Your dream gravel bike
#26
Full Member
I got really lucky that everything lined up during the height of the pandemic regarding pricing and inventory levels. While I did have to wait a couple extra weeks, it was still only about 6-weeks from order to delivery on the bike.

- Lynskey GR300
- GRX Di2
- Custom wheels built around Grail MK3s

#27
Senior Member
Very nice. Did you have a shop build it for you or did you do it yourself? I'm considering something similar. There's a shop a 30 minute drive away that does Moots (super nice but pricey), a close one that works with Seven (more likely, but still $$$), but I don't know if shops will order and "custom build/fit" Lynskey or Litespeed or other brands. Not sure how that works and I don't want to screw up the fit etc.
#28
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Bikes: Co-Motion Cappuccino Tandem,'88 Bob Jackson Touring, Co-Motion Cascadia Touring, Open U.P., Ritchie Titanium Breakaway, Frances Cycles SmallHaul cargo bike. Those are the permanent ones; others wander in and out of the stable occasionally as well.
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Dream build would start with a carbon frameset that will accept up to 700x50mm tires like the Open Upper or similar.
12 speed 2x AXS drivetrain with top end crank, chain, etc... with oil slick cassette and chain finish
Zipp 353NSW wheelset @ 1255 grams & 25mm internal width
Rene Herse 700x48 Oracle Ridge tires
Matching Zipp stem, carbon bars, and carbon seat post (new logo like wheels)
Hope hydraulic disc brakes and rotors to add a bit of bling color determined after frame purchase
I'd consider the Lauf fork but with those wheels, tires, and frame I don't think the bike will ride all that bad to necessitate one.
Best lights, mounts, cages, computer, pedals, etc...
Finally top it off with a Brooks C17 with matching tape and call it a day!
12 speed 2x AXS drivetrain with top end crank, chain, etc... with oil slick cassette and chain finish
Zipp 353NSW wheelset @ 1255 grams & 25mm internal width
Rene Herse 700x48 Oracle Ridge tires
Matching Zipp stem, carbon bars, and carbon seat post (new logo like wheels)
Hope hydraulic disc brakes and rotors to add a bit of bling color determined after frame purchase
I'd consider the Lauf fork but with those wheels, tires, and frame I don't think the bike will ride all that bad to necessitate one.
Best lights, mounts, cages, computer, pedals, etc...
Finally top it off with a Brooks C17 with matching tape and call it a day!
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#30
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#31
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My T-Lab X3 is pretty much my gravel bike dream made real, but had costs not been a concern, I’d certainly have done some different stuff, like going with Red AXS rather than Force AXS, getting Industry Nine i9.35 wheels (with purple hubs, obvs!) rather than Spinergy GX, and running the carbon fiber Easton EC70 AX handlebar rather than their aluminum EA70 AX. I’d also have had the seatpost collar and disc lockrings media blasted for a matte purple anodize finish to match the Campestral Ti headset spacer. And I guess while I’m dreaming, a Kogel oversize pulley cage with some custom purple ano would be nice, too.

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#32
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I’d still go titanium but probably full custom with a professional bike fit. I’ve made some comfort changes lately to my GR300’s cockpit to increase the stack like a shorter/steeper stem plus Surly TruckStop bars with even more rise. Maybe add the Lauf Grit forks and carbon seatpost for added comfort. And either Di2 or Campy Ekar 1x13 setup. Ok I need to quit and just ride.

Last edited by Wilbur76; 06-13-21 at 02:01 PM. Reason: Added picture.
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#33
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#34
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Pedals changed to proper slim profile platform, going to get rid of the steel riser stem and handlebar and change to threadless ones with adapter and then a modern stem + carbon bar up front, then it'll be to my liking. If I find good deals on V-brakes, for sure get rid of cantilever brake setup
#35
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Pedals changed to proper slim profile platform, going to get rid of the steel riser stem and handlebar and change to threadless ones with adapter and then a modern stem + carbon bar up front, then it'll be to my liking. If I find good deals on V-brakes, for sure get rid of cantilever brake setup
Very neat.
Another poster took a similar year Multitrack with fade and converted to drop bar- gotta love the fades Trek used back then!
#36
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love the Trail Donkey.

