I enjoy rim brake setups... recently restored a Trek flatbar hybrid, converted to drops with claris groupset and TRP mini v brakes. Not sure if it's a gravel bike or CX bike, but what I do know is that I enjoy riding it and no longer got the itch to buy a newish gravel bike. Greetings from South Africa 🇿🇦👊
I saw one of these up for a shockingly low price last week. I hesitated though and some lucky soul got to have her. Now this has become one of my dream bikes
I ride a 2011 Ridley X-Fire converted to SRAM Force 1x10 drivetrain. Kept the Avid Shorty Ultimate cantilever brakes…the wheels are Fulcrum Racing 7’s and she is a beast. Most fun on gravel I ever thought possible. Love your “Huffy”….sweet ride. Well done!
To me that’s a beautiful bike, I love old school bikes & am looking for something similar to get back on gravel on a budget. I love & have high end bikes but refuse to spend 3 or 4 grand on a Carbon gravel bike, very nice & no BS, straight to the point, stay safe my friend!
I get more excited about builds like this than the "new hotness" as it mirrors my own stable (I still like the new stuff). I have a rim brake Carver CX bike and Lemond Poprads (yes, plural) that are mainstays in my small fleet. Great review as usual.
@@GravelCyclist The Carver is bead blasted with rim brakes and curved seat stays right at the brake bosses. Bought it second hand from the original owner and it was the first that I'd seen in the wild as well. It just rides so nice! Somehow Poprads keep following me home. Lol. My current two are...were.... both canti, but I had the 05' converted to disc and will complete the build over the winter. Now if I could only find more time to ride....
Thanks Alan! I rode this very bike last night during our spirited Tuesday evening mixed-surface "winter" rides. 82F today in this part of NorFLA, not too winter.
I also have a Litespeed Appalachian that I used for gravel riding for many year before buying my current Parlee. Mine must be a bit older because I have a 1 inch steer tube which make the fork option limited. Currently build up as a single speed townie.
I build up an older cantilever CAADX as a gravel bike a few years back. A few issues I encountered: 1. Higher bottom bracket than is usual these days. This affected my confidence on descents and the overall stability of the bike. 2. Straight 1 1/8 headtube. It was hard to find a high quality, full carbon, fork. If I ever needed to replace my fork, I knew it would be almost impossible. 3. Tire clearance. If I ever wanted to go bigger than 700x38c, I'd be in trouble. 650b was obviously not an option.
I “learned” to ride gravel on a cyclocross bike and am glad I did. Compared to my new gravel bike the CX is stiffer, harsher, more nervous. Tire size is probably responsible for most of the difference, CX usually cant fit anything bigger than 38 or 40mm. Frame design and construction also play a big role, especially with carbon fiber, towards how the ride feels. I was surprised to find out that “controls”: handlebars, brake/shift levers, also affect significantly how adroitly the bike can be handled. The Gravel bike allowed me to traverse anything gnarly with much more aplomb and confidence, and everything with lots more comfort. I will keep the CX for the asphalt, country road, and the occasional trail use for comparison and variety. For recreational use, I would advise getting the Economically equipped carbon fiber version of whatever manufacturer is preferred, that fits at least 45mm tires, which is most of them nowadays.
Love this video! My first gravel bike was one I converted a titanium lite speed road bike. I could barely fit 28’s on it. I put a single 40t up front with a 12/36 cassette on the rear. Also added a Redshift suspension stem. It was a little sketchy but it done the job. I wish I wouldn’t have sold it. Today I have a trek Checkpoint which I absolutely love! Love your videos! I am curious about 10sp electronic shifting. May look into buying a used set for my steel Trek 460.
The original Dura-Ace Di2 is 10-speed, but has a very different wiring system from the current eTube run by Shimano nowadays. The first generation Ultegra Di2 supports eTube, you can find parts mostly on eBay nowadays, but the rear derailleurs in nice condition are $$$. I stockpiled parts before they went berserk with prices :)
I’m conflicted on a bike purchase for more gravel oriented riding. On the one hand I’m not so confident in the longevity of the carbon bikes, actually like steel framed bikes, and do not mind buying vintage. On the other hand though most steel framed bikes, with the exception of older mountain bikes, don’t allow for the wider tires I would want on a gravel bike. I’m still looking though. 😀
12 x25 wow that's built for pure speed no gaps. Climbing would be hell but in the flats it can't be beat it's a true huffy going up hills as you try to suck in air on a 12% grade ( huff huff) 😆
Gorgeous bicycle! Well thought out. Love the center-pull. Classic Ritchey WCS. Cranks and hub selection are sublime. It all does really work. Love it all! Your branding the bike Huffy reminds me of the Golden Age of American Cycling. When iconic talented Team 7-11 branded their bikes with Huffy name. Huffy more prominent bike builder. Ben Serotta built these steel by True Temper beauties. Wiki tells a sad story of how the importation of cheaply made bicycles decimated US bicycle building companies. But that’s a whole other story. We’ll keep it happy here. Noice work here JOM.
