Show us your C&V Gravel Grinders
#526
tantum vehi
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Flathead Valley, MT
Posts: 4,491
Bikes: More than I care to admit
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1145 Post(s)
Liked 866 Times
in
452 Posts
Jon makes great products over at Red Clover, I have his triplizer on my wife's Gitane TdF. He also makes a 122BCD 37t ring which is great at creating a "compact" crank. I have had trouble setting up a half-step plus granny with my Simplex FD - a 48/37 should be perfect.
That looks like a 60cm bike. What a beautiful blue color and a classic build.
That looks like a 60cm bike. What a beautiful blue color and a classic build.
#527
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,439
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5852 Post(s)
Liked 3,362 Times
in
2,014 Posts
I've posted this bike before. This is my 1993 Bridgestone XO-2. I just rode it on the Buffalo 105, Buffalo 105 Gravel Race -
I really like this bike. I think that combination of 26 inch wheels and road geometry works very well. The wheels accelerate well and handle the gravel great. I rebuilt the bike a year ago with 3 x 8 gearing. I'm running Claris brifters and a MTB triple, 44/32/22 with 11-28 on the rear.
I changed out the tires recently. I'm running Panaracer t serve protite 26 x 1.75. They measure around 41c. They are excellent tires and reasonably lightweight at 450 grams. Plus they're pretty flat proof. They make excellent tires for gravel grinding.
I really like this bike. I think that combination of 26 inch wheels and road geometry works very well. The wheels accelerate well and handle the gravel great. I rebuilt the bike a year ago with 3 x 8 gearing. I'm running Claris brifters and a MTB triple, 44/32/22 with 11-28 on the rear.
I changed out the tires recently. I'm running Panaracer t serve protite 26 x 1.75. They measure around 41c. They are excellent tires and reasonably lightweight at 450 grams. Plus they're pretty flat proof. They make excellent tires for gravel grinding.
#528
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Point Reyes Station, California
Posts: 4,522
Bikes: Indeed!
Mentioned: 91 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1412 Post(s)
Liked 3,037 Times
in
1,005 Posts
#529
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Point Reyes Station, California
Posts: 4,522
Bikes: Indeed!
Mentioned: 91 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1412 Post(s)
Liked 3,037 Times
in
1,005 Posts
I've posted this bike before. This is my 1993 Bridgestone XO-2. I just rode it on the Buffalo 105, Buffalo 105 Gravel Race -
Did you see any Buffalo?
Brent
#530
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,439
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5852 Post(s)
Liked 3,362 Times
in
2,014 Posts
You bet. We saw around 5 or so snoozing in the prairie, no more than 20 or so ft from the road. They're beautiful creatures. I'll tell you what, I thought cattle grates were tough to ride on; buffalo grates have them beat.
#531
Have bike, will travel
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,392
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 909 Post(s)
Liked 285 Times
in
156 Posts
This 1977 Motobecane is my pub bike, but it's a perfect gravel bike. I've converted the crankset and wheelset to a more adventure friendly arrangement. The original 27 inch wheelset has been replaced with a 700c set with Campagnolo 36 hole high flange hubs with Sun CR18 rims and Panaracer 700x32 tires. The original TA Professional crank gave way to TA Cyclotourist crankset with a 48 & 34 chainring set. The freewheel is now a 13-32 and the Shimano 600 long arm rear derailleur and shifters makes the range usable.









__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
#532
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Western MI
Posts: 2,777
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 622 Post(s)
Liked 390 Times
in
256 Posts
^Your Motobecane is the type of treatment I'm thinking for my Bridgestone 400. Looks nice and comfy, yet able to get up to speed when needed. Looks like you have a lot of clearance at the brakes with those 32s. Hoping I have the same with my Bridgestone calipers.
#533
If I own it, I ride it
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cardinal Country
Posts: 5,561
Bikes: Lejeune(14), Raleigh, Raysport, Jan De Reus, Gazelle, Masi, B. Carré(4), Springfield, Motobecane(2), Greg Lemond, Andre Bertin, Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 581 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 621 Times
in
295 Posts
Latest iteration of my Lejeune Pro gravel grinder. TA crank with 46-30 rings, seven speed Shimano 14-28 freewheel, 45cm Nitto bars, and SPD pedals. And I finally got the Mafac Competitions dialed in to my satisfaction. Now they really stop.
Katy Machens 23 mi 2 res by L Travers, on Flickr

