So U want a gravel bike but can't afford one,Improvise.

[bobswire]

Improvise,save your money,looking at all these new high zoot gravel,fire road,commute bikes being the craze (what goes around comes around). Recycle, I picked up this Miyata Gran Touring for $140 delivered from Ebay. Originally made for 27" wheels but works just as well with 700c or 650.
Very adaptable frame and fun to play with, braze ons for racks,fenders or what not. Can run skinny or fat tires galore. Those are 32mm on it now,as you can see plenty of room for larger tires as well as fenders.

http://i61.tinypic.com/o582mw.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/n5pxl0.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/10i9v7b.jpg

[Fixed]

You are one smart guy
Bike looks great
made for what you have in mind
touring used mean riding on gravel roads often .
Cheers

[Rada]

Vintage sport/touring and touring frames can make for great gravel grinders. Nice find.

[David Kirk]

That looks like fun.

dave

[gmcampy]

Did the same with my old Raliegh Marathon untill I got the Fargo. The only issue was to flexable frame when loaded and not low enough gearing. One fixable the other not so much :)

[bobswire]

You are one smart guy
Bike looks great
made for what you have in mind
touring used mean riding on gravel roads often .
Cheers

Not so smart just frugal, besides the fun part is building something up yourself and then riding the ···· out of it. I'm waiting on some nitto rando bars then will run suntour retro (or ratchet?) friction bar ends.

[ColonelJLloyd]

That'll be fun. But you're mistaken about it handling 650 unless you can do without brakes.

[josephr]

That'll be fun. But you're mistaken about it handling 650 unless you can do without brakes.

mount the brakes upside down???? can always convert to disc if you can find a disc fork with a 1" steerer tube. coaster brake?

[bobswire]

That'll be fun. But you're mistaken about it handling 650 unless you can do without brakes.

Yep,I got ahead of myself thinking they were more like 27" instead of 26".

[RFC]

Well done. Old tour/sports tours and rigid MTBs make very good grinders. I've put several together and its a lot of fun -- both the build and the ride.

There has been extensive discussion and many examples of this on the C&V forum.

Check out these two threads. Great stuff.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/797209-Show-us-your-C-amp-V-Gravel-Grinders?highlight=gravel

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/828426-Show-Your-Vintage-MTB-Drop-Bar-Conversions?highlight=drop+bar

[AngryScientist]

old miyatas rock!

i've got a 710, which is a super versatile bike, and it's like riding on a cloud.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aqiLhP66bJg/UmRp7KwJ9WI/AAAAAAAABdU/Ov-SAOh2s8Q/s640/IMG_1229.JPG

[GRAVELBIKE]

Nice rig. Should be fun.

[Roger M]

I needed a bike for Cino Heroica last year. I found this PR 10 frame for $50, and a PX 10 parts donor for another $170. Some 37mm tires, a change in gearing, and some better brake pads turned it into a decent dirt road bike.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_20130824_194907_175.jpg

taken during day 2 of Cino

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/9735166208_24bd8372a6_h.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_20130908_154915_315.jpg

[bobswire]

I needed a bike for Cino Heroica last year. I found this PR 10 frame for $50, and a PX 10 parts donor for another $170. Some 37mm tires, a change in gearing, and some better brake pads turned it into a decent dirt road bike.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_20130824_194907_175.jpg

taken during day 2 of Cino

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/9735166208_24bd8372a6_h.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_20130908_154915_315.jpg

Well done, very cool!

[tiretrax]

Well done, very cool!

Ditto. Chapeau to both of you.

[zmudshark]

Schwinn Voyageur SP - $35 off CL and parts I had gathering dust. The tires were the most expensive thing:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TGNJlAVe3bY/TXWGtllMW6I/AAAAAAAAFcQ/n_VNmEJSPwE/s800/P1010127.JPG

[oddsaabs]

You've done it all wrong! None of them can be Gravel Bikes, they didn't cost $7K

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/specialized-crux-expert-evo-di2-first-look-39650/

By the way, be careful how you use the term Gravel Bike. Specialized has applied for a trademark.

[mtechnica]

Been there and done that, a few observations

Canti brakes on bikes made for 27" wheels won't always work on 700c wheels

Clearance on converted bikes can be somewhat limited, the bike I tried was limited to about 700x35

I've done a 4 hour gravel ride on a converted touring bike with 35c tires, never again, with clinchers the pressure has to be questionable to ride well

Long reach calipers are a good option versus cantis when going from 27 to 700

I don't understand the fascination with old miyatas, I've ridden several and they are the same as every other alright Japanese frame

[AJosiahK]

Ditto. Chapeau to both of you.

