Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

cletus

Evening folks.

I'm getting an itch to change up things on my bike, and I'm thinking of a new frame set.

I'm looking at lots of different frames (probably won't be ready to buy till the summer), and I'm not really sure what way to go

The bike is a Revolt 0. Alu frame. I was looking at a straight swap to a carbon revolt frame. Then the Winspace gravel frameset was suggested to me, which has the advantage of being cheaper than the Giant.

I've also been looking at titanium frames, bothe Genesis and Van Nicholas.

If anyone has thoughts, musings or suggestions that might bump me along the path, throw in a post

nilhg

It might be easier to advise if it was a little clearer whether you feel the current frame is limiting your cycling in any way or if it's simply the case that you feel it's time for a change and bling things up a little?

I'm a little bit in the same position with my alu Topstone, there's times when I think I might upgrade, then I look at how often I use it, and try to think of situations where I felt I was underbiked and I usually decide that actually it does everything I want and park the process for a few months. Still nice to be able to browse the various options, if I was going for bling I think I'd be looking at a Ti frame with plenty of clearance for wide tyres for when I get time to take off on a nice backpacking trip….

cletus

I'm a poor enough cyclist, that I reckon every bike is overbiked for me 😀.

It's definitely the second option, @nilhg . I'm feeling like a change, and every few months I'll look at frame sets, or electronic group sets, or full second hand bikes (although my wife has instated a no new bike rule). I really like the Revolt, don't have issues with it or anything. Just like the idea of trying new stuff.

Ti has definitely caught my eye.

this.lad

No bike rules come and go

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123263019#Comment_123263019

These things are true, and to be honest I'm currently looking at a cheap hardtail to do some trails with my eldest boy.

However, I kind of like the idea of swapping out and upgrading stuff on my bike, in a sort of Theseus' ship way

nilhg

Well, if it's bling and even better it's Ti bling you want, no better place to start than No22:

https://22bicycles.com/products/2024-drifter-adventure?variant=42624691110061

Maybe order it before the trade war starts….

You might stick a budget up before we all lose the run of ourselves….

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123263236#Comment_123263236

That's beautiful, but yes, it does point out the budget issue. Genesis pricing would be closer to my budget, and even better if I can get last year's model on sale

Paddigol

I've been lusting after one of these for a few years…

Moots Routt YBB Titanium Gravel Bike - Built for the Smoothest Ride

Large bottle small glass

I can get the idea, while not for me, of bling/show pony for summer/dry road cycling but for Irish "gravel" I can't see any benefit only downsides.

There's a value to having a bike you don't give a fcuk about! Once said bike is comfortable, has good braking, clearance to allow for wide enough tyres for grip in all conditions what is buying something new giving you?

Frame that can take punishment, threaded bottom bracket, easy to service headset would be up there in terms of requirements.

You probably have all that spend the money on gravel adventures out of your local area abroad or elsewhere in Ireland

If we got long spells of weather like this you could maybe justify it but in reality if its not wet weather now, it just was or its soon to be. On top of that some of the best spins/fun I've had "gravel" riding was when the place was covered in sh1te/muck/puddles.

A friend has an Enigma Endeavour which looks lovely in the flesh and isn't as pricey as the Titanium options. Frameset is about £2k from memory. There a few other UK brands to worth a look if you are interested.

When the weather is shite he tends to turn up in his old trusty steel Ridley 😀.

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123278704#Comment_123278704

Mostly it's for a change, to have or try something new.

I wouldn't be babying a new frame any more than I baby the one I have now (plenty of photos on here of it going through muck or shite).

Paddigol

Some great value in Ribble bikes (full build rather than frameset fyi)…

Steel: Ribble Gravel 725 | Ribble Cycles

Ti: Ribble Gravel Ti | Ribble Cycles

I've one of the (seemingly discontinued) CX bikes. Can't fault the quality or durability.

Bluejohn1

Ive been eyeing one of those bxt gravel framesets on aliexpress. After coupons/sale its 450 delivered. Want to move the current parts off my 2019 cube nuroad race onto it.

Then i start thinking of not being able to have the pannier rack (if I communted again), not being able to fit the child seat and the idea of puttin 6 odd year old parts on a new frame 😅. I just want to try a carbon frame though...

Then theres the whole barely any gravel near and i just end up road riding on 45mm tyres. Have signed up for Lakelander this year.

