Apocalypse Death Project

TDP: Making the great even better?

I woke up today wondering what to do next. Tarmac/road project? A carbon-framed beast? Nothing?! What? No, never! So I sat thinking...

But what led to all these stray thoughts? It started a few weeks ago thinking about a new fork for Gravel Death Project. Why? No clue. Again, why not?! Anyway, I started again this morning, but this time was measuring out GDP for a dropper post. It's a thought I've had for quite some time now...lower center of gravity, better handling, more peace of mind on long steep descents, whatever the case.

I measured the seat post, looked up droppers...then stopped dead in my tracks. Hmmmm...

What if...

Fatter rubber. More stable chassis. More aggressive geometry...but still a big bike that can carry the world on its stanchions...Better, faster, stronger...

And here we are. Research, research, research. Surly. ECR29+. It was a dead heat with Bombtrack. But this one was closer to GDP in the overall size and feel. So Surly it is!

So this bike has been built and running mad for months now...flawlessly! It's BIG, Heavy!, burly and fast! I LOVE IT! It will go over anything, as I was witness to that on a random ride in Akron one morning...it went places all bagged up that I wouldn't go with my Mountain bikes! It's a beast and I'm glad to have it. More fun on this bugger later, but now? I put some extra effort into the long forgotten Gravel Death Project redo. See that one here...

Jan 29, 2023: Crazy thing happened...I was looking at pictures of the bikes and came across this beast. I saw something, hidden under the bags and racks...I saw a fat tired, light, fast, capable beast...I got to the shop and started the transformation...wait til you see this!

the bike: surly ECR 29+ - apocalypse Death Project

e*thirteen cassette

Looking for an MTB drivetrain, but with a twist. So went with this to give me more 'streetable' gearing on a robust setup

Surly ECR 29+

e*thirteen cassette

After much debate and toiling over...I landed on this! Big rubber, burly to carry the world and able to cruise over ANYTHING!

Protaper 2020 bar

e*thirteen cassette

Protaper 2020 bar

I use these on all my touring/city bikes and LOVE them! So I swapped out the Jones bar for this and...love it!

Bitex Hubs

Nextie Carbon Rims

Protaper 2020 bar

This one was a fluke. I wanted Onyx for the silence! But the cost!? UGH. I got a set of Bitex on my Solaris Max Stan's Flow wheelset and love them! Pretty quiet, smooth, rolls great...sooo...less costly and very nice!

Titanium bolts

Nextie Carbon Rims

I had to. Wanted to match the valve stems!

Nextie Carbon Rims

Deciding on Nextie was hard...yet easy. The Best low-cost carbon wheels on the market! And super customizable! Matte 3k carbon, outline purple lettering, Bitex/SP hubs, silver nipples, 50mm wide! All thanks to Speedgearbike.com

GX Eagle Derailleur

e*thirteen XCX carbon cranks

GX Eagle is some of the best stuff out there. No sense spending money on the high-end stuff if you don’t need to.

e*thirteen XCX carbon cranks

Lightest on the market and bulletproof!

TRP Gspec trail SLC brakes

e*thirteen XCX carbon cranks

Titanium bits/Oil-Slick stuff

Just put the trusty TRP's on this beast! Just better brakes!

Titanium bits/Oil-Slick stuff

MucOff Oil-slick valve stems and titanium brake rotor bolts...attention to details.

SP Dynamo hub

Titanium bits/Oil-Slick stuff

e*thirteen ring

I use a Schmidt on my SOMA, but a just as good but less costly SP might be in order for the ODP. Was going to reuse the Schmidt, but am going TA on this build

e*thirteen ring

Titanium bits/Oil-Slick stuff

e*thirteen ring

Only the best of the best

e*thirteen BB

Surly Seatpost collar

Wheels Mfg BB's! Made in the USA and a great BB. A go to for the money and quality!

Surly Seatpost collar

Came with the bike and stainless!

Protaper 2020 Bar

Surly Seatpost collar

Protaper 2020 Bar

The ONLY touring flat bar I use

PNW Dropper post

Wolftooth Trigger

Protaper 2020 Bar

This one is new! I usually use brandX, but they didn't have a 110 mm drop and external route. So one of the best of the rest...PNW!

Wolftooth Trigger

I love using these on the brakes if available. Cleans up room on the bar, especially Jones bars. Even though they have tons of room, this area is always a bit tight.

GX Eagle Shifter

Wolftooth Trigger

It works and works well!

Oveja Negra bags

SKS Bluemel 75 Fenders

Reusing the best of the best in bags! Oveja Negra. And they just work well, fit the new bike perfect and match the scheme!

SKS Bluemel 75 Fenders

Yes, these fit the 3" tires! Only issue is the front one's struts are too short. We'll fix that!

Supernova headlight

SKS Bluemel 75 Fenders

Terrene Cake Eater rubber

The best German lights you can buy, bar none!

Terrene Cake Eater rubber

Burly and heavy duty!

Supernova Pro Taillight

Terrene Cake Eater rubber

Supernova Pro Taillight

The best of the best from Germany!