Sbloomer Posted March 13, 2019 Posted March 13, 2019 I’m keen on a gravel bike but given a shortage of cash I can’t buy new and nothing second hand that I can find would be in my budget. So the question, assuming a budget of around R7500 how would the knowledgeable folk approach building one from the ground up? Use a road bike as the basis? Or a hardtail MTB? Other things that should be considered? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
bertusras Posted March 13, 2019 Posted March 13, 2019 That is quite a tight budget. You can throw the bulk of road frames out the window as they won't accommodate the width of tyre you require. Therefore, probably your best bet would be to put some drop-bars on a hard tail, find a rigid fork, find shifters that will work with an MTB rear derailleur, get cable disk brake calipers, get a crank with larger rings. I'll be seriously impressed if you manage to do all of that for R7500.
Jacoo Posted March 13, 2019 Posted March 13, 2019 Are you still looking to buy a bike or already have one? If youre basing it on a road bike the bigger the tires you can fit in the frame the better. 28mm or so would be nice. Secondly, having 2 wheelsets is perfect. You have the wider tires and big cassette on the one set, and skinnier tyres with smaller cassette on the other. Then by swopping out wheels you go from road mode to gravel. Also, add some protection on your chainstay and downtube, and maybe get some crank boots.
Jacoo Posted March 13, 2019 Posted March 13, 2019 That is quite a tight budget. You can throw the bulk of road frames out the window as they won't accommodate the width of tyre you require. Therefore, probably your best bet would be to put some drop-bars on a hard tail, find a rigid fork, find shifters that will work with an MTB rear derailleur, get cable disk brake calipers, get a crank with larger rings. I'll be seriously impressed if you manage to do all of that for R7500.If you're going this route, ive got cable disc calipers, and a mate of mine has a 29 rigid fork. Pm me if youre interested.
Sbloomer Posted March 13, 2019 Author Posted March 13, 2019 I could extend my budget a bit but then this would be a longer term project. I have absolutely nothing yet in terms of parts. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Jacoo Posted March 13, 2019 Posted March 13, 2019 https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/352267-large-29er-gt-zaskar-with-carbon-rigid-fork/ If you sell those xt brakes, bars, stem etc youll have enough to buy the stuff for the conversion to drop bars
gummibear Posted March 13, 2019 Posted March 13, 2019 It's your whole budget on a frame....i know.Take your time and build properly from the start rather than having to upgrade in a few months. https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/177193-farr-gravel-frame-kits-cromo-frame-and-fork/page-4?hl=farr%20gravel
wildwindfr Posted March 13, 2019 Posted March 13, 2019 Tight budget, but can be done.Built up my commuter from secondhand parts from the hub.All in was under R8000.Enjoy the build.My commx uter. Fuji 1.5 cx frame.
Sepia Posted March 13, 2019 Posted March 13, 2019 I built up one for less than that which included a new frame and carbon fork. All I had was a set of wheels, FD, RD and a gravel type bar, albeit a 9sp and it will remain at that.
Sbloomer Posted March 13, 2019 Author Posted March 13, 2019 What size frame do you ride?I’m riding a medium 26” Trance at the moment. I’m 1.72 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
wildwindfr Posted March 13, 2019 Posted March 13, 2019 Ok. Wanted to suggest a frame but it would be to big.
wildwindfr Posted March 13, 2019 Posted March 13, 2019 Here is an option that I just saw in the classifieds. https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/320109-2013-gtr-type-cx-sport-negotiable/
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