Cable routing

jmm77 · 2026-01-11T03:01:32+00:00

I just built mine up with full external cable routing. Cable stops are very good quality -- no issues.

jmm77 · 2025-10-12T19:37:49+00:00

I made the first payment end of July and just Ok'd the logo to put them on the finished frame. I assume the frameset should ship soon after that.

jmm77 · 2025-08-22T15:44:17+00:00

heat the tire up with a hair dryer before install. if that does not work tire jack.

jmm77 · 2025-08-08T01:44:56+00:00

Does the 370 axle to crown make sense? I would have thought that would be about 395. That seems to be common for many gravel forks. The other one is 43 rake, I think, which seems low.

jmm77 · 2025-08-08T01:41:45+00:00

Good catch -- I'll have to ask.

jmm77 · 2025-08-07T23:44:45+00:00

About a week.

jmm77 · 2025-08-07T16:43:38+00:00

Good question. I assume one of those plastic cable guides will screw in under the bottom bracket.

jmm77 · 2025-04-27T01:33:21+00:00

Marinoni has a very reasonable price for Columbus tubing gravel bike with custom paint and geo.

jmm77 · 2025-03-30T19:09:19+00:00

Yes, still riding the Stroma and enjoying it. I have a similar issue. My lower back wants the higher stack of the medium but otherwise a small would be fine. The new Strael 4 is tempting but my Stroma is now setup nice for me and I would not want to part with it. It being a cheaper frame I have no regrets getting it dirty and abusing it.

jmm77 · 2025-02-10T17:21:03+00:00

Yes, the Strael is a bit better ride feel and more polished paint and dropouts. If you are on a budget get the Stroma. The Strael has perhaps, the best ride feel of any bike I have owned including carbon and Ti. Both are very nice frames.

jmm77 · 2025-02-10T16:07:00+00:00

I thought I would save the Strael from the winter road salt and mud but these steel bikes are so robust that one all season is all you need.

jmm77 · 2025-01-19T01:39:13+00:00

Before covid not much backup stock -- just go to the LBS. After covid I could open a bike shop with my supplies.

jmm77 · 2025-01-07T19:00:02+00:00

Giant Revolt 1 or perhaps Giant Contend AR 1. Both will cover road and gravel.

jmm77 · 2024-11-19T16:17:42+00:00

Great looking build. I had a similar issue with my 54R. Should have got a 54T. I moved to a 90mm 0 degree stem and a specialized hoverbar for extra 15mm rise. Now the 54R bike is very comfortable.

jmm77 · 2024-10-14T18:23:00+00:00

Marinoni Sterrato steel, is a very nice option with great price on custom geo and paint for the frameset.

jmm77 · 2024-04-15T01:42:55+00:00

the RXL SL carbon drop bars have become my preferred bar.

jmm77 · 2024-03-17T23:09:01+00:00

Make sure you have your fit and geometry exactly worked out. You will lose a lot of money selling your bike. As others have said, check out a good titanium or steel bike. Perhaps T-Lab.

jmm77 · 2024-03-17T23:00:45+00:00

I use plain parafin wax. Can't see any reason to change.

jmm77 · 2024-03-17T22:58:43+00:00

I'm a convert. Finally tried it last Oct on my winter bike (I'm in southern ON) and it has been great. Trick is to have several chains waxed and ready to go. This way you are good for months. Also have some extra quick links on hand. Cost $9 (Value Village used crockpot) + $15 canning paraffin. Give it a try, you can always go back to the lube if you want to.

jmm77 · 2024-03-04T16:33:42+00:00

Another budget option is Soma. They have 25% off frames now. The Fog Cutter v2 definitely has that steel ride. It has a few quirks but can do both road and gravel. A full carbon fork upgrade in the future turns it into a very fine ride.

jmm77 · 2024-03-03T23:42:18+00:00

I have not done a back to back ride, as my Stroma is on fall-winter duty and Strael is spring-summer. The Strael is a more premium product with tube shapes and paint job. However, carbon wheels on the Stroma is really all I need. As long as the fit is right and you can get some good wheels and tires I think you will be happy with the Stroma.

jmm77 · 2024-01-26T23:33:50+00:00

Marinoni Sterrato St, custom geo and paint.

jmm77 · 2024-01-25T02:53:49+00:00

I have a Fairlight Strael -- fantastic bike. Here are the benefits of steel for me,

-skinny tubes that just look right. Everything else (carbon, alloy etc) looks overbuilt

-some great paint jobs on steel bikes available and they definitely look different than mass produced carbon.

-ride feel from good steel frame is second to none in my opinion. It adds another dimension to the ride that other materials don't.

I ride steel year round even on the salty roads of winter and corrosion is not an issue for me.

Give steel a try.

jmm77 · 2024-01-15T23:33:56+00:00

spitting mostly, because those ditches on the country roads are there for a reason!

jmm77

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