Agreed, well done gents. There is something so much more satisfying with building up a bike like that, versus buying new. There are so many bikes out there needing reanimating. Re - cycling

[Frankwurst]

I don't understand the fascination with old miyatas, I've ridden several and they are the same as every other alright Japanese frame

Older Japanese frames are some of the finest riding bicycles you can find IMO.
I've thrown my leg over more than one and own one I won't sell. Nice looking bike Bobswire. It'll gravel grind just fine. The one I won't sell does real well on 33's. :beer:

[Roger M]

Well done, very cool!

Ditto. Chapeau to both of you.

Agreed, well done gents. There is something so much more satisfying with building up a bike like that, versus buying new. There are so many bikes out there needing reanimating. Re - cycling

Thanks for the compliments. I got a lot of inspiration for thie bike from Northbend's Alex Singer, which is a VERY neat bike. I bought a set of BG Rocknroad tires from the classifieds here recently, hoping to shoehorn them in. Unfortunately they are a little too big.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_20131109_151514_470-1.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_20131109_151613_559.jpg

FWIW, I tried to mount the Rocknroads on a Miyata 1000(same as Bobswire's bike), and it was a no go. Someday I'll build a bike around them..

[Admiral Ackbar]

that peugoet is beautiful

[FritzWhite]

Very cool Peugot!

[gaucho753]

Love what you did with that Peugeot. Too bad 70s Frenchmen had such small feet, though! ;)


http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/9735166208_24bd8372a6_h.jpg
[/IMG]

[CPW]

What's the difference between a gravel bike and a cross bike?

[fiataccompli]

I love re purposed bikes like that! I have also built some decent urban/commuter/etc bikes based on early 90s hybrids like specialized crossroads or various Giant or Schwinn variants. Only frustrating thing is the classic trek/univega/miyata/fuji touring bikes are usually pretty jacked up price-wise due to I guess this type of popularity....and I guess they make great, cheap swiss army knife type bikes.

For a 20th the cost of what one could spend on a similar (sort of) bike they're quite the value

[David Tollefson]

What's the difference between a gravel bike and a cross bike?

In general, a 'cross bike will have a higher BB, shorter wheelbase, be a little more upright, more responsive front end, and if it's a true racer, no water bottle bosses.

[Rada]

I love re purposed bikes like that! I have also built some decent urban/commuter/etc bikes based on early 90s hybrids like specialized crossroads or various Giant or Schwinn variants. Only frustrating thing is the classic trek/univega/miyata/fuji touring bikes are usually pretty jacked up price-wise due to I guess this type of popularity....and I guess they make great, cheap swiss army knife type bikes.

For a 20th the cost of what one could spend on a similar (sort of) bike they're quite the value

I think one reason those old tourers go kind of high is that there are not a whole lot of companies making tourers today. The frames of higher end vintage tourers are just as good if not better than anything mass produced today. It also doesn't hurt that steel is still the prefered material for tourers.

[bobswire]

While researching Miyata Gran Touring frames I came across this site, a man after my own heart. Check out the great refurbish he did on this Gran Touring frame/bike. http://johns-recycled-bicycle.blogspot.com/2013/04/emmetts-1983-miyata-grand-touring-210.html?showComment=1391096872457#c31115066792526 75862

[CiclistiCliff]

Started life as an original 27" wheels Raleigh Royal. By the time I was done with it, I had built some overly wide and beefy wheels for it. Had 35's for pavement/gravel and 32 small block eights for singletrack.

I miss it dearly. Found a severe crack in the driveside dropout one day after a ride, and it was clear it'd been there for a while due to the oxidation around the crack.

I've got my eye on a potential replacement, but don't know if the girlfriend will let more bikes in the house....

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u200/pendex040/d3df783a.jpg (http://s168.photobucket.com/user/pendex040/media/d3df783a.jpg.html)

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u200/pendex040/28227294-44E3-456B-B2DC-3A25255D8274-1512-00000117779DA505.jpg (http://s168.photobucket.com/user/pendex040/media/28227294-44E3-456B-B2DC-3A25255D8274-1512-00000117779DA505.jpg.html)

[Rada]

My Trek TX700 with fresh paint and a 10 speed build. Pic here is with 28s for commuting. I throw 35s on her for gravel. Nice riding allrounder.

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/kaliayev/07-11-13_1636.jpg

[pbarry]

[QUOTE=motorbacon;1491507]Started life as an original 27" wheels Raleigh Royal. By the time I was done with it, I had built some overly wide and beefy wheels for it. Had 35's for pavement/gravel and 32 small block eights for singletrack.

