Break-Away Gravel Disc Ride

I'd go for 700c 30-something wheels, double, Shimano hydro. That's how my gravel bike is, but I ride mostly on the road and I rather go fast on there

Which bottle cages tho?

I'm provisionally thinking of a paint job inspired by the 1969 Porsche 917 Langheck so probably white with black logos and a good portion (but not all) of the fork in green.
Green is more like this, it looks a bit off in the colouring of that photo.

Bob's frame will most likely be black with silver logos and maybe a little gold trim in the style of Guinness.

Not set in stone but that's what we've been thinking at the moment.

If you go cable shifting, the Ritchey quick connectors work really well, and with 1x you would only need the one.

Internal routing with a breakaway frame would be a bit of a faff, unless you put a junction box near the splitting part of the down tube?

@Acliff
Probably King cages or some other pretty slim cage?

@Netakure
I wonder what the max. 700c tyre with fender would be on those forks? Might be a good cutoff point although the idea of mega tyres does appeal to me...

I don't think I'd be bothered about internal routing although internal routing for the hydro could actually work as I'd be using the actual caliper as the junction so possibly could go internal as far as back half and then surface mount on rear triangle?

I don't want to get too carried away though as I'm trying to keep the cost in line and same for the paint!

Depends on whether you'll be needing to detach the handlebars for packing, if the hydro cable goes through the frame, then its going to be a bit awkward?

I was actually talking about the di2 wires, as it's ugly to mount them externally and the complication of having a seatpost battery that you'd need to detach for breaking down the frame.

Rival/Force 1 cable with cable discs or hydro would seem like the most practical option.
e.g:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/sram-force-1x-gxp-groupset/142748967771?hash=item213c80635b:g:KyUAAOSwAy5avlcM

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Groupset-SRAM-Rival-Doubletap-Hydraulic-11-Speed/312104238409?hash=item48aadcbd49:g:~MAAAOSw8K5auWkw

Don’t fanny around. 1x hydro etap.

@Acliff
That Force groupset is tempting. I need to be able to buy two sets of whatever I end up going with though so secondhand is kind of out unless I start deep trawling eBay.

@Thrasher
The inevitable outcome...
Would you need to run a chain guide without a front derailleur on eTap though or is there a clutch mod available for rear mech?
If final pricing of frame comes in ok and I cut back on the wheels a bit I wouldn't rule it out...

I've set up my moots with etap hydro 1x11 with no chain guide but thick/thin chainring and the chains not fallen off yet and I've been over some rough ground too.

Ok...

Had a chat with Bob this morning re: gameplan for builds and we've decided if the job is worth doing it's worth doing it right so it looks like SRAM Red Etap WiFli HRD is the way to go to allow for a larger range cassette and then 1x on the front, at least eBaying the front derailleurs will lessen the blow somewhat.

This might push out the timeline for the builds a bit but it seems like nonsense not to take advantage of Etap for builds like this!

Still to be decided is the wheels... I've been looking into the alloy Hunt wheels, price seems very nice and it looks like the wheel budget will be taking a slight hit to compensate for Etap... anyone have any experience with them?

Also still undecided whether to go with 700x38/40 or 650x2.1/2.25?

Hed's. Dont bother with anything else. Hunt used to be novatec for wankers

I have both. Hunt is Bitex and its great.

Aha. Edit: used to be.
Bitex is awesome. But hed better imo.

Hed is great but there is hardly any diff anymore in rims and Bitex hubs and pillar spokes are great so why pay more?

I have never had any issues with Hed wheels. Granted need to buuld up me bitex hubs and test more.
If you have issues with carbona - whats the support like?

Hed would be nice or Mavic Allroad but have to shelve my #buyer ambitions at some point on the initial build and wheels are an easy future upgrade!

Hit me up. I’ll do you an OG formite deal.

We can do better though. Great starting point, but if you’re going full custom, why hold back on the paint? Doesn’t have to be full on mental, but the possibilities are literally endless.... I love doing stuff based on racing liveries of the 70’s/80’s.

So many ways to subtly alter certain aspects/logos of the livery into something that is unique to you and make it more personal. This BASF scheme I did for example.... changed the letters of the BASF HS tape logo on the headtube to the owners initials, but kept the font. He also wanted a bit more contrast than the M1, so I thickened the lines on the white spiral pattern to make it stand out a bit more against the red (Only a very simple touch on this scheme, but explains what I mean)

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I have 700c light bicycle rims on bitex hubs built by Gav at August on my Talbot gravel rig. They are excellent. I want some 650b wheels for it too. I don’t think one set of wheels will ever be suitable for all the types of riding a frame like this is capable of, so IMHO the best option is to have a set in each size with the exact same hubs, so the disc is in the exact same position on both wheels, so you can change them over really quickly and easily without having to adjust anything. Spend the money on the set you think you’ll use most (700 for me), and get a cheaper option for the set you won’t be using as much.

Sage advice man, I think a set of 700c will be the way to go to start alright!

I'll drop you a PM re: paint!