Has anyone built a Gravel bike using a retro frame

[hamster]

Gravel bike: the marketing chaps have rediscovered tourers, versatile bikes that can take on almost every task.

OK, away with the cynicism. Anything that brings bikes back from single-purpose, over-specialised machines is a good thing in my view. It's a reaction to superlight carbon road bikes and long-travel full suss MTBs. Neither is great fun for a 100 mile round trip of mixed road and towpath carrying a change of clothing for an overnight B&B stop.

Yes, they are easy to build. Pick an early 90s midrange MTB frame (later ones or higher-end ones tend to be too long), fit semi slicks, add a short stem and drops and go and enjoy.

Like these: a 40 year old road bike with generous clearances for 32c tyres, and a 30 year old MTB with drops. Here are ours, used for a 5 day tour in France kipping in cheap motels.

 

[lactatofilo]

I am planning to go this way with a 1991 Merlin.
Why?
I use it most in the city and gravel or city bike just rides smoother. I do not want to use it hard as a mountain bike, just a beautiful bike to spin around, like cruising in a Rolls Royce. Plenty of room for 700x38 tires.
To solve the problem of the larger rims you can use either Paul Motolites or Odyssey (or similar) bmx brakes that give you the adjustability you need.
Another project is going to be a 1993 Rocky mountain with 27.5x48 tires using a CX titanium fork. This one with a rack and panniers.
Cheers!

 

[hamster]

I cannot be bothered changing wheel sizes - I reckon that tyre choice is a bigger factor. I doubt if you could tell wheel sizes riding in the dark. Wheel weights probably, sizes no.

 

[Frankenorange]

I reckon that tyre choice is a bigger factor

I am giving Michelin country rock's a go. So far i am impressed with grip on and off road and were something silly like £14 each from halfords. I read lots of reviews about them but was still quite suprised how supple and grippy they are. I am using them with michelin latex tubes.

 

[WandsworthRouleur]

I have one in production at the moment, not for any technical reason, just that i had a spare frame and a few hours and parts spare I picked up a Giant Cadex CFM and the frame is a little bigger (20") than my usual size of 18". The frame is in fantastic condition and thuoght the relativley 'longer' top tube might lend itself to drop bar set up.

Love the Spins! What tyres are you using BTW? Look like they have rather more grip than mine, and with all the skinwall goodness you need!

 

[CassidyAce]

Re:

The tyres are Charge Splashbacks.

 

[xxnick1975]

Re:

I bought a Cannondale CAADX Tiagra a couple of years ago, on sale £650.

I think it’s a gravel bike!

It’s retro, it has an Aluminium frame, it’s lime green, it has 20 gears....

It’s modern, has a carbon fork, disk brakes

Great for solo rides, mix of country roads, bridleways etc, great on holiday with the family, can do decent 30 mile road ride solo, or around the forest with the children for a morning.

It’s good, and its true, in many ways coming back to what (non race) rigid mtbs were about (or at least used for) but arguably do it a bit better!

 

[lactatofilo]

I cannot be bothered changing wheel sizes - I reckon that tyre choice is a bigger factor. I doubt if you could tell wheel sizes riding in the dark. Wheel weights probably, sizes no.

May be I am a little bit tired of 26" wheels after 30 years riding them, I want to try something different...

 

[WandsworthRouleur]

Re: Re:

The tyres are Charge Splashbacks.

Thanks. Might look into those if my Schwalbes are a little lacking in off road grip.

 

[jimo746]

May be I am a little bit tired of 26" wheels after 30 years riding them, I want to try something different...

Partly the reason why I bought a Gravel bike a few years ago, sometimes you need a change, even if its just to see what it's like

Thanks. Might look into those if my Schwalbes are a little lacking in off road grip..

Think they're discontinued now, maybe some old stock or 2nd hand ones floating about.