I miss it dearly. Found a severe crack in the driveside dropout one day after a ride, and it was clear it'd been there for a while due to the oxidation around the crack.

I've got my eye on a potential replacement, but don't know if the girlfriend will let more bikes in the house....

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u200/pendex040/d3df783a.jpg (http://s168.photobucket.com/user/pendex040/media/d3df783a.jpg.html)

Nice rig, don't ditch it. 1) Get a good tig welder to do a complete repair. 2) Prep the crack by V-eeing it out 22 degrees each side with a file and, take it to a good body ship with a skilled mig welder after the above. You'll be good to go for another 5-10k.

[BobbyJones]

I wonder if they called them "gravel bikes" back then or just "bikes"?

http://kcdn.kripy.com/images/2012/07/ezquerra-in-the-mountains.jpg

[Fixed]

Rockin that fat tire fixie
Cheers

[Rada]

Marketing has come a long way since that time, but I do wonder if they just called it a bike.

[fiataccompli]

I guess in a way my Bridgestone RB-1 with 28mm tires could be what people call a gravel bike...

[GRAVELBIKE]

I guess in a way my Bridgestone RB-1 with 28mm tires could be what people call a gravel bike...

Every bike can be a gravel bike.

Free your mind, and your bike will follow.

[tv_vt]

Here's mine. Jamis Aurora. Frame and fork were under $200. Shown in its fendered condition. Without fenders, handles a 35c with long reach brakes.

Now stripped. Needs a new powder coat. Hampsten SB filling the gap just fine. Now that is what you call a bike.

[Fixed]

I know it 's only rock n roll but I like it
Cheers

[bobswire]

I guess in a way my Bridgestone RB-1 with 28mm tires could be what people call a gravel bike...

I was thinking more along the lines of being able to handle tires like these.
http://i59.tinypic.com/33mq3kg.jpg


http://www.bgcycles.com/rock-n-road-tire.html

[fiataccompli]

THAT is a wider tire...

[bobswire]

THAT is a wider tire...

...but don't tell anyone I can pretty much go anywhere but the most gnarly conditions with 25c tires. It's just fun to ride over them on pillows.....

[rice rocket]

In general, a 'cross bike will have a higher BB, shorter wheelbase, be a little more upright, more responsive front end, and if it's a true racer, no water bottle bosses.

I'm seeing more and more mfgs move away from the "European" cross geometry you mention, and more towards the US spec.

Most new cross bikes have 67-70mm BB drops, slack ~69-71 deg front ends with 45mm rake, 425+mm chainstays. Seems like the "gravel bike" of yore is all cross bikes of today.

[TimD]

Great stuff here. A friend recently spent well north of $6000 on a full custom Waterford with S&S couplers and disk brakes to ride gravel...

But I digress. Here's my bike repurpose story -

In 1995 I purchased a 58cm Trek 750 hybrid to pull around my 2-y.o. son. Butted CrMo tubes, lugged construction, pump peg, fender & rack eyelets. Added a rear rack, a baby seat, then a trailer, and finally a Trail-a-bike 3rd wheel.

As an aside, I don't care if you are Marco Pantani and have just ingested a fresh BB, pulling 100 lbs of small people and trailer up any hill is a workout!

Fast forward to 2010. Young Master is now 5'10" and in need of a new bike. We dust off the Trek, fit 9-speed, rebuild the rear wheel (using the Matrix Titan Tour anodized rims, which are still going strong), make a few other tweaks, and he goes out for a ride. That was a moment, watching him ride off on that bike...

The following summer we ship the Trek, my Salsa Vaya, and ourselves off to the west coast to tour with Adventure Cycling, from Portland to Mt St Helens and back. A fantastic, relationship-changing experience.

YM next takes the Trek off to college as a commuter. It winters outdoors - in Ithaca, NY - unprotected from the elements. It isn't stolen nor vandalized, but it comes back somewhat worse for wear and tear. But it does come back. Meanwhile, YM has acquired a lugged steel Fuji road bike for more spirited outings. That becomes his go-to bike.

Fast forward again to 2013. YM lands a summer job with a major tech firm and is paid extremely well for an undergrad holding no degree nor much experience. He treats himself to a Surly Disc Trucker. The Trek is now surplus to requirements and sits, unloved, at the very bottom of the collective What Bike Do I Ride Today? list.

Cross season arrives. I'm not a 'cross rider, but the opportunity to build yet another bike is not to be missed! Cross crank replaces triple, new brake pads on, new chain on, rack & fenders off, 32mm Conti cross tires on. Off I go into the woods. The bike and I came back in one piece - what a blast! And 58cm suddenly feels just right for the purpose.

