Vetta gravel racer...

My CX/gravel racer frameset currently under construction at Vetta in Padua, Italy. Planned as a no-nonsense bike with the geometry of my Merlin Extralight, to tackle the gravel and dirt tracks I frequently ride on my roadbike but with the much needed bigger tires to smoothen the bumps and provide more traction in corners. No deep sand and mud so no need for more relax head- and seat angles or a higher bottom bracket. Tubing is Deda ZeroUno...

Interesting! Which groupset and wheels are planning to get?

The frameset will be build up with a mix of Campagnolo 10 speed Record, Chorus, Centaur and Veloce parts, Campagnolo CX cantilevers and Pista crankset, Syntace F99 stem, 3ttt Merckx bend handlebars, KMC chain, Brooks C17 saddle and leather bartape. 46t or 42t single ring in front, 13-26 in the rear.

A bit undecided about the wheels. Hoping to source some nos Record hubs (previous model, not the current MTB-style black ones). DT competition spokes with Mavic rims and Challenge Chicane tires.

Why canti and not disc brakes?

Because Spooky carbon cantis served me well on my previous bikes. Decided to go for Campagnolo CX this time to get a more neo-retro look in line with the other components.

This looks like it will be amazing

Nice project you have going on. The Campy CX brakes are a great choice. I don't quite like the logo's on them, but otherwise they are really nice brakes. Will you be using a chain guide of some sort to keep the chain on the single chain ring up front?

Certainly, for the moment I'll put on a Problem Solvers Chainspy as it is cheap and reliable but I'm thinking about making custom chainguards by grinding the teeth off two bigger chainrings.

Why not use a narrow / wide ring instead?

I will if you find me one in 144 BCD ;)

Ready for some paint...

So

Ive never had the opportunity of picking a paint job, though this will be my choice if I ever do

Im looking forward to seeing your project finished :)

Yup, but it's going to be simple gloss black with white decals.

A bit too much flash (its pitch dark overhere) but you'll get the idea: I pimped the very basic Tektro cable hanger with the help of an M6x42mm Syntace titanium bolt and an old Campagnolo brake adjuster.

Angles quite similar to my custom steel cx bike - you'll have fun.

Excellent - if you wanna go 420 gram carbon canti fork (100£ on AliExpress) http://www.lfgss.com/comments/12003502/.

Love your bike! The fork is 1 inch? Guess I'll stick to steel for the moment but I'll keep it in mind

1 1/8 - thanks!

Oww, okay. Mine needs a 1 inch fork.

BTW, I scored a nice wheelset: Dura-Ace hubs with Mavic Open Pro ceramic rims. Planned to use the rims for an extra set with Record hubs (like the set in my Merlin) but I'm now considering using a Marchisio cassette. Any forum members who used Marchisio with Campy spacers on a Shimano body?

I did some research on the subject myself a while back and from what I was able to find out, an American Classic cassette supposedly worked best as a conversion cassette. I bought one and the shifting was nowhere near what I was used to from my regular Campy cassette. If I were you, I would get some proper Campy hubs to go with the groupset. I have a pair of wheels with silver Record hubset lying around if you are interested. They feature Mavic Reflex tubular rims though.

Great idea to go with a Tektro cable hanger. I am using the same on my my CX bike and it made all the difference for brake shudder.

That's quite interesting, do you have a price in mind for the wheels or just the hubs?

Ambrosio makes campagnolo spaced, shimano splined cassettes.

I knew about Marchisio, the Ambrosio cassettes are new to me. Thanks for that! Any experience with teh Ambrosio cassette in the forum?

I used on briefly on my Rourke, it shifted ok but was very, very heavy.

The weight of components isn't usually of interest to me but the weight really did surprise me.