Tell me about your dream gravel bike [Archive]

Miller76

02-15-2020, 08:59 PM

Moots Routt for the win I think, although No22, Mosaic, Firefly all get honorable mentions... for some reason I am drawn to Ti over all other materials for a gravel frame....

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200216/b9e6f5171fb0cd1ab9913d03a6fc77ab.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200216/d075088ca5c886f99cde7d83a84e487d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200216/e451d1ef3e36d25ae7e3b7376ef3af04.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200216/150b086d26e36d1ba6e62fcfbcc33171.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200216/95d84ee308a5b0f1f969aba9bbcd5336.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200216/8de4c4670155aecb07bd72c3d9ce9aec.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200216/396e87871344e55f034ddea7588d2f8b.jpg

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dbnm

02-15-2020, 09:07 PM

I am leaning towards the Routt RSL as I am coming from a Vamoots RSL, that I will be selling.

joosttx

02-15-2020, 09:12 PM

I just put a deposit on a Bingham Built gravel bike. Clearance for 42mm 700cc, SRAM AXS mullet, raw titanium and a few other things.

dbnm

02-15-2020, 09:16 PM

Can you send a link to that bike because I can't seem to find any bikes on that site. Just info about Brad and how he makes things.

I just put a deposit on a Bingham Built gravel bike. Clearance for 42mm 700cc, SRAM AXS mullet, raw titanium and a few other things.

joosttx

02-15-2020, 09:24 PM

Can you send a link to that bike because I can't seem to find any bikes on that site. Just info about Brad and how he makes things.

https://binghambuiltbikes.com/

Brad first started with Moots and then went to work for Kent Eriksen (Moots founder?) and then took over Kent Eriksen’s brand and created his own brand when Kent retired/semi-retired. The guy has the best welds in the biz and that’s just the start. Bottom line, I never bought two bikes for a builder and this is the first time. He earned admiration.

https://binghambuiltbikes.com/portfolio-items/gravgrav/

kppolich

02-15-2020, 09:36 PM

Custom geo. Titanium frame, Carbon fork, flat mount, 3 bottle cage mounts, Etap 2x (46/36) with internal routing, 700c, tubeless, clearance for 40s, 140mm rotors, 12mm TA front and back, enve cockpit, and paid for.

fogrider

02-15-2020, 09:42 PM

The there are a few really important elements that makes a gravel bike great fun to ride...
1. Tires. Depends on the terrain and how much asphalt is involved...choose wisely!
2. Gearing. Again, depends on terrain but there's lots of options...1x or double...the key is the availability of wide range rear cassettes.
3. Brakes. The key is light action levers while bombing down the dirt descents...it's kind of a no brainier for the most part, hydro disc fits the bill. Buy the best brakes you can afford and go ride.

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cp43

02-15-2020, 10:08 PM

I ordered it from Kris Henry at 44 bikes ~5 years ago:
https://www.44bikes.com/huntsman-super-trail/

It's been everything I asked for.

Chris

joosttx

02-15-2020, 10:14 PM

I ordered it from Kris Henry at 44 bikes ~5 years ago:
https://www.44bikes.com/huntsman-super-trail/

It's been everything I asked for.

Chris

Very nice! He is the best.

Jaybee

02-15-2020, 10:15 PM

Flaanimal (https://www.rodeo-labs.com/shop/framesets/flaanimal-5-0-pre-order/) 5.0, probably with the Di2 Hylex hack

Spdntrxi

02-15-2020, 10:16 PM

someone had a custom Routt front / Routt 45 rear .. I think that would be the perfect gravel bike.

Andy sti

02-15-2020, 11:35 PM

Clean39T

02-15-2020, 11:49 PM

Yep, that's mine!

https://i.imgur.com/yUSeAl5.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/xQgt81K.jpg?1

What gearing did you go with and has it been the right choice? Any thoughts on how the drivetrain is wearing relative to others over time?

gibbo

02-16-2020, 12:15 AM

https://www.baumcycles.com/orbisplus.html

Something else to toss into the mix.

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mhespenheide

02-16-2020, 12:21 AM

"Dream"?

I'd pay Tom Kellog and Steve Hampsten consulting fees to collaborate on fit and geometry, have firefly build it, and have a Lauf fork on the front.

