Show us your C&V Gravel Grinders
09-05-13, 03:45 PM
#326
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
I know, I was there in his shop and Joseph was like... "You could have chris make you a fork"... should have gone that route. I didn't know he was the maker for FC but it crossed my mind as a possibility. Makes sense now. Chris was riding a pretty bad ass monster cross too.
09-05-13, 04:27 PM
#327
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Thanks, I am pretty happy with it, but it is a first and there are definite mistakes. I will file the joints and get it powder coated, probably metallic silver. I have to move the braze-ons first though. The rear tire clearance on the chainstays is not as good as I would like and I dimpled them after the build to get the clearance which is a bit of a kludge. I wanted to be able to run a compact double. In retrospect I should have said "eff-it" and built it for triple only, when am I going to run a compact double on this? It is for seriously rugged mine roads where I will need the granny. I know it has the rawland vibe and I am cool with that. I like those bikes, but I wanted 29" wheels.
The things that make this bike special is the 74 degree seat tube. I run 180mm cranks and my femurs are a little abnormally short (long story) so I need the steep angle. The other thing is the head tube. It's big baby at 215mm. I hate lots of spacers, even though I have a bunch on there now. That is my big hang-up with surlys... give me slope and a big head tube. Spacers are ugly.
The things that make this bike special is the 74 degree seat tube. I run 180mm cranks and my femurs are a little abnormally short (long story) so I need the steep angle. The other thing is the head tube. It's big baby at 215mm. I hate lots of spacers, even though I have a bunch on there now. That is my big hang-up with surlys... give me slope and a big head tube. Spacers are ugly.
This is my only gripe with the Straggler.
I like the rest of it just fine and I'll likely see a bunch at the races and down at our river bottoms.
I have been storing all of these ideas/preferences up, as I will likely have Dave Anderson build my next custom.
I've been riding a lot of great off road bikes the last two years.
Lots of note taking to get it just right for a special build.
I almost had an idea a year ago, but changed the focus.
Glad I waited.
Back to yours though. Please keep the pics coming, as the direction is very cool.
The color idea is smart, as all they do is get covered with dust, slurry, mud etc.....
09-12-13, 10:20 AM
#328
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1974 Bottecchia
Converted to gravel grinder. Pics of initial shakedown run with 28s on part of the Boone Roubaix course. Took it on an extended ride for 5.5 hours, 55 miles and 5500' climbing on part of the Wilson's Revenge CX route. Will be putting 35s on it this week. Love the gravel and this baby is smooth....
09-12-13, 10:56 AM
#329
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Converted to gravel grinder. Pics of initial shakedown run with 28s on part of the Boone Roubaix course. Took it on an extended ride for 5.5 hours, 55 miles and 5500' climbing on part of the Wilson's Revenge CX route. Will be putting 35s on it this week. Love the gravel and this baby is smooth....
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2019 Salsa Warbird
09-12-13, 01:45 PM
#330
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Will do...
Poor quality phone pics. Going to have to paint it, the bottom bracket is showing some rust, guess the powdercoat wasn't so good. Soon as I get the new tires on I'll spit shine it and snap a couple pics. Guy bought this new in '74 and gave it to me because he never rode it, too big for him (he's about 5'7" and I'm 6'2"). Came with Campy Record components, I'll build that up sometime, but for now it has Kysrium Elites and some Shimano stuff on it (the horror!). I can't get over how good it does on dirt/gravel, it climbs like a goat and is very easy on the old spine.
Here is another bad picture of it pre-gravel bike. Changed the stem back to the original 3ttt for gravel build.
Here is another bad picture of it pre-gravel bike. Changed the stem back to the original 3ttt for gravel build.
09-12-13, 08:39 PM
#331
Senior Member
Just finished building an '82 Columbine snagged from ebay. Been dialog'ing with John Murphy, might be able to locate a build sheet soon. Suspect fork may not be original, prolly also a repaint.
