https://www.bikeforums.net/ en Wed, 10 Jun 2026 02:01:44 GMT vBulletin 60 https://www.bikeforums.net/images/misc/rss.jpg https://www.bikeforums.net/ https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocross-gravelbiking-recreational/1321363-salsa-journeyer.html Sat, 06 Jun 2026 16:08:47 GMT My cousin bought a Salsa Journeyer he is new to gravel biking. The adventures begin. Solid high end entry level we are not racing just getting exercising. I cruised it around and liked it first time riding with no front derailleur. Just don’t wreck it lol.



https://www.salsacycles.com/products...r-cues-11-700c ]]> Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational) Hondo Gravel https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocross-gravelbiking-recreational/1321363-salsa-journeyer.html https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocross-gravelbiking-recreational/1321186-unbound-200-2026-good-times.html Sat, 30 May 2026 11:10:56 GMT It’s about to start. 20 min out. I am sag crew for my brother this year. Pics and vid to follow. We missed the pro start but made it in time for a good spot. Weather is perfect. It rained last night just enough to kill the dust but not enough to make it a mud fest. Image: Image: Image: It’s about to start. 20 min out. I am sag crew for my brother this year. Pics and vid to follow. We missed the pro start but made it in time for a good spot. Weather is perfect. It rained last night just enough to kill the dust but not enough to make it a mud fest.





]]> Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational) Hill160881 https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocross-gravelbiking-recreational/1321186-unbound-200-2026-good-times.html https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocross-gravelbiking-recreational/1320888-titanium-chainring-bolts-worth-just-expensive-bling.html Mon, 18 May 2026 02:50:10 GMT Hey all,

I'm currently rebuilding my 2x road crankset and replacing some older, slightly rounded chainring bolts. I’m torn between going with standard 7075-T6 aluminum, high-quality steel, or just biting the bullet and getting a set of Grade 5 titanium bolts.

On paper, Ti sounds like the ultimate compromise—nearly the same strength as steel but around 40-45% lighter, and it won't rust out from winter road grime or indoor trainer sweat. Plus, they don't strip as easily as aluminum if you have to swap rings frequently.

But at $25 to $45 a set, I'm wondering if they are actually a practical mechanical upgrade or just pure "weight-weenie" placebo effect.

For those who have run titanium chainring bolts over the long haul:

• Did you notice a real difference in thread durability/serviceability over aluminum?
  
• Do they actually hold torque better and stay quiet, or are they prone to the dreaded drivetrain creaking?
  
• Is the risk of galling a massive pain in the ass if you're threading them into an aluminum spider?
  

I'm aiming for a "set-and-forget" setup that survives wet weather without seizing. If anyone has experience with custom CNC'd titanium hardware or just standard aftermarket Ti kits, let me know if they’re worth the premium or if I should just stick to a solid set of steel or aluminum bolts and spend the saved cash on tires.

Cheers! ]]> Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational) fionahuang https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocross-gravelbiking-recreational/1320888-titanium-chainring-bolts-worth-just-expensive-bling.html https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocross-gravelbiking-recreational/1320764-van-rysel-v50-wheelset.html Wed, 13 May 2026 08:29:37 GMT In early April, I swapped the 650b aluminum wheelset with 47c Terreno Dry tires on the Rondo Mutt for a set of Van Rysel 50mm deep carbon wheels and rode approximately 1,500 kilometers. My first impressions were very positive; the bike feels livelier, significantly faster, and it's easier to maintain higher cadences. I rode on standard roads and usual hills, where the bike climbed much better, as well as groomed gravel paths (the champagne type) and raced in a couple of time trials.

These wheels offer a great balance; the price is reasonable at £800, which is less than comparable options from Hunt, ICAN, and Elite. Various reviews suggest similar performance to the previous Zipp 303 models, but at two-thirds the price.
I could have gone with Hunt again, but I opted for hooked rims to avoid being limited by tire options. My current mixed-terrain CX wheelset features 35mm Hunt hookless rims, which do not properly accommodate Vittoria CX tires. I’m currently running Schwalbe Xone-R tires, which perform well on grass, sand, and moist mud, but struggle in deep, gooey mud.
I was also interested in ICAN but had concerns about parts availability. The Van Rysel wheels from Decathlon use standard DT Swiss hubs, which tend to be stocked by many local bike shops. I easily swapped the 18-tooth ratchet for a 36-tooth one because of the versatility of DT Swiss components.

I’m already planning to get a set of 35mm deep wheels to fit my CX mud tires since my daughter has taken my mud wheelset. For dry days, I will use Hunt 35 wheels with a 10-46 cassette, and for wet days, I’ll use the Van Rysel 35 wheels with an 11-46 cassette. ]]> Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational) Fentuz https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocross-gravelbiking-recreational/1320764-van-rysel-v50-wheelset.html https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocross-gravelbiking-recreational/1320756-25-jamis-renegade-s1-build.html Tue, 12 May 2026 21:40:08 GMT After building up a rim brake Cannondale Synapse and getting caught in the rain several times, I decided to build a drop bar bike with discs that would allow for comfortable long days in the saddle. Did some research and found myself eyeing the S1 frameset only to discovering they were sold out... After building up a rim brake Cannondale Synapse and getting caught in the rain several times, I decided to build a drop bar bike with discs that would allow for comfortable long days in the saddle. Did some research and found myself eyeing the S1 frameset only to discovering they were sold out last fall. I looked at other options including the Renegade S2 but resisted the impulse. While scouring evilBay for other bike parts I did a search and found a S1 frameset and in my size. I added to my watch list and waited to see if there would be a price drop or for the seller to send a discount offer. Three days before the auction was up I received a discount offer and I purchased the frameset. Description said it was built and briefly used but too small for the seller and was in like new condition. Perfect option for me.

The original build plan has morphed into what you see in the thread. Here is the plan as of May 2026 with some items up for debate.

• 2x11 GRX 810 front and rear deraillers and Shimano 11-34 cassette (Sunshine 11-36 also under consideration) / Shimano Chain
• Selle Anatomica R1 Saddle
• Wheels Mfg T47 Shimano BB
• Velocity Cliffhanger wheelset (bombproof surprisingly light for what they are)/Ultegra rotors
• Panaracer GravelKing SS+ 700cx45 tires and Kenda tubes
• Black Shimano EF202 flat pedals

Still needed items:

• Bars/Stem/Seatpost (leaning towards silver Ritchey drops and silver Thomson Stem/setpost unless used shows up)
• GRX shifters/brakes OR Microshift Centos 11 shifters/Mechanical Growtac Mechanical brakes
• GRX600 46/30 165mm crank
• Cannondale KnurlTack bar tape
• Jagwire cables/housing (probably will go with silver)

Auction pics from the other thread:






]]> Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational) Trav1s https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocross-gravelbiking-recreational/1320756-25-jamis-renegade-s1-build.html https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocross-gravelbiking-recreational/1320752-new-frame-day-soma-wolverine.html Tue, 12 May 2026 20:38:24 GMT Soma Wolverine and State Carbon Monster Gravel v2

It was a bit of an impulse buy late one night, on sale at modern bike. I have some parts I'll pull off other bikes and some stuff I'll have to buy new. It's going to get some flat bars, and probably a 1x9 or 1x10 Microshift Advent (X).

I was going to do all the work myself, but after reading Soma's frame prep guidelines, I'll prob take it into a shop to get headset and bottom bracket installed before I do anything else.


]]> Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational) striker_dj https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocross-gravelbiking-recreational/1320752-new-frame-day-soma-wolverine.html