Currently on a Rocky Mountain Solo a30, with the following geo/specs. Wanting to make the bike more race oriented as opposed to dropping big money on a new bike like a Grail or such.
Currently about to swap the FSA BB and Cranks for a SRAM Rival AXS Dub setup to get the spindle power meter as well as jump from a 40T – 42T up front. Also thinking of swapping to 400mm Zipp SL-70 XPLR bars as the stock 440mms are too wide for me.
Any recommendations appreciated. Open to component swaps to change geo or upgrades that are good value-propositions (i.e., not too expensive to where it's better to just save for a new bike). Really curious to see what project I can make of this. Big races planned for this year are FoCo Fondo in July, and Big Sugar in October. Will likely look to a new bike at years end but not in the budget till then.
Geo:
Stack – 580mm
Reach – 399mm
Head Tube Angle – 71°
Seat Tube Angle – 74°
Seat Tube – 490mm
Cranks – 172.5mm
Stem – 80mm
Wheelbase – 1041mm
Components (Current + in-Progress Upgrades):
Headset: Rocky Mountain, 1.5" Crown Race
Rear Derailleur: SRAM Apex 1, 11-Speed
Crankset: SRAM Rival Axs Dub 172.5mm with Quarq, 42T (planned upgrade)
Bottom Bracket: SRAM BB386 DUB
Chain: SRAM PC-X1 11-speed
Cassette: SRAM PG-1130, 11-42T
Brakes: TRP Spyre Mechanical Disc, 160mm Rotors
Wheelset: WTB ST i23 TCS Rims, Shimano Tiagra 12×100/12×142 Hubs
Tires: Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H 700 x 45mm, Front and Rear (Tubeless)
by Ancient-Trouble-775
3 Comments
You get a different bike.
Kidding.
Wheels first. Components don’t change geometry. They change fit.
For position: Slam the stem and make it longer. Narrow bars like you’re thinking. A bike fit with a professional. You maybe find shorter cranks help in a very aggressive position, though and aggressive gravel position isn’t as likely to make you need it (unlike aggressive TT/Tri and road positions might). Might prefer a different saddle if going way more aggressive too. Of course, balance position for aero and how technical your races are.
Aero optimize your clothes, helmet, and stuff on your bike. Dylan Johnson has some great videos on how important aero is in gravel on YouTube.
I agree about the bars. I ride a C50 and the 44s were not to my taste. You’ll need to ditch some spacers if you’re moving to 40cm though. Honestly if you’re planning on an entirely new bike within a year I’m not sure if buying a bunch of components for your current one is a great idea especially since you mention budget. Just hang onto the money and put it towards the new one. And I can’t speak to big sugar but foco fondo is as laid back as you want it to be so you’ll get by just fine on what you have. If you wanna spend some money get some nice wheels and move them to your new bike when you get it.