;)

:help:

Andy sti

02-16-2020, 01:08 AM

What gearing did you go with and has it been the right choice? Any thoughts on how the drivetrain is wearing relative to others over time?

46/33 and 10-33. Gives me a 1:1 which works for 98% of what I ride. I wouldn't mind an 11-36 but I don't see SRAM making that for AXS, unfortunately. Seems to be wearing fine as far as I can tell. I've ridden it hard and it keeps working.

ToonaBP

02-16-2020, 05:31 AM

My dream Ti bike will arrive in March. Routt RSL, Moots stem/seatpost, Enve bars, GRX group, Enve G23 or Mavic Allroad pro carbon wheelset (??), ..... still trying to decide on tires....

Hilltopperny

02-16-2020, 05:39 AM

You can’t go wrong with a Routt RSL or the OPEN. I picked up a No22 Drifter for mine and couldn’t be happier.

It really all depends on what and how you want to ride it as far as set ups go. I have a three wheelsets and have run mine with both 1x and 2x drivetrains. It is my favorite bike. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200216/fc4cdaf3091c7e12ea22a622048830e5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200216/8bc13ac3a00a2997511bc8b9984d27f1.jpg

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SlowPokePete

02-16-2020, 06:39 AM

Gentleman prefer titanium.

Especially if it's (gonna be used as a) gravel bike.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49469876328_1c59d5b5a5_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2inu3Jd)January 30, 2020 (https://flic.kr/p/2inu3Jd) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49539530783_7884c6b226_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2itD3z6)February 15, 2020 (https://flic.kr/p/2itD3z6) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

SPP

weisan

02-16-2020, 06:48 AM

colker

02-16-2020, 07:04 AM

Black Mountain monster cross.

Rivendell All Rounder.

joosttx

02-16-2020, 07:38 AM

oldpotatoe

02-16-2020, 07:46 AM

I'm wanting to get a gravel bike for a variety of reasons. I am debating between a Moots Routt RSL and an Open UPPER.

What's your dream gravel bike?

Moots YBB sumthin with Campag 12s Chorus with wheels I built..DT350 hubs, some sort of tubular rim..like Velocity Major Tom..non MSW..

AngryScientist

02-16-2020, 08:05 AM

interesting thread!

for the most part, everyone has described almost the exact same bike. maybe we've reached the high water mark of what a modern gravel bike has become?

personally, my ideal gravel bike is very different from what most people want. much of that is because an amazing gravel ride for me, 90% of the time means many miles on quiet country roads linked together by beautiful gravel sections.

great gravel for me is nicely maintained, smooth surfaces. stuff you actually can ride and enjoy on road tires. i dont really enjoy super chunky technical stuff. that of course, informs the bike i would select as my ideal gravel bike for my ideal gravel rides :)

my dream gravel bike would be a very light, thin gauge, skinny tube titanium bike with rim brakes, DT shifter stops and a beautiful hand made steel fork. such a bike could ride on lighter, skinnier tires and handle rough roads well due to the non super stiff frame/fork construction.

it seems to me that modern gravel bikes emphasize super stiff frames with yuge bottom bracket areas and super sturdy rigid forks, then add the needed suspension/dampening in via really big fat tires. i'm an advocate of going in the other direction. i especially enjoy riding a curved blade steel fork off-road, seems to make a really big difference in smoothing things out, at least for me.

the other thing my dream bike would be is designed just for me, as to the above philosophy. any stock bike i buy, or even most customs are made for a wide range of users. i've always felt this is sub optimal. i weigh 130 pounds. there is no way a bike is optimized for ME if it's also made to carry someone my weight up to >200#.

anyway, good, interesting thread here!

CAAD

02-16-2020, 08:49 AM

My Trek checkpoint sl isn't something I look at and appreciate. BUT it gets the job done, comfortable and responsive. Weighs 16lbs with 25c road tires and pedals. It does what I need it to do so well I just don't see a point in going with another bike. Maybe titanium, but what would I really gain? So maybe it is my dream gravel bike. Carbon doesn't rust, isospeed adds comfort, geo is comfortable, and I generally don't care of it gets banged up.

Dedicated road bikes are a different story.

XXtwindad

02-16-2020, 09:20 AM

My "dream" gravel bike, you ask?

it doesn't exist.

