1x10 Cotic Gravel Grinder

Work out the cost of building it up vs. buying new first, sometime it easier to buy it outright (the single speed version perhaps).

Yeah- i have some parts already, so will save there. I'd want to upgrade a couple of bits on the stock full bike spec too. The big expense would be to buy like for like braking and lever setup seperately

First new part has arrived, a pair of PDW mudguards for on-road use

I love my Arkose. It's a hell of a lot of frame/bike for the money. So far I can't fault it. I've not done proper CX style off roaring yet but I've no doubt it'll be fine as the geo feels good for it.

I went for the SS version with EBB so I had he option to run geared or SS. Currently it's set up in SS mode but I plan to run gears later in the year at CX races. All you need to run geared is a rear mech hanger. The standard Arkose one will fit. It has cable stops for front & rear mechs. Plus the paint is retro 90's cool! :-)

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That's a lovely build.
Got a mate who's done the same as you and went all out and blinged it proper. Loves the thing. Bike packed it and toured Europe on it. Still going strong.

Lovely bike. Not a million miles from what I have planned. Bought one of the EBB frames and a couple of rear hangers after the frame was reduced to £224- hard to say no at that price

Got some decisions to make over drivetrain and wheels now. Will still run 1x10 or 1x9 with a bar end shifter. I have some centaur cranks that I may use- though they'd limit my rear mech choice and mean no narrow/wide ring

I have sram rival cranks for sale if they're any use to you?

yeah, they may well be- could then use an x-5/7/9 rear mech. Do you have pics + a price in mind?

Pming you.

Ta- would've been interested in the spyes/ cowbell 3 if you we're still selling those too...

Spyres gone. Cowbells on my Day one.

Cheers for the reply- looking like the brakes are going to be the biggest expense barring the frame if I want something decent

Thanks Chris & @Chak

That's a great price for the frame. I paid 300 only just over a month ago... Feel although I've been ripped off now lol.

I've just pulled the pin on some Shimano RS685 Hydro brakes and shifters along with some Ultegra mechs. Plus some 38mm crabon clinchers for racing season. I'll be using it for racing come autumn then an all rounder/tourer come next year.

What's your plans Chris?

riding in the North West countryside

1x10

Yeah- couldn't say no at that price.. I test rode the Arkose with Shimano Hydros- absolutely awesome, best road brakes I've tried by miles.

The Arkose will be part commuter, part CX for knocking about the countryside and having fun.

As for parts list I'm undecided. Budget dictates cable pull discs for now. not sure on drivetrain ATM. Erring towards SRAM x something rear derailleur and a narrow/wide ring upfront. However I have centaur cranks and cassette, so could perhaps use those. Campag rear mech are £££ though

OK- Some of the North West countryside

No problems so far. Although riding in the peaks takes it out of me, just makes the downhills feel so much sweeter.

Have done a few easier Peaks rides fixed in the past. Coming back down the steeper descents was not nice. Not something I'll be repeating without a few gears

Bought some wheels. Kinesis CX disc with 160mm avid rotors. Unused and never fitted for £103 off eBay. Seemed too good to pass up. Should save weight on the XM319 to Shimano SLX hubs I had in mind

Pm on its way.

Drivetrain questions- There are two options I'm considering:

Current parts are frame / forks and kinesis disc wheels which are Campag splined, but I could use one of the Ambrosio Campag splined, Shimano spaced cassettes to enable a Shimano/ SRAM drivetrain

options

1. Use my existing Centaur cranks. Buy Campag mech/ cassette, Allstar components chain keeper and Campag or friction bar end shifter. No option for narrow wide chainring
   
2. Buy Ambriosio cassette to enable SRAM/ Shimano cassette. Buy 100/130 BCD cranks and a 44t Race Face narrow / wide ring. Buy SRAM rear derailleur and bar end shifter.
   
   

Option 2 seems more complete, but will push budget further... I still also need to buy brakes either way. Thinking BB7/ Spyres for now, with a hydraulic upgrade in the future

If you're doing hills I'd go for the 40t narrow/ wide. Currently I run 40x 11-28, will be going to 11-32 or 34. 40x11 is plenty for about 30mph, and if you're going downhill faster than 30, why would you want to pedal anyway?
If you can stretch to the spyres, I'd go that way, both pads adjustable rather than bb7 being fixed one side (if memory serves).
I know what you mean about costs swelling, I sold my cdf and loads of bits to get extra cash, doing up the Day One is not working out as cheap as I thought, but then again I'm one if lifes fettlers, just can't leave things alone.

maybe I shoud've just bought the full arkose rather the frame and fork.... but then I'd have wanted to change wheels, cranks etc etc etc.

Cheers for the advice on chain ring size- makes sense.

From memory BB7's are a bit fiddly. Just have to find some spyres cheap

Bugger, can't seem to find any Campag splined, Shimano spaced Ambrosio cassettes. Anyone know of any alternatives?