90's Cyclocross Bike restoration into a Gravel Bike

I tried to only use parts from the 1990s and to reuse as many parts as possible. My most complex project to date, it took almost two years until I found all the parts and had everything together. It's a bit too much bling bling but it's a conversation starter no matter where I am.

[@gonzalez29FX20E]

Thank you for this. I’ve restored a few bikes in the past, but nothing like this. The shimano rear derailleur waiting in a box for 30 years made my heart happy. Respect.

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot 🤗

[@daniellarson3068]

I've seen a lot of these videos where they "upgrade" the 90s bikes to 1X and/or somehow fit disc brakes to the old frames. I've often wondered why. I think you did it right. It's practical and beautiful.

[@JarosawTabor]

This looks great, but disc brakes give you ultimate stoppping power in all conditions. Cantilever breaks, even good ones, can't compare. If it's for showoff and city cruising why not? If it's for descends I would even prefer mini v-brakes rather than cantis.

[@MS-pw8yu]

I see you are a man of class also. All my bikes feature KMC gold chains as the little cherry on top. The metallic flake in the beautiful blue paint with the beauty of the silver shine on components is truly gorgeous. There is too much black on bikes today, and we, The Bling Warriors, are in a battle against it. I cannot give enough kudos to you. Well done, sir.

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot 🤗

[@manfrommontreal]

Those Dura Ace cranks are beautiful!

[@angieee-]

i remember seeing old merida bikes with shimano 105 but 10 speed seeing these kinds of restorations is really relaxing

[@sidve4140]

Astounding. The attention to detail is incredible. Hats off to you sir. Its not a restoration its a brand new build. Its an artwork.

[@Velofil]

thank you very much I feel honored😊

[@Poctschorn]

That's not just a bike, that's a piece of art. And that Cannondale in the background looks stunning as well.

[@Velofil]

Cool, 😄 glad you like my build

[@Jenoxen]

The fact it still had a lock on and a support for a missing light gives me a bit of heebie jeevies ngl

[@Velofil]

🤣😂😆

[@Traildude193]

Who ever owned it before never cleaned it but looks sick af keep up the great content and builds. 🤘👍🙏🙃

[@Velofil]

Thans a lot, glad you like my builds 🤗

[@Traildude193]

@@Velofil yw anytime!

[@BengalDiscBrakesMich]

Watching you work and rebuilding this into a beauty, is like eating icecream with one's eyes.

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot 😃🤗🍦

[@dndlab1]

Outstanding build, a thing of beauty!!

[@Velofil]

Glad you like it, thanks a lot👍

[@JohnPilling25]

Wow❤. Great choice of components and you were lucky to find them. Great job on the polishing. 👍👍👍

[@Velofil]

Thanks John, glad you like it. It took me two years to find all the parts 😂

[@JohnPilling25]

@@Velofil That is the problem with trying to get specific older parts. I recently had a GT Karakoram with full LX group set but the combo brake lever shifters were destroyed internally (someone had clearly tried to take them apart and fix without knowing what they were doing) and I wasn't able to locate the same parts. I've set aside the remaining useable parts for a different build.

[@lindajesse8250]

Possibly the coolest build on the web..or a contender. Fine effort maestro.😊

[@Velofil]

Glad you like it, thanks a lot 👍

[@houtarouoreki2465]

Amazing work love your video i only have 1 road bike and i love gravel bike too

[@bergolli1]

Sehr geil. Gut abgestimmte Cantileverbremsen sind heute auch noch bei leichten Fahrrädern absolut konkurrenzfähig, ist meine Meinung. Jedenfalls nicht schlechter als V-Brakes. Super Video, viele Grüße

[@Velofil]

Danke Bergolli1, diese Bremsen haben mich echt überrascht, top bremsleistung und sehr gut dosierbar.

[@benjaminbabaran4037]

Super nice,what a beautiful bike.

[@martinmcparland7011]

Pure respect my friend, I have a 1987 Bottecchia frame that is going the same way.

[@Velofil]

Thanks Martin 🤗

[@danielnolan2920]

I subscribed halfway through the video.

