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MTB Gravel Bike Conversions

Oct. 21, 2024, 5:59 p.m.
Posts: 770
Joined: Feb. 24, 2017

Some bodging to mount a shifter to my curly bar experiment. 

A test ride to tweak bar and hood positions 

A happy machine. 

I borrowed the bar to see if I want one. I'm feeling it, time to commit. Then I'll have to figure out a better shifter setup and make sure I have space for a dropper lever. 

Yay lego!

Oct. 21, 2024, 10:50 p.m.
Posts: 1265
Joined: Aug. 13, 2017

Once you go drops.... they're just so much faster and more hand positions.

What brakes are you running? I rate my GRX 10 speed shifters if you can find a used set.


 Last edited by: fartymarty on Oct. 21, 2024, 11:36 p.m., edited 1 time in total.
Oct. 22, 2024, 5:11 p.m.
Posts: 770
Joined: Feb. 24, 2017

Posted by: fartymarty

Once you go drops.... they're just so much faster and more hand positions.

What brakes are you running? I rate my GRX 10 speed shifters if you can find a used set.

TRP Hylex, I think they're (one of) the only brake-only hydro levers. 

Means I'll continue bodging a mtb shifter on there, but I'm happy with that.

Oct. 22, 2024, 11:22 p.m.
Posts: 1265
Joined: Aug. 13, 2017

Posted by: velocipedestrian

Posted by: fartymarty

Once you go drops.... they're just so much faster and more hand positions.

What brakes are you running? I rate my GRX 10 speed shifters if you can find a used set.

TRP Hylex, I think they're (one of) the only brake-only hydro levers. 

Means I'll continue bodging a mtb shifter on there, but I'm happy with that.

A bar end shifter or DT shifter would be sweet

Oct. 29, 2024, 2:47 a.m.
Posts: 1265
Joined: Aug. 13, 2017

Velo - hows the Drop9er treating you?

Oct. 29, 2024, 11:52 a.m.
Posts: 2677
Joined: April 2, 2005

Posted by: fartymarty

Posted by: velocipedestrian

Posted by: fartymarty

Once you go drops.... they're just so much faster and more hand positions.

What brakes are you running? I rate my GRX 10 speed shifters if you can find a used set.

TRP Hylex, I think they're (one of) the only brake-only hydro levers. 

Means I'll continue bodging a mtb shifter on there, but I'm happy with that.

A bar end shifter or DT shifter would be sweet

just di2 them

Nov. 15, 2024, 10:31 a.m.
Posts: 1265
Joined: Aug. 13, 2017

Velo - How's the Grav9er treating you?

Nov. 16, 2024, 9:22 p.m.
Posts: 770
Joined: Feb. 24, 2017

Posted by: fartymarty

Velo - How's the Grav9er treating you?

It's a winner. I took it on a scouting expedition after getting a hint of where some pirate trails might be... It was the perfect tool - covered lots of distance and surfaces, but prevented me from dropping into the things I found.

Seal, gravel, singletrack, some roots and pine needles... Good times.

Even took it for a lap of the pump track on the way past, would have liked a dropper for that.


 Last edited by: velocipedestrian on Nov. 16, 2024, 9:24 p.m., edited 1 time in total.
Nov. 18, 2024, 3:24 a.m.
Posts: 1265
Joined: Aug. 13, 2017

Looking good - I'm liking the front rack - very Rando.  I need to get one for my Krampus - mainly to carry my lock but i'm sure it would be useful for other things as well.

I also love the fact you can cover a lot more ground than a mtb yet still take in easier trails.

Nov. 18, 2024, 5:15 p.m.
Posts: 770
Joined: Feb. 24, 2017

The rack is super useful. I have a set of bigger panniers I can load up with ~25kg of supermarket shopping, or just a tiny dry bag etc on top. 

I also have a Freeload / Thule rack for the rear which mounts with straps. I've used it for overnights and it's bomber. 

Truly the ATB option.

Nov. 18, 2024, 10:18 p.m.
Posts: 1265
Joined: Aug. 13, 2017

What rack is it?

Nov. 18, 2024, 10:29 p.m.
Posts: 770
Joined: Feb. 24, 2017

Posted by: fartymarty

What rack is it?

The front one is just a generic cheapie, might be an old 26" rear I think. 

The strap on (not pictured, Google it) is a Thule Tour Rack. A bit fiddly to mount, but super stable in use. 

Old pic, same rack, can't see it.

Nov. 19, 2024, 12:50 a.m.
Posts: 1265
Joined: Aug. 13, 2017

Cheers

Nov. 20, 2024, 7:52 a.m.
Posts: 122
Joined: June 9, 2017

As something of a tidy-cable fetishist, that lock on your handlebars makes me shudder, hah. Otherwise, looks like a build you could take camping some rough and rowdy spots! Those are enormous rear panniers... how many liters?

Nov. 20, 2024, 3:55 p.m.
Posts: 770
Joined: Feb. 24, 2017

Posted by: cooperquinn

As something of a tidy-cable fetishist, that lock on your handlebars makes me shudder, hah. Otherwise, looks like a build you could take camping some rough and rowdy spots! Those are enormous rear panniers... how many liters?

Fair, I did use the lock, but it ain't pretty. 

I only have the smaller version of the bags now (pictured on the curly bar machine) but the large ones were probably ~30+l each. 

The plan for the next rough camping trip is to take the Stanton with some mountain wheels and big-volume tyres. It easily clears a 29x2.4 rear, and I'm tempted to try a 2.6.

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