All-road/Gravel bike custom geometry help

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by snguyen268

Then the reverse question becomes, when do you favor BSA over T47? Seems like never?

Its mostly a builder preference and/or aesthetic choice, either way.

If your builder is comfortable with BSA, its not like its going away. I wish I had done BSA (instead of T47) on my custom road, it looks a little clunky with steel tubes.

[Alistair]

Originally Posted by .RJ

T47... it looks a little clunky with steel tubes.

If those elbows are too pointy for you, you can drop the bike off at my place any time.

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by Alistair

If those elbows are too pointy for you, you can drop the bike off at my place any time.

[snguyen268]

So now I am on the home stretch with my build, i.e. component selection for my build kit. Here is what I am thinking and wondering if you guys have any input/advice.

Rear Derailleur: SRAM Eagle Transmission X0
Cranks: SRAM Force, 165mm, wide, with Red 46t chainring
Shifters/brakes: 2024 SRAM Red AXS
Rotors: SRAM Paceline X 160 F&R
Cassette: SRAM Eagle Transmission X0 10-52
Chain: Silca Pre-wax SRAM Tranmission XX
Bottom Bracket: SRAM BSA DUB
Handlebars: 3T Superghiaia, 40cm
Tires: Rene Herse Barlow Pass 700x38mm, Standard/Tan
Saddle: Pro Stealth Superlight

1. Which component is worth "splurging" on? For now, I am splurging on the new SRAM Red shifters/brakes (originally was gonna go with Force).

2. SRAM X0 vs. GX rear derailleur/cassette? Been contemplating a lot on this as a balance between performance vs. cost.

3. Is it worth spending on "fancy" bottom bracket? Originally I was gonna get the Cane Creek Hellbender 70 but now "downgrading" to standard SRAM DUB.

4. Anyone with experience with 3T Superghiaia bar? Seen a few posts on this forum and the experience seems good so far.

[.RJ]

If it were a cable shift group, I would splurge on the cassette before the derailleur, it will likely shift a little nicer.

I have no idea whether any difference, other than weight, is noticeable on the transmission stuff though.

What are you doing for wheels?

[snguyen268]

Originally Posted by .RJ

If it were a cable shift group, I would splurge on the cassette before the derailleur, it will likely shift a little nicer.

I have no idea whether any difference, other than weight, is noticeable on the transmission stuff though.

What are you doing for wheels?

Good to know about the cassette > derailleur. I can drop down to the SRAM GX rear derailleur (instead of X0) to save ~$130.

My thought process with the transmission is mostly abt eliminating a linking point, which is the derailleur hanger. Does it make much of a difference? Probably not, given I am not expecting riding MTB trails with my bike so the "bomproofness" is just a nice to have, not needed feature for me.

For wheels, I am using my current wheels, which is a pair of FFWD RYOT 44 with a 21mm internal width to start. I really want a nice pair of wheels but that will put me over budget so I will just run this pair down to the ground and get a nicer pair in a few years. For this build, I am definitely going all on splurging mode with the frame, then contact points, then drivetrain parts.

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by snguyen268

My thought process with the transmission is mostly abt eliminating a linking point, which is the derailleur hanger. Does it make much of a difference?

If nothing else, the UDH is a good idea.

So the new road AXS shifters talk to the transmission RD? Thats neat.

[snguyen268]

Originally Posted by .RJ

If nothing else, the UDH is a good idea.

So the new road AXS shifters talk to the transmission RD? Thats neat.

Yeah the new Red shifters do talk to the transmission RD, which is another reason why I decided to splurge on them (besides the improved ergonomics and braking performance).

[KonaSS]

To save money - I would get the original Sram Eagle AXS XO or GX rear derailleur, and the XO Eagle cassette. I think the Transmission version is going to offer little benefit on this type of bike.

[snguyen268]

Originally Posted by KonaSS

To save money - I would get the original Sram Eagle AXS XO or GX rear derailleur, and the XO Eagle cassette. I think the Transmission version is going to offer little benefit on this type of bike.

I was actually pondering on that as well. But apparently original Eagle and Eagle Transmission have similar prices (at least when the components are supplied by my builder) so I decided to just go with transmission. I do agree with you that I won't benefit greatly from the original design purpose of the Transmission drivetrain system.

[snguyen268]

As an update, my bike is finally here (well, technically for almost 2 weeks now). Just want to begin by thanking everyone who has chimed in with insights. I really appreciate it.

In the end I went with the design attached below. Originally, I was nervous that because I had such high expectations the bike would not live up to it. However, I was wrong. The ride quality is SUBLIME beyond my expectations. Not sure if I have any better word to describe the sensation.

- All the road buzz is so well-absorbed that every ride feels like "buttery smooth." I did not appreciate it on the first ride but the more I ride the more I notice it. The road cracks that always make my road bike make a "thudding" noise are now fully neutralized on this bike. I assume this is a combination of the quality of the Ti frame + fork & the low-pressure wide tyres? Not sure which contributes more?

- Steering geometry is really awesome with a good mixture of responsiveness and stability. Together the whole bike flows so well in and out of each turn. Wherever I point the front-end at the rear-end will just follow directly. I can't fully explain what this is due to. This is super nice on trails as I navigate around obstacles/choosing lines. I have taken the bike down some rocky/rooty single-track trails (unintentionally lol) and it handled them superbly as well.

-The fit is spot on as well. All the contact points are super comfortable. I love the saddle + bar width + ergonomics of the Red shifters. The shorter crank (165mm) feels great too. The position does feel more compact but I expected that given the shorter reach on this bike compared to my road bike. The roadie in me sometimes wish for a tad longer front, so that I can stretch out a bit more when tucking down in the "aero-hood" position but I know I will appreciate this compact position more when I do longer off-road rides.

- The drivetrain is another thing I really enjoy. The gearing is actually perfect for my riding style since the jumps between gears do not bother me at all, even on flat road sections, as I find gears that I can stay in for a long time. In fact, I prefer this 1x set up to my 50/34-11/34 setup on my road bike. Also, being able to shift under load is a plus.

Gonna get the chance to do a more off-road riding in northern Maine soon so I am stoked about that.

[.RJ]

Looks fantastic - what fork is that, the Firefly Ti fork?

[snguyen268]

Originally Posted by .RJ

Looks fantastic - what fork is that, the Firefly Ti fork?

Thanks! Yeah it is the Firefly Ti