[@freizeitvideos5739]

very good work - congratulations . I've rebuilt a few bikes similar to yours and also got good feedback on how great it all is. BUT, no-one wanted to pay the price for it, that to all the comments that think it's soooo good. think about how much a refurbished bike like that would be worth to you.

[@mattyfrommacc1554]

I did something similar in the early 90s to my '89 Saracen Trekker MTB (Deore II GS) with dropped Cinelli bars and ultegra bar end levers after watching John Tomac, an odd bike as It had U brakes front and rear! (in the "normal" places) so the braking was phenomenal with the Aztec pads I added, I also had Hardpack 1.5 tyres, which I loved a very narrow tyre even for the time, with no suspension you felt everything as it wasn't just gravel I rode, This is a lovely build, you really have taken extra care in restoring and selecting everything!, I would be scared to ride this, looks so perfect, even when you buy brand new, bikes do not look like this good

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot "Matty 🤗" glad you like it, would love to see your build!

[@bennettturk3206]

All the retro parts are the icing on the cake.

[@Velofil]

Thanks 🥞

[@bennettturk3206]

@@Velofil No problem. They also make a brown leather selle italia flight that would have really popped off that 90's vibe. Check out the Milano Flite Bullitt Saddle Brown Ti316 its got gold logos too so it would match the other gold parts. The saddle you got is sick too.

[@RoyBramlowe]

what a absolute banger congrats

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot Roy 👍

[@allentufts5185]

Beautiful project, the end result is so elegant. Pedal on!

[@Velofil]

Thank you for the compliment, I really appreciate it🤗

[@davidsaxby5400]

A real beauty and cool colour scheme. Top work!

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot 🤗

[@reginaldscot165]

That’s a bargain for $80 USD. 😍

[@nancyclark8503]

Beautiful

[@Oldbikerestorations]

Great job. I also love golden details at the bike

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot 🤗

[@philpowell6915]

Stunning....!!❤

[@Velofil]

Thanks 👍

[@AtakanCOBAN54]

I missed your videos so much. Perfect video. Thank you very much. I watched it with pleasure. I continue to follow and recommend you, my friend. Greetings from Türkiye. Good luck. #velofil

[@Velofil]

Thank for the nice comment! Greeting to Türkiye from Switzerland👋

[@Mormotic]

Awesome job! Congrats :)

[@Velofil]

Glad you like it thanks🤗

[@veronicabarrera1004]

Es un deleite ver este maravilloso trabajo.gracias por eso .👌🚴

[@izzetkoroglu9869]

This is beateful

[@alexsch9956]

Mamamia beim polieren kann ich mir definitiv noch was von dir abschauen. Sehr geiler Aufbau!

[@Velofil]

Danke Alexsch, schau lieber nicht zu genau, das machen andere noch viel besser 😂

[@ismaelalbarillo3028]

Wow very nice bike sir.

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot 👍

[@onats67]

very nice job

[@Velofil]

Thanks 🤗

[@inungasmr353]

its not a restoration, this is masterpiece bro ❤❤❤

[@Velofil]

Thanks for the compliment🤗

[@Arkadiy963]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 It's great work! 👍🏻 Very nice bike.

[@Velofil]

Thank you, glad you like the result🤗

[@chwbiker]

It looks amazing! Congratulations!!!!

[@Velofil]

Thank you, I really appreciate that🤗

[@capedmarauder2055]

Beautiful work!

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot👍

[@astmatik]

😮 Wow! Beautiful job!

[@Velofil]

Thanks for the compliment 🤗

[@abedfo88]

Nice Adri Van Der Poel would be proud.

[@Velofil]

Not many remember „Adrie“ 👍

[@fonstersnickare_johansson8375]

I'm not sure this is a restoration, more an upgrade/rebuild, but very very nice job. 👍

[@johns3106]

Really nice to see you kept it “period correct”.

[@Velofil]

Glad you like it 👍

[@FogelCF]

Wunderschöner Build! Hätte andere Outer cables genommen, aber richtig gut gemacht!

