How to build a MonsterCross Bike 101

[Mongoose!]

So close ... No idea what one would do with such a thing though!

 

Sinkplaatpad masjien   

[NotSoBigBen]

700c wheels will fit inside that frame with 35mm gravel tyres on them.

 

Finishing touch to make this a proper cross bike.

Better?

[Odinson]

Better?

 

[Jakkals.]

The hub is a place for bikes, ride what you love. 

 

No need to make such comments. This isnt the Vegan thread.

[Jakkals.]

Better?

Best incorporation of the future shock and save seat post  

Think this will ride well on long stuff.

[wildwindfr]

I like!

[missioner]

Better?

Yup better. [emoji106]

[Eldron]

Better?

That is a proper bodge. I love it!

[CAAD4]

Oom that is your prettiest Spaz.

[JulienR]

Hi all, i have been toying with building my own Monstercross bike for a few weeks now and have eagerly looked to this page for some inspiration and tips. 

I have one question that i would appreciate guidance on: 

What is the cheapest way to use brifters (designed to work with cable operated brakes) with hydraulic disc brakes?

[Pure Savage]

Better?

Just be careful, you going to get a letter from Spez saying you are infringing on their 2021 line up of gravel bikes!

 

This bike is GREPIC!

[Eldron]

Hi all, i have been toying with building my own Monstercross bike for a few weeks now and have eagerly looked to this page for some inspiration and tips. 

I have one question that i would appreciate guidance on: 

What is the cheapest way to use brifters (designed to work with cable operated brakes) with hydraulic disc brakes?

 

Spend the cash and buy actual hyrdaulic road shifters. You'll thank me later.

 

Now that gravel bikes are a thing and cyclcocross bikes are getting more popular there is a variety of middle quality hydraulic road shifters. My memory is fuzzy but RS685 comes to mind...

[MORNE]

i'll just leave this here

 

[Jewbacca]

Hi all, i have been toying with building my own Monstercross bike for a few weeks now and have eagerly looked to this page for some inspiration and tips. 

I have one question that i would appreciate guidance on: 

What is the cheapest way to use brifters (designed to work with cable operated brakes) with hydraulic disc brakes?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Juin-Tech-R1-Hybrid-Hydraulic-Road-Disc-Brake-Set-Post-160mm-Road-Gravel-CX/202431744308?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=502460531595&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

I have these on 2 bikes. They are awesome. Light, brake really well and will very cheaply transfer across bikes as cable length doesn't matter as it's not hydraulic.

 

They are honestly really really good.

[broncoza]

Built a few over the years:

 

Bridgestone MB3 with 700c Conversion

Momsen STR 1x10 

 

But my favorite is this one which I currently ride;  its a bit like an old Landy Defender (without the oil leak)

 

1992 Trek 830 CroMo Frame found in a dumpster at local LBS

Arbitrary steel fork from another bike shop

Race Face Prodigy 34T

XTR Brakes with Travel Agents to work with STI

XTR Wheel set

105 9 sp STI

LX RD

Vredestein T/L

Rapide Frontier 440 bars

Rapide Saddle

 

Genuine go anywhere ability and a great touring bike.  

[ridr]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Juin-Tech-R1-Hybrid-Hydraulic-Road-Disc-Brake-Set-Post-160mm-Road-Gravel-CX/202431744308?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=502460531595&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

I have these on 2 bikes. They are awesome. Light, brake really well and will very cheaply transfer across bikes as cable length doesn't matter as it's not hydraulic.

 

They are honestly really really good.

 

Wow. Those look interesting. Red ones might look good on my monster cross attempt:

 

Silverback Vida1 frame

Java fork (I was thinking of going with a lower axle to crown length, but this is what I have)

Stans Crest 29er wheels with Maxxis Rambler 40c tyres

Rapide stem and gravel bar

Sram Red 10speed shifter/brake levers

XT crank with 42 chainring (doesn't look like I'll be able to get a 44 to clear the chainstay)

Sram X9 RD

Sram 11-36 cassette

Tektro brake calipers (better than the Zoom calipers I tried first, going to see if the Hope calipers I have work any better)

 

I also played with a Sunrace 11-46 cassette and a derailleur hanger extender, but found that I didn't need that gearing for the terrain I'll ride this bike on.

 

I was going to use Shimano spare parts I have lying around, but found out that Sram mtb and road stuff plays nicer together than Shimano mtb and road stuff.

 

Struggling with rotor rub. And I can't seem to get the brake cable pull just right - either too much rub or I hit the bars with the levers and the brakes still don't engage fully.

 

Chain keeps dropping off the front chainring when I change down at the back - going to try using a front derailleur as a chain guide and eventually try a 1x 42 chainring (not ramped/pinned) - there has to be a way to make it work properly.

 

And need to strip it at some stage to spray the frame and fork matte black with gloss black 'monstercross' decals I think.

 

edit: I am also still playing with the chain line - I moved the double spacers for the BB to the non-drive side and the single spacer on the drive side and put Rapide chainring bolt spacers between the spider and the chainring.

Edited November 19, 2019 by ridr