How I ruined a perfectly good MTB for gravel riding

[joosttx]

Im liking it. Really liking it. Nice job. What the diameter of that seat tube? I have a sweet synchros seatpost that would look awesome on that bike.

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by joosttx

Im liking it. Really liking it. Nice job. What the diameter of that seat tube? I have a sweet synchros seatpost that would look awesome on that bike.

Thanks, it’s a 2019 frame so it has a 27.2 seat post. The post it has was poorly cut and is slightly fraying at the end so I could be interested in a replacement..

[oldpotatoe]

I think that's a great looking rig but gotta ask...since more hand positions are a goal..why not drop handlebars? Easy to find shifter and brake levers that are compatible with that rear der and calipers...

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

I think that's a great looking rig but gotta ask...since more hand positions are a goal..why not drop handlebars? Easy to find shifter and brake levers that are compatible with that rear der and calipers...

I don’t think it would fit and ride right with drop bars. I still want to use this as an actual mountain bike sometimes too. It was a lot easier to just try some inner bar ends and they seem to be what I was after.

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by mtechnica

I don’t think it would fit and ride right with drop bars. I still want to use this as an actual mountain bike sometimes too. It was a lot easier to just try some inner bar ends and they seem to be what I was after.

What's wrong with 'real' bar ends? If you're riding gravel, narrower bars and bar ends seem indicated. No? Otherwise, your arms/torso is acting like a (very un-aero) sail

I built a rigid AL Superfly for wet Hilly Billy Roubaixes before everything else in my garage went discs. Rigid carbon fork, etc

M

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by Gummee

What's wrong with 'real' bar ends? If you're riding gravel, narrower bars and bar ends seem indicated. No? Otherwise, your arms/torso is acting like a (very un-aero) sail

I built a rigid AL Superfly for wet Hilly Billy Roubaixes before everything else in my garage went discs. Rigid carbon fork, etc

M

What do you mean real bar ends? Like on the outside ends of the bars? Too wide apart, not comfortable. Putting real bar ends on the insides versus the sqlab ones sure.

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by mtechnica

What do you mean real bar ends? Like on the outside ends of the bars? Too wide apart, not comfortable. Putting real bar ends on the insides versus the sqlab ones sure.

note the position of his arms and torso acting like a sail.

Narrower bars and 'real' bar ends would be more aero

M

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by Gummee

note the position of his arms and torso acting like a sail.

Narrower bars and 'real' bar ends would be more aero

M

How can you criticize his position dude lol... The setup is mostly for comfort not aerodynamics anyway, although with the inner bar ends you are much more aero and can tuck your elbows in.

And for the record I'm not using some wonky narrow setup, it's still a useable MTB, it just has another hand position.

[fishwhisperer]

I just built something very similar for rough gravel. I'm still dialing in my cockpit positioning but so far this fit feels very similar to my gravel bike when going uphill and way, way more stable back behind the saddle when coming downhill. As folks have pointed out, a rig like this is notably worse on pavement but I've only got a few hundred meters before I'm dropping into the good stuff

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by Gummee

note the position of his arms and torso acting like a sail.

Narrower bars and 'real' bar ends would be more aero

M

Nah you're wrong. That photo gives the impression that he is more upright than he is....though aero isn't everything on bikes and races like these is it?

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by fishwhisperer

I just built something very similar for rough gravel. I'm still dialing in my cockpit positioning but so far this fit feels very similar to my gravel bike when going uphill and way, way more stable back behind the saddle when coming downhill. As folks have pointed out, a rig like this is notably worse on pavement but I've only got a few hundred meters before I'm dropping into the good stuff

Looks good! I can confirm that my hardtail climbs as fast as a gravel or cross bike off-road and is far more capable downhill and in the rough. Not so great on the road but much better with the bar ends.

[NHAero]

That is a terrific build and fabulous looking too!

[.RJ]

Just needs drop bars and a dropper post....

[mtechnica]

Gonna have to put on a bunch of 3m cear vinyl to protect the frame. I'm used to the luxury of panniers so I need to bring less stuff.

[NHAero]

Curious what the gearing is on that as built?
What year is that frame and what did they call the paint? Sharp!