[@Velofil]

Vielen Dank für Dein Lob! Das geht runter wie KettenÖl 🤣

[@slmjz]

Simply amazing. As a recently turned 31 y old individual who commuted by bike every day I realized that I want to learn how to build a bike and do my own maintenance. Do you do streaming where there could be a QA? You seem a trustworthy professional, I'd be curious about your opinion on many things.

[@ManuelMartinez09]

Nice, I would have it hanging on the wall as a work of art

[@Velofil]

Thanks, my wife will kill me if I hang another bike on the wall.🤣

[@resynthesizer4565]

That is gorgeous !

[@Velofil]

Glad you like it, thanks🤗

[@saiconer]

Amazing wonderful Bike

[@Velofil]

Thank you, glad you like it 🤗

[@zedtony8110]

Very nice bike You fitted the bar tape bottom up, I understand for this build why.

[@Velofil]

Thank you Zedtony 😅

[@midorimage]

I like what you did. beautiful work! But, it is still a cyclocross bike with its geometry..

[@bebopman5]

Ironically, it's following the trend of cyclocross bikes with mad tire clearance as racey gravel bikes (See the Cannondale Supersix Evo SE/CX and Specialized Crux).

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot, the geometry works quite good for me 😊

[@obsidianclorox]

The bike is whatever the owner wants it to be lole

[@BikeShedBoy]

Stunning bike mate only just came across your channel, surfing the KZbin highway looking for similar channels to my own. Just want to say great bike you have done it justice ❤

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot 🤗

[@ulyssescabralgiordano5229]

Parabéns, ficou incrível, adoro old scholl

[@hgrgrnd1206]

Dang. That’s nice 🙌

[@Velofil]

Thanks 🤗

[@chrisball8178]

Amazing engineering skills and looking rad. Please add decals though 😱

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot Chris 😅

[@xavierderck3910]

Stunning beautiful end result. Problem however, after 3 rides in the mud and in the rain.....all the good looks are gone

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot 😂

[@sanordrey]

Hats off!!!!!

[@Velofil]

Thanks 👍

[@sepg5084]

Nice restoration 👍 i would have upgraded from Cantilever brakes to V-brakes

[@Velofil]

Thanks 🤗 I wanted to keep it Old School😂

[@stevengagnon4777]

​​​it's simpler to keep the cantilevers with the right pull ratio for these brake levers. Once the pad geometry is properly set up and the right length yoke is implemented they will stop just fine with with nice modulation. The one piece yoke is best as a safety precaution in case the cable disconnects from the head of the cable ... yes rare. But if the front brake does the type with a cable and floating yoke the cantilevers will open , the carrier cable will dig into the tire and the front wheel will instantly stop rotating ( a knoby tire certainly will)...not good at all ....over the handle bars and your head is sailing right into the tarmac. The rear will do the same and skid out of control until the tire blows ...also not good. That is why I never use that set up if possible or at least put a reflection bracket underneath to catch that carrier cable. That is also why Shimano made those one piece units as a safety precaution because so many removed the reflector bracket. That yoke that came with those brakes notoriously cuts a few strands of the cable when the allen bolts are tightened to. I know it's a rare failure but having worked on tens of thousands of bicycles I also know it does happen as I've had a few (not because it was frayed) do that in my own hands as I was testing for this in the stand. A catch post made from a 6×1.0 mm bolt and spacers would work too.

[@petrkosak2473]

Um a práce s láskou ...moc pěkné 👏

[@reginaldscot165]

Magnificent! I was in a happy place for the full video length. Questions: How many bikes do you have now? 😍 How is the ride? It looks quite aggressive at the front end, does she handle well on gravel? What was the total weight and cost of the build? How much was the sand blasted and painted frame? Thank you and safe riding! 😁

[@Velofil]

Hi my friend! Thanks a lot 👍 At the moment I have 23 Bikes😱 This one rides very directly and at the same time very comfortable, and the brakes are fantastic! Weight is 9 kg, total cost was very cheap, everything is from Ebay. The most expensive part was the paintjob (300 Euro) Have a good day😉

[@Randombourg]

⁠@@Velofil300 eur if included the sand blasting,seems like a bargain. I was quoted 180+vat just for soda blasting in my high cost country.

