The bargain gravel bike!

Deano12345

Ever since I sourced a CAADX for a mate of mine, I’ve wanted a cross/gravel/do everything bike, basically a winter bike but more fun than an old road bike.

I’ve amassed quite a selection of spares, so I’ve been on the hunt for something cheap for the last while to put them all onto and I’ve finally found it!

Frame is a Ridgeback Flight, started life as a hybrid but was converted to a gravel bike by the previous owner. Reasonably aggressive geometry for a hybrid too, so I reckon it’ll suit a drop bar conversion. Some others have already done this so it mustn’t be a terrible idea!

Specs are cable disc brakes, 11 speed 105 Groupset and a set of Alexrims wheels I've had sitting since I bought my DD turbo. I’ve just purchased a 105 r7000 left shifter (thanks bargain thread) and second hand 5800 front and rear mechs

Aiming to keep the bike as cheap as possible, I’d expect to be in for about 300 quid when it’s all done and rolling. Waiting for Black Friday to get some sales on the consumables (tires/chain/cassette etc)

This is half a build thread and half a recommendations one!

What’s the general consensus on endurance/light off road gearing? It has a 50/34 at the front so I’m thinking 11-32 at the rear for a nice wide range.

Tires I’m totally lost on. I’d like tan or brown wall tyres because I think they look nice ( ) Frame can take up to 40’s but I’m liking the look of the Challenge Limus. Think they come in a 33c! How much does it affect the handling in going up towards a 38c? Again primarily a road tire that I will take off road the odd time!

All suggestions gladly accepted!

gn3dr

Interested to watch this build. I've been away from cycling for years so I don't really "get" the gravel bike thing. Having it all done for 300 would be impressive. The frame must have been practically free!
I've been toying with buying the Brand X frame from Chain Reaction to build up a turbo only bike, even sticking with 10 speed Shimano (because that's what all my other stuff is!) the costs will add up.
Where are all these bargain parts?:rolleyes:

Deano12345

Weepsie wrote: »

I've just got jack brown blues 33.3. roll very nicely. Wouldn't be much on muddy tracks but I think they'd be more than adequate on packed type gravel and the broken bridal ways we have here

My own off roadisj bike is 48/32 with an 11-34 at the back. Can just about get up anything this far

They look a winner to me! Unfortunately they’ve got brown and tan wall options which means I have to choose!

Good to hear about the gearing, sounds like I’m in the right ball park anyway. Think it’s a 110bcd so should be easy to swap if I don’t like them.

Deano12345

gn3dr wrote: »

Interested to watch this build. I've been away from cycling for years so I don't really "get" the gravel bike thing. Having it all done for 300 would be impressive. The frame must have been practically free!
I've been toying with buying the Brand X frame from Chain Reaction to build up a turbo only bike, even sticking with 10 speed Shimano (because that's what all my other stuff is!) the costs will add up.
Where are all these bargain parts?:rolleyes:

I have to say, I was quite content with my road bike running 25’s but having had a spin on my mates bike running the 33’s with a bit of an off road thread I found that any speed I lost on road was made up for in fun factor of being able to do the same speed off road. Even now that he’s switched to 32c GP5000’s, it’s still more comfortable than mine!

Yeah 300 is probably more than it will cost in the end if I’m honest but that’s the budget I have so why not spend it all!

eBay is your best friend for parts, the combined front and rear mechs cost me €40 second hand for example. Set up an alert for any items you want, and check on it the odd time. Using Parcel Motel lets you get parts from the UK with no fuss too.

a148pro

Weepsie wrote: »

My own off roadisj bike is 48/32 with an 11-34 at the back. Can just about get up anything this far

I've same but if I had a choice I'd go bigger again on the back, if derailleur can take it

Re tires, 33s I would think a good compromise between road and would be fine for Coillte trails. I would go with them but some of the more regular gravel cyclists on here would recommend 40s. I suppose it depends on what you want to do.