Anyone who say otherwise is a fukcing liar!

It maneuvers on treacherous conditions like a bat in hell...

It speeds on paved roads like a demon...

It seduces you to ride it every day like a succubus...

Reminds me of a woman I once met.
I met her in a club down in old Soho
Where you drink champagne and it tastes just like
Coco Cola.

XXtwindad

02-16-2020, 09:22 AM

oops. Edit.

choke

02-16-2020, 09:31 AM

I own it. Sure, other bikes interest me but this is such a great bike that I could live with it alone if needed. The one thing that I do wish I would have done is to request a threaded fork....that's the only flaw in it IMO.

http://hampco.ciocctoo.com/070416c.jpg

XXtwindad

02-16-2020, 09:32 AM

Yep, that's mine!

https://i.imgur.com/yUSeAl5.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/xQgt81K.jpg?1

Dammit! Why do you always have the best bikes on the site! I want one of those :)

Clean39T

02-16-2020, 11:03 AM

Dammit! Why do you always have the best bikes on the site! I want one of those :)Best bikes AND best roads/groads/trails.. :D

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72gmc

02-16-2020, 11:08 AM

I still want a ti hampsten strada bianca with a steel fork, Paul racer mediums, and a list of 700x28 to 700x35 tires to try.

There are some beautiful disc brake, big tire bikes that tempt me, but I can't seem to shake the SB crush.

tomato coupe

02-16-2020, 12:01 PM

for the most part, everyone has described almost the exact same bike. maybe we've reached the high water mark of what a modern gravel bike has become?
I think it says more about the demographics of people contributing to this forum, and their fondness for titanium (or steel).

kppolich

02-16-2020, 12:04 PM

Yep, that's mine!

Looks perfect. Basically no logos, only change I would make is to have the 3rd bottle cage located inside the triangle and not under the bb area.

Really like the TwinSix Ti Rando if it were updated to flat mounts and a threaded bottom bracket.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0883/2790/products/StandardTiRando_1_2048x2048.jpg?v=1571438990

joosttx

02-16-2020, 12:09 PM

I think it says more about the demographics of people contributing to this forum, and their fondness for titanium (or steel).

I have three /four (if you include HT MTB) friends who have cracked their carbon gravel bike frames since Christmas. All different manufacturers. All non-crash related. Two of them manufactures didn’t warranty. Get a Ti gravel bike is my conclusion.

robt57

02-16-2020, 01:00 PM

I have three /four (if you include HT MTB) friends who have cracked their carbon gravel bike frames since Christmas. All different manufacturers. All non-crash related. Two of them manufactures didn’t warranty. Get a Ti gravel bike is my conclusion.

Cracking in what use? Some rock grinding going on?

I have been of the camp loose thrown material and carbon makes little sense. But then again carbon MTB been surviving well mostly.

tomato coupe

02-16-2020, 01:04 PM

I have three /four (if you include HT MTB) friends who have cracked their carbon gravel bike frames since Christmas. All different manufacturers. All non-crash related. Two of them manufactures didn’t warranty. Get a Ti gravel bike is my conclusion.

Doesn't change my statement.

If you asked the same question on another forum (e.g. weight weenies), they'd reach a different consensus.

Andy sti

02-16-2020, 01:06 PM

I have three /four (if you include HT MTB) friends who have cracked their carbon gravel bike frames since Christmas. All different manufacturers. All non-crash related. Two of them manufactures didn’t warranty. Get a Ti gravel bike is my conclusion.

Wow! I cracked my HT MTB but it was an open mold Chinese frame and it served me well so I couldn’t complain. Those are some crazy numbers, that sucks.

joosttx

02-16-2020, 01:08 PM

Doesn't change my statement.

If you asked the same question on another forum (e.g. weight weenies), they'd reach a different consensus.

Good point. I’m just amazed at the recent carbon gravel bike failures I seen.

