Retro-modern fusion gravel build madness. The new Superb!

[Mickeyspinn]

Spent a bit of time working on the wheelset this morning.
Weight comes up to 1850 without QRs or rim tape. I am quite pleased, given it's a 32 spoke count rim-brake one.

Bike industry never fails to fail. With all the hype surrounding the glorious return of 650B, there's not much choice of non-disk rims, tubes and tyres.
The whole thing is quite disappointing really. *sound of balloon deflating*

The project is, naturally, a bit of a folly. I should have just gone for a 26er, given that Mrs rolls on a 26er and I already have spare tubes, rim tape and a spare set of lightweight rims. But I've had problems sourcing 26" "gravel" components a few years ago. Heavy-duty rims for wide tyres for serious offroading - there's plenty of that. But lighter options appear limited. Mrs ended up with a pair of Panaracer Paselas in 45mm, but I remember struggling to find many options in 42-50 size.

Anyway, rim-brake rims are available in 650B, not nearly as many options as 700c. I ended up going for a symmetrically drilled rear, which is not ideal with a hub for an 11s cassette. I decided to add a 2-3mm dish away from the drive side to try and distribute the load a bit more evenly across the spokes. Should be enough clearance in the frame for this.

Tubes turned out to be quite rare too. You can easily buy MTB-oriented 27.5 tubes at about 250g each (!!!), but limited options for gravel. I went with a pair of maxxis ultra lightweights in the end (from memory, about 150g per tube).

Tyres - I picked up a lightly used 47c set of WTB horizons and a well worn set of panaracer gravelkings in 44. Neither of them fit my moderately knobbly requirement for offroading but they were selling cheap and I want to try different sizes to see what can go into the frame with guards.

The only really exciting and unique thing about this build is that I'm getting an audax-geometry frameset that can accommodate 2"+ knobblies without guards if I want to run it as a rigid monster cross. I think combinations like this are quite rare these days.

Industry alert....new standard incoming....Chavez standards
The end goal is worth it I know you see it too as you say audax geo ..it's beggars belief how the cycle industry keeps messing with what has already been perfected....rando.....c'est simple!
I think woz might be right it could be worth spending the money and get the fork modded....once and done... fit and forget...threaded or ahead..world's your oyster.

 

[Woz]

The only really exciting and unique thing about this build is that I'm getting an audax-geometry frameset that can accommodate 2"+ knobblies without guards if I want to run it as a rigid monster cross. I think combinations like this are quite rare these days.

It is a bit of mad project, but I think you are getting more.

I'm hoping that the geometry and all that skinny, soft gas pipes combined with the long fork rake will make a comfortable ride. 650B is probably the wonder compromise wheel size (BTW: I'm sure the Schwalbe SV14A 26" inner-tube would have done the job for 650B too - 100 grams).

Personally think the project end result hinges on a reasonable price point somewhere between a retro 26" steel drop bar conversion and a more modern 650B tourer from Thorn / Spa (which we know are very very rare to find second hand). It's got potential, need to be cunning with the wallet and how the money is spent.

 

[Woz]

@The History Man - You being a big lad, I seem to remember on one of your threads a steerer column extension / modification, but could be wrong. If not, would be good if you could provide some details. Cheers. W.

 

[The History Man]

Cheap nasty Amazon extension

Azarxis Bike Handlebar Riser Stem... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07P9WLPT3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[The History Man]

Or there’s the old school internal quill to ahead converter.

 

[Woz]

@The History Man - misunderstanding. Didn't you have the actual fork steering column extended?

IE - a cut-down fork extended for a large frame?

 

[M_Chavez]

Thanks.
The first one's a no go, as I hardly have anything sticking out of the headtube. Otherwise I think this would have worked, given that I could shove the star nut deep enough into the steerer to get past the threads.
The second might work - I'm planning to use one of these anyway (got two different ones in the parts box), but I'm not sure how I can pre-load the threadless headset.

I'll try the Sheldon mod first. It seems the most solid one.

Pretty sure one can cut off the threads and turn a custom quill adapter. Just need to somehow have the expander plug bolt lodged inside the tube and fit a star plug at the top.

Re permanent modding of the fork - same problem as before. Nobody available locally to get it done, at least with availability for the next 6 months or so. And the build budget is already stretched a bit, albeit I've significantly topped up the war chest by selling modern & disk crap.

 

[Woz]

Interesting how this bod split, extended the fork column, then re-welded it - 4 holes and four dabs of a welding rod !!!!

https://www.instructables.com/Tall-Bike-Buidling/

 

[M_Chavez]

I'm hoping that the geometry and all that skinny, soft gas pipes combined with the long fork rake will make a comfortable ride

Yep. Pretty much exactly what I was picturing as my next "gravel" build. Should be juuust right if it all comes together.
And if it doesn't come together, I'll make it stick with gaffer tape.

Thorn and Spa, indeed have some very interesting solutions, but nothing of this sort afaik. Closest one probably being Thorn 26er tourers.
Finding them used in reasonable condition in the right size is a very hard task.

 

[M_Chavez]

Ahahaha tall bike.
Combining the comfort and aerodynamic benefits of a Penny Farthing with the low rolling resistance of 16 inch wheels!

If I ever get to the point of building things like this, I hope @Chopper the ex Copper will put his Silver Pigeon to good use...

Right, I'm off to find a welding kit

Imagine the look on people's faces when you turn up to a major sportive on one of these. There's usually a specific ban on penny farthings, but this ain't no penny farthing, is it?