Starting a new Bombtrack Hook EXT-C Build; components, groupset and wheel options input????

23 replies · 820 views

Rashad F
80 posts
#1Apr 10, 2021, 12:54 PMedited
Hi all, I am just getting started on this (frame arrived yesterday). Given that I have a dedicated road bike and MTB that I really enjoy, I am planning to go a little crazy with this build and may possibly run the good old SRAM Force AXS 1x Mullet setup. Right now, I am thinking 42T front ring and 11-50 or 11-52 in the rear (or something along those lines...) due to the climbing I contend with in Colorado. If I don't/can't do the SRAM Mullet thing, I am considering Campy Ekar. I will probably start with 650b wheels, but plan to eventually build up a 700cc wheelset too. I already have some WTB Venture 47 tires, so those will likely get thrown on this build too. I am in no rush to finish this and will probably take my time and do it right, God willing, due in part to budget restraints and the bike parts shortage we are all experiencing. Here's a little bit about the frame.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3PUKPWpYSE&feature=emb_imp_woyt

I would welcome some input on wheels and component groups. For wheels, I am currently looking closely at options from Hunt, FSA, Spinergy, Prime, and Zipp. I am open to other things you have tried and liked though, so share away. For my cockpit and seatpost, I am looking at options from FSA, PRO, Zipp, and Ritchey. I would appreciate recommendations on that stuff too if you have any. Thanks in advance and take care.
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Noonievut
165 posts
#2Apr 10, 2021, 4:34 PM
Sounds like a fun project. I hope you can get all the parts you want given the difficulties in sourcing parts.

Have you seen Dustin Klein's YouTube videos? He has the Bombtrack and it makes appearances here and there.

I had the Hook EXT steel and liked it. I'm sure you'll enjoy yours.

Regarding wheels, those Flo wheels that Guitar Ted talks about on the podcast sound good and may pair well with your bike. Or what about handbuilt wheels from a local wheel builder? Whatever you decide, if you end up getting a 2nd wheelset I love the idea of same hubs and similar cassettes, makes swapping easy.

Regarding bars, finding the right flare for you is a great feeling. That plus some comfy bar tape, possibly some gel pads underneath, take care of that contact point.
1
Aesch
63 posts
#3Apr 11, 2021, 5:55 AM
Loved ritchey parts for my Carbonda build. Would recommend them, vredestein tyres (if available in the USA for reasonable price).
Personally no fan of flo or hunt, spinergy would be my recommendation after a year of part-searching and reading up in prep for my project.
1
Rashad F
80 posts
#4Apr 11, 2021, 7:08 AM
Noonievut wrote:Sounds like a fun project. I hope you can get all the parts you want given the difficulties in sourcing parts.

Have you seen Dustin Klein's YouTube videos? He has the Bombtrack and it makes appearances here and there.

I had the Hook EXT steel and liked it. I'm sure you'll enjoy yours.

Regarding wheels, those Flo wheels that Guitar Ted talks about on the podcast sound good and may pair well with your bike. Or what about handbuilt wheels from a local wheel builder? Whatever you decide, if you end up getting a 2nd wheelset I love the idea of same hubs and similar cassettes, makes swapping easy.

Regarding bars, finding the right flare for you is a great feeling. That plus some comfy bar tape, possibly some gel pads underneath, take care of that contact point.

Thank you for the feedback, I sincerely appreciate it. Finding parts is definitely one of the biggest challenges right now. It's crazy how difficult it is to find stuff and how a number of shops can't even tell you when they will get inventory again. I have seen about three of DK's videos, which make me chuckle, and I saw his Bombtrack in one of them when I was researching the frame. I really don't think I am in the mood to go the handbuilt route, but will check out the Flo wheels too. I agree on multiple cassettes and easy swaps man, especially with the price for that convenience being relatively low. I have only tried one or two gravel specific handlebars thus far and would love to try more, but covid and inventory issues have made that difficult. All I know right now is that I don't love super wide drop bars or seriously wide flare. Just not my thing. Good stuff, thanks again.
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Rashad F
80 posts
#5Apr 11, 2021, 7:18 AM
Aesch wrote:Loved ritchey parts for my Carbonda build. Would recommend them, vredestein tyres (if available in the USA for reasonable price).
Personally no fan of flo or hunt, spinergy would be my recommendation after a year of part-searching and reading up in prep for my project.

