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Show us your gravel/cross bike...

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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.

Show us your gravel/cross bike...

Old 03-07-23, 01:17 AM
  #5301  
SoSmellyAir
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tFUnK What top tube bag/case is that? Please send link.
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Old 03-07-23, 08:41 PM
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Dirty bike, but a nice clean new chainring! Wolf's Tooth 44t version.


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Old 03-08-23, 06:25 PM
  #5303  
brandenjs
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I am getting ready to start a build using this 2007 Redline Conquest Pro frame. It's been educational watching this thread for some great ideas. I am curious about everyone's thoughts on a short travel front shock instead of a rigid fork. Any pros or cons?
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Old 03-08-23, 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by brandenjs
I am getting ready to start a build using this 2007 Redline Conquest Pro frame. It's been educational watching this thread for some great ideas. I am curious about everyone's thoughts on a short travel front shock instead of a rigid fork. Any pros or cons?
Pros: Squishy
Cons: Heavy

Are there short travel front 700c forks with v-brake/canti mounts? Or would you go to a cable disc brake on the front?
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Old 03-08-23, 07:08 PM
  #5305  
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Originally Posted by brandenjs
Off-topic question: Is that a CAAD3 behind the subject bike?
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Old 03-08-23, 07:11 PM
  #5306  
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Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
Off-topic question: Is that a CAAD3 behind the subject bike?
Nope that's a 2009 CAAD 9-5. My favorite ride right now. At least until I finish this one.
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Old 03-08-23, 07:21 PM
  #5307  
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Originally Posted by Eric F
Pros: Squishy
Cons: Heavy

Are there short travel front 700c forks with v-brake/canti mounts? Or would you go to a cable disc brake on the front?
I will probably stick with the cantis if I can. Disc would be nice, but no mounts for the rear. I've just never seen one set up with a shock, but as long as it is one similar to one on a Trek 7700 or something like that with shorter travel seems like it would be comfy.
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Old 03-08-23, 07:21 PM
  #5308  
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Originally Posted by brandenjs
Nope that's a 2009 CAAD 9-5. My favorite ride right now. At least until I finish this one.
Nice. The last generation of Made in USA CAAD.
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Old 03-08-23, 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by brandenjs
I will probably stick with the cantis if I can. Disc would be nice, but no mounts for the rear. I've just never seen one set up with a shock, but as long as it is one similar to one on a Trek 7700 or something like that with shorter travel seems like it would be comfy.
A friend of mine has an older MTB set up with mech disc on the front and v-brake on the rear. It works pretty well. However, you need a wheel that can take a disc rotor.

Another option for front-end comfort is a Redshift suspension stem.
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Old 03-09-23, 04:05 AM
  #5310  
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I've entertained the thought of putting a short travel 26er suspension fork on a cross frame. With a 26x2.1" up front and a 700x38 in the rear, it should balance out well.
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Old 03-09-23, 07:52 AM
  #5311  
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Originally Posted by brandenjs
I am getting ready to start a build using this 2007 Redline Conquest Pro frame. It's been educational watching this thread for some great ideas. I am curious about everyone's thoughts on a short travel front shock instead of a rigid fork. Any pros or cons?
My thoughts for myself- zero interest in a heavy fork that has very little travel and is constantly compressing when I stand to climb. I dont need that type of suspension to ride gravel roads and dont want to deal with the downsides.
My thoughts for others- if you are concerned the surface will be too uncomfortable, and/or if you are unable to use your arms and legs as suspension during the rare times when a road is too rought to sit(like washboard), then perhaps a suspension fork is a good idea.

Are there rim brake short travel suspension forks that are good quality? I really dont know- seems like thats a specific use case that wouldnt have been popular pre-disc, but thats a total guess.
Also to consider- what offset will the fork have vs what offset do you want for steering and feel?
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Old 03-09-23, 01:33 PM
  #5312  
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Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
Off-topic question: Is that a CAAD3 behind the subject bike?
I love how you’re picking up on other things in the photo...great being hike nerds!
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Old 03-09-23, 06:26 PM
  #5313  
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Originally Posted by mstateglfr
My thoughts for myself- zero interest in a heavy fork that has very little travel and is constantly compressing when I stand to climb. I dont need that type of suspension to ride gravel roads and dont want to deal with the downsides.
My thoughts for others- if you are concerned the surface will be too uncomfortable, and/or if you are unable to use your arms and legs as suspension during the rare times when a road is too rought to sit(like washboard), then perhaps a suspension fork is a good idea.

