I just looked and can say I am stunned (unless I am missing something) that there isn't more talk about the infamous $100 Nashbar CX frames as viable build platforms for low budget gravel bikes.
So I found a few pics of mine. I think I spent around $350/tops on this, including the frame and lots of patience through Ebay auctions. I got the monster Empella carbon fork for $30 or something crazy as a take-off. I love it and its great on gravel.
Build one with parts I had and parts I found on the internet. Have used it on a couple of gravel grinders worked great. Really fun to ride, use it for my winter bike on bike paths and gravel roads. Have had 40's on it now using 35 touring type tires. In no hurry to switch back to my regular road bike till summer. Always fun to ride something you've put together yourself. Then again I'm no speedster (age 62) just like to ride
Regarding the tire clearance, I run 38mm Kenda Cross Supremes on mine and there is PLENTY of clearance for tons of mud and crud. The Cross Supremes are pretty chunky tires. If you look at my pics, you can kind of see how much clearance I have.
Nashbar is having a crazy sale right now--they have these often--"Take 20 Percent Off and get Free Shipping on orders of $49+"...so you could get this for REALLY cheap with free shipping if you order soon.
From a reviewer on the site--I don't have the fork, but apparently there is plenty of clearance there too. "There is a ton of tire clearance on both the frame and fork. I'm using 700x38 and it looks like you could go quite a bit larger. I went with 38mm tires to keep the weight manageable and they seem to be a good compromise between road sportiness and gravel stability."
Oldrider wrote:Build one with parts I had and parts I found on the internet. Have used it on a couple of gravel grinders worked great. Really fun to ride, use it for my winter bike on bike paths and gravel roads. Have had 40's on it now using 35 touring type tires. In no hurry to switch back to my regular road bike till summer. Always fun to ride something you've put together yourself. Then again I'm no speedster (age 62) just like to ride
The bike looks great Mr. Old Rider. You did a really good job building it. For a 62 years old, you ride strong.