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123279242#Comment_123279242

Tell you what, buy it, let me know what it's like, and if you've really no use for it, I'll take it off you for 300

triggermortis

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123279094#Comment_123279094

Ribble often have good deals. I got a Ti with 105 Di2 last year at 33% reduction in one of their sales

JMcL

(although my wife has instated a no new bike rule)

Can you take the Triggers broom approach?

Regarding Ti, I have a Van Nic and really like it. It's definitely a road bike (Skeiron), but that's fine as I also have a steel Croix de Fer which I like a lot as well and is more amenable to rougher stuff. I just had a look and their framesets are crazy money (about a grand more than a similar Van Nic)!

Carbon has never really taken my fancy - I've always been a fan of the classic looks of metal bikes and since first clapping eyes on a Ti bike many moons ago, have always fancied one. I believe Stagg cycles in Lucan are dealers so it might be worthwhile pinging them on the offchance they have one in. The Ribble's do look nice and are decent value (Sram Apex build going for not that much more than the Genesis frameset at the minute)

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123314240#Comment_123314240

Oh, yeah I'm absolutely doing a Trigger's broom (or ship of Theseus, for those more classically minded among us), so it'll be a frame set, whatever I end up with

CantGetNoSleep

I'd say it depends what type of riding you do. Race vs relaxed geometry, type of surface and tire clearance you need.

I've owned a Winspace - didn't keep it for long. I found the geometry very racy. I made the mistake of routing the brake hoses internally which meant any sort of changes were going to be a bit of faff, I could have given it more of a chance only for that. It also has headset issues, and tire clearance was a bit tight for a bike advertised as 50mm.

Before (and after) this I built up a Genesis Croix de Fer (Reynolds 853 Steel). This was an amazing bike, I would have kept it forever only for tire clearance was a bit small. For me it needs the carbon fork upgrade and the one I got only took 38mm tires. I'd say you need at least 45mm, ideally 50mm, if using it off road a lot. Before Brexit you could get these cheap from the UK, and it was very easy to build up.

More recently I've built a Fairlight Secan which is a very nice bike but on the more expensive side.

Currently low balling on a Ritchey Outback old stock as I want a more budget gravel bike than the Fairlight

JMcL

Before (and after) this I built up a Genesis Croix de Fer (Reynolds 853 Steel). This was an amazing bike, I would have kept it forever only for tire clearance was a bit small. For me it needs the carbon fork upgrade and the one I got only took 38mm tires.

Out of curiosity did you have the steel fork at any stage on the CdF, and if so how much of a difference did the carbon fork make? I'd toyed with the idea of changing but never pulled the trigger, and it's both expensive and as you say brexit prone

magicbastarder

are the spares like forks available online? i don't see an option on the main genesis website.

JMcL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123316241#Comment_123316241

I spotted it here https://www.cjperformancecycles.com/components/forks-shocks/genesis-cgr1-carbon-fork--qr--black__116256 but on second glance it's out of stock. I can't see it in stock anywhere really bar some eBay links so maybe they've discontinued it. It's a standard 1-1/8 steerer tube, so you'd imagine there are other options out there (no, must upgrade wheels first). Apologies @cletus for disappearing your thread down a fork rabbithole!

magicbastarder

not cheap!

CantGetNoSleep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123316181#Comment_123316181

I did, the CGR1 fork was a saving of about 1100g compared to the original steel. It was definitely worth it in terms of ride quality (although depending on your type of riding, I was doing group rides in a hilly forest)

cletus

I've pretty much decided on a Van Nic Rowtag frame set to be built up (initially, at least) with components from my Rovolt (which in turn will probably get the components from the Voodoo Nakisi hanging in my shed, and thus becomes a flat pedalled runaround, I think).

Does anyone have any experience of the Rowtag bike (or frame set)?

fat bloke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123318658#Comment_123318658

Presume that 1100g is a typo ?!

Mefistofelino

The CDF steel fork is incredibly heavy and weighs more than most frame & fork combinations. Saving 1 kg is about right.

CantGetNoSleep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123600757#Comment_123600757

Maybe not exact but not a typo. I think the steel fork was around 1400g vs. 400g for the carbon one

Large bottle small glass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123600601#Comment_123600601

Press fit bottom bracket and internal routing

Next 😀

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123601175#Comment_123601175

And it's not rim brake either 🙄😉 😂

fat bloke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123601045#Comment_123601045

Jeepers. That's mad!!