component choices for upcoming gravel road bike build

  1. longslowdistance

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    Upscale gravel road bike build is in my near future. Will run 2 x 10 with low gears. Bike will be used to spin up and coast down the blue ridge mountains on gravel and paved roads. I already have a lot of the parts, including XO derailleurs, but I would be grateful for your advice on crank and brifter choices.

    Crank: 170mm double with low gears. Thinking SRAM S1400 vs Shimano SLX or XT.

    Brifters: Thinking SRAM rival based on compatibility with the XO derailleurs and what sound like pretty good reviews. Sound reasonable?

    Posted 5 months ago

  2. CB2

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    I like Sram in the rear (that didn't sound right), but up front nothing shifts better than Shimano. I don't know if Rival shifters are compatible w/ a Shimano fr derailleur, but if you went with SLX, XT, or CX70 cranks you'd have the benefit of the Shimano rings.

    Jam Econo
    Posted 5 months ago

  3. KidWok

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    I had a friend that used SRAM mtn derailleurs with Red shifters and he said it worked well...allowed him to use a 11-36 with a compact crank.

    I built a rocky road bike earlier this year and went with more of a road build because my commuter is effectively a gravel bike with super low gears. Running a compact crank and 12-27 in the back. As long as I am not carrying a lot of stuff, it works out fine.

    Tai

    http://www.thepeoplescoastclassic.org/
    Posted 5 months ago

  4. watermoccasin

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    How steep of climbs do you anticipate? I run a 36/46 x 12x25 and it works for about every place I ride. If I were carrying gear or for an extended ride 12x27/28 would be the next choice.

    Thread drift, Tai every time you post that bike the Gulf GT-40's pop into my baby-boomer brain. Great paint layout.

    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0vQee8oZXq8/TUJj2vCEtWI/AAAAAAAAXC8/CZ6D9svm9S4/s1600/Ford+GT+40+Gulf+Special+edition.jpg

    Posted 5 months ago

  5. longslowdistance

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    ratio-wise, mtb low. Works for me. But not asking about gear ratios, just inquiring about any experience or other knowledge about those components. Hope the thread doesn't drift to supercars, but that would be better than another doping thread.

    Posted 5 months ago

  6. vtguy

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    I have a Cdale SuperX with Ultegra 34/46 in the front and XT 12/36 in the rear. That's plenty to get over just about anything in the hilly area where I live. I know several local riders who have similar setups and all seem satisfied. Have fun with your new bike!

    Posted 5 months ago

  7. Gonzo Cyclist

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    just built this up, Ciocc cross bike, FSA Cantilevers, CX70 crank, and front d, but the rest is all Ultegra 10spd, IRD CrossFire 32's, Ritchey C260 alloy stem, very light, carbon seatpost, Ritchey Streem saddle awesome snow tire, maiden voyage last night in a blizzard, that was fun
    came in at just under 17lbs, I built it for durability 1st, the weight was by accident!
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    Posted 5 months ago

  8. Gonzo Cyclist

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    tried to post this under it's own subject line, but will not work for some reason, here's another shot, more pics to follow
    Photobucket
    Have fun, these are great projects, Kidwoks bike is one of the coolest I have seen in quite some time

    Posted 5 months ago

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