Gravel Death Project

gravel death project: from the grave...

From the ashes comes the Phoenix...

So....where to begin. Gravel Death Project started this site. Gravel Death Project started my journey into my own builds, in a way. Gravel Death Project briefly died, becoming a drop bar "Tarmac Death Project v.1" build...but, seeing as I'm NOT a road guy or a drop bar guy it seems, even though I do a lot of road riding, it's back and better than ever! With a flat bar!

Faster, leaner, meaner, stronger! I had an epiphany the other day riding around the woods of Akron Ohio. I got home. Looked at the old girl sitting there in the corner of my room, collecting dust and...BAM! Idea!

Remove fenders and the rack. Make it lighter and faster. Then put some burlier tires on it, add a dropper...new brakes, same drivetrain...Gravel Death Project is going to be a real gravel bike!

Gravel Death Project is back and better than ever!

Some wolverine: gravel death project - redo

SOME Wolverine frame/fork

It all started with a SOMA Wolverine frame and fork. The idea of the bike was reliability, sustainability and ease of repairs. And it snowballed from there...

Protaper 2020 bar

SOME Wolverine frame/fork

Not quite a Jones Bar with only 15 degrees of angle, but super comfy and the control is fantastic! And of course...carbon!

Schmidt Dynamo Hub

SOME Wolverine frame/fork

Schmidt Dynamo Hub

Not sure where this idea came from initially, but in an effort to make the bike 'self sustaining', I had to go with a Dynamo hub. And not just any Dynamo hub...a SCHMIDT hub! Bulletproof, German made goodness!

Supernova Lights

Custom Headtube badge

Schmidt Dynamo Hub

Along with the Dynamo hub you need Dynamo lights. The whole point of the bike being self contained. I toyed around with lights for months...settling on Supernova. Amazing little light and taillight combo!

Custom Headtube badge

Early on the Gravel Death Project came about, by accident. Ryan at Beat Cycles labeled my build sheet with this moniker. And it stuck. And I had Valter in Spain make this for me. An integral part of why we are here.

HED Belgium+ Rims

Custom Headtube badge

I toiled over rims for a long time. Wanted something made here. Wanted something super cool and lightweight. These HED Belgium+ rims were a no brainer. Great looking rim, built here and of the utmost quality! HED!

Maxxis Rambler tires

Terry Liberator Y elite

Maxxis Rambler tires

I loved my WTB's, but needed something more...gravel! So went with another great tire: Rambler! 700x50 and ready to roll!

White Industries hub

Terry Liberator Y elite

Maxxis Rambler tires

The Rear hub was another item of contention. I REALLY wanted another Onyx Racing hub...amazing, quiet, built here...but for cost reasons I went with White Industries. Which by no means is a skimp! This thing is rock solid and has a great BUZZZ to it. Just miss my Instant engagement, quiet Onyx, just a bit...

Terry Liberator Y elite

Brooks. I could never understand how something so hard could be comfy?! Well, we'll see. I got a Cambium, waterproof. So far so good...but...we'll see.

Whisky No.7 Carbon Post

Terry Liberator Y elite

Ahhh...Whisky! This was a shout out to Ryan at Beat Cycles. We used to sit and drink Whisky in the AM on Wednesday and Sunday's. For hours we'd talk. In the winter, when it was slow. So the tip of the hat to that, and it's Carbon...and cool!

Cane Creek 110 Headset

Whisky No.7 Carbon Post

Cane Creek 110 Headset

This cute little guy is part of a oft overlooked, but vital ingredient in any good build...the headset! Again, made here, and, to be honest, really just got it for the logo! Ok...and it's a great piece! I went with the Cane Creek 110 as well as that one is made in the USA and worth the extra cost to me.

TRP Quadiem brakes

Whisky No.7 Carbon Post

Cane Creek 110 Headset

Hey, why not overkill?! What's wrong with 4 piston downhill brakes on a street/gravel bike?! Whatever!

SRAM GX Drivetrain

SRAM Rival1 Crank/Chainring

The drive-train was something I just went with what was recommended, but I did specify: "Climb like a motherf&@$er!" I wanted this thing to go up/over/around/down anything, and wanted to go with SRAM. So we did the GX drive-train and it's a monster! LOVE it!

SRAM Rival1 Crank/Chainring

The SRAM Rival1 crank and SRAM Team Bottom Bracket round out the drive-train. I will be upgrading to another Wolftooth Elliptical chainring soon. That was a super add to my first upgraded bike, the Cannondale Quick1.

SRAM Rival1 Crank/Chainring

TRP rotors

SRAM Rival1 Crank/Chainring

A great rotor with venting. Hardened as well for excellent control.