So where's the picture? Well, I discovered a custom framebuilder (Quiros Custom Frames, check it out) right here in our old Indian town. He offers a strip & powdercoat for $150. Light blue will replace the black/purple fade. I'll post pictures when it is built up again :)

Thanks for listening :)

[TimD]

Great stuff here. A friend recently spent well north of $6000 on a full custom Waterford with S&S couplers and disk brakes to ride gravel...

But I digress. Here's my bike repurpose story -

In 1995 I purchased a 58cm Trek 750 hybrid to pull around my 2-y.o. son. Butted CrMo tubes, lugged construction, pump peg, fender & rack eyelets. Added a rear rack, a baby seat, then a trailer, and finally a Trail-a-bike 3rd wheel.

As an aside, I don't care if you are Marco Pantani and have just ingested a fresh BB, pulling 100 lbs of small people and trailer up any hill is a workout!

Fast forward to 2010. Young Master is now 5'10" and in need of a new bike. We dust off the Trek, fit 9-speed, rebuild the rear wheel (using the Matrix Titan Tour anodized rims, which are still going strong), make a few other tweaks, and he goes out for a ride. That was a moment, watching him ride off on that bike...

The following summer we ship the Trek, my Salsa Vaya, and ourselves off to the west coast to tour with Adventure Cycling, from Portland to Mt St Helens and back. A fantastic, relationship-changing experience.

YM next takes the Trek off to college as a commuter. It winters outdoors - in Ithaca, NY - unprotected from the elements. It isn't stolen nor vandalized, but it comes back somewhat worse for wear and tear. But it does come back. Meanwhile, YM has acquired a lugged steel Fuji road bike for more spirited outings. That becomes his go-to bike.

Fast forward again to 2013. YM lands a summer job with a major tech firm and is paid extremely well for an undergrad holding no degree nor much experience. He treats himself to a Surly Disc Trucker. The Trek is now surplus to requirements and sits, unloved, at the very bottom of the collective What Bike Do I Ride Today? list.

Cross season arrives. I'm not a 'cross rider, but the opportunity to build yet another bike is not to be missed! Cross crank replaces triple, new brake pads on, new chain on, rack & fenders off, 32mm Conti cross tires on. Off I go into the woods. The bike and I came back in one piece - what a blast! And 58cm suddenly feels just right for the purpose.

So where's the picture? Well, I discovered a custom framebuilder (Quiros Custom Frames, check it out) right here in our old Indian town. He offers a strip & powdercoat for $150. Light blue will replace the black/purple fade. I'll post pictures when it is built up again :)

Thanks for listening :)

[Fixed]

Great stuff here. A friend recently spent well north of $6000 on a full custom Waterford with S&S couplers and disk brakes to ride gravel...

But I digress. Here's my bike repurpose story -

In 1995 I purchased a 58cm Trek 750 hybrid to pull around my 2-y.o. son. Butted CrMo tubes, lugged construction, pump peg, fender & rack eyelets. Added a rear rack, a baby seat, then a trailer, and finally a Trail-a-bike 3rd wheel.

As an aside, I don't care if you are Marco Pantani and have just ingested a fresh BB, pulling 100 lbs of small people and trailer up any hill is a workout!

Fast forward to 2010. Young Master is now 5'10" and in need of a new bike. We dust off the Trek, fit 9-speed, rebuild the rear wheel (using the Matrix Titan Tour anodized rims, which are still going strong), make a few other tweaks, and he goes out for a ride. That was a moment, watching him ride off on that bike...

The following summer we ship the Trek, my Salsa Vaya, and ourselves off to the west coast to tour with Adventure Cycling, from Portland to Mt St Helens and back. A fantastic, relationship-changing experience.

YM next takes the Trek off to college as a commuter. It winters outdoors - in Ithaca, NY - unprotected from the elements. It isn't stolen nor vandalized, but it comes back somewhat worse for wear and tear. But it does come back. Meanwhile, YM has acquired a lugged steel Fuji road bike for more spirited outings. That becomes his go-to bike.

Fast forward again to 2013. YM lands a summer job with a major tech firm and is paid extremely well for an undergrad holding no degree nor much experience. He treats himself to a Surly Disc Trucker. The Trek is now surplus to requirements and sits, unloved, at the very bottom of the collective What Bike Do I Ride Today? list.

