Help finding a gravel frame
 

Long story short…I infected a fellow Army officer with the gravel bug. He bought a “budget” bike a year ago, and he has been steadily logging the kms and incrementally upgrading things. It’s got GRX600 level components (FSA crank) on the drivetrain but low end cable operated FM disc brakes. He bought a set of take off wheels from me at the beginning of the summer…and now he’s searching for hydraulic levers to mate to a set of GRX400 FM calipers I’ve got on my bench that were never mounted to a build I was doing last year. Tonight we were talking about continuing to upgrade a frame that supposedly fits 42mm tires (it does with 2mm clearance at the chain stays, which makes me nervous), or buy a new frame and rebuild the bike on that frame, or buy a whole new bike. I told him a frame might be a better (most economical) option.

So, here we are. His budget is 1000€, give or take few ducats. I’m gonna start looking. But opinions/ideas are welcome. Current frame is Al. He’s not fixated on a material, per se, but I’ve told him it should at least clear a 47mm x 700c. 650b is not as important, but it could give future options. Send ideas, please.

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribbl...ku=BDCGRAORFRS
Price is right. 45mm clearance.

What are the wheel axle specs?

The hub spacing is modern standard: 12x100 F, 12x142 R. Thru axles can be sourced if the current ones won't work (which I've advised him to replace anyhow due to a wonky design of the built in levers).

Come across a number of frames in the past, just have to remember them.

Start with the Nordest Albarda and Super Albarda. Steel; carbon fork separate on site.
A bit hefty frame weight for steel. Super Albarda is more the long mtb frame type. Both frames do 700x50.

Bike24 has an XL Veloheld Icon frameset in stock. [The small size there doesn't take the 700x50].

Alu with carbon fork: Finna Landscape in stock. 700x50.
Their 853 Explorer frameset is avail also in a couple sizes, but 700x48.

What's the general frame size of rider?

if your friend does not go the hydraulic disc brake route - a couple options :

TRP Spyre

TRP Hy/Rd


Spyre is a dual piston / rebuildable mechanic caliper that will work with majority of drop bar / short pull levers

Hy/Rd is a cable actuated hydraulic caliper

56cm or M/L depending on the sizing. I'll check Bike24. We can buy VAT free from them. Good tip, thanks!

maybe check out the Yoeleo framesets ?
https://www.yoeleobike.com/collectio...-wheels-frames
topnotch specs, and will accommodate up to 700 x 53...
given the current strength of the USD vs Euro, price is a bit higher than your limit... but maybe sold cheaper on the continent...
Ride On
Yuri

Goldsprint in Germany has the steel frame+fork Pelago Stavanger frameset. 700x50 with those hub specs.
I guess that's more on the cruisy ride style frame.

One alternative frame type you could look into is a beachracer frameset. Alu frame with carbon fork.
These days they're marketing some of them as more beach+[local]gravel crossover bikes.
e.g. Wikkit frameset models; sold through BeachBastards shop in NL. No idea on pricing tho.
Would suit a 1x build. They easily clear a 29x2.2.
Note they have a long frame reach.

There's one outfit in NL that does a scandium/alu frame with that clearance, that can be done 2x or 1x, but it seems they only offer complete builds of it.

Here's that 2x scandium 29x2+ frameset in NL, incase they....er....win the lotto or something :thumb:
https://www.klaassencycles.com/Razor-multipurpose

Yeah…that bike gives lots of of options, but the pricing is not right, for sure. Pity.

There's a few secondhand alu frame beachracers on the NL and Belgium classifieds.
A number under a grand for a complete bike.

Could purchase a cheap complete, just for the frameset if you like.

You could look at Planet X free ranger frame set. it is supposed to clear 48c with 700c

mine clears 52-584 barzo and 45-622 without mudguards
I cleared 50-584 and 42-622 with mud guards (I haven't tried 52-584 yet)

The Tempest (TI frame) is supposed to have the same clearances. Being Ti, is supposed to be more comfy and outside routing makes the assembly and maintenance much simpler.

They will have a steel frame set soon

Planet X is on the shortlist.