Recommendations on cyclocross/gravel racer

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

I bought this Ridley X-Bow on Friday:


Haven't been able to ride it yet because I got post-vaccination sickness.

The fellow reckoned it's a very comfortable ride.

One thing I can say so far is that it's quite heavy, but really sturdy. Frame is very nice.

If you're around though, Giuseppe, can you reassure me? I felt a bit disconcerted by the "easy" fit of the SPDs onto those Truvativ Elita cranks. They seemed to go on way to slickly and I kind of felt like they were not tight on. But they seem fine. Should I be worried?

I also have some pedal/crank combos where the threads are pretty loose going on, but when tightened have no problems. You could warranty them if you run into any sort of loosening issues I'm sure.

 

[dsut4392]

I felt a bit disconcerted by the "easy" fit of the SPDs onto those Truvativ Elita cranks. They seemed to go on way to slickly and I kind of felt like they were not tight on. But they seem fine. Should I be worried?

I wouldn't worry, just tighten them well when you install them. I have some Shimano XT M770 cranks on my MTB that are similar and have never had a problem with the pedals loosening, despite taking them on and off for travel and swapping between flats and SPDs.

 

[Boeing]

There is a trend moving away from traditional geometry for the so called Gravel scene whatever that is. Huntsman CXV with traditional CX tire clearance. this pic was sent to me from Retro shift. they make the brake lever shifter adaption to bar end shifters. Note the brake lever

then there is this from Hunter. It is a little on the extreme side with spacing for up to 2.25. It was a custom.

I am looking to have something in between these two made.

But regardless I'm going with retro shift http://retroshift.com/

they have different levers for different calibration etc.

an the denver omelet will be glad it dont work with SRAM no word if the bar end shift will work with the new XX1.

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

There is a trend moving away from traditional geometry for the so called Gravel scene whatever that is. Huntsman CXV with traditional CX tire clearance. this pic was sent to me from Retro shift. they make the brake lever shifter adaption to bar end shifters. Note the brake lever

then there is this from Hunter. It is a little on the extreme side with spacing for up to 2.25. It was a custom.

I am looking to have something in between these two made.

But regardless I'm going with retro shift http://retroshift.com/

they have different levers for different calibration etc.

an the denver omelet will be glad it dont work with SRAM no word if the bar end shift will work with the new XX1.

That Huntsman would be a sick gravel racer, what ever that so called gravel racing is.

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

Calfee custom.

 

[richwagmn]

Calfee custom.

Gorgeous ride. Never knew Fizik saddles came in that color either.

So what's the skinny on cable routing? I've been reading different forums and my head is spinning.

I see bikes with all top tube routing. Some have downtube routing like a road bike. Some run downtube routing with full length housings...

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

Gorgeous ride. Never knew Fizik saddles came in that color either.

So what's the skinny on cable routing? I've been reading different forums and my head is spinning.

I see bikes with all top tube routing. Some have downtube routing like a road bike. Some run downtube routing with full length housings...

You can find the articles here.
http://www.calfeedesign.com/bamboo/calfee-dragonfly-adventure-project-gravel-race-bike-rba/
http://www.calfeedesign.com/wp-cont...vel-Bike-Calfee-Dragonfly-and-Race-Report.pdf
http://www.roadbikeaction.com/Tech-Features/content/67/5793/Crusher-in-the-Tushar.html

People are riding these events on mostly CX bikes, some 29'rs, some touring, fat bikes, I've even seen this guy come in DFL on a 29'r unicycle at the 2010 edition of the Dirty Benjamin!! All kinds. The problem with routing is that for the most part it's external still, on the outside of the frame. Top CX routing doesn't work because if you're doing a century or more of gravel the cables interfere with gas tank and any other frame bags. Down tube gear routing is terrible in adverse conditions. Cables and housings will all be hidden eventually.

The new gen of gravel bike, and road/CX for that matter benefit greatly from hidden cables, Di2 internally routed on the Calfee, full housing mechanical d-brakes. Eventually everything will be internal when true hydraulic comes, not any of those goofy cable to hydro junction boxes which are going to become obsolete in a couple years, just watch.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

You can find the articles here.
http://www.calfeedesign.com/bamboo/calfee-dragonfly-adventure-project-gravel-race-bike-rba/
http://www.calfeedesign.com/wp-cont...vel-Bike-Calfee-Dragonfly-and-Race-Report.pdf
http://www.roadbikeaction.com/Tech-Features/content/67/5793/Crusher-in-the-Tushar.html



The new gen of gravel bike, and road/CX for that matter benefit greatly from hidden cables, Di2 internally routed on the Calfee, full housing mechanical d-brakes. Eventually everything will be internal when true hydraulic comes, not any of those goofy cable to hydro junction boxes which are going to become obsolete in a couple years, just watch.

Can't wait, great time to get out of retail anyway...

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

Can't wait, great time to get out of retail anyway...

Why, you don't want to carry 137 different kinds of brake pads?

 

[Boeing]

The cx bike should be fun, but a thread with all this good advice and you went with the alloy entry frame? talk ab out feeling a saddle further and further up your @rse..

 

[Boeing]

That Huntsman would be a sick gravel racer, what ever that so called gravel racing is.

yea the huntsman is so sick

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

yea the huntsman is so sick

A resounding Y E S !!!

 

[42x16ss]

A resounding Y E S !!!

Nice, I want one!!!

That (or something similar) isn't your new gravel project that you've mentioned recently by any chance is it?

Sleek and mean!

 

[Parera]

Crank Brothers pedals are where boners go to die.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Why, you don't want to carry 137 different kinds of brake pads?

Already do....have a whole wall of them and don't even carry some, like Hayes and Formula..lots of shimano, Avid..A HUGE bin of disc brake 'stuff, lines, fittings, adapters. Look at the QBP catalog for disc brakes...more pages than lawyers in the Denver phone book..

Too bad the likes of shimano can't standardize disc brake calipers to the point of using even 3-4 different pads but like their hubs, every brake has a different pad..every hub has different cones, every frame has a different der hanger...big ETC...

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

Nice, I want one!!!

That (or something similar) isn't your new gravel project that you've mentioned recently by any chance is it?

Sleek and mean!

No, this is the bike that Boeing was talking about. I just helped him out with posting a photo. My bike is being built this winter by a legendary Colorado builder who's identity I will keep secret until completed. Another common theme to my bikes is Campagnolo, I don't know any other way.

 

[kuoirad]

That looks very nice, except for two personal aesthetic quibbles - the shifters don't look good, though I understand where you were going with them. And the cable down to the front brake looks bad hanging out there like that. Just MODO.

Nice bike otherwise.

 

[LugHugger]

No, this is the bike that Boeing was talking about. I just helped him out with posting a photo. My bike is being built this winter by a legendary Colorado builder who's identity I will keep secret until completed. Another common theme to my bikes is Campagnolo, I don't know any other way.

No way!!!! You're finally getting the Moots?????

 

[rph1960]

Think you told me who....Will keep quiet..

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

No way!!!! You're finally getting the Moots?????

Even if this one was Ti it wouldn't be a Moots. Everybody and their mother has a Moots out here. If I had the extra coin for Ti it would be a Firefly, no doubt. But, this one is going to be S T E E L !!! True Temper OX Platinum to be exact.

 

[42x16ss]

Has anyone tried a Kona Jake The Snake? I've seen a few of these getting around and was wondering if they are any good. I can get a good deal and was wondering it's worth it.

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

Has anyone tried a Kona Jake The Snake? I've seen a few of these getting around and was wondering if they are any good. I can get a good deal and was wondering it's worth it.

I know a lot of people who roll that bike and they love it. Kona bikes are already a relatively good deal, so if you are in a position to get one at EP or whatever might as well jump on it.