Afternoon all. In the market for something a bit more nimble than my Raleigh Roker, which is a nice and stable rig with 440mm chainstays. Will be ridden on paved and gravel roads (generally not gnarly gravel). I've got some pretty good wheels and upgrade parts, so I'm shopping frame only. My ideal criteria:
- Carbon or Ti frame in the racy gravel bike or allroad bike category, or even endurance road bike - accepts 2x drivetrain - 425mm or shorter chainstays - threaded bottom bracket (this is where I'm most often getting snagged in my search) - Clearance for 700x 38c tires is acceptable, up to 42c would be perfect. - accepts round 27.2 seatpost - I don't do super expensive. Ballpark $2k for a frame is acceptable.
So far I've come up with Santa Cruz Stigmata... and that's about it. Most often I'm finding pressfit BB's or longer chainstays as the eliminating feature. Any ideas?
I was looking at the Roker but went for a CX bike instead (one that pops on acceleration). I would think the 3T or open UP bikes would ride like you want, but not sure about the specific details you are asking for.
chas wrote:I was looking at the Roker but went for a CX bike instead (one that pops on acceleration). I would think the 3T or open UP bikes would ride like you want, but not sure about the specific details you are asking for.
Yeah - I don't get all these gravel bikes with long chainstays ~440mm. I get if you are doing size specific geo for larger sizes - but 440mm - that more like what long travel 29er MTB doing.
Sure longer CS makes the bike ride more stable - but you can do what MTB are doing by increasing the front center instead. And side benefit would be to help with toe-overlap issues for people like me running smaller sizes and flat pedals with large tires.
Some would argue you can't make a gravel bike slacker and longer as it'll give you lazy steering response. But I'll counter that you can slacken the HTA and increase fork offset (which also lengthens the front center) which will get you a similar trail of 72/73 HTA bike. Plus do I really need the same quick steering as the roadie? I'm not drafting in peloton and making quick breakaway sprints in tight large group and need quick steering response to get away.
Thank you, Domane is on my radar. Frame is a bit heavy, I suppose from the compliance features and storage compartment. I'm not so much worried about a racy front end, but I do want overall geometry on the quicker side of the gravel geo spectrum.
Have you looked at the Rondo Ruut CF? https://rondobike.com/collections/ruut-cf/products/20-ruut-cf-frame I have the steel frame Ruut and love it. 420mm stays make handling sharp and you can adjust HT/ST angle with the flip chip on the fork. It will clear up to 700x50 or 650bx2.2 tires. Website says only 700x45, but I have had 50mm Gravelking SK's on mine. Includes a 27.2 carbon seatpost and a basic stem. Doesn't have a threaded BB, but you can get a Wheels Mfg. BB that will thread together and eliminate the dreaded PF creak. https://wheelsmfg.com/bottom-brackets/bb386evo.html Reviews are good. Any dings against it are generally around the build. Since you are doing your own build that won't be relevant. https://www.bikeride.com/rondo-ruut-cf/ Good luck!
ATLien wrote:Afternoon all. In the market for something a bit more nimble than my Raleigh Roker, which is a nice and stable rig with 440mm chainstays. Will be ridden on paved and gravel roads (generally not gnarly gravel). I've got some pretty good wheels and upgrade parts, so I'm shopping frame only. My ideal criteria:
- Carbon or Ti frame in the racy gravel bike or allroad bike category, or even endurance road bike - accepts 2x drivetrain - 425mm or shorter chainstays - threaded bottom bracket (this is where I'm most often getting snagged in my search) - Clearance for 700x 38c tires is acceptable, up to 42c would be perfect. - accepts round 27.2 seatpost - I don't do super expensive. Ballpark $2k for a frame is acceptable.
So far I've come up with Santa Cruz Stigmata... and that's about it. Most often I'm finding pressfit BB's or longer chainstays as the eliminating feature. Any ideas?
pete wrote:Yes the Ibis is a nice choice. I was close to getting that but opted for the Ritchey Outbback. Consider that as an option.
I looked at the Outback as well. Nice bike, but the chainstays are longer than the OP's current bike, and he is looking for a racier carbon or Ti frame.
smoothmoose wrote:Lynskey GR Race - is another option. You do need to wait for their often 20% off sales to hit your $2k budget. Which is very good for Ti.
Actually, the GR Race is 1x drivetrain only. I confirmed this week with Lynskey (bummer).
Thanks all for the suggestions so far. I think Stigmata is still leading candidate, but I will do some research on PF BB options. My primary train of thought on BB is that I plan to take the BB and Easton crankset off my Roker and just move it over to the new frame. That combined with the mixed reputation of certain PF is mainly why I'm hoping for a frame with threaded bottom bracket.
widerisfaster wrote:Thesis OB-1 ticks all your boxes except BB, but Thesis include a stainless thread together BB to overcome the potential creak issue https://thesis.bike/products/the-ob1-frame-module
That's a hell of a value! Wish I knew about that before I bought my Ruut ST.
widerisfaster wrote:Thesis OB-1 ticks all your boxes except BB, but Thesis include a stainless thread together BB to overcome the potential creak issue https://thesis.bike/products/the-ob1-frame-module
Thanks, I agree that is a nice value. I see it comes shipped with 1x crankset but apparently accepts 2x as well. Curious if I can run Easton cranks (30mm spindle), I'll chat with them. Thanks again.
If you know your measurements, Alan includes custom geometry in their prices. Or they did last I checked (a couple of years ago). Prices are reasonable and they make good stuff. They work in CF and Al.
I looked at the Outback as well. Nice bike, but the chainstays are longer than the OP's current bike, and he is looking for a racier carbon or Ti frame.
Chain stays are a little longer for stability but the front steers fast. I love it.