R3awak3n

02-16-2020, 02:33 PM

I hate that I have to agree but my OPEN has been kind of a nightmare. I would not buy one again. I need to make a better post about this but after finally changing gearing to 1X and being like, wow this is how this bike was suppose to be, I look at my seatpost clamp and it has pinched the carbon. I messaged OPEN and they tell me this is totally fine and I can ride like this but to me its not normal... I did nothing wrong, greased the bolt, torqued it to 4.5nm (with a quality tool), this should not have happened and if it has that is what the warranty is for (I feel like the warranty does not cover anything, they can always say its my fault). Anyways, for another time.
THAT SAID, the bike is a DREAM to ride, one of the best bikes I ever ridden, its incredible but I wish I had no problem with it and it had been a great bike.... it is my only bike I bought new, definitely the most expensive frame I ever had and the bike I had the most problems with... go figure. It sucks because otherwise the OPEN would be (and it was) a dream gravel bike but it has turned into a nightmare.

I like titanium bikes, they look awesome but without trying to disrespect a lot of people here, to me they all look the same and therefor a little boring. I think its an awesome material and to be fair, kind of perfect for gravel but if I was to buy one, I would paint it ;) I also like steel and would love something with a carbon fork for those fast day rides and also a steel fork I can put a rack on. I think something like my Cielo Base racer but with space for bigger tires.

fa63

02-16-2020, 02:39 PM

I already have my dream gravel bike, though it would be even dreamier if it had GRX Di2 or Etap :-)

What I really dream about is having more gravel roads I can ride without having to drive an hour or more to them...https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200216/b3ac361e60f5177575c12d5feab09c9c.jpg

morrisericd

02-16-2020, 02:40 PM

Remember that Speedvagen sale? I just couldn't help myself. The only issue is we're in the dead of winter here in Vermont and all I can do is look at it on my stand for the next two months!

My gravel bike requirements: road bike set up with some drop and room for 38's. This bike is set up 650b with 48's on it. I'm going to get another set of 700 wheels for it (or another driver for my current CX wheels - damn you XDR driver!) and see which I like better. Most of the gravel I ride around here is just dirt roads with some occasional goat paths thrown in. I'd been loving my 35mm G1 speed tires on widish rims on my Routt RSL. The Routt was just a little too big for me with not enough drop. I always felt on top of the bike instead of in it. Looking forward to steel is real!

prototoast

02-16-2020, 04:04 PM

I have three /four (if you include HT MTB) friends who have cracked their carbon gravel bike frames since Christmas. All different manufacturers. All non-crash related. Two of them manufactures didn’t warranty. Get a Ti gravel bike is my conclusion.

Can you provide any more details about the types of failures they had and the bikes they were riding? Would be useful input to know what to engineer around.

joosttx

02-16-2020, 04:30 PM

Can you provide any more details about the types of failures they had and the bikes they were riding? Would be useful input to know what to engineer around.

Three were chainstays. Cracked in the middle, crack at the junction of the BB IIRC, and the las one was from a spoke breaking and the tire and rim cutting into the chainstays. The other was a head tube crack from stress.

robt57

02-16-2020, 04:33 PM

happycampyer

02-16-2020, 04:51 PM

My ti/carbon all-road Firefly was built after Firefly switched to the 3D-printed dropouts, but before they introduced the 3D-printed yoke, which permits wider tires with shorter chainstays and standard chainrings.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-3TRfB53/0/510bbcde/XL/i-3TRfB53-XL.jpg

At about the same time the above bike was delivered, Jamie built an all-road bike with super skinny stays and a 1" seatpost. I ended up spec'ing those features on a disc road bike:

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-HN36FMp/0/b3177640/X3/i-HN36FMp-X3.jpg

So if I were starting from scratch today to spec an all-road bike, I would get either a ti or ti/carbon Firefly with the 3D printed yoke, skinny seatstays and 1" seatpost. Baum has a similar 3D-printed yoke on their all-road bike—not sure if anyone else has anything similar.

Another alternative would be to get a Routt YBB disc and swap the Lefty onto it... And as others have noted above, the Hampsten Strada Bianca ti with mid-reach brakes is still a fantastic bike for dirt/gravel. Not sure that there is one dream bike, it's more like Baskin-Robbins...

SlowPokePete

02-16-2020, 05:35 PM

FWIW I've had zero problems with my Lynskey.

And I've put almost 15,000 miles on it now...

SPP

Ttx1

02-16-2020, 05:55 PM

The whole gravel thing is fracturing into niches quickly. Bikepacking or enduroracing or farm road touring or rando or or or or...

We've gone from "700x30-32 is a revelation" to "must have clearance for 650x70 EL greyskin knobbies or GTFO".