Built into a nice go-almost-anywhere bike, with the 31/32mm 700c Cypres it handled about 10mi of Nyack>Stony Point trail very nicely. I'd want fatter rubber, which she won't fit, for all-day gravel fun, but there ain't none of that around these here parts.
Gearing is 39/48 x 11/36 10spd, really should have a compact 34/46 up front, but I didn't have any kicking around.
Built into a nice go-almost-anywhere bike, with the 31/32mm 700c Cypres it handled about 10mi of Nyack>Stony Point trail very nicely. I'd want fatter rubber, which she won't fit, for all-day gravel fun, but there ain't none of that around these here parts.
Gearing is 39/48 x 11/36 10spd, really should have a compact 34/46 up front, but I didn't have any kicking around.
09-12-13, 09:04 PM
#333
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Just finished building an '82 Columbine snagged from ebay. Been dialog'ing with John Murphy, might be able to locate a build sheet soon. Suspect fork may not be original, prolly also a repaint.
Built into a nice go-almost-anywhere bike, with the 31/32mm 700c Cypres it handled about 10mi of Nyack>Stony Point trail very nicely. I'd want fatter rubber, which she won't fit, for all-day gravel fun, but there ain't none of that around these here parts.
Gearing is 39/48 x 11/36 10spd, really should have a compact 34/46 up front, but I didn't have any kicking around.
Built into a nice go-almost-anywhere bike, with the 31/32mm 700c Cypres it handled about 10mi of Nyack>Stony Point trail very nicely. I'd want fatter rubber, which she won't fit, for all-day gravel fun, but there ain't none of that around these here parts.
Gearing is 39/48 x 11/36 10spd, really should have a compact 34/46 up front, but I didn't have any kicking around.
09-12-13, 09:49 PM
#334
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Just finished building an '82 Columbine snagged from ebay. Been dialog'ing with John Murphy, might be able to locate a build sheet soon. Suspect fork may not be original, prolly also a repaint.
Built into a nice go-almost-anywhere bike, with the 31/32mm 700c Cypres it handled about 10mi of Nyack>Stony Point trail very nicely. I'd want fatter rubber, which she won't fit, for all-day gravel fun, but there ain't none of that around these here parts.
Gearing is 39/48 x 11/36 10spd, really should have a compact 34/46 up front, but I didn't have any kicking around.
Built into a nice go-almost-anywhere bike, with the 31/32mm 700c Cypres it handled about 10mi of Nyack>Stony Point trail very nicely. I'd want fatter rubber, which she won't fit, for all-day gravel fun, but there ain't none of that around these here parts.
Gearing is 39/48 x 11/36 10spd, really should have a compact 34/46 up front, but I didn't have any kicking around.
09-13-13, 07:37 PM
#336
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got the 700 x 35 Kenda Kwests on...
Poor quality phone pics. Going to have to paint it, the bottom bracket is showing some rust, guess the powdercoat wasn't so good. Soon as I get the new tires on I'll spit shine it and snap a couple pics. Guy bought this new in '74 and gave it to me because he never rode it, too big for him (he's about 5'7" and I'm 6'2"). Came with Campy Record components, I'll build that up sometime, but for now it has Kysrium Elites and some Shimano stuff on it (the horror!). I can't get over how good it does on dirt/gravel, it climbs like a goat and is very easy on the old spine.
Here is another bad picture of it pre-gravel bike. Changed the stem back to the original 3ttt for gravel build.
Here is another bad picture of it pre-gravel bike. Changed the stem back to the original 3ttt for gravel build.
09-16-13, 12:31 PM
#337
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[/QUOTE]This is a sharp ride!
09-16-13, 12:40 PM
#338
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Been tweaking my RB-T due to an angry lower back. I Installed a set of Moustache bars and a Velo Orange 100mm quill stem and I am totally loving it. This set up is a lot more confidence inspiring than those narrow drops I had. Much better for climbing out of the saddle too. ColonelJLloyd my back thanks you!
