This is my 3d entry (I have a cheapo Sekine that I haven't hit 100km yet with and a frame up Viking "European" which I have ridden 100 km). I've been thinking of building a vintage gravel bike ever since I read this article in CX magazine,
https://www.cxmagazine.com/cheap-gra...es-60s-70s-80s
I picked up this early 70s (likely a '71-'72) Raleigh Gran Sport with the idea of turning it into a gravel bike. It came to be as a Frankenbike (even the wheels were mismatched), the rear triangle had been spread to 126 OLD, and the rear dropout was unfortunately drewed. But the bike had promise. My goal is to keep the costs of any "new" parts to the limit for the cheapo build category of $108.
At least the Brooks saddle the bike came with was serviceable. This is how the bike came to me in the wild:
