I ended up replacing the 42t w/ a 44t combined w/ 10-50 cassette, I’m happy with this decision
Printable View
I ended up replacing the 42t w/ a 44t combined w/ 10-50 cassette, I’m happy with this decision
Rideit just mentioned the same, but an XT/XTR 11-40 cassette works just fine on my Ultegra 34/50 + old Ultegra RX rear derailleur. Your 105 would be the same with any Shimano 11-40.Quote:
Originally Posted by grrrmountainman
FWIW 11-40 11 speed XT cassettes are on sale.
I have a 44T cassette that clears just fine with an Ultegra RX derailleur. Shifts kinda poorly though, I can see why the recommendation is 40 max.
Todays update:
Put a 30/46 Grx crank up front and changed the stem for a bit of rise just to give it a more civilized feeling on trails. Took it for a 35km ride this afternoon on gravel and the gearing I think will be a decent compromise. The wheel set I have being built will be in i25 rims so the thought is they should be able to transfer over to any other bike I end up therefore I don’t feel like I’m committing TOO much into this one to make it a gravel ride. I was thinking the same with the tires but muddy sections today/mud buildup wise the 38’s are probably the right choice. I figure if I get into anything too chundery/loose I’ll just walk the bike (thinking past rail trails)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4b34f718bc.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e7454420a6.jpg
Next update when the wheels and or bags come in.
Thanks for the advice and comments re: gearing
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Recently started looking into Gravel bikes as the weather gets nicer and I'm planning to commute to work 2-3x a week. Hoping to get some insights from the mag collective as I venture into another gear obsessive interest.
For context: The commute route entails 6 miles of a lot of shit roads and twists and turns. Also interested in using it for getting around town (Seattle, hilly) and taking it on some longer 20 mile fun bike path rides. 6'4, 220lbs and 35" inseam.
Currently on an 2000s 61cm Bianchi brava frame w/ Sora components that struggles with the commute.
Was hoping to keep it under $1500 but a lot of "best deals" are just north of that. It sounds like hydro brakes and grx400/600/800 would make things a lot more enjoyable, but there's so many elements to research and understand (tires, forks, tubes, seats, etc) that is pretty overwhelming and hard to tell what's actually a solid deal and what's sneaking shit in. Would want to put some racks for panniers on the back at least.
Top options so far:
State 4130 CL bike - $1000 obo, mechanical disc brakes, 2 sets of tires
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/b...738304571.html
Mulekick 4130 - doesn't ship til summer, $1500, hydro brakes, steel frame + carbon fork
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products...-grx-crank.htm
Mulekick 853 - $1700, scuffed cranks and drop outs, allegedly worth $5k, everything the 4130 has but better
https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_...ls&ProdID=3630
Or I could get a super entry level but maybe? more solid canyon, polygon, all city bike for ~$1500
Thoughts? What am I missing on the current options? I know bikes direct/bike island aren't known for their super modern frames/geometrys but I don't really know the difference
My reco in this range is usually the Jamis Renegade S2. I bit out of your budget at MSRP $2400 but very well spec'd for the price and you don't need to f around with guessing on used condition.Quote:
Originally Posted by eSock
Colorado Cyclist / Planet Cyclery is going out of business, probably worth a look at their inventory clearance.
Whoa, Colorado Cyclist is dunzo? Didn’t expect that.
Brodie Ronin or Romulus?Quote:
Originally Posted by eSock
Brodie Elan 2.0 is steel with GRX
The Lauf Seigla seems like a decent value, especially when it's on sale.
Lynskey has a sale going on: https://lynskeyperformance.com/grave...-grx-600-2x11/
I bought three bikes during the pandemic so my view on bike values may be somewhat skewed...no ragrets
Also worth noting: Lynskey selling Ti gravel frames under $1k...I went with Microsoft AdventX and a cheap used WTB ST i23 wheelset from Craigslist, you can upgrade over time. Got new wheels this spring, maybe revisit drivetrain next year.
I want to build from frame up a size 49 Gravel bike for my wife (I can't figure out how to post photos :fmicon: )
Do I go:
Giant Revolt Advanced
or
(Fawk) Specialized Diverge?
Love my Revolt
Just upgraded the OEM ramblers on my rig to 48c Tufo Thundero HD’s. Supposedly lower rolling resistance despite the extra beef. Wanted something faster for Wild Horse next month.
First I’d heard about the Walmart gravel/touring bike: https://gearjunkie.com/biking/ozark-...el-bike-review
I swapped out a cludged together ultegra xt microshift 10sp 2x for a more legit 1x. Force 11sp shifter and brake lever and rival 1 rd, a SLX cassette, and a 40t crankset. Bike rides nice and silent now with sharp gear changes.
Ended up ordering Marin Gestalt 2.5 thru LBS. Should be arriving by the end of the week. Definitely fell into the 'well this feature is only a little more expensive...' spiral and ended up maxing out my budget but I'm stoked to start getting around the city by bike a lot more (and hopefully it not getting stolen).
From this evening, West Hill Shop gravel night.
Attachment 492893
Got out for a shakedown ride this weekend and overnighter. Wheel set is a nice upgrade (dt swiss wheels and 350 Hubs) , 30/46 front chainring was adequate and bags (restrap) are working well. 96km/1,150m elev over two days and grades up to 20% - this is a ride from my door in Jasper with a nice lake for an overnight camp and return the same way. Tires (38c) are able to handle loose chunk put no doubt become pizza cutters when it’s soft or sandy, but it’s the best I have to work with so kind of like the gearing, it’ll just be what it is.
Off to the oakanagan to spend a few weeks Bikepacking - lots of different route options. Stoked!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...36cf23c679.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...490728ba00.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5ad4359a51.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...445699829a.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...12d655b6b9.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1fabb5a4db.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f50aa75903.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6b647a8a95.jpg
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nice--strong first outing!
I know that spot. It's part of the Roundabout Brattleboro - https://bikepacking.com/routes/roundabout-brattleboro/Quote:
Originally Posted by buttahflake
Good eye, it is indeed.
A couple from yesterday in Keene, NH.
Attachment 493098
Attachment 493099
Need to change gearing on my new Otso Fenrir for fully loaded bikepacking. Comes with 34t chainring and 11-40 cassette. Works fine unloaded, but my knees...I'm at the age where the muscles are fine but the joints are unhappy. Front chainring is going to a 32 or a 30.
GRX 812 is on the bike
Option A: Goatlink 11 w/sunrace 11-46 or 11-50
Option B: Garbaruk long cage swap w/sunrace 11-46 or 11-50
Anyone done either? Youtube demonstrates that both work, Garbaruk a little more expensive. They have a nice cassette as well but its almost 3x the sunrace cost and I've had good experience with sunrace so far. Not worried about the cassette weight penalty.
Ideally you would use a double like 34/24. I know it’s not popular but the 1x drivetrain for loaded touring is woefully inadequate.
Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
bravo grrmountainman!