Claude Butler 'to do all'

So, have been watching a few videos on Youtube on gravel bikes and actually quite fancied one.

I didn't want to jump in at the deep end and buy a bike I won't use much, so thought i'd have a go at my own and see how I enjoy it.

Not really sure what the difference is between adventure bikes, touring bikes and gravel bikes are completely, but I like the idea of having a bike that can hold everything you'll need to eat, drink and repair the bike.

The idea is to build a 'go anywhere, do anything' bike that must meet these specs:

. Cheap
. Low maintenance/Easy to repair
. Pub bike
. Cycle to friends house, safe enough to be locked outside and not worry about it (theft, rain, snow)
. Keep me dry, especially my feet (mudguards)
. Cycle to the shops + bring back what I have purchased (carradice or panniers possibly)
. Weekend canal towpath riding (espeically winter mud!)
. Occasional road riding
. Take on the train to visit friends in London + general ride around London
. Be able to ride the bike in any footwear
. Fairly relaxed geometry, comfortable just to ride casually

I found this on Facebook marketplace for a whopping £50, and it said 'listed 10 minutes ago' - I messaged the seller the classic "Is this still available?" and picked the bike up 30 mins later.

Here it is...

Just quick pics from my phone, I'll get some better photos when I start changing things!

Plans:

. Fit 30c tyres. Guessing I can't go too much wider due to clearances if I have mudguards on, too?

https://www.merlincycles.com/schwalbe-g-one-allround-performance-raceguard-folding-gravel-tyre-700c-100498.html?utm_campaign=googlebase-GB&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shopping&utm_term=Cyclocross%2FGravel+Tyres&ucpo=187684&gclid=Cj0KCQjwx5qoBhDyARIsAPbMagBZfcOTjnIJSjfgkycvXUO0cQhQGBDvS8sbAWtMzB4wCVJF8ybr9UoaAjhhEALw_wcB

. Fit a longer stem, 100mm Cinelli (which I have)

. Mudguards - best to purchase after new tyres I'm guessing?

. Pump - already on the bike! Works perfectly but might give it a service

. Add water bottles cages. Bike currently has 2 holes, any creative ways to be able to hold 2 bottles?

. Find some way of being able to hold food + tools for the bike - something for the main triangle?

I enjoy threads such as yours i e when a forum member uses an existing bike for
a variety of riding. Anybody with the money can buy a gravel rocket. But to re purpose an existing frame takes imagination and patience. Good on yer. Looking forward to see how this works out.

If you want REALLY dry feet SKS longboard mudguards might be best and not to spendy. Only issue I could see is that they are so long they might catch on really rough sections of towpath. I used to have some before I went all in for mudguards and spend all the cash on PDWs, and they were great.

I often keep half an eye out for a CB for similar reasons.

. Fit 30c tyres

Are they definitely 700c? Wondering if an old CB would be 27". I which case you might be in luck clearance wise.

. Add water bottles cages. Bike currently has 2 holes, any creative ways to be able to hold 2 bottles?

First I'd work out why you want two bottles. If you need more water you can always keep it stored somewhere else then swap the bottles over. But you can get things called rivnuts which would allow you to add extra bottle bosses.

. Find some way of being able to hold food + tools for the bike - something for the main triangle?

Not very on trend, but for what you've described there I'd get a bar bag and a small saddle bag.

So I went into my LBS today and asked if they had any 700 x 30 tyres, and the chap working there said that would be too narrow for gravel?

I should be fine on towpaths on 30mm, right?

The chap in you LBS is wrong and obviously never tried rough stuff or underbiking. Something like a Schwalbe CX Comp 700x30c are as cheap as and have loads of tread, sure you won’t have the cushioning of a high volume tyre, but you won’t do a die. You’ll be a bit slower because you can’t just roll over everything like you can on a massively wide gravel tyre, but it’ll still be a fun ride and you’ll get to places you wouldn’t easily with a slick 25c tyre.
A bike’s a bike, ride it wherever you like. If you like where you end up, maybe splash for a more suitable bike, or don’t. You’ll still have fun either way.
Oh and nice bike, just have fun.

just have fun

This.

I toured on a carbon race bike with a 25mm rear tyre.

The best bike you have, etc.