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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 07-17-21, 09:01 PM
  #5026  
mstateglfr 
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Brought my gravel bike into the Chicago burbs for an extended 4th of July visit.
Did some mixed surface riding- road, crushed stone paths, basic singletrsck, and wooded bridle paths. No gravel roads within 20mi of where I visit, so the mixed surface routes have been a fun experience to link together thru the years. Surprisingly, overall climb is decent too as I ride on both sides of a couple rivers.

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Old 07-17-21, 09:16 PM
  #5027  
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Nice. What trail is that (lived in those burbs until a couple years ago).
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Old 07-18-21, 11:09 AM
  #5028  
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I picked this up used earlier this year, along with a set of 700c Ibis wheels. Took off the dropper post, replaced the saddle, and down-sized the chainring to 32. These wheels have 47mm WTB Venture tires and a 9-46 cassette. The other wheels have 42mm Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass rubber, which are closer to slicks, along with a 9-39 cassette. I just washed it, so I figured I'd snap a pic before I get it dirty again today.


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Old 07-18-21, 05:06 PM
  #5029  
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It's a mix of roads and paths thru Darien, Lemont, Palos(one of em), Western Springs, and Burr Ridge.
Waterfall Glen is the crushed path area and this double track as well as some single track is McMahon Woods and Cranberry Slough preserves in one of the Palos towns.
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Old 07-22-21, 11:33 PM
  #5030  
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Originally Posted by DorkDisk
I figured I had to finish this up; it was intended to be a winter bike.

Made in USA with True Temper OX, this piggish Trek now has a bunch of lipstick applied. Built with Sora shifters, Deore crank, XT cogs and derailleurs, and TRP mini Vs. Its a nice daily rider; has a decent steel ride and rolls well. I was a bit worried about the 70mm stem but its not an issue.

I used bikegeocalc.com to match the position to my Ritchey Swiss Cross, so this should be a nice cheap stand-in.

I want to see if some fenders will fit in there now.
This is awesome! A couple of questions since I'm building a similar era Trek 520.

First, what stem is that? It looks like a quill stem with a 31.8mm bar clamp and a removable faceplate. The angle and extension look just right.

Second, what crankset/drivetrain are you running? 2x or 3x? I'm looking to add some newer Shimano STI brifters to my stock Deore DX components but I'm not sure what front derailleur and crankset combo to run.
Some issues I've researched being:
  • MTB front derailleur not being compatible with left brifter
  • Road front derailleur not being able to shift into the outer chainring of an MTB triple crankset
  • Chainline being incompatible because of 135mm rear dropout spacing and road/mtn crankset
Thanks for the help!
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Old 07-23-21, 06:40 AM
  #5031  
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Originally Posted by indofulioh
This is awesome! A couple of questions since I'm building a similar era Trek 520.

First, what stem is that? It looks like a quill stem with a 31.8mm bar clamp and a removable faceplate. The angle and extension look just right.

Second, what crankset/drivetrain are you running? 2x or 3x? I'm looking to add some newer Shimano STI brifters to my stock Deore DX components but I'm not sure what front derailleur and crankset combo to run.
Some issues I've researched being:
  • MTB front derailleur not being compatible with left brifter
  • Road front derailleur not being able to shift into the outer chainring of an MTB triple crankset
  • Chainline being incompatible because of 135mm rear dropout spacing and road/mtn crankset
Thanks for the help!
Thanks, I had the same concerns as you re chainline but it turned out to not be a big deal in real life. So this one has a 135mm rear with a 130mm wheel, which makes the chainline worse with a spaced out modern MTB crankset. I put the BB spacers on the non drive side to not make the issue worse and the shifting is fine in all combinations with no rub or odd noises anywhere. Chainline is visibly not great but functionally I don't have any issues, aside from a wide MTB Q factor.

The crank is a Deore M6000 10sp 28/38 170mm. The shifters are Sora 3000 9sp. My first attempt with using a M737 XT front derailleur was a no-go. The modern Sora shrakes use a 10+ speed cable pull up front; so I used an Ultegra 6700 10sp front derailleur; it swung out far enough without issues even though the height / chainring curve match is not ideal. Rear is a 737 XT derailleur and 9sp XT 750 11-34 cassette. Chain is 9sp KMC. Shifting is perfect in this setup.




