Gravel bike build from 2013 Momsen AL529 HT

[Wettas]

BUILD UPDATE: 

 

Decided to use the Silverback Sola 2 frame for the rigid mtb and use the momsen for a long travel hardtail. 

 

Here is the Momsen build completed: 

 

1. Recon TK Silver shock 120mm (This shock is one of the best to build budget bikes with, solo air and the travel can be adjusted from 80, 100, 120mm by adding/removing spacers) 

2. Raceface crank, 32T chainring in shimano BB. 

3. Sram cassette with Shimano XT RD and deore shifter. 

4. Deore brakes (Has incredible bite, an awesome budget choice) 

5. Wide 780mm Rapide bars with short stem

[MomsenBikes SA]

some great builds here guys!!! well done!!!

[Brick_Top]

I must say man - I am digging the paint job 

[Wettas]

RIGID MTB BUILD UPDATE: 

 

1. Silverback frame painted and decals applied. 

2. Still waiting for carbon fork from Aliexpress, hopefully wont take 6 months to arrive.(Before the Argus would be great)

3. The color is more in the green spectrum, hard to capture with my amateur photography skills. Last photo shows difference in color between the first frame. Looks awesome in person. 

4. Lesson learned, add an extra layer of clear coat. Rocks shooting up can kill a paint job. 

 

Peace!

 

 

[Wettas]

And now 3 months later after struggling with JIMC and having the parcel stuck at customs it finally arrived. 

Will update with pics of the fork after work and probably assemble this weekend. 

 

If you have the same problem, here is the contacts that helped me: 

 

Capemail - Deon.muller@postoffice.co.za

JIMC - socialmedia@postoffice.co.za

      - promise.buthelezi@postoffice.co.za

           -Joan.govender@cfgrp.co.za

           - Martha.Mahlase@postoffice.co.za

 

0119616005 -  Elize

           6013

           6006

           6001

 

[Wettas]

The BXT fork's quality doesn't disappoint. Will test it thoroughly this weekend and post some pics on Tuesday. 

Enjoy the long weekend everyone. 

[Beard]

Looks fantastic... keen to see the whole rig assembled! Its going to be a killer bike.

[Wettas]

The Adventure bike is done. 

 

Did a 75km round trip this weekend to Papiesvlei and back. Coming from a full suspension, the rigid bike is a adjustment, but after about 20km you forget about it and the adventure begins. The BXT fork is really great quality, stiff as a board and holds up on any terrain. 

 

I bought bikepacking bags (ROSWHEEL) from Gearbest and it seem to be good quality. 

 

This has been an incredible experience and I would recommend building your own bike to anyone that doesn't mind DIY and getting their hands dirty. 

 

If anybody has any additional questions, feel free to pm me. 

[dev null]

So, effectively a gravel bike is just another modern dikwiel? 

 

I am thinking of doing the same with my son's old Giant XTC Advanced SL 29er. It currently has XT 1 x 11 with 32 oval up front and 11 - 46 cassette at the back. Wonder if I can fit a 34 ring up front, or even a 36. Then also will have to look at a rigid fork. Will fit a set of Hope Tech 3 V4 brakes on it next week. With a carbon rigid the build should get to just about 9kg. I hope.

[Wettas]

Update: 

 

1. Changed the maxxis 2.1 to 2.2 Ikon skinwalls. The bigger volume makes for a more comfortable ride.

 

Did the Gravel travel this past weekend and it was a blast, the light front made climbing a breeze. 

[Beard]

Update: 

 

1. Changed the maxxis 2.1 to 2.2 Ikon skinwalls. The bigger volume makes for a more comfortable ride.

 

Did the Gravel travel this past weekend and it was a blast, the light front made climbing a breeze. 

 

It also doesn't hurt that those skin walls make the bike look really really good!

[BaGearA]

Bike looks awesome

[the nerd]

Is this a gravel bike or just an SS rigid mtb? 

[Wettas]

Is this a gravel bike or just an SS rigid mtb? 

 

Wanted to do full gravel bike, but ended up a rigid MTB. 

[Sbloomer]

I may have missed it but what bar-ends are those?

[Andrew_Smith]

Update: 

 

1. Changed the maxxis 2.1 to 2.2 Ikon skinwalls. The bigger volume makes for a more comfortable ride.

 

Did the Gravel travel this past weekend and it was a blast, the light front made climbing a breeze. 

 

Damn, that looks nice!

 

I want one too please.