PROGRESSUS, MY CURRENT GRAVEL BIKE
Ladies and gentlemen, gather 'round for a delightful update on my current gravel bike adventure! Today, I shall regale you with tales of my foray into the world of gravel, adventure, and touring bikes. Picture me, a daring explorer, immersing myself in the diverse realms of frame materials: aluminum, steel, and even the exotic titan! Ah, the choices were aplenty, but like a magnet drawn to its true love, I found myself gravitating toward steel steeds. For you see, my friends, it is a widely known fact that "Steel is real," and riding on steel bikes is akin to a celestial experience.
As always, please note that English is not my native language. There may be some grammatical errors here and there. Please excuse this, as I am working to improve my skills.
But let me confess, my heart also yearned for the craftsmanship of frame builders from across the globe. From the masterminds of Chapman, Victoire, and Tomii, to the artisans of Sklar in the vast land of the USA, these fine creators captivated my imagination. Even here in Germany, a hotbed of innovation, frame builders had my head spinning faster than a bicycle wheel in a downhill race. Vetra, Fern, Drust—oh, how they teased me with their beautiful yet functional creations! As an engineer, a wild thought dared to cross my mind: Could I, with my supposed two left hands, also fashion such a marvelous beast?
With the sparks of curiosity igniting my ambition, I embarked on a quest for knowledge. The digital highways led me to a haven of frame-building wisdom nestled in the enchanting city of Zurich—Dreiercycles. There, I discovered a sacred temple of learning, a frame-building course catering to beginners and the more audacious souls. The creator of Dreiercycles, the venerable Patrick, had also birthed his new flagship model, the ZURIGO, an all-road steel marvel. Ah, it was a sign from the cycling deities themselves! With newfound determination, I knew in my heart that together, we would forge the path to transform my gravel bike vision into reality.
But what, you may ask, does this vision entail? Picture, if you will, a harmonious blend of characteristics borrowed from various bikes that have stolen my heart over the years. And oh, the landscapes I've witnessed in Peru! Majestic, endless vistas that beckoned me to conquer their untamed terrain. And so, it came to me in a flash of inspiration, like a bike-shaped lightning bolt striking my mind: a steel frame, accompanied by a trusty steel fork, both infused with the necessary fortitude to endure Peru's sandy deserts, treacherous rocks, steep slopes, and rugged landscapes.
Now, dear audience, let me share the secret recipe for a bike destined for such grand adventures:
First and foremost, large tires shall grace its wheels, allowing us to glide through the terrain with the grace of a gazelle, all while maintaining comfort in our posterior regions. We shall demand nothing less than a minimum of 2.2 inches of rubbery goodness!
Ah, but the geometry! This is where the true magic lies. Unlike the standard designs of yore, our creation shall boast a geometry specially crafted for those epic days in the saddle. We seek a stack-to-reach ratio of 1.55 and beyond, ensuring that our backsides and bike become the best of friends, even after countless hours of riding.
And what about the cables, you ask? Fear not, my friends, for I have anticipated any mishap on the road less traveled. Our trusty steed shall boast external cable routing, an ingenious design allowing us easy access to those fickle cables when the inevitable repair needs arise. We shall triumph over adversity with a simple flick of a wrench!
Now, mechanical components shall be our stalwart companions, steadfast in their reliability and repairability. A mechanical drivetrain shall grace our creation, complemented by mechanical brakes that bellow their dominance in the face of gravity. And behold, an aluminum wheelset shall accompany us, with strength and durability to conquer even the harshest terrains.
Ah, the gears! For the glorious heights and challenging landscapes of Peru, we must equip our steed with a range of suitable ratios. Consider chainring sizes from 28 to 32 teeth, coupled with the mighty power of MTB derailleurs. Together, they shall guide us through the peaks and valleys, shifting with precision like a maestro conducting a symphony of gears.
And lo and behold, my friends, when all these principles meld together in perfect harmony, a magnificent and unparalleled bicycle emerges—a steed crafted for the adventures that await us on Peru's rugged trails. So let us embark upon this remarkable journey, where steel reigns supreme, craftsmanship thrives, and the laughter of gravel crunching beneath our wheels echoes through the valleys. Adventure awaits!
Behold, the legendary Chuki V1, my magnificent steel steed!
Frame: Chuki V1, proudly made in Switzerland by yours truly (183cm, 81cm, 610 Stack, 380 Reach)
Groupset: TRP brake levers, SRAM GX Eagle rear derailleur, SRAM XG-1275 10-52 cassette, Microshift bar-end shifters
Handlebar: Redshift Kitchen Sink, 47cm width
Stem: Redshift Suspension Stem, 80mm length
Fork: Chuki V1 steel fork
Wheels: Nextie AGX36 rims, DT Swiss 350 hubs, SON delux, DT Swiss Aerolite spokes, 28 holes front and rear
Lighting/Power supply: kLite Bikepacker ULTRA V2
Seatpost: Velo Orange Grand Cru Long Setback (32mm) seatpost
Saddle: Gilles Berthoud Marie Blanque Open Stainless Steel
Pedals: Mks Allways Flatpedal
Tires: Ultradynamico Mars 2.3 Robusto
Steel: Columbus Spirit/Life tubing
Weight including bottles, day pack, repair kit, and lights: 12kg (11kg without accessories, frame 1800g, and fork 1050g)
Now, the bike may not be perfect yet, and I made some mistakes during its construction, but it's truly incredible. For me, "Steel is real" has become a reality. The comfort is just as good, if not better, than my BMC URS, which has a suspension fork and seatpost. The geometry works exceptionally well too, whether I'm climbing, descending, or riding on flat terrain—I feel comfortable, at ease, and secure.
Of course, there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution, and my frame design has its imperfections. The bike naturally leans more towards the gravel realm. Thick tires and an upright geometry don't lend themselves to optimal aerodynamics, so on the road, I'm slightly slower compared to my URS. The softer frame also has its pros and cons. On one hand, it absorbs vibrations and smooths out many rough patches, but on the other hand, it's not a road racing machine with exceptional power transfer. The Chuki prefers a steady and leisurely pace rather than racing against the clock. For me, that's perfect—exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you to everyone who has read this far. If you have any questions about the bike or the frame-building course, I'm always here to help.
