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!

But why stop there? I revised the entire drivetrain, basically removing any vestiges of what it was.

e*thirteen lightweight cassette, 'lightest-in-the-world' carbon e13 cranks, X01 chain, waxed, X01 11 speed shifter and derailleur, RideFast Racing carbon gravel wheelset...everything specifically done to remove weight and make it that much better. Faster shifting, better gearing. Better!

Gravel Death Project is back and better than ever! But...it's also been 'replaced' by Northwoods Death Project. For now. Just a lighter, faster, and better build...but there will be a place for GDP soon...once again!

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!

Ridefastracing hubs

SOME Wolverine frame/fork

Custom Headtube badge

Not needing the dynamo anymore, I searched for new wheels. Bobbi at DVO said "hey, call Scott and RFR!" So I did...and the rest is history. Sweet sound and they spin forever!

Custom Headtube badge

Ridefast Racing GX wheels

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.

Ridefast Racing GX wheels

So compared to my old HED wheels, these things are stupid light! Made of Helium...not really, but shockingly light carbon wheels build right here in the USA! LOVE RIDEFAST!

Vittoria revolution tech

Going a bit 'city racer' with the GDP! Put a set of 'skinny' 38c Vittoria's to see how it flies. Not much faster than the 'fat tires', as we all know, but it felt...different. More direct and firmer. They are ok. Just another version of the bike!

Terry Liberator Y elite

Vittoria revolution tech

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

Vittoria revolution tech

Whisky No.7 Carbon Post

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

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.

e*thirteen cassette

Cane Creek 110 Headset

e*thirteen cassette

Lightweight and bulletproof! And the perfect gearing, 9-46. Mated to a 40t front ring for the perfect balance of climbing prowess and speed!

SRAM X01 Drivetrain

e*thirteen XCX race carbon crankset

Taking my much-loved GX 11-speed derailleur to new heights, I installed an X01 version...faster and more direct for sure!

e*thirteen XCX race carbon crankset

e*13 makes the lightest and some of the best cranks you can buy! so what better way to trim the 'fat' from GDP? Right. e13!

TRP rotors

e*thirteen XCX race carbon crankset

TRP rotors

Switching to a centerlock rotor for the first time. Nice layout and great looking TRP piece

YBN Chain

Ride fast racing wheels

TRP rotors

Offering chain waxing led me to these guys: Molten Speed Wax. And their chains! Had to add one to the new beast!

Ride fast racing wheels

COMING SOON: The guys at DVO led me to THESE guys...and their amazing, super light gravel wheels! Can't wait to add their MTN hubs to my in house branded rims next!