Dropper, suspension, etc.

Sample size = 1, but I'm pleased with my "master of most" FF allroad...

This one has 1:1 gearing, and the yoke for the short stays more than for clearance, so it's slightly more road oriented and it climbs like a goat.

Perfectly happy riding on the road or rough road or dirt road or trail, and I don't feel like I'm giving up much if anything vs. my prior pure road FF when on pavement.

Wheel swaps are where it's at.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48120616792_c41a906a1e_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gjfJSL)

robin3mj

02-16-2020, 05:57 PM

I've had mine for about 2 years now, and loving it.
(Also have a Cannondale Slate that is probably redundant, but I love that one too.)

Max K. builds a quality bicycle...

https://66.media.tumblr.com/e9b7656de9462f5bf3ced2d5e61dd082/tumblr_pdo4x2SuRt1qg7g9so7_1280.jpg

https://66.media.tumblr.com/e0db552fca780c65afa4b9a418a27ac7/tumblr_pdo4x2SuRt1qg7g9so5_1280.jpg

https://66.media.tumblr.com/372b341e20b8c1e06b6f27947018e398/tumblr_pdo4x2SuRt1qg7g9so1_1280.jpg

https://66.media.tumblr.com/58ca06d3630a3635e38bc47e0c452db4/tumblr_pdo4x2SuRt1qg7g9so4_1280.jpg

d_douglas

02-16-2020, 06:10 PM

I ordered it from Kris Henry at 44 bikes ~5 years ago:
https://www.44bikes.com/huntsman-super-trail/

It's been everything I asked for.

Chris

I would love to see a photo of that. I was (at one point) looking at this bike, but finances dictated a far cheaper solution. He gets rave reviews and this seems like it has a bit of everything wrapped into it!

madsciencenow

02-16-2020, 06:14 PM

Tons of cool bikes and good advice above. Your question to me reads like, “tell me about your favorite shovel.” If you want me to answer this I need a few more details like, favorite shovel for what? Are we talking about moving snow, digging a trench or ? Anyway, point being, the advice is only useful if you know what you wanna do with your gravel bike. If you can’t answer this question then I wouldn’t break the bank on a new rig until you sort out where you are riding the bike and what type of geo you like for your particular brand of gravel.

The point about wheels and tires is also spot on in my experience. My Moots Routt was a completely different bike with CF 650b 42s as compared to AL 700c 35s or 28s.

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jtakeda

02-16-2020, 06:51 PM

Mine should be coming pretty soon. But I have a feeling it might be taking a trip to Dallas in March....

scoobydrew

02-16-2020, 07:04 PM

Fortunate enough to work with Justin @ Black Oak Velo to work out the details on my "dream" gravel bike (Mosaic GT-2).

Titanium with bead blasted finish, ENVE gravel fork, 3 water bottle bosses (with the positions optimized to open up space for a frame bag), and enough clearance for 650x48 or 700x50.

weaponsgrade

02-16-2020, 07:21 PM

Clearance for 700x42s, double chain ring, dropper.

Jaybee

02-16-2020, 07:26 PM

prototoast

02-16-2020, 07:26 PM

How do you end up with more clearance for 700 than 650? Curvy chainstays?

Probably a typo.

cp43

02-16-2020, 07:32 PM

I would love to see a photo of that. I was (at one point) looking at this bike, but finances dictated a far cheaper solution. He gets rave reviews and this seems like it has a bit of everything wrapped into it!

The photos in the blog entry I linked are of my bike.