Stem is a Nitto UI-12 70mm 90deg 31.8 with removable front plate for modern bar compatibility. I wanted to use a modern compact flared drop bar (EA50AX). This was an expensive part of the build but I needed a 70mm extension to match my other bike.

Hope this helps.
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Old 07-25-21, 09:28 PM
  #5032  
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Nice brakes... ___


Originally Posted by mikehuangsd
just finished this gravel build

based on a 2007 Trek 7000 hybrid frame

700x42c tires
34t front, 11-40 back
L-TWOO levers


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Old 07-26-21, 08:28 PM
  #5033  
indofulioh
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Originally Posted by DorkDisk
Thanks, I had the same concerns as you re chainline but it turned out to not be a big deal in real life. So this one has a 135mm rear with a 130mm wheel, which makes the chainline worse with a spaced out modern MTB crankset. I put the BB spacers on the non drive side to not make the issue worse and the shifting is fine in all combinations with no rub or odd noises anywhere. Chainline is visibly not great but functionally I don't have any issues, aside from a wide MTB Q factor.

The crank is a Deore M6000 10sp 28/38 170mm. The shifters are Sora 3000 9sp. My first attempt with using a M737 XT front derailleur was a no-go. The modern Sora shrakes use a 10+ speed cable pull up front; so I used an Ultegra 6700 10sp front derailleur; it swung out far enough without issues even though the height / chainring curve match is not ideal. Rear is a 737 XT derailleur and 9sp XT 750 11-34 cassette. Chain is 9sp KMC. Shifting is perfect in this setup.

Stem is a Nitto UI-12 70mm 90deg 31.8 with removable front plate for modern bar compatibility. I wanted to use a modern compact flared drop bar (EA50AX). This was an expensive part of the build but I needed a 70mm extension to match my other bike.

Hope this helps.
Thanks! This was really helpful. As I suspected, getting the front shifter/derailleur/crankset combo just perfect can be a huge challenge when mixing Shimano road/MTN components.

But it also sounds like 5mm difference in chainline isn't a huge deal in real-world usage. Some bikes probably come with road front derailleur and 135mm rear spacing stock from the factory. I guess at this point I just have to experiment in order to get a proper STI brifter setup to work.

I definitely like the look of the silver Nitto UI-12 in 70mm at 0degrees on these vintage Treks. I'm actually running a similar stem on my Trek 520, a Crust x Nitto UI. The main differences are longer extension and stem angle is 15 degrees. I really like the look of the silver better though. If only it had taller extension it would be the perfect stem. Another similar stem I have found is the Discord Fingerling Stem, which essentially acts as a beefier Nitto Technomic with a 31.8mm bar clamp and costs a whopping $195.

Anyway, here is my retro gravel tourer on some Panaracer Gravelking SK 700x43c tires. Shimano 7-speed bar end shifters are mated to a Deore crankset (50-45-28t) and a 12-32t cassette which provides a pretty nice range of gearing. The 46cm Salsa Cowchippers also offer some control in the rough stuff! Steel is real but the newer bikes in this thread are so tempting haha







​​​

Last edited by indofulioh; 07-26-21 at 08:52 PM. Reason: resized photos
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Old 07-26-21, 08:48 PM
  #5034  
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Originally Posted by indofulioh
Thanks! This was really helpful. As I suspected, getting the front shifter/derailleur/crankset combo just perfect can be a huge challenge when mixing Shimano road/MTN components.

But it also sounds like 5mm difference in chainline isn't a huge deal in real-world usage. Some bikes probably come with road front derailleur and 135mm rear spacing stock from the factory. I guess at this point I just have to experiment in order to get a proper STI brifter setup to work.

I definitely like the look of the silver Nitto UI-12 in 70mm at 0degrees on these vintage Treks. I'm actually running a similar stem on my Trek 520, a Crust x Nitto UI. The main differences are longer extension and stem angle is 15 degrees. I really like the look of the silver better though. If only it had taller extension it would be the perfect stem. Another similar stem I have found is the Discord Fingerling Stem, which essentially acts as a beefier Nitto Technomic with a 31.8mm bar clamp and costs a whopping $195.

