Somehow I missed this first time around. I did the same thing a few years ago.
Some years ago I found a Metro frame and fork on a hard rubbish pile and a friend and I built it up to give to one of my friend's friends who was working too hard and needed some exercise. Fast forward 12 years - he still rides the 'gun and is much healthier. I have a soft spot for the versatility of the Shogun Metro.
Go back to 2020 and I found another Metro, also sans seat, on a neighbour's hard rubbish pile and took it home thinking "gravel bike conversion".
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Stripped the whole thing down and because I was restoring a car at the time, it got resprayed in Chrysler Alpine White, same as the car.
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Tried my hand at doing some striping on the head tube as well, just for fun.
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Built up with Salsa Woodchippers, 105 9sp shifters, Thomson stuff, Shimano brakes, Ultegra cranks, XT rear derailleur, 105 wheels and Conti Radler 700 x 40c treads. Been fun, though the gearing is a little tall for some of the longer dirt hills and the wheels have since been swapped for something with more spokes.
Obligatory garage door shot...
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All up, a cheap and cheerful gravel bike which has been reliable. The neighbour whose rubbish pile it was on saw me on it and commented "new bike?"
If only he knew...