Deano12345

a148pro wrote: »

I've same but if I had a choice I'd go bigger again on the back, if derailleur can take it

Re tires, 33s I would think a good compromise between road and would be fine for Coillte trails. I would go with them but some of the more regular gravel cyclists on here would recommend 40s. I suppose it depends on what you want to do.

I’ve actually got a 11-34 on another wheel so I guess I could try it out, no harm, no foul! I know the derailleur is only rated for 32 but I should be able to eek a little more out of it. If I really love the bike I’ll probably invest in one of those clutched GRX rear derailleurs...the upgrades never stop!

Definitely going towards 33’s for sure for the boots! Have messaged a friend to borrow his schwalbe’s to see how they look!

a148pro

I think WTB do a very nice tan wall one, panaracer do a gravel king in all manner of exotic colours, with a puncture resistant line too (SK)

having said that, having done the bike for so cheap it would be a shame to spend a lot on tyres

Also it goes without saying that the thread is as important as the tyre size, if you're looking to roll fast on roads there are a few tires which are kind of slick in the middle and a bit knobbley on the sides, I suspect most brands do something like that. Depending on how aggressive you want to be off road and how much mud you see yourself engaging with that would probably be ideal for you.

CantGetNoSleep

Great idea for a thread. Definitely interested in how much it comes to, I was looking at a Brand X build too but found a second hand bike with the same spec much cheaper than I would have done the build I wanted (also a 105 11-speed). My last build cost about 1400€ though on a spec that would have come to 2000€ new (Cannondale CAAD12 Ultegra disc which rrp'd for 2499 although I skimped on the shifters

Deano12345

a148pro wrote: »

I think WTB do a very nice tan wall one, panaracer do a gravel king in all manner of exotic colours, with a puncture resistant line too (SK)

having said that, having done the bike for so cheap it would be a shame to spend a lot on tyres

Also it goes without saying that the thread is as important as the tyre size, if you're looking to roll fast on roads there are a few tires which are kind of slick in the middle and a bit knobbley on the sides, I suspect most brands do something like that. Depending on how aggressive you want to be off road and how much mud you see yourself engaging with that would probably be ideal for you.

Yeah that’s exactly what I’m after out of a tyre, fast enough on road and decent with light off roading too.

PlanetX have a few well priced offerings for about £40 for a set, and Wiggle have the Gravelkings on sale for €36 per tyre at the moment.

Going to hold fast until Black Friday though and see if I can get anything more discounted, not that I mind spending a few quid on tyre’s, they’re the only thing keeping me on the road after all!

Deano12345

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Great idea for a thread. Definitely interested in how much it comes to, I was looking at a Brand X build too but found a second hand bike with the same spec much cheaper than I would have done the build I wanted (also a 105 11-speed). My last build cost about 1400€ though on a spec that would have come to 2000€ new (Cannondale CAAD12 Ultegra disc which rrp'd for 2499 although I skimped on the shifters

I’ve noticed that for sure sometimes it’s better to buy a full bike than build. I was actually looking for a complete bike to work away on over lockdown but I really could do with using some of the many spare parts I have!

The Caad12 is a lovely bike! I’ve a Supersix disc myself. Big fan of the geometry on that whole range of Cannondales. And the look, cant beat the classic styling IMO.

Large bottle small glass

Well done on starting the build; I'm all for doing things as cheaply as possible and still getting the most out of cycling. ( my current 3 bikes are all 2nd hand; a Genesis equilibrium bought 5 years ago for 550, a €200 fixed On One and a €600 purchase rolling chassis Fugio on road for €900)

First off, wherever you budget don't budget on tyres. To enjoy off road cycling and to it as safely as possible with grip AND comfort imo tubeless is a must. By all means go ghetto if you are comfortable with it. For what you have described the Schwalbe G one speed or all rounder would work well. Try rose for a good price. I don't think I'll ever bother with tubeless on road but for off road they are worth the new skills you need to learn and kit to buy.

