VO for Gravel Grinding and multi-surface touring
10-21-14, 04:51 AM
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VO for Gravel Grinding and multi-surface touring
I'm looking for a frameset that will give me a lot of versatility to do everything from gravel grinding to back roads touring. I'm a steel lover and a 5'11" Clyde. What do you gravel grinders think of this frameset from VO? I'm planning to swap my Deore and LX components from my current frame.
Camargue Frameset - Camargue - Frames
Camargue Frameset - Camargue - Frames
Last edited by GravelMN; 10-21-14 at 04:54 AM.
10-24-14, 02:46 AM
#2
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I'm looking for a frameset that will give me a lot of versatility to do everything from gravel grinding to back roads touring. I'm a steel lover and a 5'11" Clyde. What do you gravel grinders think of this frameset from VO? I'm planning to swap my Deore and LX components from my current frame.
Camargue Frameset - Camargue - Frames
Camargue Frameset - Camargue - Frames
10-24-14, 06:33 AM
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I've been considering that frame as an replacement for my current Monstercross frameset. VO frames are well regarded. It certainly works as both a rigid mountain bike and a heavy duty touring bike. It's going to be heavy feeling and less than ideal for fast rides on most gravel roads. It will be tough and comfortable on gravel, but not highly efficient.
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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; 10-24-14 at 07:35 AM.
10-30-14, 12:12 PM
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I've been considering that frame as an replacement for my current Monstercross frameset. VO frames are well regarded. It certainly works as both a rigid mountain bike and a heavy duty touring bike. It's going to be heavy feeling and less than ideal for fast rides on most gravel roads. It will be tough and comfortable on gravel, but not highly efficient.
It is heavier than my Trek 531 Reynolds yes, but not too much heavier. I was surprised to how light the frame was. The fork weighs a bit, but I don't mind because I front load a lot.
The VO is actually pretty efficient on gravel. It's also pretty efficient on pavement as well, but I could definitely use better tires for that. Very pleased with mine. The only thing I would caution is sizing. I was originally going to get a 50cm, but went with a 53cm instead. Give the geo chart a good lookover.
If you get the 29er version it would definitely make for good gravel as the BB drop goes from 40mm on the 26" to 70mm on the 29er, I suspect to make up for the tire difference. Very stable ride.
10-30-14, 12:18 PM
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It was designed for offroad touring and will make a fine gravel bike. The only downside might be that the wheelbase may be a bit longer than ideal as it is designed for touring (with a bit longer chainstays).
10-30-14, 01:05 PM
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FWIW, thats a 700C/ 29er, they also make a 650 B wheel frame too Polyvalent MK3 Frame and Fork
10-30-14, 02:23 PM
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What? 430mm CS and 460cs for larger sizes is not that long, the CS is longer for larger frame sizes for proportion. Salsa Warbird has 430mm chainstay and it's a "gravel bike". The Raleigh Tamland has 440mm CS...
FWIW, thats a 700C/ 29er, they also make a 650 B wheel frame too Polyvalent MK3 Frame and Fork
10-30-14, 02:39 PM
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A one inch difference in chainstay length is not a trivial difference (we are talking about the 29er version as the OP is 5'11"). Note that in my response, I said that the longer chainstays "might" be a negative. The OP can decide whether this is a negative or not but it is a relevant piece of information in considering whether to buy the bike or not.
10-31-14, 04:27 AM
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I'm thinking of building one as well this winter for my oldest son.
Decent price for the VO frameset and I could transfer over a majority of parts from a garage sale Trek mtb which was loaded with Shimano XT parts.
The mtb was super cheap so this could be an inexpensive build.
I'm also considering a used Rawland rSogn frameset that a friend isn't using at this time.
Decent price for the VO frameset and I could transfer over a majority of parts from a garage sale Trek mtb which was loaded with Shimano XT parts.
The mtb was super cheap so this could be an inexpensive build.
I'm also considering a used Rawland rSogn frameset that a friend isn't using at this time.
10-31-14, 05:26 AM
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Read my initial thoughts : https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/95...arrived-3.html.
It is heavier than my Trek 531 Reynolds yes, but not too much heavier. I was surprised to how light the frame was. The fork weighs a bit, but I don't mind because I front load a lot.
The VO is actually pretty efficient on gravel. It's also pretty efficient on pavement as well, but I could definitely use better tires for that. Very pleased with mine. The only thing I would caution is sizing. I was originally going to get a 50cm, but went with a 53cm instead. Give the geo chart a good lookover.
If you get the 29er version it would definitely make for good gravel as the BB drop goes from 40mm on the 26" to 70mm on the 29er, I suspect to make up for the tire difference. Very stable ride.
It is heavier than my Trek 531 Reynolds yes, but not too much heavier. I was surprised to how light the frame was. The fork weighs a bit, but I don't mind because I front load a lot.
The VO is actually pretty efficient on gravel. It's also pretty efficient on pavement as well, but I could definitely use better tires for that. Very pleased with mine. The only thing I would caution is sizing. I was originally going to get a 50cm, but went with a 53cm instead. Give the geo chart a good lookover.
If you get the 29er version it would definitely make for good gravel as the BB drop goes from 40mm on the 26" to 70mm on the 29er, I suspect to make up for the tire difference. Very stable ride.
__________________
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; 10-31-14 at 05:42 AM.
10-31-14, 06:24 AM
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I'm thinking of building one as well this winter for my oldest son.
Decent price for the VO frameset and I could transfer over a majority of parts from a garage sale Trek mtb which was loaded with Shimano XT parts.
The mtb was super cheap so this could be an inexpensive build.
I'm also considering a used Rawland rSogn frameset that a friend isn't using at this time.
Decent price for the VO frameset and I could transfer over a majority of parts from a garage sale Trek mtb which was loaded with Shimano XT parts.
The mtb was super cheap so this could be an inexpensive build.
I'm also considering a used Rawland rSogn frameset that a friend isn't using at this time.
Also, where are all the Rawland framesets? Are they all sold out? I can't find any in my size anywhere...
10-31-14, 06:25 AM
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Good to know. I had a Soma Double Cross that was fun and fast enough, but my Origin8 CX700 is heavier and tends to produce far more fatigue. I'm planning on riding the KATY Trail and would like maintain a moderate pace while packing a moderate load. I would use the 59cm size. The Velo Orange looks close to ideal.
10-31-14, 03:32 PM
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The mtb is a 26" while the VO is 700c.
I have plenty of 700c wheelsets sitting here. Otherwise Velomine has some very good pricing on pre-builts.
I wouldn't mind a new rSogn either, but they are quite challenging to find new.
Rawland might want to rerun that one.
My friend switched to a Rivendell Atlantis, so the rSogn just sits there.
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