CP: The Topcross (Low trail CX + touring)

265mm bb height

That's exactly what I was aiming at with the donohue I posted above. I haven't really tried any sort of technical off road stuff, but my initial impression was that the about 40mm of trail felt a bit quick on otherwise easy narrow singletrack. Haven't really though about that since, so doesn't seem to be much of an issue for my riding, more of that "allroad" than trail anyway.

I've thought that Kojaks been nice enough. Interested in trying out tubeless, might bridge the gap a bit compared to higher end tyres. I'm pretty sure I won't be splurging on the compass ones.

High end tyres are day and night apart from standard tyres, or fit latex inner.

My Elephant is 265mm with 42mm tyres too.

Yes and for touring etc that is fine. I am just saying that I wont be selling my MTB just yet... ;-)

@Paradroid your Donohue is really nice. And 40mm trail is quite nimble i guess. Mine is only 49 with 26" wheels.

Oh no I do agree, it's perfect for everything.

What great about your bike is how your ideas evolved from what started out as a mid trail CX bicycle into a fat gravel bike.

latex inner

If I haven't completely misunderstood, people are saying that the benefits of a latex inner tube comes from having less energy loss when the tyre is deformed compared to a butyl inner. In that respect tubeless should be even better. Perhaps not the choice for proper touring, but I'm interested in trying it out for shorter trips.

@Hulsroy not trying to hijack your thread, btw :)

Thanks. Yes it is quite a satisfying multitool. Low, trail, Hylex and sliding dropouts is the best thing ever...

@Paradroid hijack away. I find the overall discussion very interesting.

I'll be experimenting with the Hylex soon using Shimano calipers (nice to have different pads option).

Yeah... I am currently running Clarks cheap skate sintered pads and they work quite well. Just as good as the stock Tektros, although I have not wet/muddy experiences with them yet.

I have Tektro/TRP hydraulics on all my bikes except for the road bike.

The solution I have made for the sliding dropouts isn't strong enough. Rear wheel keeps sliding when climbing. I overtightend one chainring bolt, half way through the 25kms of singletrack and ended up being pulled home 10+ kms by my buddy.

I do have an solution though, me thinks...

Inner tubes as tow line? Ingenious.

Yes. First 5kms we used a stick. When it broke we figured tubes would be better as my buddy could have two hands on the bars = more control and speed ;-)

I can't imaging chainring bolt be enough to prevent it from sliding, considering that the chainring is designed to held it in place, not needing any grip.

Is there's anyway you can have a chain tensioner on it?

Thank fuck it's not latex.

Yes I am thinking about it

'Ard. Love it

Almost finished the pizza rack, just in time for this weekends 260km trip.
Skipped building low rider rack for panniers as of yet. Might just see whether I even need it. I am not going around the world any time soon...

I have bought a bag recommended by @TM.

http://www.skullbikeclub.com/news/index.php/2012/09/30/prologic-carp-fishing-bag-review/

The bag is in UK at my gf's house, so I won't be able to use it this weekend. I will use my Ortlieb rack bag instead.

Untill I get the bag and figure out a way to fasten it, I will be using inner tubes.

As for the light, I figured this would be the easiest way to mount it. I might redo it if I opt for more expensive light/dynamo solution later on.

Rack still needs polishing. But I will do that when frame is off to paint.

Where did you order the bag from man?

Nice work on the fork/rack as well!

Thank you. Bought the bag off eBay.

god knows how i missed this thread. bloody excellent engineering @Hulsroy! very impressive.

Thank you mate

Havent checked this in a while.
So sick.

The photo of you being towed is pretty epic.

Such a good thread to read back on. Good work, and long may it continue!

Thank you.

290kms this weekend. I think the frame is where it should be, so I will take the bike apart this weekend and send the frame and fork off to powder coat. Probably it will end up glossy black.

Going to desticker wheels, reglue headbadge and probably do a slight different build.

I am selling these cranks and using my Rotor 3d 130 bcd instead I think. Current cranks are bb30 with a Mega Evo 386 bb (for BSA). But I cannot find new bbcups anywhere and I only have one pair left, so I am hoping to sell to a bb30 frame owner.

Also, the light need moving up and forward. Front tire is making a shadow...

Looking good!

I´ve seen it on a lot of front racks on this site, but i'll ask you because you made it from scratch:
Why not place the rack as far back and low as possible, just over the largest wheel size that fits the fork and just in front of the headtube?
Getting the weight as low as possible.

vs

..or am I missing something and that is not possible