Cross season arrives. I'm not a 'cross rider, but the opportunity to build yet another bike is not to be missed! Cross crank replaces triple, new brake pads on, new chain on, rack & fenders off, 32mm Conti cross tires on. Off I go into the woods. The bike and I came back in one piece - what a blast! And 58cm suddenly feels just right for the purpose.

So where's the picture? Well, I discovered a custom framebuilder (Quiros Custom Frames, check it out) right here in our old Indian town. He offers a strip & powdercoat for $150. Light blue will replace the black/purple fade. I'll post pictures when it is built up again :)

Thanks for listening :)
Heartwarming story
brought a tear
to this father of a once bike riding/racer son
Thanks for rekindling the memory
Cheers :)

[BobbyJones]

Every bike can be a gravel bike.

Free your mind, and your bike will follow.

Exactly. Both my CAAD 5 and 9 were excellent gravel bikes. and crit bikes. and light touring bikes. and rando bikes...

[GRAVELBIKE]

I was thinking more along the lines of being able to handle tires like these.
http://i59.tinypic.com/33mq3kg.jpg


http://www.bgcycles.com/rock-n-road-tire.html

Those are excellent tires (you can read my review here (http://www.gravelbike.com/?p=2164)), but the sidewalls don't like sharp rocks. The blackwall version fares better, though.

[bobswire]

Great stuff here. A friend recently spent well north of $6000 on a full custom Waterford with S&S couplers and disk brakes to ride gravel...

But I digress. Here's my bike repurpose story -

In 1995 I purchased a 58cm Trek 750 hybrid to pull around my 2-y.o. son. Butted CrMo tubes, lugged construction, pump peg, fender & rack eyelets. Added a rear rack, a baby seat, then a trailer, and finally a Trail-a-bike 3rd wheel.

As an aside, I don't care if you are Marco Pantani and have just ingested a fresh BB, pulling 100 lbs of small people and trailer up any hill is a workout!

Fast forward to 2010. Young Master is now 5'10" and in need of a new bike. We dust off the Trek, fit 9-speed, rebuild the rear wheel (using the Matrix Titan Tour anodized rims, which are still going strong), make a few other tweaks, and he goes out for a ride. That was a moment, watching him ride off on that bike...

The following summer we ship the Trek, my Salsa Vaya, and ourselves off to the west coast to tour with Adventure Cycling, from Portland to Mt St Helens and back. A fantastic, relationship-changing experience.

YM next takes the Trek off to college as a commuter. It winters outdoors - in Ithaca, NY - unprotected from the elements. It isn't stolen nor vandalized, but it comes back somewhat worse for wear and tear. But it does come back. Meanwhile, YM has acquired a lugged steel Fuji road bike for more spirited outings. That becomes his go-to bike.

Fast forward again to 2013. YM lands a summer job with a major tech firm and is paid extremely well for an undergrad holding no degree nor much experience. He treats himself to a Surly Disc Trucker. The Trek is now surplus to requirements and sits, unloved, at the very bottom of the collective What Bike Do I Ride Today? list.

Cross season arrives. I'm not a 'cross rider, but the opportunity to build yet another bike is not to be missed! Cross crank replaces triple, new brake pads on, new chain on, rack & fenders off, 32mm Conti cross tires on. Off I go into the woods. The bike and I came back in one piece - what a blast! And 58cm suddenly feels just right for the purpose.

So where's the picture? Well, I discovered a custom framebuilder (Quiros Custom Frames, check it out) right here in our old Indian town. He offers a strip & powdercoat for $150. Light blue will replace the black/purple fade. I'll post pictures when it is built up again :)

Thanks for listening :)

Very smart and very cool! Love to see pics after powder.

[bobswire]

Those are excellent tires (you can read my review here (http://www.gravelbike.com/?p=2164)), but the sidewalls don't like sharp rocks. The blackwall version fares better, though.

Good to know , thanks.

[Rada]

Those old Trek 750's are pretty decent frames. I have a '90 750, double butted True Temper AT lugged tubes. Same geometry as a Trek 520. I've had mine built up several ways also. Currently set up with a 9 speed mountain drivetrain as a city/path bike that I use for riding with my daughter. I've got 700X35s on it, but know someone with 40's on his with about 7mm on each side to go bigger if wanted.

[bobswire]

Update on the Miyata, the Nitto Rando Bars and a 180mm tall stem finally arrived. I wanted this for a more upright position.
I'll be putting it together for a test ride and if I like how it rides I'll strip it down to bare metal for a repaint or leave it stripped with a semi gloss clear coat.

http://i58.tinypic.com/2yv9amg.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/207mb6e.jpg

[oldpotatoe]

Vintage sport/touring and touring frames can make for great gravel grinders. Nice find.

allright, what's the difference between a dirt road and a gravel road?

