Gravel Death Project

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...

I'm NOT a drop bar guy.  So not doing a drop bar...it's flat, as all Gravel Bikes should be!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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

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...

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.

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! 

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.

Going hydro on here and why not the best!  LOL.  It's overkill for sure, but hey, I had an extra set.

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!

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.

Shimano Rotors and DT Swiss spokes round out the wheels.