I currently have sets of Panracer Gravelkings and WTB riddler in shed in 37 and 45 but can't comment until I use them.

If you were starting from scratch and wanted to budget I would say, especially with cable discs, go 8/9 or being flash 10 speed. Cheaper more durable chains/parts for Irish gravel which is really muck and sh1te. Bar you are using some high end wax lube and applying it after ever spin your chains won't last long, miss a bit a wear and its new drive train time.

A bike you don't give a sh1te about is great especially when off road.

Since you have a 2x system don't bother with a clutch rd. I never needed one on a 1x mtb.

For your type of riding and with budget in mind 1x11 system are a bad idea. Low life chains, sh1tty chainlines will need more replacing in long run.

For gearing, the cheapest new crankset I could could find was a GRX 42/30 from Germany. I'll get in shortly but am currently managing with an old and very high mileage tiagra 50/34 converted to 44/34. The high end would be perfectly adequate for most leirsure road riders not to mind off road/back road riding. I have a 34 on rear and the 1/1 is just about ok. Put my off road stuff is typically really hard, plenty of 20% plus. Off road ramps, if you want to keep traction you need to keep sitting and keep weight on rear wheel and power eveninsh.

Depends on your fit/riding but an aggressive frame isn't what I'd want off road. Most "advances" pushed on cyclist are primarily marketing horsesh1t but the head tube angle on modern aggressive hardtails and some more off road focused gravel bikes are great at giving a rider more confidence on rough downhill off road.

My own bike including rolling frame set I finished with a 300 dynamo wheelset from Rose and the parts box
*tiagra crank after service on 3 other bikes and over 50k km
*9 speed xt rd on used on 2 other bikes
* RHS 5600 shifter on at least 2 other bikes
*LHS sora from my 2006 Trek 1000
*€20 sora form lbs

Meet Rubbles (3.5 yr old maybe a Paw Patrol fan...)

Deano12345

Wow, thanks for all the advise. Lots to dig through there!

I never skimp on tires or brakes, purely because they’re the only thing keeping me on the road so if they’re pricy, then so be it. The Schwalbe’s look good. Don’t think my current wheels are tubeless compatible unfortunately.

I’d have probably gone 10 speed too if I didn’t have so many 11 speed parts. I do tend to be fairly meticulous with maintaining my bikes and I view the cleaning after a winter ride as almost therapeutic.

Currently using Muc Off Hydrophobic lube at the moment, is there any other alternative I should look at when that’s gone? I’ve a bottle of standard Muc off Dry and Wet lubes here somewhere too.

1x is definitely something in looking at down the line too, but since it came with a 2x, I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth!

Lovely bike by the way, really nice colour!

Deano12345

So the work begins!

Bought a wheel set from Weepsie ages ago and I’ve been meaning to getting around to removing the stuck skewer for age, but haven’t needed the wheel so it’s sat in the back of a wardrobe since I bought it.

Came off with a little ‘mechanical leverage’, popped one end of the skewer in the vice, and an adjustable pliers on the other and easy as that! The Dremel didn’t even leave its drawer!

I’m assuming regular road skewers are fine for an off road application? I’ve a set of Prime ones here.

Not too sure weather I’ll keep the stickers. Might be a bit busy looking with the tan wall tires too. Will decide on that once it’s rolling.

cletus

What vice have you got?

Deano12345

cletus wrote: »

What vice have you got?

That's a good question! My dad put the workbench together so I've no idea, I'll see if there's any markings on it later on this evening.

Deano12345

Weepsie wrote: »

They were the wheels on my Genesis. Now replacecd with some Dynamo wheels.

