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After selling my Croix de fer it was time to replace it but with what?
Checklist:
1. Something lighter than the Croix. Not difficult as it weighed a lot!
2. Something that is more fun to ride. Again not difficult as the Croix was a bit of a truck.
3. Has hydraulic disc brakes.
4. Has GRX 1x groupset (don't like the Sram shifters)
5. Has a sensible wheelset. No low spoke counts, no alloy nipples, j-bend spokes and ideally handbuilt. As well as being tubeless compatible.
6. Has to be a nice colour. No blacks, whites, greys or ugly graphics.
7. Be affordable. So picked a quality aluminum frameset.
8. Would be nice if it could be easily swapped to a single gear.
After looking at lots of gravel and adventure bikes I felt they were a bit too much like my Croix de fer so I started looking at cyclo-cross bikes instead, they just look more fun. After a Singletrack recommendation of a Trek Crockett I was smitten.
Didn't like the full builds of the Crockett too much as the standard colours are a bit boring but you could buy the frameset in more interesting colours. I found a mint green one at a good price and in stock.
Bit of a wait for the bike shop to post it out and it should be with me tomorrow where it'll sit on show in the lounge untill my parts are delivered (will probably be told off by the wife, again)
The build!
- Full GRX 600 groupset including brakes.
- SLX discs
- Deda Zero2 bars (460mm)
- Deda Zero2 seatpost
- Deda Zero2 100mm stem (all the Deda components I picked have Polished black graphics on matt black background which look classy (imo)
- Pedals are Time Atac xc4, never used Time pedals before, I'm hoping they're a bit kinder to my knees.
- Bartape is a roll of black Colnago cork tape I had lying about.
- Wheels are a budget handbuilt BORG22 CX/Gravel rims on Tiagra hubs with 28 spokes front and back, apparently they're not too hefty by all accounts, we'll have to see though.
- Tyres will be a part worn pair of 32mm Gravel King SK tyres I already had. I've got another couple of pairs of tyres I could try out too.
I'll post some photos once it's built (and I can work out how to do it).
Not had a new bike in nearly 2 years but never thought I'd be excited by a Trek, but they seem to making some really nice bikes at the mo.
Sorry I missed my saddle out, I'm going to use my old Brooke's Ti Swift, it's heavy but comfy.
My calculations is the bike should be a bit over 8 1/2 kg's I reckon I could get it under 8 if I fitted a lighter saddle and wheelset but I'm happy if it's under 9kg.
Latest Crocket with T47 or one with the sliding dropouts?
DAGNAMMIT!
I like the sound of this!
Sliding dropouts.
Same frame as used by Si to cycle the 3 peaks on.
I can't afford the fancy zipp wheels though, not get fit enough to ride the 3 peaks either. 😖
Sliding dropouts
You'll need to add treks proprietary BB to your list of parts. BB90 iirc
I’ve bought a ‘Shimano BB-MT500-PA Press Fit Bottom Bracket – PF41-89.5/92-24’ the spec sheet on the website I bought it from says the bottom bracket is 86.5mm, I'm not really up to speed with press-fit bottom brackets, just know that people moan about them.
https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/frames-forks-c6/road-frames-c47/crockett-disc-frameset-2019-p21718
Spec list is in there. The trek website says it's just a regular bottom bracket too. So God knows until it's here.
Nice bike! I've got a CdF and just ordered a Fairlight Secan 👍
Cheers h4muf, with a bright coloured frame like that I think it best to have everything else black (minus a brown saddle).
Might look a bit strange with a Brooke's Swift saddle on it but that's what I've already got. Might sell it on as I've seen used ones selling on eBay for £50 more than I paid for it. Then use the money to get a Cambium.
Bike got built up this week, I've had it out for a couple of rides so far and it's really growing on me.
