STBO Gravelina

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Wildcat

Wildcat

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Joined
Jan 21, 2009
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Location
Zambales, Philippines
This is the frame I was going to use way back when before the build off, and thought it didn't qualify as a step thru. But it does, so I'm reverting back to my original plan to make this a gravel bike. That's where the name comes from.
It's probably a 1987 Mixte frame, Nishiki or a copy, maybe a Miyata. It's one of the scrap never used frames from my haul back in 2015. The rear was bent due to being at the bottom of a pile of metal, but was easy to straighten out. It should be a rugged gravel bike when finished.
236127-09-Jun-23-mixte-frame.jpg


It has seen several configurations.
239152-01-Jul-23-mixte4.jpg


This is the latest, the frame will get a makeover but probably still be bare metal. The lugs will get a different color.
05 aug b.jpg
303418124_10159949770726737_3269456934158681447_n.jpg


700C wheels fit, so that's where I will start, by stealing back the wheels from my other build, Mamachari. I've got a good 26" wheelset for that bike.
10 Sep 24.jpg

276705-27-Mar-24-d.jpg

The Sturmey Archer kickback with coaster brake is the heaviest part of the bike but it's what will make it good for offroad. Tires are 38mm, about 1.75 inches. I'm going to start swapping parts and wheels this morning.
 
I used the fork from the other bike . The bike has a shorter wheelbase which is good.
11 Sep mockup.jpg

I added a crankset I bought a few months ago with a 36 tooth chain wheel. The crank arms are thick and I'm using bear claw pedals. I'm trying to make it as beefy looking as possible even though the tires are only 38mm. The gear inches are 45 and 62 with this setup of 26/22. That might be just right. I added a heavy duty kickstand also. Just a chain and new set of handlebars and I'll be ready to ride.
 
Got the new bars last night. Just as light as the others but more suitable for a gravel bike. For 7 bucks I'm getting more of them.
12 Sep ride bars.jpg


Went for a test ride as the sun finally came out. I also tested two other bikes but it turned into a sauna by 9am. My t shirt is stuck to me.

The gears shifted fine, and it rides great, the gear ratios work for me. The ride is harsher than I'm used to with the skinny tires but I may use a mattress saddle.
12 Sep ride.jpg
12 Sep ride2.jpg
12 Sep ride3.jpg
12 Sep ride4.jpg


Now that the mechanicals are all worked out, It's time to focus on some mods. Change the color of the lugs and a frame insert of some kind, maybe with checkered flags to match the rims.
 
The other bike stole back the cog and the seat! Now it has a 19 tooth cog and a mattress saddle that is still in shipping.
15 Sep gears2.jpg

The gear index was low but now is higher but still good. It'll have more top end on the street. It had gear indexes of 45 and 61, now has 52 and 70 which may work out better. I thought I would have to take a link out of the chain, but the wheel is all the way back in the dropouts and is good to go.
15 Sep gears.jpg
 
I received my steel, 12 x 14 and 2 mm thick. I think 1mm would work better but it's already paid for. I have the rivet nuts and little tool that sets them. I may have 4 pipes instead of 5 per side but haven't decided yet. I'll see how hard it is to bend this steel first.
26 Sep parts.jpg
 
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I'm gonna miss the bare metal and copper look you had going, but given how many times you've changed this bike, I'm excited to see how it'll look in its next configuration! Looking forward to seeing that frame insert come together!
 
I went for a ride this morning and it rides great. The gear ratios are just right for me and the shifting is smooth. The brakes are excellent and I was able to lock up the rear easily. The light weight and 700c wheels make it an excellent ride. This is my best riding bike.
28 Sep 24 ride.jpg
28 Sep 24 ride3.jpg


That's the good news. The bad news is the insert. I tried different looks but it just didn't mesh with this bike. It just looked out of place. I need a curvy bike for exhaust pipes. On this I think I'll continue to go bare metal and outline the lugs with gold like they were brazed. I need to wire brush the rest of the lugs. The mattress saddle is still in shipping.
 
"Uppermost "top" tube must not be more than 50% of the way up the seat tube"

I thought it was pretty close to the limit, but I measured it and found the frame to be 19", and the height of the top bars just over 11". That puts it way out of step thru range. Compared to other Mixte frames it's got higher top tubes. Maybe if it was a 21" frame it would measure up. So I'm going to withdraw Gravelina. :agree:
I'm glad I built it though, it's my favorite ride now. And I still have Mamacheri as an entry. This is the frame as I got it.
236127-09-Jun-23-mixte-frame.jpg
 
Wildcat said:
"Uppermost "top" tube must not be more than 50% of the way up the seat tube"

I thought it was pretty close to the limit, but I measured it and found the frame to be 19", and the height of the top bars just over 11". That puts it way out of step thru range. Compared to other Mixte frames it's got higher top tubes. Maybe if it was a 21" frame it would measure up. So I'm going to withdraw Gravelina. :agree:
I'm glad I built it though, it's my favorite ride now. And I still have Mamacheri as an entry. This is the frame as I got it.
View attachment 280586
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Even with the dimensions, this Mixte is a step through ladies bike in my opinion as well.
 
Bike from the Dead said:
That bike is "step-thru" enough for me. Build it!
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I respect that you checked the specifics and withdrew yourself. That said that you built a great riding bike gives me hope that this style might be doable where a top bar is impossible these days. Any good rider is a win anyway. Seems like agreement it is in the spirit of step thru at least.
 
Bike from the Dead said:
That bike is "step-thru" enough for me. Build it!
Click to expand...
I definitely will finish it, it just won't be an entry in the build off. All I have left to do is decide how to accent the lugs, bare with gold outline or black with gold outline.

I wonder if one of the Moderaters could transfer this thread over to the Builds section.
 

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