Is a gravel road stage race viable?

[philbg]

What started out as a fun build with all the parts I upgraded from my MTB, turned into one of my favorite bikes to ride. While it is not a "genuine" cross bike it still puts smile on my face when I ride it. It ticks all the boxes for me: cheap simple parts, no fancy technology, easy to clean/maintain and most of all FUN TO RIDE. 

 

But back to the topic at hand, would be great to have a gravel bike event... well several, that one might be close to me 

 

[coppi]

I think there is definitely potential for events like this...

 

However I still miss what got me into racing and riding, an event where you rock up, pay your R50 and race...short track xc/cyclocross in a vlei...no big branding, no online entries, no BS just pure racing.

 

The winner takes home half of the kitty from the entries, so the more entries the better - all word of mouth...

I agree with the no-fuss racing and all, but the rest seems an antiquated approach?

[DJR]

What started out as a fun build with all the parts I upgraded from my MTB, turned into one of my favorite bikes to ride. While it is not a "genuine" cross bike it still puts smile on my face when I ride it. It ticks all the boxes for me: cheap simple parts, no fancy technology, easy to clean/maintain and most of all FUN TO RIDE. 

 

But back to the topic at hand, would be great to have a gravel bike event... well several, that one might be close to me 

Mind giving a few more details of your great looking bike please? What frame? Groupset? Components? Wheels?

 

Edit: Nice 1st post b.t.w. Welcome.

[MTBc]

You spelt "desirable" wrong in the topic.

[eddy]

You spelt "desirable" wrong in the topic.

 

 

Nope, then the heading would have had to scramble all the words and become " A gravel road stage race is desirable" and the question mark would be redundant.....

[nonky]

If we ever have Gravel Grind races, something like this will hopefully be my weapon of choice

This. this. this. this. this. this.

 

 

Man, i miss my stolen Niner monster cross so badly now...

[philbg]

Mind giving a few more details of your great looking bike please? What frame? Groupset? Components? Wheels?

 

Edit: Nice 1st post b.t.w. Welcome.

 

Thanks, been "reader" for a while.

 

So the ethos behind this build was to use parts laying around the garage/friends houses and make a cheap and cheerful fun bike, so I wouldn't expect Sven Nys building one based on the components used.

 

Frame came from a Avalanche XX1X Zero, which I had sandblasted taking inspiration from the Litespeed Ti frames.

 

Wheels are Alexrims DP 23's (the photo still has a rear DP21... I managed to bend that properly)

 

Groupset is Shimano flight deck STI married to a 9spd SLX derailleur, and am running a 1 X 9 set up with an 11/34 SLX cassette. The front mech you see is a "Ghetto" chain guide, but I will be putting a 34t narrow wide on when funds allow. I will still keep my "chain guide" as when things get rough its needed. 

 

Shimano Octalink BB and Crankset, not the square taper, the other one... not sure its name. 

 

Mosso M5 Fork, got it off aliexpress, so far it has done well. 

 

Giant seat post and handle bar.

 

Momsen saddle. 

 

Brakes are Tektro mechanical, not sure of series, with Avid 160mm rotors front and rear. (Added brakes in edit) 

[nonky]

#RoadsMustFall

 

Love the way you guys are "decolonising" cycling