I don't get it. I ride my Moots and Merckx on dirt roads..why a 'gravel grinder'??

[William]

allright, what's the difference between a dirt road and a gravel road?

I don't get it. I ride my Moots and Merckx on dirt roads..why a 'gravel grinder'??


It's just a term for riding off-pavement. "Gravel Grinder" sounds better than a "road bike that can handle bigger tires or cross bike that sometimes is ridden both on and off road" bike.



;)

William

[oldpotatoe]

It's just a term for riding off-pavement. "Gravel Grinder" sounds better than a "road bike that can handle bigger tires or cross bike that sometimes is ridden both on and off road" bike.



;)

William

Thanks for that. BUT seems like another niche bike, gottahaveitnow, type trend to me. Very similar to the fat bike gig right now, IMHO.

BUT I have always been kinda adverse to 'purpose built' bikes since they sometimes do that one purpose kinda well but others, really poorly.

I love the idea of an 'all rounder'...pick the tires->commute, dirt, road, whatever rather than a 'gravel grinder'...

"Interbike ’13: “Gravel Nation”? -by Guitar Ted

Gravel Grinder News has arrived back from Interbike ’13 and it is quite apparent that the gravel road segment is “a thing” these days. Dedicated bicycles, dedicated tires, wheels, and there is talk of other accessory items for this specific niche. What is more, it is being seen as something beyond the gravel road scene as most of us understand it. To illustrate just what that might mean in the broader scheme of things, Gravel Grinder News spoke with a couple of well known industry players and they have given us some answers to whether or not the “gravel road scene” is about to go big, or stay in the shadows of cycling."

From-

http://gravelgrindernews.com/interbike-13-gravel-nation/

[William]

Thanks for that. BUT seems like another niche bike, gottahaveitnow, type trend to me. Very similar to the fat bike gig right now, IMHO.

BUT I have always been kinda adverse to 'purpose built' bikes since they sometimes do that one purpose kinda well but others, really poorly.

I love the idea of an 'all rounder'...pick the tires->commute, dirt, road, whatever rather than a 'gravel grinder'...



A knife is great for cutting things, but is a poor tool for prying. You pick the tool for the job. If all you plan on doing is riding road, a road bike is fine. You can ride off-road with it, but it's not ideal. Tire clearances are usually very tight. A mtb is great on the trail and rough stuff, not so great on the road. Sure you can put some fat boy slicks on it but gearing is usually suited for trail which means spinning out on the road. Sometimes a multi-tool is ideal. A cross/cross style bike seems to be the multi-tool of the bike world. It's the best choice if you plan on doing both on and off-road on your rides (within reason). As you mentioned, by switching out wheel sets (or tires) you can make it better suited for one or the other.





William

[commonguy001]

allright, what's the difference between a dirt road and a gravel road?


I don't know if there is a difference or if maybe it's just the condition of the road that would change the name.

We have some dirt roads where I live that are glass smooth and can be ridden fine on a 23mm tire.

We also have many that are less than smooth, very soft in places and have substantial size gravel chunks that are pretty tough on any tire smaller than a 32-35 at a minimum. I've ridden many of them on 28mm tires and it's a lot of work to keep it moving and you spend a ton of time hunting for 'the' line. These are the type of roads that when you're on a big dual sport motorcycle feels much better at 50-60 mph than at 30.


I personally enjoy these types of roads as they have virtually no car traffic and as someone who has been hit multiple times it's nice to not worry about that.

[oldpotatoe]

A knife is great for cutting things, but is a poor tool for prying. You pick the tool for the job. If all you plan on doing is riding road, a road bike is fine. You can ride off-road with it, but it's not ideal. Tire clearances are usually very tight. A mtb is great on the trail and rough stuff, not so great on the road. Sure you can put some fat boy slicks on it but gearing is usually suited for trail which means spinning out on the road. Sometimes a multi-tool is ideal. A cross/cross style bike seems to be the multi-tool of the bike world. It's the best choice if you plan on doing both on and off-road on your rides (within reason). As you mentioned, by switching out wheel sets (or tires) you can make it better suited for one or the other.





William

I agree 100%..just the gotta have a 'gravel grinder' part makes me ??

Kinda like a gotta have a 'rando bike' for doing that 'rando'...the last one I worked on for P-B-P was a Moots road bike. 700c, rack on the back, discs, non generator lights.....worked quite well.

