SLACK Gravel Frame

[jdadour]

I have a Carbonda 696 size 56 I've been using for the last 3 years. It has served me well and is a good bike, but for a lot of the gravel I riding here in SoCal I definitely want something longer and slacker. I really like the geometry of the new Santa Cruz Stigmata, but it is kind of a rarity with only a few others sharing a similar design. Does anyone know of a chinese frame that is 69-70 degrees headtube angle and 1060-1090mm wheelbase in a size large? Ive looked at all the usual suspects and they are all kind of the same old gravel geometry.

The new Lightcarbon LCG073-D with rear suspension sounds very interesting, but seems unproven at this point.

[mirphak]

Not chinese (well, maybe actually yes, who knows  ... )

In titanium you have the Albardas from Nordest with 70 deg headtube angle.

https://nordestcycles.com/producto/kit-albarda-ti
https://nordestcycles.com/producto/kit-albarda-gt-ti

another option is to look for some 29er frame that takes a large enough chainring (some go up to 38 and 40t), or go full custom.

[Tijoe]

To me, a SLACK gravel frame can be satisfied using a 29er hardtail frame set up as a gravel bike.   There are many more selections of frame geometries on 29er hardtail frames.

[jdadour]

To me, a SLACK gravel frame can be satisfied using a 29er hardtail frame set up as a gravel bike.   There are many more selections of frame geometries on 29er hardtail frames.

Great thought, I was actually considering that the other day. All those 69 degree hardtails may be a good candidate, I was just worried a bit about what type of rigid fork i would need to run. The axle to crown length on some of those may be longer that a standard gravel fork.

[Tijoe]

Great thought, I was actually considering that the other day. All those 69 degree hardtails may be a good candidate, I was just worried a bit about what type of rigid fork i would need to run. The axle to crown length on some of those may be longer that a standard gravel fork.

There are numerous 29er rigid carbon forks for sale on Aliexpress that fit 29er wheels with either 110 or 100mm hub widths.

The really cool thing is that you can quickly swap out the front carbon fork for a nice Fox or Rockshox 100mm travel suspension fork and turn the bike into a more capable downhill rough gravel road bike.  Assuming you don't route the brake cable inside the carbon fork.)

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803462659766.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.121d5a51My53zO&algo_pvid=c9d00092-a05d-4493-80d1-484a535bc147&algo_exp_id=c9d00092-a05d-4493-80d1-484a535bc147-1&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21270.00%21135.0%21%21%21270.00%21%21%402101f49b16983758296236228e06eb%2112000026645434772%21sea%21US%21122805404%21&curPageLogUid=iBpuX7ekuZnd

[Noladutch]

Great thought, I was actually considering that the other day. All those 69 degree hardtails may be a good candidate, I was just worried a bit about what type of rigid fork i would need to run. The axle to crown length on some of those may be longer that a standard gravel fork. Oh and has flip chips

Here is another option. Been on the fence what my next build would be.

Been thinking the same thing but with this fork it is longer 120 suspension corrected and had dynamo wiring also. So that is what I have been thinking with an h bar set up. Yeah and I want clean dynamo lighting on the next bike.

https://www.speedercycling.com/29er-Carbon-Mountain-Adventure-Bikepacking-Fork-SC-MTN13-_p383.html

[RDY]

I have a Carbonda 696 size 56 I've been using for the last 3 years. It has served me well and is a good bike, but for a lot of the gravel I riding here in SoCal I definitely want something longer and slacker. I really like the geometry of the new Santa Cruz Stigmata, but it is kind of a rarity with only a few others sharing a similar design. Does anyone know of a chinese frame that is 69-70 degrees headtube angle and 1060-1090mm wheelbase in a size large? Ive looked at all the usual suspects and they are all kind of the same old gravel geometry.

The new Lightcarbon LCG073-D with rear suspension sounds very interesting, but seems unproven at this point.

Does anyone know who the maker / original supplier of this fork is?  Variable rake and 700x54.  Must be one of the larger Chinese suppliers to the OEM market.

https://nordestcycles.com/producto/albarda-carbon-horquilla   -- this one.  I'm seeing quite a few brands using it now.

[Noladutch]

Does anyone know who the maker / original supplier of this fork is?  Variable rake and 700x54.  Must be one of the larger Chinese suppliers to the OEM market.

https://nordestcycles.com/producto/albarda-carbon-horquilla   -- this one.  I'm seeing quite a few brands using it now.

https://www.speedercycling.com/Carbon-Adventure-Bikepacking-Fork-SC-ADV09-_p375.html

They make a number of different forks. That on has flip chips mounts dynamo routing and clears 55s

[RDY]

https://www.speedercycling.com/Carbon-Adventure-Bikepacking-Fork-SC-ADV09-_p375.html

They make a number of different forks. That on has flip chips mounts dynamo routing and clears 55s

Thanks.  Hadn't realized it was Speeder.  Shame they do a fork like that and no similarly progressive geo frames to match it to ...

[jdadour]

Thanks.  Hadn't realized it was Speeder.  Shame they do a fork like that and no similarly progressive geo frames to match it to ...

Hopefully that happens in the near future. It seems like slacker gravel frames are just starting to get popular by the big brands, so hopefully some of these chinese manufacturers can follow suit next year.

[awinner]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005111904837.html

Ive been looking for a slack gravel bike too, this is the best ive come across 70°HA with a fork offset of 50mm, 527mm chainstay.

[jdadour]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005111904837.html

Ive been looking for a slack gravel bike too, this is the best ive come across 70°HA with a fork offset of 50mm, 527mm chainstay.

Nice find! Yeah, that geometry is nearly spot on with what I'm looking for. Based on this thread though, the quality is a bit questionable, or at least will need to get a difference fork.

https://chinertown.com/index.php?topic=3591.0

[RDY]

I wouldn't touch that TopCarbon / Lexon frame with a barge pole. 

I suspect there will be some copies of the new Merida geo as it won worlds.  But hopefully they add greater than 50mm clearance - that was a big fail on Merida's part.  Doing 69.5HTA 75STA in bigger sizes and then having 45mm on the rear being max, and maybe being able to squeeze a 48 in at the front.

I'd love something with that geo and the ability to fit 2.1" Thunder Burts - which whilst not quite as aero as some smaller gravel tires, roll significantly faster than any of them and handle rough stuff much better.

[jdadour]

Since i couldnt find what I wanted, and a Stigmata frame is $2600, I've opted to get a custom XACD titanium frame based on the Stigmata geometry.  And going to bump up the rear tire clearance to 2.25". Being quoted $1300 shipped. Will be running a MRP Baxter fork and going for a monster gravel setup.

[FullCarbonAlchemist]

What I really want to see in the factory direct gravel frame category is some suspension corrected frames with the latest third/fourth generation gravel geometry: 40-50mm fork travel, 50mm tire clearance, dropper post compatible (preferably), tall head tube/high bar height, short stem, steep seat tube, slightly slacker head tube than second generation bikes, Universal Derailleur Hanger, etc