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Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational) This has to be the most physically intense sport ever invented. It's high speed bicycle racing on a short off road course or riding the off pavement rides on gravel like : "Unbound Gravel". We also have a dedicated Racing forum for the Cyclocross Hard Core Racers.

Good steel gravel frames?

Old 07-10-19, 03:18 PM
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Bedogia
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Good steel gravel frames?

Hey so I'm looking for a great 700c or 650b+ compatible frame to build. Prefer one with adjustable chain stay dropouts. Any suggestions are helpful, hoping to get a great commuter/CX bike that I could mess around with.
Thanks
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Old 07-10-19, 04:06 PM
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Otso Warakin is stainless and has adjustable dropouts.

List a general price cap for good suggestions. No point listing $2000 frames if your budget is $700.
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Old 07-11-19, 08:55 AM
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And if the budget is 700 the WAHEELA , also by OTSO, might be worth a look.

Waheela
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Old 07-11-19, 09:34 AM
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Soma Wolverine.
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Old 07-11-19, 09:38 AM
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Rodeolabs Flaaaaaaanimal.
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Old 07-11-19, 10:03 AM
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If you're on a budget, also look at some of the hybrids.

Jamis Coda?

This one took some pretty extensive rebuilding.


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Old 07-11-19, 11:36 AM
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yeah I'd say a budget for the frame would be under $1000 although the $2000 are pretty
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Old 07-11-19, 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Gconan
And if the budget is 700 the WAHEELA , also by OTSO, might be worth a look.

Waheela
Waheela pricing is so deceptive. Sure it's $700 but with no fork. Want a fork it jumps up to $1000. Who buys a gravel frame with no fork? It's not a mountain bike.
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Old 07-11-19, 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by gus6464
Waheela pricing is so deceptive. Sure it's $700 but with no fork. Want a fork it jumps up to $1000. Who buys a gravel frame with no fork? It's not a mountain bike.
Thanks for pointing that out. Good point.
It is a suspension corrected frame for those that are going to put a lauf on it and just want the frame. But 250.00 is a good price for a carbon fork with all that wonderful clearance.
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Old 07-11-19, 01:05 PM
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Check out New Albion bicycles. New Albion is distributed in the US by Merry Sales the same company that handles SOMA. I recently built up a Privateer frame and fork that I paid less than $400 for from BikeMania.Biz. The steel tubing is decent quality Tange Infinity and to my untrained eye the welds appear flawless. I have 35mm tires and fenders on it with plenty of clearance. I commute on it daily and it on longish weekend rides. For what I have invested in it, it's a very nice bike.
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Old 07-14-19, 10:07 AM
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Jamis Renegade Escapade frameset is $849: https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/reneg...ade_frame.html

IMO it's an unbeatable value and that's why I'm building one up right now!
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Old 07-14-19, 01:10 PM
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Salsa vaya. And I think you can get a Breezer in your budget too..
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Old 07-14-19, 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Bedogia
yeah I'd say a budget for the frame would be under $1000 although the $2000 are pretty
Really not aware of a quality steel frame set with adjustable dropouts for under $1000.
...but i really don't look for such a specific frame.

Why adjustable dropouts?
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Old 07-15-19, 08:21 AM
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Originally Posted by ksryder
Rodeolabs Flaaaaaaanimal.
I've had mine since May and absolutely love it.
It has adjustable dropouts with the ability to add belt drive; comes in at $1350.
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Old 07-16-19, 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by mstateglfr
Really not aware of a quality steel frame set with adjustable dropouts for under $1000.
...but i really don't look for such a specific frame.

Why adjustable dropouts?
adjustable dropouts because I just want as many options as possible. I'm foreseeing this bike frame as a "keep forever and adjust to my needs" bike frame. Maybe make it single speed with a playful rear or lengthen it out and make it more stable. Maybe a belt drive someday haha
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Old 07-16-19, 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by loheiman
Jamis Renegade Escapade frameset is $849: https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/reneg...ade_frame.html

IMO it's an unbeatable value and that's why I'm building one up right now!
That is a helluva deal.

It doesn't have the adjustable dropouts, but it does have a lot of other things going for it.
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Old 07-19-19, 11:42 PM
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How does $595 grab you?

From a hell of a framebuilder, too.

https://blackmtncycles.com/frames/cross-frames/
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Old 07-20-19, 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by loheiman
Jamis Renegade Escapade frameset is $849: https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/reneg...ade_frame.html

IMO it's an unbeatable value and that's why I'm building one up right now!
yeah i have a renegade expat i love it
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Old 07-22-19, 12:42 PM
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2020 Rove ST is out and the color is cooler than 2019, arg.

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Old 07-22-19, 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by gus6464
2020 Rove ST is out and the color is cooler than 2019, arg.

Looks like a Paddy Wagon but disc.

That's a good thing...
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Old 07-23-19, 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Bedogia
adjustable dropouts because I just want as many options as possible. I'm foreseeing this bike frame as a "keep forever and adjust to my needs" bike frame. Maybe make it single speed with a playful rear or lengthen it out and make it more stable. Maybe a belt drive someday haha
The Soma Wolverine 4.0 Type B is around $800 depending on fork option. It has adjustable/interchangeable dropouts and is belt compatible. The Type A is a more mainstream gravel/monstercross configuration, without the split stay for belt drive, but with through axles and some other modernizations. I don't think the tubeset would be considered high end though, if that's a concern. It's basic cromoly as far as I know (Tange Prestige).

Last edited by Metaluna; 07-23-19 at 09:47 AM.
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Old 07-26-19, 04:41 PM
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Finished building up my bike from a Jamis Renegade Escapade frameset. I love it!
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