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The process are going slow these days, doesn't have too much time for tinkering. Tried to restore the paint on the Gekko a bit, and installed the headset, fork and some other parts. Starting to look like something.

Need to lower the bars, and get some black grips.

As mentioned earlier, I'm looking to replace the CFR-696 with a modern steel frame. I think I'll sell the CFR-696 this spring and use the Cross-Check until I get my hands on a new frame. Playing with the idea of giving the Cross-Check some Squid inspired marble paint. It currently have a pearl beige powdercoat, which I'll keep as the baselayer, but need some ideas to fun colors to use for the marble effect. Camo colors? Blue and pink? Something else?

Always good with other’s opinions. I’ve tried a few different setups on the CFR696, and while most of them works fine, the bike have never felt too playful. Comparing the geo, I think the shorter wheelbase of SC might be the key.

@GoatandTricycle Beautiful Standert you have. Love their finishes, looks premium, like a bike equivalent to [your favorite German premium car producer].

@bur70n_ Nice, good to hear. I’ve the impression that they’re a cool brand. Their Groadinger UG seems to be spot on for my needs.

Fair point. The SC was a custom built frameset with a GRX group and quite nice Mavic wheels, so probably quite light. I’m riding on a CFR696 based build these days, which feels sluggish compared to the SC, even though it can’t weigh that much more.

Thank you for the suggestions! Standert or Stayer seems to have frames with quite nimble geometry, will look into them.

Looking to acquire a new gravel/all road bike in 2023, preferably some higher quality steel (not gas pipe tubing) or titanium. Had a Space Chicken a few years ago, but crashed it. Still missing its quick and nimble geo. Is there any good metal frames out there with similar geo?

Nearly done sourcing parts for the Gekko.

Got it a Troll fork. Decals started to deteriorate when cleaning the frame ... Not too happy with that, but I guess it will help keeping the thiefs away.

Some Mavic X221/Deore LX wheels and Holy Rollers rubber. Moto bars and BMX stem (dead heavy stuff). Rest of the parts will be from the parts bin.


Also found this Cannondale M900 frame that I had to get. DIY paint job by the previous owner (which is a shame, as it was originally purple). Love the finish of the welds and the frame it self tho'. Not sure what to do with it yet, perhaps repaint it and convince a friend that it’s the perfect adventure bike for her.

An unused pair of Magura HS11 hydro rim brakes showed up on my front door this morning. Someone sold them for cheap, so I thought “why not?”. Will be put on the Gekko.

Yeah, the Barnacle is a lovely fork, but I think it’s 400 mm A2C might be too short, messing with the Gekko’s geo.

Love the paint job! I might have missed it somewhere, but what’s the story behind the frame?

Both the Gekko and the Marin is in my hands now, but the Kona got away. That’s fine tho’, I’ll just build up the Gekko as a functional beater.

So now I need some forks. There is next to none information about the Gekko available on the web, but the seller told it had a 100 mm travel fork when he got it.

The front is a bit lower than the Marin, which was designed around 80 to 100 mm travel, so I guess the Gekko was originally made for 60 to 80 mm forks. It will probably need a rigid fork in the ballpark of 420 mm to 440 mm A2C. Any suggestions for cheap, decent fork with rim brake studs? The On-One 26er fork looks cool, but lacks mounts for racks and fenders, which is a bummer.

For the Marin, I think the Ogre (447 mm A2C) or Soma CrMo (457 mm A2C) forks may get the job done.

The colour is popping more IRL.

Not sure if I love the decals or if it should get a respray and retro style decals.

Interesting triangular tubing.

Will strongly consider it for the next season, unless I happen to find the perfect metal frame for cheap this winter. The 8Bar Mitte v2 is interesting, but I think I would like some fancier tubing than generic CrMo.

The Space Chicken it replaced was a bit more aggressive and fun to ride. Miss that feeling. Also, even though carbon is quite robust, it doesn’t give the same peace of mind that metals do when bringing the bike on trains, buses, planes, etc. Therefore I’m looking for a more aggressive steel/titan all-road frame.

Here is also the current fleet. Playing with the idea of moving the groupset from the CFR696 to the Cross-Check, sell the CFR696 and save up for some high quality steel or titanium all-road frame. Good or stupid idea?

Thanks! The pictures got deleted for some reason, but I think I’ve got it right now.

I picked up the Gekko prior to the weekend, the Marin is on its way and I’m sorting out the last details regarding the Kona. Will probably have more than enough to tinker with during the winter.

Too good!

Three years have passed since the last post ... Damn the pandemic.

So something has been going on since last time. The Cross-Check have been through a few more iterations, including a proper powder coat. The CdA is gone. I've bought, built and crashed an On-One Space Chicken, which got replaced with an open mould CFR696.

Current fleet is consisting of the Cross-Check in some kind of touring/dog hauling setup and the CFR696 in an all-road setup. This is obviously not enough, so now I'm in the process of acquiring up to three different "functional bike" projects:

A Kona Pahoehoe 1998, to build up as a beater with a huge rack, 1x8 drivetrain and so on:

A Marin Pine Mountain 2004. Steel 26er with disc tabs. Fitted with a Troll fork it will probably do well as an on-/off-road touring and dog hauling bike. Replacing the CC, which I realize isn't the best choice for such use:

And a Gekko Garrulus 1996, from some local in-house brand. It looks great and have Ritchey dropouts, so might be a cool project:

With dirt drops I personally don’t think a 35 degrees stem look too bad. It’s a part of the whole package, so wouldn’t worry about it.

Mid tour. Ended up taking most of the cargo for my gf, but the bike is performing well fully loaded.

The Surly's completed. Took some pictures before I put on ugly Biltema mudguards and rack. Going touring tomorrow!

Cool that they actually give it a refresh, but prefer the look of my older CDA frame. Straight tubing is for steel and titanium.

Yeah, I should maybe have put in the anti porn thread.

I think a traditional touring setup would’ve been simpler in all manners. But off course, if they’re happy …

Peak bikepacking?

Getting there …

The result of the Hammerite was decent, didn't get full hammered effect tho'. Would probably have been better if I painted one more coat, but okay for now.

Surly's back from modification! A little disappointed that it didn't get an adjustable brake mount, but have never changed the position of the rear wheel anyway. Will start painting it today, with silver Hammerite heavily inspired by @psee 's project. Ultimately I wanted desert tan powder coat, but due to an upcoming tour, I have neither time or funds to get it done.