If memory serves me right the rear was quite a light build, one of those cheap merlin ones that perform way better than you'd think for the price

https://www.merlincycles.com/pro-build-alex-cx28-chosen-cx-disc-wheels-700c-81721.html

Freehub had a lovely reassuring sound too

The very ones! The rear has been a solid workhorse on the turbo, be nice to have it on a build

Tony04

Will be interesting to see this build.
Tyre wise, the best rated gravel tyre by rolling resistance is the conti terra speed, i think they do a tan wall. But personally i have ahabit of paying a fair chunk for tan wall tyres for the looks. I think the main thing is whether you want a knobbly or a slick tyre. Panaracer offer a nice slick gravel tyre.
Gearing wise id say go bigger than 11 32 either 11 34 or 11 36. Personally id get a hanger extender and a sram 11 36 cassette, although you can run shimano medium cage road derailleurs with 11 36 if you want, shifting isnt perfect though. Good thing about 11 36 is you can keep the same cassette for 1x aswell. Another thing is grx derailleurs work with 105 shifters so room to upgrade in the future. Imo when youve got a 1:1 ratio ie 34:36 or 34:34 you can spin up anything once your reasonably fit.

Deano12345 wrote: »

I’m assuming regular road skewers are fine for an off road application?

Strong enough definitely be careful though gravel bikes use either 142 mm thru axles or qr x 135 where as rim brake road skewers or x130 so 5mm too short

Deano12345

Tony04 wrote: »

Will be interesting to see this build.
Tyre wise, the best rated gravel tyre by rolling resistance is the conti terra speed, i think they do a tan wall. But personally i have ahabit of paying a fair chunk for tan wall tyres for the looks. I think the main thing is whether you want a knobbly or a slick tyre. Panaracer offer a nice slick gravel tyre.
Gearing wise id say go bigger than 11 32 either 11 34 or 11 36. Personally id get a hanger extender and a sram 11 36 cassette, although you can run shimano medium cage road derailleurs with 11 36 if you want, shifting isnt perfect though. Good thing about 11 36 is you can keep the same cassette for 1x aswell. Another thing is grx derailleurs work with 105 shifters so room to upgrade in the future. Imo when youve got a 1:1 ratio ie 34:36 or 34:34 you can spin up anything once your reasonably fit.

Strong enough definitely be careful though gravel bikes use either 142 mm thru axles or qr x 135 where as rim brake road skewers or x130 so 5mm too short

Yeah I’m thinking the Jack Brown Blues in the brown wall for tyres. Panaracers do look nice too.

Going to borrow a set of Schwalbe’s in 33c from a friend, just to test the fit

I’ve got an 11-34 so I’ll try it with the rear mech I have, if it doesn’t work, no big deal, I’ll run the 32 for now!

The Prime skewers I have are from a set of disk wheels so they are the correct length. One less thing to buy!

Tony04

Deano12345 wrote: »

Yeah I’m thinking the Jack Brown Blues in the brown wall for tyres. Panaracers do look nice too.

I know a couple of people running the slick panaracers and have only heard good things about them. Fast enough on the road and well capable of offroading.

Deano12345 wrote: »

I’ve got an 11-34 so I’ll try it with the rear mech I have, if it doesn’t work, no big deal, I’ll run the 32 for now!

If its medium cage it will definitely work. Apparently you can get an 11 40 mtb cassette working with the new 105 rds
https://road.cc/content/feature/how-get-ultra-low-gearing-gravel-bike-adventures-246424

Deano12345

Tony04 wrote: »

I know a couple of people running the slick panaracers and have only heard good things about them. Fast enough on the road and well capable of offroading.

If its medium cage it will definitely work. Apparently you can get an 11 40 mtb cassette working with the new 105 rds
https://road.cc/content/feature/how-get-ultra-low-gearing-gravel-bike-adventures-246424

It’s only a short cage, but am seeing people getting it to work. Cheap enough if I do want a medium cage!

Tony04

Deano12345 wrote: »

Cheap enough if I do want a medium cage!

Never thought id care about Brexit, but im really starting to hope that it doesnt become a nightmare to order those used parts bargains off ebay uk.

