To resolve the eternal issue of n+1, and hopefully also stem wallet hemorrhage, I committed to buying three bikes for the stable. I did allow myself a three year period to complete this project as the bikes are all self-build on a fixed budget. The “Trinity”, was thus a long term commitment to choosing three bikes that I would be happy with for a number of years. So after a great deal of research, sourcing parts from all over Hubland, as well as stranger places in Tennessee, Portland and Massachusetts (US is big on hand made gravel bike associated parts), the Trinity is as follows: The Bianchi Being a bike racer in the 80’s, the Bianchi brand always stood out, and I promised myself that one day I would own one. So after almost 45 years, the Sempre Pro made its appearance in my life. The frame is 130 year anniversary edition, graced by with the necessary Campangonolo groupset. The wheels also have a story and I’m currently using a Darkhorse wheelset obtained from our local Zwift Academy triathlete. I also use a set of Spinergy Xlite wheels for those beastly crosswinds here in PE. The only future upgrade would to rid the bike of that 53 tooth monster chainring, one day should it wear out, which maybe a while. The Momsen STF After several cracked alu frames, I decided that my final mountain bike would have to be steel. Essentially for the purpose that if it breaks, it can easily be repaired. This frame is probably also the one of the three that will evolve overtime the most, playing with different forks (going lighter definitely, ridged maybe). The first successful experiment was replacing the stem with a short 60mm KCNC unit, coupled to a Spank Spoon 785mm wide bar. The bar is too wide at times, but this bike doubles as a gravel tour bike so the additional space for the handle bar bag is welcome. The groupset is XT 11 speed, and the most significant upgrades has been the oval chainring upfront and the South Industries / DT swiss wheelset. The wheels replaced a long suffering set of Stans Crests, and can already say wider rims have improved my cornering ability. The Lynskey GR260 As one can see, my search for the Trinity, included a definite theme, Carbon, Steel and Titanium. All I can say, this bike was worth the wait, as it was close on two years of sourcing the best available parts and then making them work together. This bike has now the daily go to bike for training, gravel cruising and exploring (Blessed to work in the Karoo and Northern Cape) The frame is the GR260, 2018 model, paired with full Ultegra with the widest gearing possible. The wheels were locally built by The Wheelbuilder (Thx Nicholas), that can deal with the terrain and bikepacking loads using Nextie rims and Aivee hubs. The tyres, are currently Panaracers Gravel Kings SK+ in the unusual colour, but are long lasting and still quick on the tar. The most unusual purchase for this bike was the $4.00, 12 to 15mm adaptor from Ti Cycles in Portland. The Lynskey fork is 12mm dTA, while the hub is 15mm. This is on purpose so that I can swap wheels between the Momsen and this bike should the need arize. I absolutely love this bike for its comfort and durability, as there no paintwork to stress about and ease of maintenance. The only upgrade being required in the year I have now used it being exchanging the standard rear derailleur with Ultegra RX or clutched version. The Tankwa roads were brutal on the chain and standard derailleur and gear changing on sinkplaat paaie was impossible, until the derailleur was swapped.