Thank you for the input. Ritchey actually caught my eye for a number of potential parts for this build yesterday. I honestly had almost forgot about them for some reason. I will dig in there and give their stuff a second look for sure. I really like WTB and Maxxis for my offroad tires, but will take a peak at Vredestein. Spinergy is definitely on the list, but I would be interested in hearing more about the concerns you have (or bad experiences you've had) with Flo and Hunt. I keep hearing people rave about Hunt wheels, so I was kind of leaning in that direction honestly. They also now sponsor one of my favorite pro cycling teams. If there's a recurring problem there, I would appreciate hearing more about it.

https://us.huntbikewheels.com/blogs/news/hunt-to-partner-with-team-qhubeka-assos

Thanks again for sharing, useful info.
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Rashad F
80 posts
#6Apr 11, 2021, 7:20 AMedited
Whatever happened to wheel brands like Boyd and Reynolds? I remember they where big deals once upon a time and major players in that second tier behind the likes of Enve, Zipp, and Shimano, etc. Are they still making good stuff and making any waves in the gravel sector???
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TipTop
1 posts
#7Apr 12, 2021, 10:27 AM
Hi Rashad,

nice project. Will you build up from the frame shown in the sample video you've posted (I think model 2018-2020) or you bought a 2021 model where frame is a bit different?

Cheers, TT.
1
Rashad F
80 posts
#8Apr 12, 2021, 11:53 AM
TipTop wrote:Hi Rashad,

nice project. Will you build up from the frame shown in the sample video you've posted (I think model 2018-2020) or you bought a 2021 model where frame is a bit different?

Cheers, TT.

Thanks. It's the one in the video. I bought it on a closeout deal.
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Pipeliner
129 posts
#9Apr 12, 2021, 3:39 PMedited
I’ve got 3 sets of Hunt wheels, weigh 240. The 4 seasons gravel, carbon 30mm deep gravel and a 29er set for my fs mtb. They’ve been very good, I have only 1300mi on my carbon gravel wheels so time will tell. I have close to double that on the 4 seasons and haven’t touched em, are in need of truing now though. One word of warning, you pay import duty on anything over $900 from Britain and that really hurts the value. IIRC, I had a $100 duty fee on those carbons.

I just bought a set of BTLOS wheels for a fs mtn bike and I’m not sure you can beat them for value. You get to choose your hubs (I went with dts350 on this project) so you could probably upgrade to the light and excellent dts240 and still come in under $1k. Availability from China, hub shortages and shipping problems will no doubt cause you grief no matter what you decide on.

One more thing... get a Redshift stem. Worth the weight if you are going to ride gravel.

1
spinergypaul
148 posts
#10Apr 12, 2021, 4:31 PM
cool project. Let me know if you have any questions on Spinergy wheels. We build everything in our own factory so inventory hasn't been an issue like many who source from overseas facilities.
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Rashad F
80 posts
#11Apr 12, 2021, 6:45 PM
Thank you @Pipeliner and @spinergypaul, really helpful info. The Hunt sets I have been looking at are lightweight alloy stuff, and they are all under $900, but that's helpful to know, so thank you. Paul, Spinergy is right there in the mix, I just don't know as much about your wheels honestly, but I like the price and what I am seeing so far about your gravel sets. Can you please give me a little more insider intel on your GMAX 650b wheels and similar sets? How are they with wider tires like the WTB Venture 47s I have and how are they holding up durability wise? Any rider reviews you can direct me to? Availability is pretty big deal right now as all of us are saying, so if you have stuff in stock toward the end of this month, that could easily carry the day, just tell me how I can learn a bit more about how the wheels are performing out on the road/trail. Happy to rep some Spinergy like my guy Crit Whit if they are legit.
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spinergypaul
148 posts
#12Apr 12, 2021, 6:52 PM
Rashad,
thanks for considering us. The wheels are great with Wider tires. They have a 24 mm internal width. Ive been running some Pirelli 650 x 47s on my Ibis Hakka and a co worker just put some new 650 x50s! on his Evil. The wheels are super durable. Our PBO fiber spokes are 3 times stronger than steel and absorb vibration as well, Really the perfect solution for Gravel. We have the 2020 version on sale right now( $499 a set) and in stock( black spokes) 2021 are being built every day so any color you want is about a week out. You could almost get 2 sets of wheels for the $900 you are looking at with other brands. Let me know if you have any other questions. Garnett( Crit Whit) is supposed to come by and see the new offices this week!
1
Rashad F
80 posts
#13Apr 12, 2021, 7:00 PM
spinergypaul wrote:Rashad,
thanks for considering us. The wheels are great with Wider tires. They have a 24 mm internal width. Ive been running some Pirelli 650 x 47s on my Ibis Hakka and a co worker just put some new 650 x50s! on his Evil. The wheels are super durable. Our PBO fiber spokes are 3 times stronger than steel and absorb vibration as well, Really the perfect solution for Gravel. We have the 2020 version on sale right now( $499 a set) and in stock( black spokes) 2021 are being built every day so any color you want is about a week out. You could almost get 2 sets of wheels for the $900 you are looking at with other brands. Let me know if you have any other questions. Garnett( Crit Whit) is supposed to come by and see the new offices this week!

