I get a lot of ideas for posts from the comments section of this blog. Such was the case last week when I received a comment asking to show all my bicycles. So, since I don't think I've done that - ever - I thought, why not? The thing is, there are a LOT of bicycles and parts of bicycles around here and one post won't cut it. So, this may be a recurring series of sorts spread across several posts. We will see how it all develops.
My first batch will be my gravel bikes. Anything I primarily use for gravel riding will be included here. Future posts will cover mountain/fat bike, urban/commuter, and "Parts Bikes", which will be a category showing frames and partial bikes I have here.
Okay, now on with the show....
 |
| Pofahl Signature Custom |
2007 Pofahl Signature Custom
A design I dreamed up and that Ben Witt refined and had Mike Pofahl braze up. There is guaranteed no other example like this anywhere. Modeled loosely on a first generation Karate Monkey this bike has a loooooong set of chain stays and a taller stack height than a Karate Monkey. It is single speed specific.
I've ridden this bike at Gravel Worlds, and on several local gravel rides but it doesn't get used as much as I like to see. Some of the parts are special to me like the seat post, a Syncros 27.0 mm post I had on my 1992 Klein Attitude. The Race Face 180mm cranks were from my 1996 Diamond Back V-Link FS 26"er. It's got a Redshift ShockStop stem and a Luxy Bar, of course.
 |
| Raleigh Tamland Two |
Long-time blog readers know this bike well. My "OG" gravel specific bike. Many folks forget this was one of the very first gravel specific bikes available and it was, if I dare say so myself, way ahead of its day when it comes to geometry, tire clearance, and overall handling.
I'm probably going to ride this for the 4th this year as it is a red, white, and blue paint scheme. I've written reams about this bike, its history, and how I'm tied into that, many times, so I won't delve into that again here. But you may see a post again on this bike soon, so stay tuned.
 |
| 2008 Salsa Cycles Fargo |
2008 Salsa Cycles Fargo
One of the very first production samples of the Fargo Gen I model, I've had this bike since November 2008. You've likely seen this on the site if you've been around enough reading my posts. There isn't much to say about this bike which hasn't already been said.
This Fargo has been on more adventures and in more events than any other bike I own. So, it is a very special bicycle to me and I still plan on riding in more events and on more adventures with this Fargo in the future.
 |
| Singular Cycles Gryphon Mk3 |
The quest for a 29+ wheeled gravel bike finally was achieved when I got hold of this Gryphon Mk3 model from Singular Cycles. It is a unique bike with a unique set-up.
I stuck not only a front derailleur on this supposed 1X only bike, but I used a triple crank set and 9 speed components as well. So, this bike has a weird, 1990's meets modern drop bar MTB look to it. I think it is perfect for chunky gravel, or dirt roads, where smooth riding is valued. The bike is heavy, no doubt, but it handles rough stuff really well.
 |
| 2018 Black Mountain Cycles Monster Cross Disc (MCD) |
2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD
This pink beast was the bike I took on my recent BRAN trip and has been a great gravel bike for me for many years now. Black Mountain Cycles no longer offers this model, but the nearest equivalent is their Mod Zero, which has many of this bike's attributes and more.
This bike is what I refer to as my "skinny Fargo". It isn't a Vaya, which some of you may think of in a similar vein, but it is set up and feels like my Gen I Fargo. Just lighter. And it is pink, so there is that as well.
 |
| Noble Bikes GX5 |
2019 Noble Bikes GX5
Another bike ahead of its time and another bike you cannot get anymore. This carbon fiber bike has been a lot of fun to ride and it reminds me a lot of the Tamland Two. It should since Noble Bikes was founded by a former Raleigh engineer who worked on the Tamland.
Funny story behind this bike: The Noble Bikes founder was adamant that this bike had a 40mm tire clearance, maximum, which wasn't crazy in 2019. However, I've fitted 700 X 47's into the bike, and 45's are no big deal. So, it is a good thing the bike had this clearance when new or I'd have probably moved off of it by now.
 |
| King Fabrications Custom Gravel Bike (Honeman Flyer) |
2024 King Fabrications Custom Gravel Bike (Honeman Flyer)
This is the bike that photographer/writer Erik Mathy made a reality by sheer force of his will to see me, this bike, and Mid-South come together as a story he could shoot and write up. The story never materialized, as far as I know, but the bicycle and Mid-South most certainly did.
I had come across a 1936 geometry for a track bike and at the suggestion from Coconino Cycles' Steve Garro saying this was proto-gravel geometry, I decided he was right and wanted it made. It was a wish. I did not ever expect it to come true.
But, as I said, Erik Mathy made sure it did, and I paid my money and had the bike done in time to ride the 2024 version of Mid-South bandit style.
Love the bike, but I wish it had bigger tire clearances.
2025 Singular Cycles Peregrine Mk4:
And of course, the bike shown yesterday is in this category. Nothing to add here other than this has to be counted and so here it is!
Okay, that's it for gravel bikes. Next will be a much smaller category, MTB/Fat. Stay tuned. It may be a while before I can get this next batch photographed.
No comments:
Post a Comment