[MOJO K]

I'll have the 853 please.

It would be awesome to see an adventure/ bikepacking bike in the line-up. I'm inches away from throwing down on a Karate Monkey/ Bootzipper today.

 

[Taroroot]

My cross bike is Reynolds, unfortunately True Temper is no more. Steel fork also. Room for pretty big wheels.
So which would i decide? Already have!

 

[bikesdirect]

I'll have the 853 please.

It would be awesome to see an adventure/ bikepacking bike in the line-up. I'm inches away from throwing down on a Karate Monkey/ Bootzipper today.

You will find this funny
Maybe 7 years ago I added a monster cross bike due to a post on MTBR that I read and responded too
I called it the GRAVITY ZILLA
so it’s changed over the years
started AL
now it’s CF — and bikepacking types started buying them like crazy
so I added a lower priced CF Zilla
then I just designed; spec,d and ordered two more ZILLA models in aluminum
as this bike packing thing is blowing up

and I about six months ago I ask my staff “you know what I want to do for bike packing customers?”

two guys say at once “a ZILLA 853”
as they know me
then they say; “forget it! Adventure and bikepacking riders want AL or carbon”

if I understand you correctly
thats at least one vote for steel in that type bike
(2 if you count me LOL)

 

[MOJO K]

You will find this funny
years ago I added a monster cross bike due to a post on MTBR that I read and responded too
I called it the GRAVITY ZILLA
so it’s changed over the years
started AL
now it’s CF — and bikepacking types started buying them like crazy
so I added a lower priced CF Zilla
then I just designed; spec,d and ordered two more ZILLA models in aluminum
as this bike packing thing is blowing up

and I about six months ago I ask my staff “you know what I want to do for bike packing customers”
two guys say at once “a ZILLA 853”
as they know me
then they say; forget it Adventure and bikepacking riders want AL or carbon

if I understand you correctly
thats at least one vote for steel in that type like
(2 if you count me LOL)

I'm completely ready to product test/ rep. the brand when it lands. Can you do it with an H-bar?

 

[david.p]

“forget it! Adventure and bikepacking riders want AL or carbon”

That's been Salsa's take but I think there are plenty who've been disappointed by their turn from steel. Honestly I'm not sure how much of that wasn't driven by wanting to increase differentiation from Surly rather being than market or product driven.

 

[trulede]

For a gravel bike I would probably want the lighter option and/or the option with the most mount points. I think 831 would be nicer/classier. I have a Ti gravel bike ... and I would want that material over either 831 or aluminium. Actually, I have an 831 Hardtail enduro bike, I think it has a nicer ride than my Alu bike. I have no problems with carbon bikes either!

 

[John Kuhl]

Steel is real.

 

[bikesdirect]

I'm completely ready to product test/ rep. the brand when it lands. Can you do it with an H-bar?

Right now, it’s hard to get components at all
and changing would take time
currently I have ordered zilla with a special Ritchey handlebar
But I will look into getting the H-bar or something like that in the future
Thanks for the suggestion

as a side note, I have been riding an X-Rod lately and have really been surprised at how much I like the BMX style bars on the bike for just cruising around
It’s great that it’s easy to change bars on bikes

 

[NoCanSurf]

I ordered a Niner steel RLT over CF and AL, just for bikepacking and adventure touring. I'd rather have steel If things go upside-down, when I'm far from home. Modern CF is pretty close to magically and AL has advanced lightyears from the 'old days', but as other say - Steel is real.

I promised myself one day I'll have a CF (road) bike that's stupid light and liquid fast, but I might put that idea on hold for some Chris King wheels... (that's another story).

 

[MOJO K]

Right now, it’s hard to get components at all
and changing would take time
currently I have ordered zilla with a special Ritchey handlebar
But I will look into getting the H-bar or something like that in the future
Thanks for the suggestion

What would be the difference in pricing if you built an adventure bike with 4130 tube set? I'd love to get one labeled unapologetically with "Bikesdirect.com" in block letters on the down tube, and with a set price instead of "60% off" of a price that you'll never ask for. I can PayPal you today with my pre-order if you can do it.

 

[bikesdirect]

What would be the difference in pricing if you built an adventure bike with 4130 tube set? I'd love to get one labeled unapologetically with "Bikesdirect.com" in block letters on the down tube, and with a set price instead of "60% off" of a price that you'll never ask for. I can PayPal you today with my pre-order if you can do it.

Now we are talking
Sounds like a bike I would personally love
cost for a 4130 bike will be about like aluminum (maybe $100 more)
with 853 it will be about $200 over CF

so 853 like this bike would be about $2000

Save Up to 60% Off Disc Brake CycloCross Cross CX Bikes - Gravity Zilla GRX Carbon Shimano GRX600 Powerful HYDRAULIC Disc Brake CycloCross Cross CX Bikes

Save Up to 60% Off Cross Bikes - The new Gravity Zilla GRX Shimano GRX600 Carbon Disc Brake is just the bike for the rider wanting the performance of an Carbon Frame, coupled with the performance of a carbon fork with Powerful HYDRAULIC Disc brakes plus WTB Tubeless Compatible tubeless...

www.bikesdirect.com

but I would use DT Swiss wheel set just cause I think 853 should be top stuff

on 4130 - I have new KILO GX coming in 2022 in 16 speed and 20 speed; sub $1000
GRX400 version $1000
redesigned to take upto 50c tires — comes with 40c rambler
plus all KILO models including GX are available in real chrome plating in addition to painted
so if you like your bike to look like a bumper on a 57 Chevy - you got it


Zilla models I design for room up to 54c!

I am going to design and spec a 4130 ZILLA with GRX400 based on your post
my target $1000 with wtb tcs rims and maxxis TR tires and hydro brakes
sounds like a bike I can get behind

 

[MOJO K]

Now we are talking
Sounds like a bike I would personally love...
I am going to design and spec a 4130 ZILLA with GRX400 based on your post
my target $1000 with wtb tcs rims and maxxis TR tires and hydro brakes
sounds like a bike I can get behind

You can make a flat bar version so H-bars can be a simple swap?

 

[david.p]

You can make a flat bar version so H-bars can be a simple swap?

IME, swapping flat bar to Jones often requires longer cables, unless they are left long by the factory.

 

[MOJO K]

Swapping flat bar to Jones usually requires longer cables, unless they are left long by the factory.

I could swap cables and brake lines but wouldn’t want to change out for different shifters and levers.

 

[bikesdirect]

You can make a flat bar version so H-bars can be a simple swap?

This is an interesting idea
I think most customers for bike like that today go for hardtail
but ZILLA and HT geo are different

i am checking with one of my top factories on getting H-bar for spec on a bike

 

[MOJO K]

I think most customers for bike like that today go for hardtail
but ZILLA and HT geo are different

I really am walking the line between the two, but I can't be the only guy that wants one. If I buy one these bikes this season I'd get the One-One Bootzipper 29(even with the $200 shipping). Adventure bike/ "off road pub bike" kind of speaks to me, and I've always liked there raw steel finish ever since I had my Summer Season HT.

 

[Crankout]

ALU for me...