I’m currently running a sort of gravel/hybrid/road bike thingy, which is getting a fair bit of use, maybe more than i had imagined. BUT, it’s got some drawbacks as i only chose the frame fork combo, because i got some deals on them.

It’s an ‘On-ONe’ Lurcher frame. Carbon, 29er. Running a Niner carbon fork, with 100mm adjusted length.

QR rear standard 135 MTB drop-out spacing. Running two sets of Hope hubbed wheels, light off-road one with Stans Crests wheels, the other set is Mavic open pro for road duties. I’m happy with the current flat bars, as most of my riding is bumpy back-lanes where there’s little requirement for absolute speed/aero benefit.

There are a couple issues that make me look for another frame as an upgrade.

1: press-fit BB. I’d like to use a threaded one if possible.

2: It’s got a pretty high BB, which is a small issue, but i’d prefer a lower one. (curently can only just touch the ground with saddle at right height)

I’d like to try a titanium frame, get rid of the PF BB, and get a nicer looking bike, as the Lurcher looks pretty gopping TBH.

It’s got to have:

1: Room for at least 40mm tyres (prefer a little more)

2: Threaded BB.

3: larger than 30.9 post

4: Post mount brakes

5: standard rear hub spacing. (might consider thru-axle as i do have an old axle for the Pro2 hubs)

6: Geometry more on the MTB side, not the road end. (use is around 70% off road, to 30% on road)

Oh, and i’m a cheapskate, so max of 1k new frame price, and i’d be looking to find one second hand. Titanium, carbon, or Ali. Not interested in steel.

Any suggestions to form a list I would be great.

so 29er, not a flat-bar gravel frame?

well, there’s the knub of it i guess. Ive only been using a 29er so far, as i’ve mostly had MTB spare bits.

It would need to be able to run MTB specific drivetrain etc: but, i’m not adversed to a gravel frame, as long as it has enough clearance to run at least what i have right now, which are Specialised Trigger Pro’s at about 40c.

I’m open to a gravel frame, as it’ll likely solve the BB height issue, but it would need to run my fork, which has suspension corrected length @ 100mm.

Need to have MTB spacing at the rear, as i’ll be using hope hubs.

so, i guess if it does the above, then gravel bike would be fine. It’s a whole new niche to me, so i’m a bit unclear right now.

A Titus Fireline look pretty reasonable, but i’ve not ridden it and it’s designed for a 120mm fork. So, not sure how it would handle with a 100mm straight fork. The steeper steering would probably be ok on the road, so it might be fine.

I looked at stuff like getting a custom Black Sheep made, but i reckon I can’t really justify the cost. It’s my 4th bike, so it cant be more expensive than my ‘regular’ bike.

any daytime forum lurkers have any suggestions?

i reckon I can’t really justify the cost. It’s my 4th bike, so it cant be more expensive than my ‘regular’ bike

Who made these RULES?!

My Bank, Wife, house space……

One in the same really.

bump for the evening crowd.

Am i just wishing for something that would make no sense?

I would’ve suggested a Sonder Camino; it ticks most boxes except no. 3.

I’m using my Titus Fireline kind of in that sense, although with 29×2.35″ tubeless slicks (which are really nice – and fast – balloon tyres is the phrase)

It has a 140mm fork on it (as it’s also my trail bike – I have a second set of wheels with knobbly 2.4″ tyres). Geometry wise it’s fine – I quite like the upright position. Did a 2 hour ride on canal path/back lanes last night.

I really like it, both as a mountain bike and … road bike?

Get a custom Ti frame built in China. £1k will easy cover the costs and you can spec every detail.

It is a bit more of a wait and work to research angles, tube sizes and knock something up in rattlecad.   But don’t underestimate how rewarding the first ride is when it all works (and looks great).

Plus in the end you will have everything you want with no compromises.

Emailed you Lardman with a great option.

😉

Thanks for replies all….

Sonder Camino looks interesting. I’ll research that a bit more.

I’ve replied to your mail tdog, again that looks interesting.I’d love to have one specc’ed just for me, but i reckon i’d probably do a worse job than someone who does this for a living.  Worth a ponder tho’.