Jump to content

Gravel Bike Self Build


Sbloomer

Recommended Posts

I read somewhere that a mtb frame wont work as the bars would be too far forward.

 

I have a Chinese Carbon ht frame that I wanted to use.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 89
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Momsen str works well. Just buy a size or tow smaller. Same for the HT. Expect to have a moerse long seat tube.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I built this using bits and pieces I begged, borrowed and stole. It’s a 26er MTB frame (Giant XTC) with a rigid steel fork (was the most difficult part of the build to source), 29er wheels with 35c tyres, 9 speed and cable disks. Not sure what it cost in the end, but was not a lot...!

 

7267ede87ead974f41c3637726d88f32.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I read somewhere that a mtb frame wont work as the bars would be too far forward.

 

I have a Chinese Carbon ht frame that I wanted to use.

Depends on your flexibility but i know a few guys that have done it to try out CX racing.

 

You need some shallow drop bars,short stem and maybe a riser bar.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

sell the iPhone?

 

 

seriously though, why do you want a gravel bike?

to do gravel bike only races

to do long day rides in the karoo

to go touring

to have a bike that is also quick on the tar

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is my attempt. It's a 26" mtb that I had so I didn't have the expense of getting a bike to start with. I Fitted a ridged carbon fork that was also the most challenging part to source. Got one from fellow hubber MTB TG. A friend of mine has a Trek Boon that he upgraded the wheels and had the original Bontrager's lying around. I Bought them for verry good price from him. The next challenge was the gear ratio's. 38-11 wasn't ideal. I Got hold of a Sram 44t ring. It's actually for a triple crank but with a small mod I made it work on the double crank. The small ring was changed from a 26t to a 28t. Using a 11-36 cassette the ratio is low enough to climb anything and high enough for a decent top speed. I've got 700-28 tyres on at the moment but test fitted a set of 35's and they work perfectly. In total I spent R7k.       

post-62204-0-51720700-1552549781_thumb.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am also building up a gravel bike. Took a carbon gt zaskar 26er frame, 10 speed 105 shimano shifters with 9 speed slx rd and shimano cable disc callipers

Not finished yet. I have a road fork on a.t.m. i.e no front brake. Want to keep it 1x and try a 36 oval. Will go bigger in the future when I upgrade to a wider range cassette. Cassette is 11-36 a.t.m. with a 32 in front but thats too small.

 

I had to put a 50mm stem with spacers under the stem to bring it closer and my saddle is as far back as possible to get back over the bb. Will need a setback seatpost. Still to come.

 

I think the frame is designed for a 100mm suspension fork and when you put a rigid on it messes everything up. Bars drop and seatpost angle changes in the proses. Still not sure if I like it or not...

 

Build cost me roughly 5500 but used bits lying around and got bars and shifters from a friend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

 

Have a look at these Videos

I have watched this One "Building 1X Gravel Bike From Road Bike (2X7 to 1X10 Conversion)"

https://youtu.be/KHXYN1JH8Oc

Saw this one as well may be very insightful

https://youtu.be/H7jCCZwG23k

Link to comment
Share on other sites

sell the iPhone?

 

 

seriously though, why do you want a gravel bike?

to do gravel bike only races

to do long day rides in the karoo

to go touring

to have a bike that is also quick on the tar

All the above [emoji848]. I have a dually but 75% of my riding is road & gravel.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited by Sbloomer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

 

Only challenge with this might be to find decent 2 x 10 Shimano Shifters at a good price. ( Tiagra won't work )

 

You will also need a 9 spd rear der. to work with the 10 spd cassette, but this is a cheap conversion.

Edited by Koos Likkewaan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The pull ratio on Sram MTB and road mechs are the same. 

 

I have campy shifters and Sram derailer. works perfect. If you go that route, the shifters should put you back about 1800. 2x10.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Currently I have 2.25 racing ralph tyres on it, so very comfy... It is a mtb frame, so I moved the seat forward and a very short stem. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout