The thread for everyone building a cross/gravel/monstercross

[restlessshawn]

Since we have all gone cross bike mad here is how far I have got -

Voodoo limba scandium and carbon frame
stronglight cranks (square taper) 34/48
ultegra 9 speed front and rear mechs
trp euro x cantis in slutty white
cane creek headset





How is everyone else doing?

[johnnystorm]

Does my Fargo count? If so it's finished already.

[Ben98]

My baby has just got new wheels, new brakes (Tiagra mini v's) and will soon have some new tires (the orange slicks are only on there cause there pretty)
It will also get some campag veloce shifters and salsa cowbell's when funds allow :D

[Pyro]

Had it built a couple of weeks, but not ridden it much. Set up singlespeed and doing road/commute duty at the moment:

Cotic X frame and carbon fork
Midge bars
Truvativ MTB cranks with Renthal 44T SR4 ring
SunRingle Radium wheelset w 16T Gusset sprocket
BB7 Mtn calipers with Cane Creek Drop-V levers.

Liking it so far. Not sure I'll ever do the whole cross/gravel race thing but it'll be a handy commuter and fanny-around bike.

[ScotRoutes]

Does this count?


Amazon by ScotRoutes, on Flickr

[Mike]

Midge bars or salsa woodchippers?? which ones r best for cross/tourer i want a wide bar are there any others out there

[ScotRoutes]

Chippers on mine. I fitted them for off-road but I find they seem to have added a bit of stability to fully-loaded touring too so they've stayed on. In proper touring mode, the stem is flipped so that the bars are a wee bit lower.

[slugwash]

My coming-bike-in-progress is a 26er so not sure if it'll be accepted in the monster cross genre, but...

853 Inbred frame
FSA wheelset
Midge bars
LX rear Mech, XT Front.
Probably Shimano square taper triple, but possibly HT2 or old Sugino or Campag.
BB7 MTNs. I was going to run Campag Ergo shifters but got the MTN BB7s for a good price so now need...
bar end shifters & V-brake compatible drop bar levers (anyone got any for sale?)
Tyres - selection from the tyre trolley, depending on terrain.
Frame bag material lying around awaiting elves to come at night and stitch it all up.

I'm intending to leave the bike all kitted up ready for sudden bike packing overnighters as I've gone off mainly by foot this year 'cos it's easier to throw a few things in a rucsac than strap it all to a bike at when you're pressed for time.

[Ben98]

Midge bars or salsa woodchippers?? which ones r best for cross/tourer i want a wide bar are there any others out there

Whilst i like the idea of the flared drops, i cannot stand the look of them and also i generally ride on the hoods alot, hence my reason behind choosing salsa cowbells for my next bars :)

[restlessshawn]

Whilst i like the idea of the flared drops, i cannot stand the look of them and also i generally ride on the hoods alot, hence my reason behind choosing salsa cowbells for my next bars :)

I ride Midges mostly in the hoods, I find the angle of the hoods really comfy. Having such a short drop I can actually use the drops and the position is excellent for control. Try some not as weird as you think.

I like the look of them 8-)

[gairym]

I've no idea if timings will allow for me to make it to the gravel race next year but.....it has inspired me to tailor my next bike build to be 'gravel-compatible'.

Basically I've got a cheap Planet X 'Kaffenback' frame/forks sitting doing nothing (and won't likely bring enough if sold to make selling it worth while) and I was thinking of building it up as a SS thing that I could use around town without worrying every time I pop into a shop (though I'd still lock it up).

My query though is this: is there a compatibility reason why I can't build it up using a mix (see below) of road and MTB components to be something that I could potentially use for something like the gravel race (or light off-road touring etc...)?

I was thinking:

- Kaffenback frame/forks/
- Square-tapered BB with some Middleburn RS2 cranks (most likely just with 22/32/44T rings).
- Shimano cheap (can't remember the name) 700c wheels.
- Some kind of bull-bars (I never use the drop position and see it as wasted metal for no gain).
- Frog Legs cantilever brakes.
- Bar end brake levers.
- MTB shifters and mechs.

