First world problems

[Hank Scorpio]

I was thinking of building up a new gravel/winter bike. What suggestions would you offer within my parameters:

1. Carbon: I have ridden and owned a few Ti frames and never really got on with the ride quality. Both felt a bit muted.

2. Thru axle or QR? And if TA what hub dimensions

3. Custom or small builders preferred: This pure vanity but I don't want to see my bike coming at me every weekend.

I could probably just get a Boone and be done with it but I would like to see what's what.

I really have my eye on a Sarto Energia/Gravel TA but frame price is a bit steep considering I need a full build.

I looked at Parlee, Crumpton and Alchemy as well.

[Louis]

I was thinking of building up a new gravel/winter bike. What suggestions would you offer within my parameters:

1. Carbon: I have ridden and owned a few Ti frames and never really got on with the ride quality. Both felt a bit muted.

I'm no gravel-grinder expert, but on a bike intended to do that, wouldn't "muted" be good? Nobody wants to feel significant buzz when riding gravel.

[rnhood]

I like the Boone. It just doesn't have many, if any shortcomings when it comes to all around versatility and ride quality. And it suitably light weight.

[I Want Sachs?]

Cyfac

http://cyfac.fr/special-projects#abovecategory

[happycampyer]

The Chebacco loaner that Signature had looked fantastic. I like the geometry of it a little better than the Boone, but the Boone looks like a great deal. I'm curious about the Cannondale Slate.

If you make it over this way, you're welcome to go for an A/B ride with me on the Firefly and the Hampsten, to give you a sense of different wheel sizes, etc.

[Hank Scorpio]

I guess I should have stated that almost all my bike are usually second or third hand so the two Ti bikes I have had were not built for me directly. I know HUGE difference but I don't want to gamble that much time and money on something that I may not enjoy. I like carbon and the way it rides so for me that is the best choice.

Campyer thanks for the offer. I still have your Z3 and it is in heavy rotation. I will reach out to Tom tomorrow to see about the Chebacco.

[sparky33]

The Boone is an excellent bike if you are not wedded to the idea of a bespoke wonderbike. I tested one at my LBS not too long ago. It was stiff in the right way, and it was incredibly comfortable in the right way especially on nasty roads. I don't think you will find a gravelish bike that rides better, but you may find one that is more unique.

[bicycletricycle]

Calfee has been making a variety of "adventure " bikes for a while, always liked calfees.

If it fits buy this carbon alan cx frame

Cheap , rare and cool

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=191738404489&globalID=EBAY-US

[tigoat]

I am kind of on the boat, as I have a carbon bike design on the table to build but have not had much time lately to get serious about it.

Here are a few builders that you might look into:

http://applemanbicycles.com/

http://www.montenegromfg.com/carbon-repair/

http://velozephyr.com/products/

http://www.craddockcycles.co.uk/

With disc brakes, it would be ideal to have thru-axles, as that is the direction the industry is going. Besides, once you have ridden hard with thru-axles, you wouldn't want to go back to QR. Yeah, having ridden Ti and stainless for so long, it feels great to ride a full carbon bike again. Life wouldn't be full without riding a variety of bikes.

[oldpotatoe]

I was thinking of building up a new gravel/winter bike. What suggestions would you offer within my parameters:

1. Carbon: I have ridden and owned a few Ti frames and never really got on with the ride quality. Both felt a bit muted.

2. Thru axle or QR? And if TA what hub dimensions

3. Custom or small builders preferred: This pure vanity but I don't want to see my bike coming at me every weekend.

I could probably just get a Boone and be done with it but I would like to see what's what.

I really have my eye on a Sarto Energia/Gravel TA but frame price is a bit steep considering I need a full build.

I looked at Parlee, Crumpton and Alchemy as well.

If disc, probably 15mm TA front and 142/12mm TA rear, at least that's kinda, sorta where the wheel/frame makers are sorta, kinda heading.

Also investigate disc caliper mounting..direct or post mount.

