Full custom build gravel tourer
mikenetic
Posts: 486
Hello!
I've posted a couple of builds in the past, and I've just completed my latest one. It's probably best described as a gravel-capable fast tourer. I'll jot together a journey of how I got from this:
Via this:
To this:
I'm always up for comments from other people who are making bikes, and more than happy to try to answer questions about custom frame building.
I've posted a couple of builds in the past, and I've just completed my latest one. It's probably best described as a gravel-capable fast tourer. I'll jot together a journey of how I got from this:
Via this:
To this:
I'm always up for comments from other people who are making bikes, and more than happy to try to answer questions about custom frame building.
0
Posts
Road: 95 Trek 5500 -Look 695 Aerolight eTap - Boardman TTe eTap
Offroad: Pace RC200 - Dawes Kickback 2 tandem - Tricross - Boardman CXR9.8 - Ridley x-fire
It was designed and built for my better half, who is a pretty keen cyclist. She has a Condor Fratello, but given the style of riding she likes, wanted something with bigger tyres, that was lighter and had disc brakes plus mudguards. Luggage duty is normally a Carradice saddlebag, but it needed to be able take a rear rack too.
That set some parameters around the spec. I decided to use Paragon Machine Works low-mount rear dropouts; they place the caliper on the chainstay, allowing you to run a normal rack and mudguards. You can see the caliper installed here on a 140mm rotor. There's decent clearance, it would be even bigger with a 160mm disc.
I wanted a full-carbon fork that had mudguard eyelets. I went for the Whisky No.7 which is a tapered fork. This led me to the headset selection, a Hope Pick and Mix, with the lower external cup and an inset upper cup, running within a 44mm inside diameter head tube. This is a light, stiff and strong setup.
I used TRP Spyre brakes, as I think they perform brilliantly and have a very compact profile, reducing clearance problems.
Mudguards are Portland Design Works Full Metal Fenders. They look good, are very long for coverage and are stiff and stable. Importantly the front guard only needs a single stay, so there's no faffing about bending them over and around the caliper. You can see how clean the setup is here.
I'll go through some specifics of the frame build in the next post.
One thing that did show up was that the new Shimano 6800 front mechs long arm will clash on mudguards in some configurations. I used a Dremel to carve a small slot in the mudguard to accommodate that.
The cable routing is a new system for me, but it works well. They are external clamps that lock the cable outers in place. Works really well, it does mean that you have to add in-line cable adjusters for the front mech tension, but that's no big deal.
Brazing and head badge polishing. The head badge is stainless steel, so it's polished prior to paint, and masked throughout that process.
I had one of them red bikes but I don't any more. Sad face.
@ratsbey
Once the frame was complete then it was off to paint. Went for a three-colour wet paint scheme. Flat black, flat white and an aged copper highlight, plus a clear coat of gloss lacquer to get it nice and shiny. Here's the finished article.
Looks like Dave Masons bikes coming out. Although your clearances look better and frame angles slacker.
Love it. Do you do commissions?
http://locksidebikes.co.uk/
Woolwich, used your tip of running a cylinder honing tool inside the seat tube to get rid of scratches, works like a charm.
Tim, the tubing is Columbus Zona, which is pretty light and comes in lots of profiles. I think the bare frame was about 1550 grams, which isn't too bad.
Head tube is slacker than a standard road bike. I wanted nice stable handling given the use it's intended for. It's set at 71.5 degrees, which also helps a little with toe overlap.
I̶t̶s̶ ̶r̶a̶i̶n̶i̶n̶g̶
I̶t̶s̶ ̶t̶o̶o̶ ̶l̶a̶t̶e̶
NO EXCUSES
JUST RIDE!!!
The colour scheme is great, and the tubing is really complimented by the HD son rims to give a cool modern edge to it all.
Marin Nail Trail
Cotic Solaris
I have both a Fratello and a Salsa Vaya in a similar set up to yours (big tyres, discs guards), but the Vaya is quite a bit heavier.
I have pondered how to get a lighter touring bike with bigger tyres and discs , but haven't found one yet!
Hi John
We did a weight test by holding both bikes while standing on some pretty accurate scales, and this bike is about 600 grams lighter than the Fratello. I think that's come through a set of small savings across the tubeset, finishing kit, groupset and wheels.
That was with them both specced up ready to ride, so pedals and bottle cages. So it is possible, it's about component choice, really.
Hi Mike
That's good news. You have mentioned the fork and gears, but I'm not sure of the wheel specs, or the finishing kit. Can you let me know please.
Stem is a 3T Arx Pro
Handlebar is a 3T Ergosum
Seatpost is Fizik Cyrano R3 (love the saddle adjustment system on the post)
Saddle Bontrager Affinity RL
Wheels are H Plus Son 32H front and rear, Sapim race spokes laced to Hope Evo 2 hubs
Arundel mandible carbon cages, which are a little bit bling but work very well!