Hi there, bike size is spot on, although I do prefer riding the smallest frame I can get away with. Hopefully you saw the scene of me riding the bike at nighttime.
That frame isn't quite as old as you think. I have one from 99 that has been my main race bike for the last 23 seasons of cyclocross. It was a year or 2 after I got mine that a teammate ordered one and found that the frame geometry had changed and MTB hub spacing had become standard for some reason. It turned out that they stopped making the BlueRidge (touring bike) and tried to make one bike (still called the Appalachian) to serve both purposes. It stayed that way right through the time that the Lynskys sold the company a few years later.
No, you don't need the latest. But, I can attest that once you ride in a damp and muddy race with steep descents and sharp corners at the bottom of those descents, you WILL wish for disc brakes. And you will need to ditch your shorts because the shammy will never come clean again.
Hello. I talked about how I updated this bike in 2011, and finally, a later model crank from Rotor from 2017 / 2018. All of these updates were made long before any of the current supply chain issues. Regarding review bikes, I am very fortunate to have access to parts and bikes before much of the public can procure them. The same applies to other entities doing media / bike reviews, etc. Thank you.
I enjoy rim brake setups... recently restored a Trek flatbar hybrid, converted to drops with claris groupset and TRP mini v brakes. Not sure if it's a gravel bike or CX bike, but what I do know is that I enjoy riding it and no longer got the itch to buy a newish gravel bike. Greetings from South Africa 🇿🇦👊
I saw one of these up for a shockingly low price last week. I hesitated though and some lucky soul got to have her. Now this has become one of my dream bikes
I ride a 2011 Ridley X-Fire converted to SRAM Force 1x10 drivetrain. Kept the Avid Shorty Ultimate cantilever brakes…the wheels are Fulcrum Racing 7’s and she is a beast. Most fun on gravel I ever thought possible. Love your “Huffy”….sweet ride. Well done!
To me that’s a beautiful bike, I love old school bikes & am looking for something similar to get back on gravel on a budget. I love & have high end bikes but refuse to spend 3 or 4 grand on a Carbon gravel bike, very nice & no BS, straight to the point, stay safe my friend!
I get more excited about builds like this than the "new hotness" as it mirrors my own stable (I still like the new stuff). I have a rim brake Carver CX bike and Lemond Poprads (yes, plural) that are mainstays in my small fleet. Great review as usual.
Thanks Artie. Never seen a Carver in person, and the Poprad, killer CX bike, and an early adopter of disc brakes.
@@GravelCyclist The Carver is bead blasted with rim brakes and curved seat stays right at the brake bosses. Bought it second hand from the original owner and it was the first that I'd seen in the wild as well. It just rides so nice!
Somehow Poprads keep following me home. Lol. My current two are...were.... both canti, but I had the 05' converted to disc and will complete the build over the winter. Now if I could only find more time to ride....
Kestrel was in Watsonville, just south of Santa Cruz. I worked in the same industrial complex as where they were headquartered.
Thanks! That was the town name I was trying to remember.
Nice bike. I remember when team 7Eleven rode "Huffy" race bikes but they were actually custom built by Serotta.
Excellent! One of your more interesting bike overviews.
Thanks Alan! I rode this very bike last night during our spirited Tuesday evening mixed-surface "winter" rides. 82F today in this part of NorFLA, not too winter.
I also have a Litespeed Appalachian that I used for gravel riding for many year before buying my current Parlee. Mine must be a bit older because I have a 1 inch steer tube which make the fork option limited. Currently build up as a single speed townie.
Your Appalachian and your Break-Away Ti Ritchey are my two favorites.
Thanks Robert!
I build up an older cantilever CAADX as a gravel bike a few years back. A few issues I encountered:
1. Higher bottom bracket than is usual these days. This affected my confidence on descents and the overall stability of the bike.
2. Straight 1 1/8 headtube. It was hard to find a high quality, full carbon, fork. If I ever needed to replace my fork, I knew it would be almost impossible.