Alek

Deano12345 wrote: »

It’s only a short cage, but am seeing people getting it to work. Cheap enough if I do want a medium cage!

I run a short cage 10sp 105 with 11-42 for a few years now, no problems.

Deano12345

Tony04 wrote: »

Never thought id care about Brexit, but im really starting to hope that it doesnt become a nightmare to order those used parts bargains off ebay uk.

Used stuff would be exempt from import duty no? Would still have to pay VAT on it though I guess!

Deano12345

Alek wrote: »

I run a short cage 10sp 105 with 11-42 for a few years now, no problems.

Thanks Alek. Good to know!

Alek

You're welcome!

Weepsie, I've realised recently I miss this whole cycling lark, and this old kip here

So, back on the bike, back on the boards. Logical.

irishrover99

Alek wrote: »

You're welcome!

Weepsie, I've realised recently I miss this whole cycling lark, and this old kip here

So, back on the bike, back on the boards. Logical.

Welcome newbie 😉

Alek

irishrover99 wrote: »

Welcome newbie 😉

Ya still chasing gravel KOMs on 23mm slicks? ;}

Deano12345

Nothing exciting to report but parts have started to trickle in!

2x Band on mech adapters since there wasn’t one with the frame, and the previous guy wasn’t sure what size it took.

and 2x chains since they were on sale!

Had my order cancelled for the front mech I had bought but found a 105 7000 for €25 posted on adverts so that’s on its way.

I am after getting an unexpected bonus, so I’m very tempted to put the cheap(I paid 200 for the set) carbon wheels on and buy a nice set of wheels for the nice bike!

That’s totally not in the spirit of this thread, but deep carbon wheels with big tyres is a look I like!

irishrover99

Alek wrote: »

Ya still chasing gravel KOMs on 23mm slicks? ;}

Lucky to get out now Alek . I have a real job now that does not revolve around me cycling 😀

Deano12345

Another boring update!

The shifter arrived today, earlier than expected. R7000 series has a really nice shift action to it, pleasantly surprised!

Frame is expected by the end of the week so I'll get the ball rolling hopefully over the weekend.

Tyres are on the way, I went with the Jack Brown Green's. Will report back on how they perform.

Since its a white bike, with tan walls, I'm thinking of going with brown bar tape...thoughts/suggestions?

Deano12345

Good news, the frame has arrived to my addresspal, bad news is that there was some sort of issue with my card and they won’t process the new payment for 3 working days...booooo!

The tires did arrive though and I’ve mounted the front up, they have a lovely finish and almost mounted themselves, super easy! I did it by hand!

a148pro

Very interesting thread on that tyre - what is the thinking behind it? Will it not be problematic in any mud?

Deano12345

a148pro wrote: »

Very interesting thread on that tyre - what is the thinking behind it? Will it not be problematic in any mud?

Possibly, but I’m actually thinking more along the lines of having these wheels and tire as a comfy road setup,

I’ll get a second set of wheels and more off road oriented tires if I find I’m doing a lot of that type of riding. All disk brake bikes seem to be going Thru-Axle so another set of wheels is fairly cheap, I’ve seen sets for around 80-100 quid second hand!

Deano12345

The frame finally arrived. Mounted all the parts on the frame on my lunch, just have to run the cables this evening but it’ll be rolling by the end of the night hopefully.

Will sit down and do the maths on what it’s cost me so far too!

Alek

I love your lack of patience when it comes to assembling new bikes. I'm the same ;D

cletus

Deano12345

I really should have waiting till I actually did anything before posting, I just got too excited

Built it up after dinner and well, it rolls! Got it cabled up, just need one more brake cable inner and it’ll have all the parts.

A quick test spin down the road and around the green and I’m happy with it. Handling is fairly sharp, and the tires roll very nicely, it’s super comfy!