Sweet, you are officially in pole position my friend.
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spinergypaul
148 posts
#14Apr 12, 2021, 7:01 PM
Thad Sparrow is a guy who puts his wheels through the ringer, commuting, epic rides, cyclocross, gravel etc. Check out some of his recent ride reports. He can tell you all about Spinergy durability
https://www.facebook.com/thad.sparrow
1
p0is0n0ak
35 posts
#15Apr 13, 2021, 10:21 AM
I enthusiastically second your decision to run the Sram mullet drivetrain. I just converted my bike to the 10/52 with a 40 up front and it is amazing for the steep fireroads in Norcal. I am strongly considering a 42 up front as well.

I will also plug the Hope RX4 calipers. They bring MTB performance to the Gravel bike. It took them something like 3 months to arrive, but have been well worth the wait.

Also, while the Spinergy wheels look great-- I am considering a set as a second wheel set-- I would also encourage you to look at the Industry 9 UL 250s. They are spendy, but absolutely bombproof. I am 220 and ride my gravel bike like a mountain bike and they take everything I can dish out without a whimper.
1
Rashad F
80 posts
#16Apr 13, 2021, 11:05 AM
Thanks @p0is0n0ak, good stuff all around. I have my heart pretty set on the SRAM build for the reasons you outlined and others. Availability is pretty much the only thing that will force me in the Ekar direction instead I think. Wheels are next on the agenda, so I will definitely check out your recommendation. Thanks again. I am hoping to have this puppy built up in time for the Rad Dirt ride in southern Colorado. Anybody else doing that one? It's new.

https://www.velonews.com/events/the-grind-riding-the-rad-in-trinidad/
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p0is0n0ak
35 posts
#17Apr 13, 2021, 11:40 AM
Rashad wrote:Thanks @p0is0n0ak, good stuff all around. I have my heart pretty set on the SRAM build for the reasons you outlined and others. Availability is pretty much the only thing that will force me in the Ekar direction instead I think.

No problem. FWIW, I did the mullet conversion at the beginning of the month and had no issues sourcing the derailleur, cog set, or chain from jensonusa.com. Had them in 2 days. The Ratio kit took the longest since it has to come from England and it only took a week.

I am also intrigued by the RAD dirt. I might be ready to do the 90/5000 by October. I am planning on doing the Grinduro California in September.
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Rashad F
80 posts
#18Apr 13, 2021, 3:11 PMedited
Cool, I will check them out once I move to the groupset stage. I signed up for the 38 miler since I can't say for certain my bike will be done by then with everything going on right now. I will ride it on my mountain bike if I have to, but I have no interest in a 90 mile+ mountain bike ride so 38 miles it is lol. I really wish they had 50-60 miler to be honest.
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Rashad F
80 posts
#19Apr 13, 2021, 5:14 PM
I know this is a very personal thing, but I am also looking for recommendations on saddles. I used to have a Pro Stealth on my Domane when I had it and like that, so I am considering giving the Pro Stealth Offroad a try. Anybody ride that and/or have thoughts about it? I have a WTB Volt on my MTB and could easily talk myself into going that route on the Hook as well, but it feels a little chunky for a drop bar ride to me. Any others that you recommend checking out?

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p0is0n0ak
35 posts
#20Apr 13, 2021, 5:57 PM
I'm using the SQ Labs 611 active on both the mountain and gravel bikes and like it a lot. I recently did 70 miles with no soreness at all, FWIW.
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