Cyclocross & Gravel Bike Frames

This is dependent on a number of factors. How much use / abuse has the bike had? What conditions is it usually ridden in? Has the bike been crashed? How heavy or strong is the rider? How good is the rider at avoiding potholes in the road? The list of potential frame life inhibitors is extensive. Take care of your new frameset and it should last a very long time.

We are living in the information era, where experience, skills and know-how are just a mouse click away. So with the right tools and knowledge, it is relatively easy for someone who does their own bike maintenance to build a bike, especially if you have a fair amount of experience with bike maintenance. However, relatively new riders or those who usually drop their bike in at the mechanics for a service, might prefer to get a mechanic to do their build.

This depends on the terrain you ride and the limits of your bike in terms of tyre clearance. If you ride in gloopy, muddy trails, tyres at the wider end of the spectrum, 40mm+ should give more grip, depending on their tread (more spaced out knobbbles can help reduce mud clogging). Dry, hard packed gravel is fine with narrower tyres and less aggressive tread (such as small knobbles) because grip isn't as vital. Most gravel bikes can run wider tyres on 650b / 27.5" wheels compared to larger 700c wheels. The downside to fatter tyres is that they can feel slow on the road, worth considering if you ride mixed terrain routes.

Yes! Riding tyres with bigger, spaced out tread knobs can make riding on hard, dry, smooth gravel tracks or roads much more hard work. Likewise, using small knob, smoother tyres on muddy wet terrain can reduce grip and traction. Choose tyres which suit your usual rides or keep a spare set of tyres / wheels to swap depending on the terrain and weather. 

Most gravel bikes can run either 700c or 650b / 27.5 wheels, as long as the hub thru axles are the same (usually 100x12mm / 142x12mm). Smaller 650b / 27.5 wheels will result in slightly less clearance over rocky terrain. Most gravel bikes can accept wider tyres while running smaller 650b / 27.5 wheels.

If you would like to ride on tarmac but also venture onto trails, tracks, canal tow-paths and green lanes, then a gravel bike could be the answer. The only downside to gravel bikes is a slight reduction in on road performance. This difference could be even less, if you have a spare set of wheels with road tyres fitted, these can be easily swapped and can provide the best of both worlds. If you are keen to ride roads and the prospect of getting dirty doesn’t appeal, just go for a road sportive / endurance bike.

Yes. Providing stock is available, you can select options such as crank length, cassette ratio, bottom bracket type and derailleur cage length, this allows a good level of customisation for your new build.

To fit a braze-on (not clip-on) front derailleur to a frame without a braze-on / tab, you will need a front derailleur / mech clamp. Front derailleur clamps are available in different size options to fit most frames - 28.6, 31.8 and 34.9mm. These sizes correspond to the diameter of the frame seat-tube.

It is usually cheaper to buy a full bike because the manufacturer has the economies of scale purchasing components, and they can usually do this more cost effectively than the individual. However! If you want a specific build that the manufacturer doesn’t offer or if you want to use your existing wheels or components you have sitting collecting dust in the garage, it may well be cheaper to build your own.

No. Bottom bracket shells in framesets vary hugely, depending on your bike / frameset manufacturer. They vary in both diameter, width and also in how they fit the frameset. Some are threaded (Italian or BSA British Thread) and some are pressfit. The best way to ensure a new bottom bracket will fit, is to look at your bike's existing bottom bracket and try to match. Check online for fit and compatibility if you are still unsure.

We always recommend following manufacturers instructions for fitting any component. The Youtube channels of Park Tools and GCN Tech have very indepth and comprehensive advice for completing all sorts of jobs on bikes, these are also worth watching particularly if you are inexperienced or unsure.