[dalava]

I was thinking of building up a new gravel/winter bike. What suggestions would you offer within my parameters:

1. Carbon: I have ridden and owned a few Ti frames and never really got on with the ride quality. Both felt a bit muted.

2. Thru axle or QR? And if TA what hub dimensions

3. Custom or small builders preferred: This pure vanity but I don't want to see my bike coming at me every weekend.

I could probably just get a Boone and be done with it but I would like to see what's what.

I really have my eye on a Sarto Energia/Gravel TA but frame price is a bit steep considering I need a full build.

I looked at Parlee, Crumpton and Alchemy as well.

Check out Open Cycles, a new project by the original Cervelo founders. A lot of options and looks like an interesting take on off-road riding.

[kramnnim]

There's a gravelly Alchemy on eBay right now if you ride a 54...

[Hank Scorpio]

Rats I need a 58. There is a di2 Boone up now as well

[John H.]

I like the Appleman bikes. Anyone have 1st hand experience with one?

I am kind of on the boat, as I have a carbon bike design on the table to build but have not had much time lately to get serious about it.

Here are a few builders that you might look into:

http://applemanbicycles.com/

http://www.montenegromfg.com/carbon-repair/

http://velozephyr.com/products/

http://www.craddockcycles.co.uk/

With disc brakes, it would be ideal to have thru-axles, as that is the direction the industry is going. Besides, once you have ridden hard with thru-axles, you wouldn't want to go back to QR. Yeah, having ridden Ti and stainless for so long, it feels great to ride a full carbon bike again. Life wouldn't be full without riding a variety of bikes.

[Cat3roadracer]

Check out number 22 bicycles. These fellas are building beautiful frames in Upstate NY, as I understand many employees have roots to the origin - Serotta. I have seen the frames at local cross races and they are quite impressive.

[happycampyer]

Rats I need a 58. There is a di2 Boone up now as wellThe thing I don't like about the Boone at least on paper is the high bottom bracket. At 6.5 cm of drop, it's pretty high, and when you add to that tires in the 32 - 35mm range, you end up pretty high up relative to a road bike. I couldn't find the geo for the Chebacco on Parlee's website, but I know that the bottom bracket is lower than that. The bottom bracket drop on my Firefly is in the 7.5cm range, and the 650B wheels with 42mm tires are the same diameter as 700C wheels with 23mm tires, so the net result is a feel very similar to a regular road bike, just with a much bigger tire contact patch.

That said, I wouldn't mind testing out a Boone to see if it's actually noticeable. I did notice the height on a CX bike I had, which led me ultimately to what I have now.

[Hank Scorpio]

I had two cross bikes as well and found them both to ride a bit "high" in relation to my road bikes. Thanks for suggesting the Chebacco. I talked with Tom yesterday and I am headed to a local shop today to see if I can live with the hump behind the head tube.

If so he can ship immediately which is my next problem. He can do a complete build with di2 ultegra and hydros which will be assembled by the shop or I can piece together my own group from overseas. I am fine building a normal mechanical bike but I never messed with no electrics. I was trying to put together a group online last night but have a bunch of questions on wire length and junction boxes and battery chargers.

[happycampyer]

The humps on their factory-built bikes are a bit odd, no doubt, but I think I could live with it. For some reason, it's not as obtrusive in person as it is in photos.

I would go with the complete build from Parlee--they are offering a great deal on complete bikes, and you don't have to worry about whether the Di2 parts are installed correctly, etc.

[Hank Scorpio]

That is what I am doing. Plus my local just sent out a Small business sat coupon for $500 off a parlee complete. So I have to buy it right? I am not 100% in love with the stock paint but I am impatient.

[bikingshearer]

Pretty much the ultimate First World problem: Pants feeling too tight again after yet another humongous Thanksgiving feast.

Oh, and the football games being boring/not your team/interrupted by the aforementioned feast.

Happy Thanksgiving, all. May it be joyful and comforting.