Anyway, here is my vintage gravel bike on some Panaracer Gravelking SK 700x43c tires. Shimano 7-speed bar end shifters are mated to a Deore crankset (50-45-28t) and a 12-32t cassette which provides a pretty nice range of gearing. The 46cm Salsa Cowchippers also offer some control in the rough stuff! Steel is real but the newer bikes in this thread are so tempting haha

nice half step plus granny.
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Old 08-02-21, 02:45 PM
  #5035  
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Old 08-02-21, 09:08 PM
  #5036  
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While it wasn't my original intent to use my Montague Fit frame for gravel, playing with 650c shows that I can fit 42mm tires with plenty of clearance, while keeping geometry pretty close to what I had at 700x28. Still tweaking the cockpit, but the bike moves pretty well for its extra weight (folding frame) and fat rubber. I do have the 700c wheels still, and plan to wring it out with both sizes once I get the saddle and stem where I want them.

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Old 08-02-21, 09:24 PM
  #5037  
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Originally Posted by spacerconrad
I do have the 700c wheels still, and plan to wring it out with both sizes once I get the saddle and stem where I want them.
Neat use of a folding bike. I bet that saddle situation is sorted out quickly as anything closer to level will most likely be better.
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Old 08-12-21, 08:02 PM
  #5038  
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I'm still waiting on my gravel wheels to come in, but for now my drop bar MTB is in trail mode (ft. -2 degree headset from Works Components)



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Old 09-04-21, 07:35 AM
  #5039  
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Work in progress… 1991 bianchi volpe. I swapped in a tiagra rear wheel so I could use these 9 speed ultegra shifters. Mid 90s xt rear derailer shifts so smoothly. Next is a new crank, but undecided if I want to go compact double or stick with 90s era xt or similar. I’ve been using it exclusively on mtb trails so far, so leaning towards the xt.
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Old 09-04-21, 12:07 PM
  #5040  
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My 2021 Diverge. On Fulcrum 5 wheels, converted from grx400 2x10, to 600 1x11. With GK SKs.

Got some Teravail Rutlands on the factory wheels waiting for our British winter…


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Old 09-05-21, 04:03 PM
  #5041  
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Doesn’t seem like they get much love anymore but here’s an OG gravel bike. My unbreakable Salsa Vaya doing Salsa Vaya stuff.
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Old 09-08-21, 06:51 PM
  #5042  
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Originally Posted by Wspsux
Doesn’t seem like they get much love anymore but here’s an OG gravel bike. My unbreakable Salsa Vaya doing Salsa Vaya stuff.
Love it.
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Old 09-15-21, 11:52 AM
  #5043  
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2021 Santa Cruz Stigmata


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Old 09-15-21, 02:43 PM
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I just upgraded my2021 Giant Revolt Advanced 2 to a 2021

Advanced Pro 1 through Giants upgrade program.
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Old 09-16-21, 02:50 PM
  #5045  
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I declare this shall be my final budget Schwinn hybrid -> gravel conversion

Apparently you are only allowed a 'reasonable number' of Schwinns before the wife calls it 'hoarding' and 'irreconcilable differences.'




(the source bike was a used Schwinn Volare 1200 purchased for $60)

.

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Old 09-17-21, 02:55 PM
  #5046  
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Farewell to my GR 270 build before I tear it down and transfer most parts to a new frame.

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Old 09-18-21, 09:11 PM
  #5047  
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New tires,saddle, seatpost,QR levers,chain,chainring.







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Old 09-18-21, 10:06 PM
  #5048  
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Finished. This things a blast.
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Old 09-19-21, 06:53 PM
  #5049  
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Originally Posted by BoozyMcliverRot
New tires,saddle, seatpost,QR levers,chain,chainring.







Oh hell yeah!!
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Old 09-20-21, 02:54 PM
  #5050  
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Check out that suspension/shock!!! Very cool retro conversion. Is the fork old school too?
Great job!
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