#534
Senior Member
This thing love dirt roads. Loooong wheelbase and chainstays. 72 parallel. I've taken it on some single track too.
#535
Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Orrery's AvatarOrrery , 09-12-12 08:43 AM I've posted this a few times but I took som
Orrery's AvatarOrrery , 09-12-12 08:43 AM
"I've posted this a few times but I took some pictures of my recent face-lift for my Miyata Triplecross."
Hey the bike looks great. What year is the miyata? I have the same frame & fork but haven't confirmed which year this model is from. Thanks in advance!
"I've posted this a few times but I took some pictures of my recent face-lift for my Miyata Triplecross."
Hey the bike looks great. What year is the miyata? I have the same frame & fork but haven't confirmed which year this model is from. Thanks in advance!
#536
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 8,008
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Mentioned: 193 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1622 Post(s)
Liked 622 Times
in
354 Posts
I guess my Grandis is the gravel grinder in my stable. 32mm tires, 12-36 8 speed cogset out back, slack and flexy frame.
At rest in the courtyard of Symes Hotel, Hot Springs MT, in the middle of last year's Cino Heroica:

The business end of gravel gearing (at least on this bike):
At rest in the courtyard of Symes Hotel, Hot Springs MT, in the middle of last year's Cino Heroica:

The business end of gravel gearing (at least on this bike):

__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 10-04-19 at 09:24 PM.
#537
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Magnolia State, 100° with 110% humidity
Posts: 1,277
Bikes: American, Italian, and Japanese.. in no particular order.
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 350 Post(s)
Liked 272 Times
in
127 Posts


I added 700x35c tires to my Toure XC. Not sure if that makes it a gravel grinder.
#539
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Magnolia State, 100° with 110% humidity
Posts: 1,277
Bikes: American, Italian, and Japanese.. in no particular order.
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 350 Post(s)
Liked 272 Times
in
127 Posts
I haven’t been able to pin down the year yet. Color is a dark blue metallic. It was made in Japan, so maybe by Maruishi.
Last edited by tyler_fred; 06-21-19 at 06:56 PM.
#541
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 40,330
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 502 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7093 Post(s)
Liked 2,009 Times
in
1,193 Posts
Yes, I think 35mm tires do the trick. That's what I plan to do. Watch this space for updates.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#542
Senior Member
Bridgestone RB-T
I rode my first "official" gravel ride last fall on my Bridgestone RBT. It was the Old Spokes Home's second annual Hundo Fundo, but due to a missed turn, my ride was a bit more than 100k.

I had been riding it in basically stock form since finding it at a bike swap the previous spring. Even had a functioning Cat-eye bike computer from 1993. The Brooks Professional is one I had been hoarding for years while I was looking for the bike to put it on. For that ride I updated the drivetrain to 9 speed to get a couple more teeth on the big cog, and swapped the stock bars out for WTB Dirt Drops while I was at it.


It's my regular commuter this spring I upgraded the shifters to new Sora 9-speeds. The old parts bin ones I put on last fall were on their way out, and the new ones facilitated the fancy new Swift Ozette bag which would not have fit between the shift cables. I also upgraded the fenders to shiny, added a VO rear rack, cute cheap lights and most recently switched out the Schwalbe Marathons it came with for Panaracer Gravel Kings.




I had been riding it in basically stock form since finding it at a bike swap the previous spring. Even had a functioning Cat-eye bike computer from 1993. The Brooks Professional is one I had been hoarding for years while I was looking for the bike to put it on. For that ride I updated the drivetrain to 9 speed to get a couple more teeth on the big cog, and swapped the stock bars out for WTB Dirt Drops while I was at it.


It's my regular commuter this spring I upgraded the shifters to new Sora 9-speeds. The old parts bin ones I put on last fall were on their way out, and the new ones facilitated the fancy new Swift Ozette bag which would not have fit between the shift cables. I also upgraded the fenders to shiny, added a VO rear rack, cute cheap lights and most recently switched out the Schwalbe Marathons it came with for Panaracer Gravel Kings.




#545
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Magnolia State, 100° with 110% humidity
Posts: 1,277
Bikes: American, Italian, and Japanese.. in no particular order.
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 350 Post(s)
Liked 272 Times
in
127 Posts
Thanks Dave. SR seatpost is coded C-86 (March 1986) the Sugino crank is F6, front derailleur is CC (March 1986) the frameset is FY65912. The number 6 seems prevalent, so perhaps this is a 1986 model.
Last edited by tyler_fred; 06-10-19 at 06:54 PM.
#546
Sempiternal Newb
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Panama City, FL
Posts: 656
Bikes: '92 Trek 750, '85 Univega Gran Turismo, '95 Stumpjumper,
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 231 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
10 Posts
I had Old Field Cycles in Tallahassee work on my Univega Gran Turismo over the weekend, adding some more bottle cage locations and rerouting the cables. Paint to come in the winter!
#549
Full Member
Lovely photo - Hard to tell from here, but it looks like the bike is leaning in a clump of poison oak, maybe ?