Next to be done on it is to install the rear brake cable, a different saddle (one on is just a placeholder) and fine tune the gears and brakes, and finally give it a good wash and detail before putting on the bar tape and calling it done! Planning on doing all that after work tomorrow, taking it on a spin to Howth on Saturday for its first proper outing.

The final build ended up being this:

Ridgeback Flight 03
Cannondale C2 bar & Stem
Generic brake and gear cables
SLR brake housing/Jagwire EL gear housing
5800/7000 Shifters
5800/7000 front/rear mech
SLK Crankset (53/39)
Bontrager Carbon Seatpost
Generic Cannondale saddle
11-34 Casette
Alexrims rims
Jack Brown Blue tires
Tektro Discs
Tektro Lyra calipers
Deda brown leather look bar tape

In the end, the only parts I ended up buying are these

Frame/fork/Seatpost/brakes -€100
Tires & Tubes - €50
Front left shifter -€68
Front and rear mech - €40
Bar Tape - €10

Not a bad invest to have another bike on the road instead of a collection of spare bits I probably wouldn’t use!

Deano12345

Alek wrote: »

I love your lack of patience when it comes to assembling new bikes. I'm the same ;D

Ha! I’m the same with anything I order online to be honest!

I’m very glad Amazon Prime is a thing!

a148pro

That's super, well done Deano

All we need now is Alek to nominate a nice gentle spin to initiate it. Say, maybe 220k with 80% off road and 3000m climbing. And rabid dogs and psycho covid nuns maurading along the route.

Alek

psycho covid nuns maurading along the route.

Yeah, let's put some evil into Weevil

80% gravel in this country? I'm afraid the best I can do is around 65% https://www.strava.com/routes/19634128

Deano12345

a148pro wrote: »

That's super, well done Deano

All we need now is Alek to nominate a nice gentle spin to initiate it. Say, maybe 220k with 80% off road and 3000m climbing. And rabid dogs and psycho covid nuns maurading along the route.

In the rain, with ice on road sections too

Deano12345

A quick update for anyone wondering if the bike has fallen apart yet

I’ve done around 200km on it in the last few weeks, and in all honesty, it’s pretty much been perfect!

The setback Seatpost definitely doesn’t suit me so I have an absolute bargain of a Zipp SL Speed seatpost (I know, OTT for a build like this, but it was cheap enough to justify!) also bought and fitted a Deda Zero stem since the Cannondale one was a touch too long.

As far as on road handling, it handles pretty well, not too twitchy or too lazy, geometry isn’t too aggressive so I’m finding it very comfortable. Yet to take it properly off road at all.

Only thing I’m not happy with is the brake performance, after a bit of spirited decending yesterday, there was a noticeable amount of brake fade. Decided to order up some cheap cable pull hydraulic Calipers off Amazon. They should be an improvement, and even if they’re only the same stopping power they use generic Shimano pads so easier to replace than the Lyra ones!

Will report back on how they do!

Deano12345

Brakes arrived!

Got them fitted up and two thumbs up. Not quite as good as my full hydro 8020's for feel, but they feel like they stop just as quick. A massive massive improvement in both feel and performance from the Lyra's. Highly recommend them for anyone with an entry level bike with mech cable brakes. Much less faff than a a full hydro system too!

Heading out on a nice flat Christmas Day spin tomorrow to get them properly bedded in!

Deano12345

Weepsie wrote: »

Presuming you got juin tech or trp hy/rds

Even cheaper! XTech HB-100’s. Plenty of people actually using them on electric scooters of all things, so there was a few reviews/tests out there. Lots of people seemingly using them on ebikes too.

Won’t be doing any hills for around a week so I won’t be able to really hammer them until then, I’ll be interested to see if they suffer from much fade

whiz

Do any bike shops have good Christmas sales ?

Deano12345

whiz wrote: »

Do any bike shops have good Christmas sales ?

Depends on what you’re after! Generally best bargains are to be found when the new model year of bike comes in, which is normally June/July. There’s such a shortage at the moment I’d imagine even last years models being in demand!