** Overland Death Project is now Apocalypse Death Project! **
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...
Looking for an MTB drivetrain, but with a twist. So went with this to give me more 'streetable' gearing on a robust setup
After much debate and toiling over...I landed on this! Big rubber, burly to carry the world and able to cruise over ANYTHING!
I use these on all my touring/city bikes and LOVE them! So I swapped out the Jones bar for this and...love it!
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!
I had to. Wanted to match the valve stems!
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 is some of the best stuff out there. No sense spending money on the high-end stuff if you don’t need to.
The RF Stuff just works and is pretty universal. No funky spindles or BB's. Just BSA 30mm! A go to.
Just put the trusty TRP's on this beast! Just better brakes!
MucOff Oil-slick valve stems and titanium brake rotor bolts...attention to details.
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
Made in Wales and amazing! I have a few things of theirs and love their stuff.
Wheels Mfg BB's! Made in the USA and a great BB. A go to for the money and quality!
Came with the bike and stainless!
A take-off from the old GDP as it's fits the "Tank Green"
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!
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.
It works and works well!
Searched high and low. Decided on Overland and Local Deluxe for carrying capacity, weight and cost!
Reusing the best of the best in bags! Oveja Negra. And they just work well, fit the new bike perfect and match the scheme!
USA made and super nice! I have micro, large panniers and this grocery bag! Love their stuff!
These are spares til the REAL rims arrive...just need to get this badboy done and will use these on something else eventually.
Ditto on the rear!
Yes, these fit the 3" tires! Only issue is the front one's struts are too short. We'll fix that!
I was looking for something for the "front" rack to hold extra stuff and not make the light look like a honking nose! This will do nicely.
I got these for the front for some hardcore Overlanding, but will use them for everyday light use as well.
Going back to the Rangers after too many flats on the Maxxis...super smooth and a fast 'fat' tire.
I've used Supernova in the past, but I heard these are the best of the best! We'll see soon enough!
Wired into the headlight and complete with brake function, because...why not?!
This thing is a beast! The light output is crazy! And just a heads up? Haven't used it much, but over a year later it's still FULLY charged!
Start date: 2/1/2020
End Date: 3/25/2020
First Ride: 3/26/2020
Surly ECR 29+ frameset - Tank Green
Surly ECR 29+ fork
Cane Creek headset
NEXTIE 3k matte carbon rims
-Sapim Spokes
-Bitex rear boost hub
-SP Dynamo front hub
29 x 3.0" WTB Ranger Light/fast rubber
Stan's Baron Mk3 wheelset
-Bitex front and rear hub
-Sapim Spokes
e*thirteen 12sp cassette - 9-46t
SRAM GX Eagle Derailleur
SRAM GX Eagle Shifter
SRAM GX Eagle Chain
RaceFace Turbine Crank
Unite Components 34t Chainring
ProTaper 2020 Bar
RevGrips pro grips
TRP G Spec Trail SLC brakes
TRP TR29 rotors 180/160
Wheels Mfg BB
SKS Bluemel75 fenders
Custom fit Reaper guard
PNW Pine dropper post 110mm
Busch and Mueller IQ-X LED lights
Blackburn front and rear racks
Mac Workshop Jones Bar bag
Mac Workshop First Aid bag
Oveja Negra bags
North St Panniers
North St Micro Panniers
Axiom Trunk bag
MucOff Oil-slick valve stems
Titanium brake rotor bolts
Magped pedals