Has anyone built a Gravel bike using a retro frame

[reindeer]

Re:

I also did it: '91 Bike-tech (Storck) Toyo (where the frames were built) Multi Cross. Actually I only bought it (out of boredom.) for the complete XT and some Ritchey parts it came with. But after taking some measurements it turned out to be an ideale candidate for a drop bars conversion and bad weather bike. The frame has clearence for 50 mm (!) 700c tires without fenders. What's also unusual for a hybrid of that time, is the MTB like bottom bracket height. It's just Tange Infinity and a bit on the heavy side, but super comfortable to ride. Really love it and I'm looking for second frame.

 

[Bike Hoarder]

Re:

I think unknowingly I built a gravel bike in 2008/2009...

Used a Kona alloy frame (lana'i maybe?), with some random parts from the spares box. I ran V's with brifters and a bar end shifter for the front mech. Brakes were really spongy from memory, but they worked okay. Took it on a retrobike meet on the quantocks... Stopped for chips somewhere (anyone still here from that day?).

Planning a new build, again with a Kona frame (muni mula this time), a frankenbike/gravel/neo modern style. Retro frame (painted in Skoda VRS grey), nexus 8spd rear hub and roller brake, mechanical disc on the front, with some purple rims, black post/bars/stem. I plan to use it as a commuter, hack bike more than gravel - I'm at the compiling parts stage at the mo.

 

[chris13]

Although not entirely retro I used this GT Avalanche 26" and did a 650b 1x hydro gravel build. Epic bike.

 

[hawkhill97]

Nice - here's my similar era Marin monstercross build

 

[epicyclo]

I built the gravel bike Dawes should have built in the 1980s as a successor to their WIndrush Rough Stuff oriented bike. They were still building lugged frames with 531db like this Cougar mtb.
I've set it up 1930-1950s Rough Stuff style with modern interpretation of Great north Road bars. It's got 60mm Super Motos slicks so it stays nippy on the road. I removed the vile 1980s stickers.
Single speed, of course, but because of my advancing age and growing enfeeblement, it may get a 3 speed S-A hub for long days in the mountains.
As a matter of interest 650b wheels with 50mm tyres fit, but it would need adapters for the cantis.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

@epicyclo that is THE BUSINESS! I'd say the SA gears could only add more awesomeness.

 

[hamster]

I like that - and a Phil Wood rear hub with White Industries freewheel?

 

[ishaw]

I'm looking to do something along these lines, commuter to work, but longer rides home via some local downs which have gravel paths and dirt trails.

My frame of choice is just past the but off for retro, but as there seems to be a lot of chat, I hope it's ok to ask advice here.

Frame is a rock lobster team ti, disc only. I could use it with 26er wheels and Billy bonkers, but also wondering if I could get away with a larger wheel size with gravel tyres as these tend to have less height/girth than 26er MTB tyres so 'could' fit.

I'm not very knowledgeable about drop bars, aside from road ones. Are there any things I should be looking at in terms of gravel specific, or is a drop bar a drop bar?

Fork wise, can either go rigid carbon or short travel suspension (80mm Sid or rebas, or even madder, amp f3 xc). Newer forks have lockout so more useful on the road, not sure what the current thinking is re. Bounce.

Other than that, I guess I'd need a road front mech, but could use MTB rear mechs with road shifters right? Speaking of which, I've got some Shimano Sora 9sp which I'd mate to some avid cable discs, but open to suggestions on a set of decent 10sp sti levers and hydro brakes if such things exist and aren't too spendy as I want to keep this a low budget build in case I don't like it and revert to flat bars.

 

[Lhatch4]

I fit 27.5's to this ti frame and put hydrolic disc brakes on it. I'm not a fan of drop bars but this made a good gravel bike.

 

[epicyclo]

I like that - and a Phil Wood rear hub with White Industries freewheel?

It's Sturmey-Archer rear hub and WI freewheel.
I've had a set of brand-new Phil Wood hubs on my shelves for a few years. I think they are over-rated and overweight compared to the much cheaper S-A hub, and so I've never got round to fitting them.