3. Tire clearance. If I ever wanted to go bigger than 700x38c, I'd be in trouble. 650b was obviously not an option.
I “learned” to ride gravel on a cyclocross bike and am glad I did. Compared to my new gravel bike the CX is stiffer, harsher, more nervous. Tire size is probably responsible for most of the difference, CX usually cant fit anything bigger than 38 or 40mm. Frame design and construction also play a big role, especially with carbon fiber, towards how the ride feels. I was surprised to find out that “controls”: handlebars, brake/shift levers, also affect significantly how adroitly the bike can be handled. The Gravel bike allowed me to traverse anything gnarly with much more aplomb and confidence, and everything with lots more comfort. I will keep the CX for the asphalt, country road, and the occasional trail use for comparison and variety.
For recreational use, I would advise getting the Economically equipped carbon fiber version of whatever manufacturer is preferred, that fits at least 45mm tires, which is most of them nowadays.
Very nice bike Jom. Heading down to Miami Beach for Xmas for some sun. All the best for the new year
Thanks mate!
Love this video! My first gravel bike was one I converted a titanium lite speed road bike. I could barely fit 28’s on it. I put a single 40t up front with a 12/36 cassette on the rear. Also added a Redshift suspension stem. It was a little sketchy but it done the job. I wish I wouldn’t have sold it. Today I have a trek Checkpoint which I absolutely love! Love your videos! I am curious about 10sp electronic shifting. May look into buying a used set for my steel Trek 460.
The original Dura-Ace Di2 is 10-speed, but has a very different wiring system from the current eTube run by Shimano nowadays. The first generation Ultegra Di2 supports eTube, you can find parts mostly on eBay nowadays, but the rear derailleurs in nice condition are $$$. I stockpiled parts before they went berserk with prices :)
Love this
Another great video. Thanks!
Thanks!
I’m conflicted on a bike purchase for more gravel oriented riding. On the one hand I’m not so confident in the longevity of the carbon bikes, actually like steel framed bikes, and do not mind buying vintage. On the other hand though most steel framed bikes, with the exception of older mountain bikes, don’t allow for the wider tires I would want on a gravel bike. I’m still looking though. 😀
lovely bike!
Dudes have forgotten that it’s all about the motor not the machine!
12 x25 wow that's built for pure speed no gaps. Climbing would be hell but in the flats it can't be beat it's a true huffy going up hills as you try to suck in air on a 12% grade ( huff huff) 😆
Gorgeous bicycle! Well thought out. Love the center-pull. Classic Ritchey WCS. Cranks and hub selection are sublime. It all does really work. Love it all! Your branding the bike Huffy reminds me of the Golden Age of American Cycling. When iconic talented Team 7-11 branded their bikes with Huffy name. Huffy more prominent bike builder. Ben Serotta built these steel by True Temper beauties. Wiki tells a sad story of how the importation of cheaply made bicycles decimated US bicycle building companies. But that’s a whole other story. We’ll keep it happy here. Noice work here JOM.
Many thanks!
Love it too.
Super nice!!! How much does it weigt?
I can fit WTB Resolute 700x42 on my 2007 Redline CX bike and can't seem to make the jump to a gravel bike. At 17.4 lbs it rides so quick.
Nice! I enjoyed my Redline while I had it.
Best video yet! Thanks mate. From a fellow kiwi ;)
Thanks mate. Been far too long since I visited the land across the Tasman. Effin Covid is making mince meat of my travel plans these past two years :(
Is that frame too small for you, Jom? Or are you all leg and short torso? Just curious
Hi there, bike size is spot on, although I do prefer riding the smallest frame I can get away with. Hopefully you saw the scene of me riding the bike at nighttime.
That frame isn't quite as old as you think. I have one from 99 that has been my main race bike for the last 23 seasons of cyclocross. It was a year or 2 after I got mine that a teammate ordered one and found that the frame geometry had changed and MTB hub spacing had become standard for some reason. It turned out that they stopped making the BlueRidge (touring bike) and tried to make one bike (still called the Appalachian) to serve both purposes. It stayed that way right through the time that the Lynskys sold the company a few years later.
No, you don't need the latest. But, I can attest that once you ride in a damp and muddy race with steep descents and sharp corners at the bottom of those descents, you WILL wish for disc brakes. And you will need to ditch your shorts because the shammy will never come clean again.
Good thing I have other bikes for those purposes :)
So, please, stop to talk about the ultimate bike or gear you receive. We, your followers, do not have any chance to update like you.
Hello. I talked about how I updated this bike in 2011, and finally, a later model crank from Rotor from 2017 / 2018. All of these updates were made long before any of the current supply chain issues. Regarding review bikes, I am very fortunate to have access to parts and bikes before much of the public can procure them. The same applies to other entities doing media / bike reviews, etc. Thank you.