09-16-13, 12:51 PM
#340
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Been tweaking my RB-T due to an angry lower back. I Installed a set of Moustache bars and a Velo Orange 100mm quill stem and I am totally loving it. This set up is a lot more confidence inspiring than those narrow drops I had. Much better for climbing out of the saddle too. ColonelJLloyd my back thanks you!
Cool bike! What tires?
09-16-13, 01:05 PM
#341
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@RFC,
I'm running a set of Continental Cycocross Races' they're 35's. It seems like the little nubs wear down pretty fast
I'm running a set of Continental Cycocross Races' they're 35's. It seems like the little nubs wear down pretty fast
10-26-13, 10:33 PM
#342
Full Member
Below is my budget build gravel grinder. I bought the early/mid '90's Univega Activa Trail frame for $25 and used parts I had laying around the shop. Overall, its a good bike for general use. It's got 1x7 gearing that ranges from 33-84 gear inches. The bike is rolling on 700x35c tires.
10-27-13, 05:59 AM
#344
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I really like this build.
I have been watching the local CL like a hawk the last week or so for an interesting frameset to do a single speed build.
I almost bought a Nishiki the other day, but it didn't have enough head tube.
I know yours is fixed, but ss would be a better choice for me this winter.
Too many knee injuries for me to ride fixed at this point.
Why don't you find some gravel this afternoon and give us a ride report?
10-27-13, 08:17 AM
#345
What's this lever do?
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what are you guys with sidepull brakes using for tires?
10-27-13, 09:25 AM
#346
BEHOLD! THE MANTICORE!
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Oh, you mean "riding a bike."
I do that.
Maybe it's just because I've gotten into cycling as recreation and from the bike trails where I live- I don't see a difference in a paved trail and a gravel trail. A quarter of my commute is "gravel" or dirt. Only 8-10 miles of the 50+ miles of the Glacial Drumlin trail are paved. Most trails I like to ride are "gravel/crushed limestone" surface.
I do that.
Maybe it's just because I've gotten into cycling as recreation and from the bike trails where I live- I don't see a difference in a paved trail and a gravel trail. A quarter of my commute is "gravel" or dirt. Only 8-10 miles of the 50+ miles of the Glacial Drumlin trail are paved. Most trails I like to ride are "gravel/crushed limestone" surface.
10-27-13, 09:38 AM
#347
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I grew up riding this trail out of Waukesha with my Mom. It was and always will be one of my favorite places to ride. I used to love stopping at that place where guys fly the R/C planes and watching. When my Mom passed I scattered her ashes from that little bridge at the start of the trail per her request.
To know that area meant something special to both of you- and if you still ride that stretch from time to time, it makes that area even more special.
I'll keep your Mom in mind when I pass there.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
11-16-13, 10:00 AM
#350
Have bike, will travel
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1997 Simoncini Cyclocross Special: Columbus CROMAR, lugged construction, ovalized top tube, cable guides on the top of the top-tube for the rear brake and deralleur.
Build items;
Drivetrain: Sugino 48, 36 & 26 triple & a Suntour Winner seven speed 13-24 freewheel
Wheelset: 36 hole Campagnolo Record high flange hubs rebuilt with Sun CR18 rims
Tires: Challenge Parigi Roubaix open-tubulars
Derailleurs & Shifters: Shimano Deore XT derailleurs and Suntour ratcheting bar-end shifters
Brakes: Planet X Cantilevers with NOS Shimano 600 levers
Build items;
Drivetrain: Sugino 48, 36 & 26 triple & a Suntour Winner seven speed 13-24 freewheel
Wheelset: 36 hole Campagnolo Record high flange hubs rebuilt with Sun CR18 rims
Tires: Challenge Parigi Roubaix open-tubulars
Derailleurs & Shifters: Shimano Deore XT derailleurs and Suntour ratcheting bar-end shifters
Brakes: Planet X Cantilevers with NOS Shimano 600 levers
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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.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 11-16-13 at 10:18 AM.