Curve GXR Ti

[NoMoreParagon]

After few custom frames from the best brands out there, I got a bit tired of the whole process in acquiring a custom frame and the last thing I wanted to do is get in the 12 months queue to get a frame after I sold a Mosaic GT1. The Mosaic was great but when I started riding 27.5 tires in a bike I kept overseas I was sold to the new wheel size. True, 700c might be faster and easier on prolonged climbs but riding on wider tires on dirt and single track or in technical terrain more than compensated the 5-7km/h lost in average speed.
This is the build
- Curve GXR Ti, size XL
- swapped the Curve fork for an ENVE. Why? Cause it looks much better. The Curve fork was something that always bothered me visually.
- Chris King Inset 7 headset
- Sram Force - XX1 AXS mullet
- Ingrid Pop Gravel crankset*, 38t chainring
- LB 650b carbon rims laced to Hope RS4 centerlock hub and Sapim CX Ray spokes
- tires Maxxis Ikon 27.5 x 2.35
- Enve 90mm Classic Carbon stem
- Pro Discover Carbon Handlebar 44cm
- Litespeed seatpost
- Controltech Ti Seat clamp
- King Cage Ti cages
- Fabric Scoop ultimate carbon saddle
* at the beginning the crankset was an Easton EC90 with Garbaruk chainring

The frame is not as light and refined as the Passoni, Mosaic or Stelbel which i previously owned. But it is designed with adventure in mind and accomplishes the task way way better than other fancier custom frames do.
You can be the best custom framebuilder in the world but it doesn’t mean you know how to design the best adventure bike.
The guys at Curve breath adventure and bike exploring every single day and receive constant feedback from the plethora of enthusiastic riders across the globe.
The geometry is bit different from the Geo I was used to. The TT is longer hence it requires a shorter stem. The end result? Love it!
With very wide tires steering might be more sleepy but the shorter stem makes it pretty lively on descents and tight turns.
You can pour mud over this frame and it won’t creak. The bottom bracket is threaded, the seatpost area has its vertical opening for the clamp to adhere on, in the front as opposed to the rear. I wondered why. Now I know. It reduces the chance for mud to accumulate from the rear wheel spinning. Little details, I know but when you use the bike for its purpose makes your life easier.
I use this bike literally for everything. From pretty technical single track to long rides in mixed terrains.
I used to have a deep section carbon 700c wheelset I was planning to use on fast road rides but then I got a Pegoretti (yes for their frames I do still queue!) and never really rode the GXR for fast tarmac rides.
Here some pics.

[Likes2ridefar]

I am right there with you on 650b. The fun ride quality and capability to go anywhere on my Santa Cruz Stigmata and a bike such as that amazing Curve is very appealing.

[dan_hudson]

Interesting the Stelbel didn't make the cut. Or are they both still around? Of course understood on having the right mount for the job + that a bunch of little details done just right can make a big difference.

[Pastashop]

That looks like a really fun bike.

Curious if you know the head tube angle, fork rake, and trail on it with those massive tires.

[nmrt]

i hear you on the 650b wheels. which is why my gravel bike had been donning for the past 4 months -- 650b X 47 mm tires instead of 700c X 40 mm.
700c is fast! no doubt about it for me and my terrain. but 650b is so much more fun!

[charliedid]

Beast.

Good bike to escape on.

[NoMoreParagon]

Originally Posted by dan_hudson

Interesting the Stelbel didn't make the cut. Or are they both still around? Of course understood on having the right mount for the job + that a bunch of little details done just right can make a big difference.

Originally Posted by dan_hudson

Interesting the Stelbel didn't make the cut. Or are they both still around? Of course understood on having the right mount for the job + that a bunch of little details done just right can make a big difference.

Yeah good point. I didn’t expect it either. But I learnt that each brand has its own strength. Stelbel makes really amazing frames. And so does Mosaic. But for the kind of riding I am doing I think Curve fits me better. I realized when you go for adventure you don’t need to do triple butted tubes and integrated everything. It’s about having a frame which is cut for that job.

[NoMoreParagon]

Originally Posted by Pastashop

That looks like a really fun bike.

Curious if you know the head tube angle, fork rake, and trail on it with those massive tires.

Thank you!
HT angle is 72, fork rake 50 and calculated trail using 2.35 tires is about 60mm. As a reference with say a more conservative 650 x 47mm tire often seen in other gravel frames the trail reduces to about 57mm.
It’s an important aspect to consider.
I don’t think this set up would have worked in a bike without the longer top tube the Curve GXR has. For sure I would have had significant toe overlap.

[NoMoreParagon]

Originally Posted by nmrt

i hear you on the 650b wheels. which is why my gravel bike had been donning for the past 4 months -- 650b X 47 mm tires instead of 700c X 40 mm.
700c is fast! no doubt about it for me and my terrain. but 650b is so much more fun!

Oh yeah!

[WindyCityCy]

this bike really does look like a lot of fun!

[commonguy001]

Great looking bike, I’ve loved the look of the GRX ti from the first time I saw one. Your build looks like perfection!

[NoMoreParagon]

Originally Posted by commonguy001

Great looking bike, I’ve loved the look of the GRX ti from the first time I saw one. Your build looks like perfection!

thank you!

[mistermo]

I'd never heard of these cranks prior to this post. Are they light? What's the mounting pattern for direct mount rings? They look great! Tell me more!

Originally Posted by NoMoreParagon

- Ingrid Pop Gravel crankset*, 38t chainring

[NoMoreParagon]

Originally Posted by mistermo

I'd never heard of these cranks prior to this post. Are they light? What's the mounting pattern for direct mount rings? They look great! Tell me more!

I am a total sucker for Ingrid products...they started popping in few cool gravel framesets about couple of years back..now they became v popular..I saw Speedvagen and Curve doing dedicated Ingrid builds including rear derailleur too!

This new to be released Curve has crank, rd and cassette from Ingrid... check this https://cyclingtips.com/2021/05/curv...eases-big-kev/
Or this Speedvagen.. https://theradavist.com/2021/09/spee...-road-package/

really amazing products...it was founded by ex guys at Leonardi Racing..great care for design and functions..Easy to install although you need a special chainring collar tool. Mounts v similarly to Easton EC90

[XXtwindad]

Don’t know how I missed this … really classy build and bike! Looks clean!