Are there rim brake short travel suspension forks that are good quality? I really dont know- seems like thats a specific use case that wouldnt have been popular pre-disc, but thats a total guess.
Also to consider- what offset will the fork have vs what offset do you want for steering and feel?
Absolutely thanks for the perspectives. Just running through different options and knew this thread would open them up. I have had a couple mtb's with the XT V brakes and they have been amazing. The great thing about having a nice size parts bin is that I can run a bunch of trial and error. Thanks everyone for the feedback.
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Old 03-10-23, 08:13 AM
  #5314  
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also prefer rigid forks - recommend suspension for off road use only

when I look at vintage MTB’s - I basically look for models with the original rigid fork

having said that - I have a hybrid with a Headshok and a gravel bike with a Lefty suspension fork (grin) ... double recommend against them - but there are times when I appreciate them

again - recommend rigid - but one suspension fork for 26” vintage MTB that you might consider is a Rock Shox Judy SL ... ? if you can find one in great condition (?)

I have a Judy SL on one bike - it still works (unlike forks on some of our other bikes including early Manitou elastomer forks)

one friend we currently ride with will ride a MTB with smooth tires and a Judy SL when we ride fire roads etc

Judy SL is relatively light at around 1220 g ; some of the vintage rigid steel forks weigh approx 1000 g so the weight penalty is relatively minimal (weight of the rigid fork + suspension stem weight will often be greater than the weight of a Judy SL)
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Old 03-13-23, 08:11 AM
  #5315  
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This could be an option... And a fairly cheap one at that.
Bontrager SPA Hybrid Suspension Bike Fork
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Old 03-13-23, 12:14 PM
  #5316  
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Originally Posted by Silver Steve
This could be an option... And a fairly cheap one at that.
Bontrager SPA Hybrid Suspension Bike Fork
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...fork-swap.html

.
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Old 03-19-23, 03:01 AM
  #5317  
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Originally Posted by Silver Steve
This could be an option... And a fairly cheap one at that.
Bontrager SPA Hybrid Suspension Bike Fork
Interesting idea. Ten years ago, visiting my uncle in China, their Giant FCRs had similar forks and I thought that was interesting. Never rode on gravel out there, but the roads were rougher than what we have here in the states. I don't know if those bikes were ever offered in the US.

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Old 03-20-23, 12:35 AM
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my new build and I am delighted)

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Old 03-22-23, 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by kach
my new build and I am delighted)
Some fat meats on that ride!
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Old 03-22-23, 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by kach
my new build and I am delighted)
Beautiful. How do you like the Gevenalle shifters? As a long time bar end convert I've been tempted by them.

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Old 03-28-23, 03:52 PM
  #5321  
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Not the best pic, but isn't this a beauty? I'm thinking maybe replace the handle bar tape with some shade of blue color and a brown saddle, what do you guys think? Also; does anyone know where i could find grx hood covers in brown color to match the new brown color saddle it'll be getting soon? Thanks 🙏

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Old 03-28-23, 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Eds0123


Not the best pic, but isn't this a beauty? I'm thinking maybe replace the handle bar tape with some shade of blue color and a brown saddle, what do you guys think? Also; does anyone know where i could find grx hood covers in brown color to match the new brown color saddle it'll be getting soon
What frame is that?

Bike pic tip: Take your pic of the drivetrain side. It's more interesting
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Old 03-28-23, 05:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Eric F
What frame is that?

Bike pic tip: Take your pic of the drivetrain side. It's more interesting
Correct, Always drive side pic, eliminate valve stem from the pic, Align the rim label with tire label, etc,

what does everybody think of blue bar tape for this frame please? Thank You

and started by saying " not the best pic" but FYI frame is Salsa warbird, Shimano GRX 800, Tubeless 42 mm tires, etc.

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Old 03-28-23, 05:21 PM
  #5324  
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Originally Posted by Eds0123
Correct, Always drive side pic, eliminate valve stem from the pic, Align the rim label with true label, etc,

what does everybody think of blue bar tape for this frame please? Thank You

and started by saying " not the best pic" but FYI frame is Salsa warbird, Shimano GRX 800, Tubeless 42 mm tires, etc.
Cool. The Warbird is a sweet bike.

Do what you think looks good. It's your bike. If it was my bike, and I wanted blue bar tape, I would try to echo that color somewhere else on the bike, like the seatpost clamp. As for brown GRX lever hoods, I'm doubtful anyone makes them, but would guess that Aliexpress or eBay are probably the most likely places.
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Old 03-28-23, 05:31 PM
  #5325  
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Originally Posted by Eds0123
Correct, Always drive side pic, eliminate valve stem from the pic, Align the rim label with tire label, etc,

what does everybody think of blue bar tape for this frame please? Thank You

and started by saying " not the best pic" but FYI frame is Salsa warbird, Shimano GRX 800, Tubeless 42 mm tires, etc.
I like it as it is, but it is your bike, go for it.
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