N+1 Clyde Gravel / Cross bike time: Black Mountain Cycles Monster Cross
04-04-16, 07:27 AM
#26
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The more I look at this picture, the more I think my brifters are on wonky. Oh well I'm about 1250 miles away from the bike right now, so there's not much I can do. I guess I fix it when I get my new bar tape!
04-30-16, 11:26 AM
#27
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Updated build. New bar tape, replaced the the rear derailleur with a Deore XT 9-speed and put on a 11-36T cassette (my first gravel ride left me wanting for lower gears!). Also changed the small ring from a 36T to a 34T, downside, it no longer matches the rest of the crankset (as it's Ultegra grey not black), but whatever, I already owned it!
05-22-16, 01:40 PM
#29
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Took the BMC Monster Cross and ground some gravel on Friday. It performed outstandingly!
05-23-16, 10:04 AM
#31
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Looks awesome.
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Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),
05-23-16, 10:58 AM
#32
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Thanks chaps. My biggest regret is that I'm not getting out enough and riding it. I need to find myself some nice long gravel paths, I got up to the point of the upper picture,and beyond that ran out of gears (34 up front, 36 in the back), so I couldn't make it to the top of the ridge. I don't know, maybe I need a triple!
One nice thing to report, the Clement X'PLOR MSO 700x40 tires work great on the crushed limestone paths we have around here, but even more surprisingly they roll fast on pavement. I was hitting 20 MPH speeds with no issues on the roads, and cornering confidently. Compared to my other gravel tires (Kenda small block 8 700x35c), which are super squirrelly on roads.
One nice thing to report, the Clement X'PLOR MSO 700x40 tires work great on the crushed limestone paths we have around here, but even more surprisingly they roll fast on pavement. I was hitting 20 MPH speeds with no issues on the roads, and cornering confidently. Compared to my other gravel tires (Kenda small block 8 700x35c), which are super squirrelly on roads.
05-23-16, 11:17 AM
#33
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I have smallblock 8 in 29x2.1 on my hardtail, don't find it squirrely on the road, but maybe because it's wider. I'm still experimenting with pressure since I've tubelessed them. Last ride 25psi front/rear was fine. Will try 20 next time.
05-23-16, 11:59 AM
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I think everyone who's not a pro racer does, but that's just me.
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Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"
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05-23-16, 12:43 PM
#35
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I'm still experimenting with pressure since I've tubelessed them. Last ride 25psi front/rear was fine. Will try 20 next time.
05-23-16, 12:46 PM
#36
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On road I don't need it. On my road bike I run 50/34 compact with an 11-28 cassette and that gets me up the Appalachian ridges around here just fine.
The Monster Cross on the other hand has the rack points to be able to set it up for touring (front and back), in which case if I ever decide to do that sort of riding, it'd definitely benefit from a triple. Something to consider in the future, but that would require me buying a whole new FD, crankset and left STI shifter!
The Monster Cross on the other hand has the rack points to be able to set it up for touring (front and back), in which case if I ever decide to do that sort of riding, it'd definitely benefit from a triple. Something to consider in the future, but that would require me buying a whole new FD, crankset and left STI shifter!
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