Here is the latest photo I have of it, from 2017:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6LZB_5kK3bZ01FXWw3kKz-k7ylMX5NpcDePj75Qya1xnI3FwGEFtBtWh5o4TqqCWVZnz25SH 9RneyAxFfhd6WNDeOq-SHr2vhCAa_EeHHSFF_5lLLRrEWJH9bxY6gsLcUjlAp18cVM9GS w1UDVaZ7xeUppZzXZHmSbXGtT502U54CrXIm1ZrzrBRZF-q0uzSlwhkHSE_LWcc2hwPX46N8RtlJybPjM0nTF4z20o6XTun4 Mlhrsyz9EX7O9rD8iBS9KIORxePMNMoLsfVb_6nixHAqNxBFtB LptHxVAekm_T88MzdxYDhwjGb9O5DGwgi-gmHSsZFD9l6vfZQd4lGMXd3bOndRrFDCWOJMft9zyDLlUh3kZs 790QGzEtfkFYjlSwKzymL8uZ0UcJbFsnzXKUSPXusmweJOlklG fibxCS-5gbvpZQt1l07ciWgH_w8HQGL9bDdRukUYGCvLw1GEaQWwxSzcq btg8bbkR9Ql00isOeGWgJ0RoPFBSe6kXVVBfKlQCK02vQ8zEHI KW_FekiPZH82M7_zyWOwecUl9zRqOSEASSi9ruod33IGQiN1vk YVDc_6bhFNqXdnvDnWFqYAIje2fIB3AKlDFOMPrUYPZMNEdP0J 6nyviwe18djkZNeKOKRXFOuw6G_WK51YBGfD4cLAtbIvGozoUJ Ow8Fo2y5zx5mv1vQ=w1679-h944-no

Since then I've changed the rear fender to a black Planet Bike one, and added a Tubus Vega rear rack. With the rack, I moved the tail light to be mounted on the back of the rack. I also changed the rear derailleur, to be able to remove the Jetk adapter. Otherwise, it's as it was in the pics Kris posted.

I can grab some pics if there's something specific you're curious about. I can also answer any questions you have.

Thanks,

Chris

John H.

02-16-2020, 08:18 PM

If you got a Moots would you go custom?

I ask that because the Moots RSL and the Open could not be more different in terms of geometry.
Open is a low stack bike with fairly short reach, short top tube, short front center and a 71 degree head angle.
Moots Routt RSL is quite a bit taller in a similar size- But at the same time head angles are 72.5 or so- Too steep in my opinion.

I would think about how you will use the bike and how much durability will come into play.

I have an Open UPPER- It has worked well for me, but I do realize that it has limitations. It is kind of like a "road bike" of gravel bikes.
The finish on my frame spider-webbed. So I had it re-painted.

I also have a Seven Evergreen XV with the cut and welded chainstay- This bike is great for almost everything. I even use it as a fender bike in the winter. Only drawback to a titanium bike (if you care) is that it will weigh about 2 lb. more than a comparable carbon bike (like an Open).
This is partly due to frame weight. But also due to using a substantial headset and bottom bracket.

scoobydrew

02-16-2020, 09:40 PM

How do you end up with more clearance for 700 than 650? Curvy/aggressively dimpled chainstays?

Probably a typo.

My fault. 700x45 max per the build sheet.

Clancy

02-16-2020, 11:00 PM

[QUOTE
So if I were starting from scratch today to spec an all-road bike, I would get either a ti or ti/carbon Firefly with the 3D printed yoke, skinny seatstays and 1" seatpost. [/QUOTE]

Are 1“ seatposts now a thing?

mhespenheide

02-16-2020, 11:14 PM

So if I were starting from scratch today to spec an all-road bike, I would get either a ti or ti/carbon Firefly with the 3D printed yoke, skinny seatstays and 1" seatpost.

Are 1“ seatposts now a thing?

Yes, because they flex a tiny bit more than 27.2 and more than 31.6. Cannondale did it with some of their new bikes and designed a new carbon seatpost in 25.4 specifically so that it would flex a bit.

tandemracer

02-17-2020, 02:22 PM

Instead of a gravel bike becoming the quiver killer, I have ended up needing multiple gravel bikes and multiple wheelsets. I have been running a S-Works Diverge with 2x11 eTap with either 700x35 slicks or 700x38 knobbies for most of my road and gravel riding for the last year and a half. It's been great.

I end up on a lot of singletrack and loose gravel where those tires weren't optimal. The BB on the Diverge is so low that I had lots of pedal strikes when I tried to use 650b wheels, which Specialized says will fit. So I picked up a second gravel bike that is more like a drop-bar MTB. Steel frame from Zukas, running 650x48 knobbies and using an AXS mullet drivetrain. It is slower on the road than the Diverge, but it really excels off-road.

Between those 2 bikes I can cover pretty much any course or conditions.