love this thing ..if only i had $$ to buy one

love this thing ..if only i had $$ to buy one
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#37
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Bikes: 1984 homemade 531SL road bike; 1988 Ritchey TimberComp; 1997 Nashbar tandem; 1998 Kona Explosif; Specialized Epic, Scott CR1 Pro; Salsa Beargrease; Curtlo custom Tandem, Curtlo custom S3 steel gravel bike.
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Dreaming of (and ordering parts for) an American made as possible, and made by small producers if not possible, gravel bike. Goal is under 8.5 kg (19 lb)
Custom geometry steel frame under 3.5 lb (specific geometry is a whole other thread!)
Carbon fork (Don't think there is a carbon fork made in the US or EU)
White Industries G30 2X crank
Industry 9 Classic hubs
Astral Outback rims
Berk saddle (Dila or Lupina)
Darimo T1 Loop seatpost
Extralite Hyperstem
Handlebar? (carbon, flared and shallow drop <110 mm)
GRX di2
3T 9-32 Overdrive cassette (can run 42/26 chainrings and get same range as 46/30)
XTR pedals
Custom geometry steel frame under 3.5 lb (specific geometry is a whole other thread!)
Carbon fork (Don't think there is a carbon fork made in the US or EU)
White Industries G30 2X crank
Industry 9 Classic hubs
Astral Outback rims
Berk saddle (Dila or Lupina)
Darimo T1 Loop seatpost
Extralite Hyperstem
Handlebar? (carbon, flared and shallow drop <110 mm)
GRX di2
3T 9-32 Overdrive cassette (can run 42/26 chainrings and get same range as 46/30)
XTR pedals
#38
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Not sure if this is a gravel bike or not but my next bike if I can find one will probably be a Trek FX Sport Carbon 4. When I get it I'll swap out the following:
-Panaracer GK Slicks 35c
-Brooks C17
-Shimano Saint pedals PDX-M80
-Ergon GP3 grips
-SQlab Innerbarends
-Redshift stem
Maybe later:
-Redshift seatpost
-Di2 GRX shifter/rear derailleur
-new bars with some more upsweep and backsweep
At my age and riding habits, this should be my end game bike.
-Panaracer GK Slicks 35c
-Brooks C17
-Shimano Saint pedals PDX-M80
-Ergon GP3 grips
-SQlab Innerbarends
-Redshift stem
Maybe later:
-Redshift seatpost
-Di2 GRX shifter/rear derailleur
-new bars with some more upsweep and backsweep
At my age and riding habits, this should be my end game bike.
Last edited by MrWasabi; 07-13-21 at 05:45 PM.
#39
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#40
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Bikes: Had an old Columbia in the 80's, here a used Schwinn hybrid, now a Cannondale Quick 3 and a Topstone 105..
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I know that my "Dream" bike is very mundane compared to what is listed here but my dream bike is the one I have. After being told that I would/should never ride a bike again, back in 2002, my Topstone is now so comfortable and enjoyable that I would be hard-pressed to find something better. I am fully aware that the bikes described here would beat mine by a mile but after having swapped out the cranks I have hit on a combination that is so darn good for me that I can honestly say I have never been this happy on a bike before.
Just wanted to throw my hat in the ring. Be safe all.
Frank.
Just wanted to throw my hat in the ring. Be safe all.
Frank.
#41
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One that lets me go fast on gravel...maybe not pro fast (since I'm not that fast)...
I happen to own it: Specialized Diverge Mk3 Expert (same frame Ian Boswell rode to Unbound victory a few weeks back).
1x GRX Di2 setup out of the box...
Significant upgrades have made it an excellent ride for me:
DTSwiss GRC 1400 wheels (700c) set up tubeless with 38mm tires (shaved off about 1.8kg from stock)
PRO PLT Discover Carbon Sweep (20° flare)
DUB BB with SRAM Force carbon crank and Quarq PM with a 46T or 42T chainring (swap for the terrain)
SRAM XG1175 10-42 cassette (shaved 120g)
S-Works Power Arc Saddle
Total bike weight (without cages, pedals, and flat kit in the downtube) is just over 9kg. Bike is fast, stable, and fun on just about everything, to include some ill-advised single-track explorations as tested last weekend along the Enz river in Germany. I'm sure my dreams will adapt in a year or two...
I happen to own it: Specialized Diverge Mk3 Expert (same frame Ian Boswell rode to Unbound victory a few weeks back).
1x GRX Di2 setup out of the box...
Significant upgrades have made it an excellent ride for me:
DTSwiss GRC 1400 wheels (700c) set up tubeless with 38mm tires (shaved off about 1.8kg from stock)
PRO PLT Discover Carbon Sweep (20° flare)
DUB BB with SRAM Force carbon crank and Quarq PM with a 46T or 42T chainring (swap for the terrain)
SRAM XG1175 10-42 cassette (shaved 120g)
S-Works Power Arc Saddle
Total bike weight (without cages, pedals, and flat kit in the downtube) is just over 9kg. Bike is fast, stable, and fun on just about everything, to include some ill-advised single-track explorations as tested last weekend along the Enz river in Germany. I'm sure my dreams will adapt in a year or two...
#42
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I guess I'm another one lucky/boring enough to already have my "dream gravel" bike, a Ritchey Swiss Cross Disc V1. If anything, it could be another color than gloss black since I already have so many black bikes, and the weight could be lower (6fl walkup) but at 8.85kg/9lb 11oz with XT pedals its not too terrible for a 55 with 38mm tires.
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#43
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This is my ideal build but I gave up some max tire clearance for a straight top tube. (pure aesthetic reasons )
Custom Ti with Breakaway system for smaller packing.
Up to 32mm (700c) and 38mm (650b) - limited by my own standover height
SRAM Rival Groupset + Red crank Cassette changes to a 11-42t when necessary
7.8kg all in at the current road type setup
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#44
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This is my ideal build but I gave up some max tire clearance for a straight top tube. (pure aesthetic reasons )
Custom Ti with Breakaway system for smaller packing.
Up to 32mm (700c) and 38mm (650b) - limited by my own standover height
SRAM Rival Groupset + Red crank Cassette changes to a 11-42t when necessary
7.8kg all in at the current road type setup
#45
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For my case, the amount of stand over is reduced.
A sloping top tube would give more "clearance"
I could also lower the top tube wrt headtube and seat tube, but likely add headtube length (ie. material and weight) so I decided on giving up so max tire ability instead for my needs for this bike (ie. overseas events, light touring, light trails )
A sloping top tube would give more "clearance"

