Iron Horse Double cross gravelish bike

After having been wanting something that could clear tires wider than 23c for some time this came up local to me for a reasonable sum, so I jumped on it. Hoping to build it into something that can ride some light gravel without breaking the bank.

Plans

• 1x (11/10)
  
• 32c tyres
  
• flared bars
  
  

Everything else is undecided and input is very welcome!

First questions

• Mini v or canti?
  
• DBAD or save the rim brake sticker?
  
  
  
  

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If you have spacing for mini-v, I’d go that path. Although I have had no issues with Tektro CR720 canti’s with Koolstop salmon pads. Fairly easy to set up and adjust.

I'd go mini-v too, cantis can be set up well, but minis are just less hassle.

I've never heard of Iron Horse until the last 24 hours; since then I have seen 3 unrelated adverts or threads!

Google tells me they were highly regarded, any idea about the history of them?

Drivetrain decided

Brand new items
GRX RD-RX812
J&L narrow wide

Second hand stuff
Ultegra 6600 crank
11-42 slx cassette (maxing out the RD)
r7000 levers

Have also ordered a pair of CR720 as they were a steal on bike24, and they look way cooler than mini v´s IMO and i could not accept the canti hanger on the rear being unused

@keepitmencap

To be honest i do not know their history at all, but the some guy i met yesterday seemed to hold the brand in high regard as well. I think it is an american company making mostly mtb stuff today by the look of their website. I do find it ironic having an alloy frame with a carbon fork named iron horse

Sam Hill piloted one to get rainbow stripes in DH a few years back.

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Full marks for pedigree it is then

As there will be no front mech and therefore no guide under the bb, should i just leave this open and let it act as a drain hole of sorts?

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Copypasta from wiki about Iron Horse

Iron Horse Bicycles was a manufacturer of bicycles, in Islandia, New York, United States from 1987 to 2009. Its logo was a prancing horse on a mustard-color crest similar to the Ferrari logo. Iron Horse sold racing bikes and mountain bikes, but mainly downhill, freeride, and all mountain.

Iron Horse riders included Dave Cullinan, Kim Sonier, Penny Davidson, Toby Henderson, Leigh Donovan, Pete Loncarevich and Sam Hill. Cullinan won the downhill world championship in 1992 and Sam Hill won the World Championships in 2007 and 2010.

Iron Horse filed for bankruptcy in early 2009. It owed US $5 million to creditors and patent holders.[1] Dorel Industries acquired Iron Horse for US $5.2 million on 15 July 2009,[2] having already acquired GT, Cannondale, Schwinn and Mongoose.[2]

mostly use it as a commute bike... very light for an alu bike, but pretty uncomfortable as well.

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Looks like a nice commute that.

Indeed! Where is that?

Sorry for the lack of updates. Life has been a bit hectic and I have'nt been round here much. Bike turned out okay tough. Currently it is my townie/commutter/bit of shopping and so on bike. Max clearance in the rear is 31c tyres, so I rather grab the MTB for offroading. Tried riding some Gravel stuff but the frameset is too much CX geo and clearances to make it wortwhile.

It was my first complete build and i really enjoyed it! A Lot more fun than buying any complete otp bike and i learned a ton.

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Best of All the ancient Mavic hoops took an 11 speed cassette and with 2 rounds of tape I could set them up tubeless with just a track pump.

In the future i will add mudgaurds and perhaps turn it ss