Dream bike though would be the same thing but with a frame from Firefly. :banana:

dsimon

02-17-2020, 02:33 PM

My dream Gravel would be a nice moots routt, Baum or firefly that i picked up for less than 4K.. Thats my dream bike:bike:

happycampyer

02-17-2020, 03:50 PM

My dream Gravel would be a nice moots routt, Baum or firefly that i picked up for less than 4K.. Thats my dream bike:bike:Win the D2R2 raffle (as I did the year before last)—that has to be the most economical way to acquire a dream gravel bike...

happycampyer

02-17-2020, 03:56 PM

So if I were starting from scratch today to spec an all-road bike, I would get either a ti or ti/carbon Firefly with the 3D printed yoke, skinny seatstays and 1" seatpost.

Are 1“ seatposts now a thing?Not sure if they are a "thing" or not. Personally, I would only trust a 1" seatpost made out of titanium. Other than Firefly, I'm not sure if anyone else (Moots, Eriksen, etc.) is making them, and I'm not sure that Firefly will make one that isn't spec'ed with a frame that is shimmed appropriately. I've had a YBB since 2006, and the chainstays are probably as strong as the day they were welded.

Hilltopperny

02-17-2020, 04:07 PM

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-HN36FMp/0/b3177640/X3/i-HN36FMp-X3.jpg
Is this the D2R2 drawing bike built up? I have been wondering what you came up with!

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happycampyer

02-17-2020, 04:23 PM

Is this the D2R2 drawing bike built up? I have been wondering what you came up with!

Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkIt is! Since I already had an all-road bike (well, if you count the Hampstens, the Psychlo-X YBB disc and—at the time—the Slate, a few), I figured a disc road made more sense since I didn't have one of those. Frankly, even though it's a "road" bike, I could easily ride this at D2R2...

Hilltopperny

02-17-2020, 04:33 PM

It is! Since I already had an all-road bike (well, if you count the Hampstens, the Psychlo-X YBB disc and—at the time—the Slate, a few), I figured a disc road made more sense since I didn't have one of those. Frankly, even though it's a "road" bike, I could easily ride this at D2R2...

It looks amazing! Very nicely done!

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Ttx1

02-17-2020, 04:45 PM

NHAero

02-17-2020, 05:31 PM

What does that FF Ti/carbon weigh in at with the Lefty?
Awesome bike!

My ti/carbon all-road Firefly was built after Firefly switched to the 3D-printed dropouts, but before they introduced the 3D-printed yoke, which permits wider tires with shorter chainstays and standard chainrings.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-3TRfB53/0/510bbcde/XL/i-3TRfB53-XL.jpg

At about the same time the above bike was delivered, Jamie built an all-road bike with super skinny stays and a 1" seatpost. I ended up spec'ing those features on a disc road bike:

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-HN36FMp/0/b3177640/X3/i-HN36FMp-X3.jpg

So if I were starting from scratch today to spec an all-road bike, I would get either a ti or ti/carbon Firefly with the 3D printed yoke, skinny seatstays and 1" seatpost. Baum has a similar 3D-printed yoke on their all-road bike—not sure if anyone else has anything similar.

Another alternative would be to get a Routt YBB disc and swap the Lefty onto it... And as others have noted above, the Hampsten Strada Bianca ti with mid-reach brakes is still a fantastic bike for dirt/gravel. Not sure that there is one dream bike, it's more like Baskin-Robbins...

Kyle h

02-17-2020, 05:35 PM

So if I were starting from scratch today to spec an all-road bike, I would get either a ti or ti/carbon Firefly with the 3D printed yoke, skinny seatstays and 1" seatpost..

Yeah I love my FF TiCarbon Allroad bit find myself longing for more tire. Debating sending it back and having them well in the new yoke and stays so I can run something bigger than 38.

sparky33

02-18-2020, 08:46 AM

Yeah I love my FF TiCarbon Allroad bit find myself longing for more tire. Debating sending it back and having them well in the new yoke and stays so I can run something bigger than 38.

So if I were starting from scratch today to spec an all-road bike, I would get either a ti or ti/carbon Firefly with the 3D printed yoke, skinny seatstays and 1" seatpost.

ti-carbon FF is super nice, and their printed yoke is a no-compromise solution.

I'd like a Lauf fork with 3-pack mounts on a ti or ti-carbon frame fitting 27.5x2.2, some tattoo-like finish work, dynamo lighting, the latest greatest 1x electronic drivetrain and top-shelf wheels.