I could also lower the top tube wrt headtube and seat tube, but likely add headtube length (ie. material and weight) so I decided on giving up so max tire ability instead for my needs for this bike (ie. overseas events, light touring, light trails )
#46
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For my case, the amount of stand over is reduced.
A sloping top tube would give more "clearance"
I could also lower the top tube wrt headtube and seat tube, but likely add headtube length (ie. material and weight) so I decided on giving up so max tire ability instead for my needs for this bike (ie. overseas events, light touring, light trails )
A sloping top tube would give more "clearance"

I could also lower the top tube wrt headtube and seat tube, but likely add headtube length (ie. material and weight) so I decided on giving up so max tire ability instead for my needs for this bike (ie. overseas events, light touring, light trails )
#47
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Fork, chainstay and seat tube clearance wrt the tire is fine and plenty to be more than 38mm.
However, because of a straight top tube and my height (or lack of), a tire wider than 38mm (700c) in my case will mean crotch touches the top tube (since the bike also gets higher with a wider tire )
#48
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Tire clearance is not affected.
Fork, chainstay and seat tube clearance wrt the tire is fine and plenty to be more than 38mm.
However, because of a straight top tube and my height (or lack of), a tire wider than 38mm (700c) in my case will mean crotch touches the top tube (since the bike also gets higher with a wider tire )
Fork, chainstay and seat tube clearance wrt the tire is fine and plenty to be more than 38mm.
However, because of a straight top tube and my height (or lack of), a tire wider than 38mm (700c) in my case will mean crotch touches the top tube (since the bike also gets higher with a wider tire )
#50
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Bikes: Co-Motion Cappuccino Tandem,'88 Bob Jackson Touring, Co-Motion Cascadia Touring, Open U.P., Ritchie Titanium Breakaway, Frances Cycles SmallHaul cargo bike. Those are the permanent ones; others wander in and out of the stable occasionally as well.
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