranks (S902) with 46T X-Sync ring
Sram Red 2x10 levers
3T Ergonova Team 44cm bars
Avid BB7-Road calipers, 160mm discs
DT Swiss R24 Spline Disc wheels
WTB Nano 700x40 TCS tires tubeless with Orange Seal
What's next:
I might try a Specialized Trigger Pro 700x38 rear tire to see how much faster it is than the Nano (I know it's lighter).
I'm probably moving to 42T front and 11-36 rear - already have the parts. I underestimated the rolling diameter of the Nano 40c, it's a freaking big tire. When I can do 30 mph spinning about 100 rpm in the 3rd smallest cog, that means my chainring is too large.
Finally, I'm looking at winter commuting options. I've found some studded tires from last winter on closeout and I'd rather buy now and hold them than pay full price in November.
build list:
2010 Cannondale Quick CX frame
Cannondale Super Fatty DLR80 headshok fork
Sram Wide S Series cranks (S902) with 46T X-Sync ring
Sram Red 2x10 levers
3T Ergonova Team 44cm bars
Avid BB7-Road calipers, 160mm discs
DT Swiss R24 Spline Disc wheels
WTB Nano 700x40 TCS tires tubeless with Orange Seal
What's next:
I might try a Specialized Trigger Pro 700x38 rear tire to see how much faster it is than the Nano (I know it's lighter).
I'm probably moving to 42T front and 11-36 rear - already have the parts. I underestimated the rolling diameter of the Nano 40c, it's a freaking big tire. When I can do 30 mph spinning about 100 rpm in the 3rd smallest cog, that means my chainring is too large.
Finally, I'm looking at winter commuting options. I've found some studded tires from last winter on closeout and I'd rather buy now and hold them than pay full price in November.
Last edited by ColinL; 08-04-15 at 07:30 AM.
08-09-15, 11:55 AM
#3310
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This is my dad's creation. He bought this Dean MTB softail frame used, and since it has odd geometry (short TT, very steep angles) that make it perfect for a drop bar conversion, he did just that. It's built up with Ultegra 6700 shifters, which oddly play nice with an ancient XTR rear derailleur and a triple MTB top pull front derailleur. The shock has 1.25 inches of travel, and the rest of the parts are picked from his parts bin. It weighs sub 24lbs as pictured, and my dad says it rides great!
08-09-15, 01:02 PM
#3311
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This is my dad's creation. He bought this Dean MTB softail frame used, and since it has odd geometry (short TT, very steep angles) that make it perfect for a drop bar conversion, he did just that. It's built up with Ultegra 6700 shifters, which oddly play nice with an ancient XTR rear derailleur and a triple MTB top pull front derailleur. The shock has 1.25 inches of travel, and the rest of the parts are picked from his parts bin. It weighs sub 24lbs as pictured, and my dad says it rides great!
But more odd to me is the idea of any rear suspension with a rigid fork. And it also looks like there's no BB drop! I'm sure it handles like no other gravel bike.
08-09-15, 05:17 PM
#3312
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another gravel "monster"
I went the opposite direction from Soundtallica's Dad's Dean, putting drop bars on a 2013 Stumpy Marathon hardtail. The 90mm travel fork soaks up hits, and a Pave seatpost provides a little give in the back when seated. The BB is relatively high for ground clearance (63.5mm drop), but relatively slack 71.5° head angle and 435mm chain stays help with stability. Modern mtb top tubes are longish (615mm effective on my large frame), but a 60mm stem put everything in reach. I think of it as a hooligan's gravel grinder.
08-09-15, 06:03 PM
#3313
The Freewheeler
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: ATL/CHI
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Bikes: '37 Iver Johnson Racer, '44 BSA Airborne, '45 Swiss Militarvelo, '92 Fat City Slim Chance, '97 Pinarello Monviso, '03 Giant TCR Composite, '12 Bianchi Super Pista, '15 Humble CX
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I went the opposite direction from Soundtallica's Dad's Dean, putting drop bars on a 2013 Stumpy Marathon hardtail. The 90mm travel fork soaks up hits, and a Pave seatpost provides a little give in the back when seated. The BB is relatively high for ground clearance (63.5mm drop), but relatively slack 71.5° head angle and 435mm chain stays help with stability. Modern mtb top tubes are longish (615mm effective on my large frame), but a 60mm stem put everything in reach. I think of it as a hooligan's gravel grinder.
08-09-15, 06:12 PM
#3314
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Yes, I use the drops for control - anytime I'm descending, and often on flatter pavement sections.
Bars are Salsa Cowbell 2, 46cm with a 12° flare in the drops - very comfortable.
Not as much control as a 700mm flat bar, but more aero and more hand positions.
Bars are Salsa Cowbell 2, 46cm with a 12° flare in the drops - very comfortable.
Not as much control as a 700mm flat bar, but more aero and more hand positions.
08-09-15, 06:13 PM
#3315
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Bikes: Kuota Ksano. Litespeed T5 gravel - brilliant!
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I went the opposite direction from Soundtallica's Dad's Dean, putting drop bars on a 2013 Stumpy Marathon hardtail. The 90mm travel fork soaks up hits, and a Pave seatpost provides a little give in the back when seated. The BB is relatively high for ground clearance (63.5mm drop), but relatively slack 71.5° head angle and 435mm chain stays help with stability. Modern mtb top tubes are longish (615mm effective on my large frame), but a 60mm stem put everything in reach. I think of it as a hooligan's gravel grinder.
One comment, helpful critique, "matching bags". Haha
08-10-15, 09:55 PM
#3316
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I went the opposite direction from Soundtallica's Dad's Dean, putting drop bars on a 2013 Stumpy Marathon hardtail. The 90mm travel fork soaks up hits, and a Pave seatpost provides a little give in the back when seated. The BB is relatively high for ground clearance (63.5mm drop), but relatively slack 71.5° head angle and 435mm chain stays help with stability. Modern mtb top tubes are longish (615mm effective on my large frame), but a 60mm stem put everything in reach. I think of it as a hooligan's gravel grinder.
08-15-15, 05:30 PM
#3317
Disciple of St. Tullio
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Strada Bianca
08-15-15, 05:38 PM
#3318
Senior Member
This is my dad's creation. He bought this Dean MTB softail frame used, and since it has odd geometry (short TT, very steep angles) that make it perfect for a drop bar conversion, he did just that. It's built up with Ultegra 6700 shifters, which oddly play nice with an ancient XTR rear derailleur and a triple MTB top pull front derailleur. The shock has 1.25 inches of travel, and the rest of the parts are picked from his parts bin. It weighs sub 24lbs as pictured, and my dad says it rides great!
08-16-15, 11:29 AM
#3319
Senior Member
08-17-15, 06:56 AM
#3320
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SF Bay Area
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Bikes: 2017 Giant Trance 2, 2016 SOMA Wolverine, 2015 Diamondback Haanjo Comp
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Here is my Diamondback Haanjo Comp, stock 105 group minus an SLX shadow rear mech and XT 11-36 cassette - makes the steep dirt climb up Mt Diablo doable for me. 
08-17-15, 07:10 AM
#3321
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Another pic showing a little better detail. This was in the "making it fit" stage, so gear is a little different.
08-22-15, 03:59 PM
#3322
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I don't do CX, yet, but before I splurged on a Wraith, I thought I'd build a gravel/path bike and test the drivetrain.
I have to get out of the habit of trying to shift the FD...
I have to get out of the habit of trying to shift the FD...
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 08-29-15 at 11:20 AM.
08-22-15, 09:23 PM
#3325
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