996

Hi -

Looking at purchasing one of these bikes. The frame sets for both seem very similar. I looked up the geometry charts for each, and they were identical.

Does anyone know if these are indeed identical frames, and just a mixture of parts and group sets? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ross-bikes.htm

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...avel-bikes.htm

Thanks!

**Edit - sorry I just found out that they are the same frame** if a mod sees this, please remove this post. Sorry!

mstateglfr 

Funny- one of those times where the same frameset is marketed directly as a CX and gravel bike. 65mm drop, road frame angles, shorter CS length, shortish head tube, large main triangle- seems quite CX first and foremost...as if it matters.

996

So this geometry is more CX than Gravel?

thanks!

gravelslider

Nice looking bike and great deal for Reynolds 853. I like the dark blue gloss! Interesting to hear about the advantages of EXTERNAL cable routing in the description!

mstateglfr 

Yes, but it's really six of one, half dozen of another. If it's the geometry you want, it's a helluva bike for the money.
The big limitation to me is 40mm max tires, but many popular and well made gravel bikes are only rated for 42mm, so that's a minimal difference compared to much of the gravel market. If 40mm or smaller tires work for your riding, then perfect!

mstateglfr 

My old and current gravel frames have external cabling. On the current frame, the disc cables are fully lined, but shifting is segmented.
Itll be simple to service when that is eventually neeses and I dont think of it when riding. Pretty much a nonissue one way or the other.
My old frame had cables routed along the top tube and I was a little hesitant on the new frame since the shift cables route under the bb shell. I didnt want wet junk that gets kicked up to mess with shifting. So far it's been fine and realistically, I just dont ride in wet mucked gravel all that often.

Since the motobecane frame is full housing for shifting, the potential for mucked shifting is eliminated.
Interesting.

DMC707 

The aluminum version of these bikes is $1099 !

Ive seriously been considering buying one just to strip the build kit to dress out the frame of my choice