[wallymann]

before this whole "gravel bike" movement was even a thing, at least here in the midwest. started out as a well-beaten bridgestone RB2. i had some canti bosses and couplers added along with a unicrown fork along with a repaint, thinking it would be my cyclocross-and-travel bike. fun bike but it ended up being waaaay too heavy for 'cross and the whole bike-and-work-travel thing didnt work out well, so i ended up selling it.

i kinda wish i still had it, but if/when i do go down this (gravel) road again i think i'd rather get a lighter gravel bike -- this thing was a tank.

http://brown-snout.com/cycling/bikes/archive/bridgestone_cyclo-cross/108-0815_img.jpghttp://brown-snout.com/cycling/bikes/archive/bridgestone_cyclo-cross/108-0816_img.jpg

[chwupper]

Update on the Miyata, the Nitto Rando Bars and a 180mm tall stem finally arrived. I wanted this for a more upright position.
I'll be putting it together for a test ride and if I like how it rides I'll strip it down to bare metal for a repaint or leave it stripped with a semi gloss clear coat.

http://i58.tinypic.com/2yv9amg.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/207mb6e.jpg

Looking good. I actually like that old paint color!

[bobswire]

I agree 100%..just the gotta have a 'gravel grinder' part makes me ??

Kinda like a gotta have a 'rando bike' for doing that 'rando'...the last one I worked on for P-B-P was a Moots road bike. 700c, rack on the back, discs, non generator lights.....worked quite well.

For folks (much like me) who can't afford the latest or the greatest craze I thought I'd dedicate a thread for putting together a frugal man's fat tire "gravel like" bike. Next time I'll run it by you first least (or is it "lest") I upset your sensibilities, how's the retired thingy working out for you?:)

[Rada]

allright, what's the difference between a dirt road and a gravel road?

I don't get it. I ride my Moots and Merckx on dirt roads..why a 'gravel grinder'??

I apologize for upsetting your sensibilities by using the vernacular of the day.:) I do agree that "gravel grinder" is mostly of a marketing strategy for something that is very loosely defined. My "gravel grinder" has been with me since before I'd heard the phrase and have called her an all-rounder. She is a '78 Trek TX700 and the pic is how she is usually trimmed for commuting. Depending on what I am planning to ride I'll switch out the 700X28 Schwalbe Marathons used for commuting to a set of 30's for long distance and 35's for off pavement.

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/kaliayev/07-11-13_1636.jpg

[Fixed]

[QUOTE=wallymann;1495828]before this whole "gravel bike" movement was even a thing, at least here in the midwest. started out as a well-beaten bridgestone RB2. i had some canti bosses and couplers added along with a unicrown fork along with a repaint, thinking it would be my cyclocross-and-travel bike. fun bike but it ended up being waaaay too heavy for 'cross and the whole bike-and-work-travel thing didnt work out well, so i ended up selling it.

i kinda wish i still had it, but if/when i do go down this (gravel) road again i think i'd rather get a lighter gravel bike -- this thing was a tank.

http://brown-snout.com/cycling/bikes/archive/bridgestone_cyclo-cross/108-0815_img.jpghttp://brown-snout.com/cycling/bikes/archive/bridgestone_cyclo-cross/108-0816_img.jpg[/

If your are used to a sports car a s.u.v. Can feel a bit sluggish
Cheers

[TimD]

As picked up last night. May put it back together this weekend, but I know everyone is waiting to see it (hah) so here you go.

Nice closet door (not mine) :)

[blilrat]

My attempt at a cheap gravel bike with almost 90% parts bin goodies.

I'm running the tires at 50psi. It is a fantastically smooth ride over just about anything. I read the Jan Heine article about fatter tires and speed and I have to agree. I don't feel a lick slower on this bike than on my 23mm tired road bike.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/12372063915_e063415ccc_c.jpg

[AngryScientist]

I love the idea of an 'all rounder'...pick the tires->commute, dirt, road, whatever rather than a 'gravel grinder'...


http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/pipe-wrench-1.jpg

i bet when you owned a shop, you could have removed an external bottom bracket with a pipe wrench, right? you could have used that same pipe wrench to put nails in the wall to hang pictures of merckx. probably could use that same pipe wrench to straighten a misaligned rear triangle.


you could consider that pipe wrench an "all rounder" tool. same as bikes, just because you can use one bike [or tool] for a bunch of jobs, doesnt mean you should...

jack of all trades, master of none. any bike that can do "OK" at most tasks probably doesnt do any one task great. life is short, if someone wants to ride a bunch of different bikes for the spice of variety, and the precision of having the right tool for the job, why not?