Didn't want to wait for my hand built wheels when I got told (after a week of placing an order) that there was a months wait for them. Went for Fulcrum 7' as they looked pretty and are a decent weight and price. Also did a saddle swap with my road bike so my lovely Brookes saddle is now on my Ritchey Logic and the lightweight Selle ESSE saddle is on my Crockett.
Not weighed it but I reckon it's under 9kg which I'm pretty happy with.
First time bleeding road bike hydraulics didn't go too well but I'm blaming the fact that I accidentally dropped a bottle of thinners and was as high as a kite and not my bike mechanic failings 🥴
The new Shimano GRX groupset looks nice and went on the bike with no problems including my fist ever time of installed a press-fit bottom bracket.
Levers feel lovely.
First ride I was really not happy with how the bike felt although it didn't stop me from trying (and falling off - a bit) to ride proper mountain bike trails. When I got home I rotated the bars a little and took it around the block and was amazed by how much better it handled.
Second ride the next day was more like the terrain that I built it for, fast easy trails with road sections in between. As I'm getting more confidence in the bike the faster I was riding and the more I was enjoying it, I do need to remind myself at times that it is not a mountain bike and to be a bit more careful as it can be jarring hitting roots at speed with a stiff frame/fork, 32mm tyres (@ 50psi) and no suspension. It's great fun though and can't wait to ride it again.
Forgot to add my comments on my Time Atac XC4 pedals which I've never used before, always had Shimano Spds. They look cool and seem well made and clip in with a solid engaging "click!" and out fine and with a little effort. Not so sure about the cleats though, they can't be adjusted left or right like shimano's can, I would ideally like to set set the clear in a little so avoid scuffing my cranks but can't do it. No biggy but just a little annoying.
Looks nice I have 2016 Trek Stache in the Miami Green (I think)...very similar colour, looks great in the flesh and like you I reckon its a Trek to be excited about!
Where did you order your wheels from out of curiosity?
Tweeks, I paid extra for the quick delivery (about £8 I think) and I had them the next day.
Seem plenty stiff enough and look really well made. Can't speak of their longevity yet though, but fingers crossed.
Nice looking build! Re. the jarring at speed, have you tried dropping the pressure at the front a bit below 50psi? I’m experimenting with 40c Schwalbe G ones on the front of my gravel bike and it appears very sensitive to small changes in pressure. Doesn’t seem to slow things down on the tarmac too much either!
Cheers freeandsingle, I'm still playing around with it. The bike rolls over bumps in the trail really well when you keep the wheels on the ground but if I get a bit carried away and start to allow the bike to get a little air then when the wheels hit the ground again it can be with a bump. I'll try dropping pressures over the weekend.
Rode my first (tame) trail centre on my newly built Crockett last weekend and I'm happy to report that it was lots of fun, even got a smidgeon of air on a couple of small jumps. The mostly road ride there was rather enjoyable too and not slow either. I'm quite surprised that the bike is so enjoyable and capable (for a rigid bike with only 33mm tyres) when you're really giving it the beans as well as just spinning along on both single/double track and paved roads.
I've bought some new 38mm Vittoria Terrano Mix tyres (as recommended by 13thfloormonk) for when my Gravelkings are worn out, I'm looking forward to trying it with bigger tyres setup tubeless.
I've got the same model Crockett, absolutely love it. It's probably my favourite bike.
I'm currently running mine singlespeed and it flies. Was going to get a second frame to build up as a replacement for my Boardman commuter but it seems there's none left anywhere in a 56cm. Might have to go for a geared commuter build instead!
Not tried it singlespeed yet but will do at some point or at least I have the option. You can get a Checkpoint frame which has sliding dropouts which is similar apparently.
It's a great bike as a singlespeed. Mine's built up with Hunt carbon gravel wheels, it weighs next to nothing! Absolutely flies on the ups and downs.
I need to change the gearing, 42/16 is fine for the road and commuting but a bit much for off-road. Probably going to swap to 38/18 and see how I get on.