Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

Bike is winning!
Very fun mix of modern and classic, but for me the best part is the classic fit/geometry in combination with the fat fork and headtube.

Thanks, that’s exactly what I was going for.

You can get a Nitto Mark’s rack or a Nitto made Obento in black. If you want it to reach the drop outs you can get longer stays.

My girlfriends frame cracked after the hanger bolt didn't sheer . They where very accommodating even though the fault was 50/50. A new frame bb and s works cranks came a few weeks later for a few hundred quid.

are there any pizza racks that will fit an arkose?

Are they 650b in a 26 frame?

Makes me miss my midnight special even more. Enjoy it!

Very good, love it!

Keep an eyes out for Suntour Retrofriction shifters, they offer amazing feedback which is very handy when riding on loose surface.

I find downtube shifter easier off road as having bar end shifter is a little tricky when the bar is moving.

I have a pair of Simplex Retrofriction shifters but didn’t use them as they need a gear cable with a very small cable-end that I didn’t have. So went with the Dia Compe ENE micro-ratchet shifters.

I may try the Simplex shifters in the future out of curiosity but I’m not sure I’ll want to give up the micro-ratchet. It feels and sounds lovely.

Nice build! Been toying with buying one. Have a very similar set of parts lying round.

but didn’t use them as they need a gear cable with a very small cable-end.

Campag/SRAM basically (or a Clark/universal one from any shop).

Shimano is the only one with a slightly larger end.

Thanks!

The Dia Compe is pretty much the best modern one you can get, until the Simplex, hence my recommendation.

Very nice built. Well done.

I had Suntour Retrofiction levers fitted to my touring bike in 84-87.. Yes, they had a lovely feel.
I think I have a band on set in a box somewhere as well as some Suntour mechs of the same vintage.

They feel a lots better with a modern derailleur I have found (much lighter action).

Simplex Retrofriction were a common upgrade from Campag record in the early 70s due to smoother and lighter action (true as well, not a myth) although to keep sponsors happy in the pro ranks they often disguised it by using the rubber Campag covers

It also does not require constant tightening that the Campag tend to do.

I mod my Retrofriction with an Allen bolt so I can experiment with torque setting and see what the lowest I can go without it coming loose.

The Campag weren’t great to use and I always like to break the tyranny of the groupset, even better when it can be justified by superior function

You’re both really making me want to try my Retrofriction shifters now over my micro-ratchet!

Used retro friction with my Campy Triomphe group cos the original shifters were totally pants.

Everything comes back sooner or later.

Sounds like we are returning to 80s tourers ( Claude Butler Majestics , Holdsworths etc) with double chainsets. The standard issue back then was an SR 50/32 up front with a 30/32 5 speed on the back.

The centre pull revival is coming!

Decathlon Gravel Bike

They have introduced a new gravel bike based on the RC 120 frame.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rc-120-gravel-disc-road-bike-id_8575940.html

Selling for under £500.

What reviews that there are come from France. The reviewers like the bike but are unimpressed by the wheels and tyres.

Nah, retrofriction are terrible. I will do the noble thing and buy them off you to avoid temptation and resulting disappointment ;)