[coelacant]

Here's mine. 3 min. to go on Ebay fron the Netherlands and it's 15 brit. #s, I thought I'd steal it. Left and came back a bit later when it's over and the price became 45 B#s. ~$75, about the same as shipping cost.
It makes a wonderful off road bike as shown.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54057857@N07/12438957293/

[bobswire]

Update, just finished this morning,now all I got to do is take it out and ride it. Good timing since it has been raining here for a week straight but has let up today so better get out and see how it handles.

http://i60.tinypic.com/1z3lz7a.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/20r094k.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/35at6ch.jpg

[oldpotatoe]

http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/pipe-wrench-1.jpg

i bet when you owned a shop, you could have removed an external bottom bracket with a pipe wrench, right? you could have used that same pipe wrench to put nails in the wall to hang pictures of merckx. probably could use that same pipe wrench to straighten a misaligned rear triangle.


you could consider that pipe wrench an "all rounder" tool. same as bikes, just because you can use one bike [or tool] for a bunch of jobs, doesnt mean you should...

jack of all trades, master of none. any bike that can do "OK" at most tasks probably doesnt do any one task great. life is short, if someone wants to ride a bunch of different bikes for the spice of variety, and the precision of having the right tool for the job, why not?

People can ride whatever they wish, buy whatever they want. I rankle at the marketing, hype-ness of the 'gotta have this to do that', crowd and the resulting nose targeting somebody gets if they don't have the 'proper' bike.

But a Gunnar 'all rounder' is a better 'gravel grinder' than a pipe wrench is a bottom bracket tool.

[bobswire]

People can ride whatever they wish, buy whatever they want. I rankle at the marketing, hype-ness of the 'gotta have this to do that', crowd and the resulting nose targeting somebody gets if they don't have the 'proper' bike.

But a Gunnar 'all rounder' is a better 'gravel grinder' than a pipe wrench is a bottom bracket tool.

This is a bike forum which covers all aspects of cycling. I started this thread as a fun way to build up a vintage frame, I was not looking for a pissing contest or trying to market this bike. Quit being such an old grouch.

[GRAVELBIKE]

People can ride whatever they wish, buy whatever they want. I rankle at the marketing, hype-ness of the 'gotta have this to do that', crowd and the resulting nose targeting somebody gets if they don't have the 'proper' bike.

But a Gunnar 'all rounder' is a better 'gravel grinder' than a pipe wrench is a bottom bracket tool.

Bingo.
Sometimes the best ride takes place on the so-called wrong bike.

[R2D2]

I needed a bike for Cino Heroica last year. I found this PR 10 frame for $50, and a PX 10 parts donor for another $170. Some 37mm tires, a change in gearing, and some better brake pads turned it into a decent dirt road bike.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_20130824_194907_175.jpg

taken during day 2 of Cino

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/9735166208_24bd8372a6_h.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_20130908_154915_315.jpg

Nice. Can you tell me about the front brake, rack and mounts. Very ingenious.

[oldpotatoe]

This is a bike forum which covers all aspects of cycling. I started this thread as a fun way to build up a vintage frame, I was not looking for a pissing contest or trying to market this bike. Quit being such an old grouch.

Get off my lawn.

[bobswire]

Get off my lawn.

You're lucky I don't have a dog. :)

Anyway, had a very fun ride today,bike performed marvelous (but that's because of the wrench). I rode it on dirt,wet leafy trails and pavement but ....sigh, no gravel.

http://i62.tinypic.com/25587ch.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/25p2ujm.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/9atzyh.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/2qjwp5s.jpg

Seriously, this is a fun f**king bike,especially when you build it up yerself on a dime.

[oldpotatoe]

You're lucky I don't have a dog. :)

Anyway, had a very fun ride today,bike performed marvelous (but that's because of the wrench). I rode it on dirt,wet leafy trails and pavement but ....sigh, no gravel.

http://i62.tinypic.com/25587ch.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/25p2ujm.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/9atzyh.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/2qjwp5s.jpg

Seriously, this is a fun f**king bike,especially when you build it up yerself on a dime.

I don't have a dog BUT..never mind-nice bike tho, have fun on it, what bikes are for, after all.

[dmurphey]

Where is the 12 pack of beer??

[RFC]

You're lucky I don't have a dog. :)

Anyway, had a very fun ride today,bike performed marvelous (but that's because of the wrench). I rode it on dirt,wet leafy trails and pavement but ....sigh, no gravel.


Seriously, this is a fun f**king bike,especially when you build it up yerself on a dime.

Well done!

[TimD]

I'm pretty happy with how this turned out. Enjoy.

[rcnute]

I'm pretty happy with how this turned out. Enjoy.

Wow, that's great.

Ryan