So.....can anyone see anything blatantly stupid about this build (I'm not convinced about the gearing ratios but for off-roading, especially a UK gravel route with +9000m alt. gain, I thought that it'd be ok)???

Cheers, Gairy.

[Bearbonesnorm]

So.....can anyone see anything blatantly stupid about this build (I'm not convinced about the gearing ratios but for off-roading, especially a UK gravel route with +9000m alt. gain, I thought that it'd be ok)???

Nope, I can't see why that wouldn't work, I don't think the gearing's a bad idea either ... it's pretty 'hilly' where you are

[restlessshawn]

Loving the diveristy emerging in here

[Ben98]

- Some kind of bull-bars (I never use the drop position and see it as wasted metal for no gain).
- Frog Legs cantilever brakes.
- Bar end brake levers.
- MTB shifters and mechs.

How about setting up the bull horns something like this:

Would give you an almost STI like setup for very little money?
Edit: You could even fit cross top levers for more control descending off road?

[johnnystorm]

I think it's worth trying a taller stem so you can use the drops without scrunching up. I find my arms are positioned better for absorbing bumps and techy manouveres on the drops. I've also had the brake Levers come loose after a long bumpy ride on the hoods.

[restlessshawn]

Yeah descending should be done in the drops. I've lost hold of both hoods before when I hit a bump going downhill...strangely I crashed.

[gairym]

Stuart,

Yeah, there are some minor lumps to ride around here

But.....I was thinking more about the gravel race and wondering whether I'd need more than regular MTB gearing would offer (coupled with 700c wheels) - what do we think?

Ben98,

Something like that looks exactly like what I'm after. Any ideas who makes those particular components (or similar ones if not)?

johnnystorm/restlessnative,

That's weird as I've never felt comfortable even descending on the drops on the road nevermind off-road.

All,

I've read that recent (last 15 years or so) canti-brake mounts are suitable for v-brakes - anyone know if this is true???

I've got the cantis but v's would be more powerful (and add to the whacky nature of this mutant beast)!

Cheers, Gairy.

[restlessshawn]

Stuart,


I've read that recent (last 15 years or so) canti-brake mounts are suitable for v-brakes - anyone know if this is true???

I've got the cantis but v's would be more powerful (and add to the whacky nature of this mutant beast)!

Cheers, Gairy.

Yes it's fine, but you need to use mtb levers to pull enough cable for them

[Ben98]

Im not sure about the levers, it would depend on the diameter of the bars, but the shifters are just any old bar ends
As far as brakes are concerned, v brakes will fit on canti mounts fine, but i would advise using mini v's if using cross top levers or road levers
Ive just fitted these:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shi ... s-ec041351
and they work perfectly, mega stopping power for £35

[Ben98]

http://www.ratracecycles.com/tag/bullhorn-bars/
Just found this, looks like it might help

[numplumz]

Another option could be these. Cheaper, ood conversion from geared to Singlespeed options without unwrapping bar tape. On the hoods comfort might be compromised.
http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/10/27/pro ... rm-review/

[Ben98]

Another option could be these. Cheaper, ood conversion from geared to Singlespeed options without unwrapping bar tape. On the hoods comfort might be compromised.
http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/10/27/pro ... rm-review/

DAMN! There expensive!
I love the idea, and the execution, and the look even, but they cost as much as a decent set of brifters, even before shipping and import :(

[FLV]

I keep checking back in here, really looking forward to the frame showing up... Nearly time :?

It is getting towards time to choose some tyres though... I want fat-ish ones that will work tubeless.

[Ben98]

I keep checking back in here, really looking forward to the frame showing up... Nearly time :?

It is getting towards time to choose some tyres though... I want fat-ish ones that will work tubeless.

Oooo, what frame are you getting??

[FLV]

I keep checking back in here, really looking forward to the frame showing up... Nearly time :?

It is getting towards time to choose some tyres though... I want fat-ish ones that will work tubeless.

Oooo, what frame are you getting??

Surly Straggler. Cant wait.

Dismantling my road bike to build all the parts into it, with a couple of chops and changes (like wheels)