[@tmayberry7559]

The cassette should be gold-plated as well bottle cages Is this bike just for show or can we see it in action 🤔

[@ArnoldQMudskipper]

No. Too much gold looks tacky.

[@tmayberry7559]

@@ArnoldQMudskipper 🤔 you might have a good point there. Question where would you use gold accents on a bike

[@mrazzo15]

Nice and clean👍

[@Velofil]

Thanks, glad you like it 👍

[@hamadysack3157]

Golly what pretty parts!

[@Velofil]

Thanks 👍

[@Livitt351]

You got lucky with those hoods

[@joeteo6536]

Very beautiful ❤

[@Velofil]

Thanks 🤗

[@nathankoroush7918]

Beautiful.

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot👍

[@MattGratt]

A work of art - was it a costly project?

[@Andy-gh9gz]

Очень крутой видос! Настоящий мастер)

[@Velofil]

Спасибо большое, я рад👍

[@baptistepouzol2940]

Stylé !

[@svenkmueller]

Schönes Projekt, tolles Ergebnis und wirklich gut gemachtes Video. Aber der Vorbau... 😬

[@Velofil]

Danke Sven, was ist den mit dem Vorbau 😟

[@alfredoalmeida6754]

Belo trabalho 👏🇵🇹

[@senorspiegel]

Amazing

[@Velofil]

Thanks 🤗

[@Tarmaccyclocross]

I ride my cyclocross bike on any terrain that so gravel bike does it’s just a load of marketing crap

[@haveblue117]

Endlich mal kein "bilig billig" Aufbau! Konsquent durchgezogen und optisch 1A - Top-Rad! 👍👍👍

[@Velofil]

Danke dir 👍 freut mich sehr 🤗

[@mikerand2622]

Just stick Knobbly tyres on it , instant Gravel Bike 😅

[@Velofil]

😂 There were already studded tires mounted but only 30mm wide.

[@mikerand2622]

@@Velofil yea need to be a bit wider

[@photooutdoor2574]

Wow! Da steckt eine große Menge Arbeit drin! Ich habe selber mal einen Stahlrenner von 1978 restauriert. In sofern kann ich das also beurteilen.

[@Velofil]

Allerdings, 😄kann man den Stahlrenner online bestaunen 🤔

[@photooutdoor2574]

@@Velofil Besser nicht, war mein Erstlingswerk und kommt nicht Ansatzweise an deine Arbeit heran.

[@cyberpunkfpv3032]

It's too great to be true

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot 🤗

[@JoaoPaulo-lr6wh]

Pimp my Bike. Beautiful 👏

[@Velofil]

Thanks 👍

[@chicomojo]

90s? I was riding a gravel bike like this in ~2012.

[@NeriusAntanas]

Beautiful. What about the pull distance for cantilever brakes versus how much the brake levers pull? Do the two mechanical advantages line up, more or less? That was a very nice original derailleur, short cage. I like those a lot. Was there anything wrong with it, or did you just replace it to go to long cage?

[@Velofil]

Thanks, leverage ratio works perfect. all CX bikes had cantilevers combined with racing bike brake levers before the disc brake. The derailleur was much to short, will surely be able to use it somewhere else😊

[@mauriciomejia8041]

quedó increíble

[@Velofil]

Thank you 🤗

[@cincofr7079]

Nice 👏👏🇲🇦

[@florgynikmak]

Listen the only thing keeping this from being perfect is that you kept the seatpost bolt silver. C'mon, man! You're at a 99 out of 100!

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot 🤣at 18:30 you can see the golden Seatpost bolts, unfortunately they didn't fit 😮‍💨

[@thomaseser8359]

Great work. But You should have clear coated the Cranks and rims. I FEAR the shine will not last long.

[@Velofil]

I have applied aluminum rim protection. According to the manufacturer, it should protect for one year.

[@qwertyazerty2137]

I've had this deda bar tape. It looks nice but it's rubbish. Too thin for graveling/cx and after ~1000 km the fake leather layer starts to flake off and if you want to unwrap it to replace the cable housings, the sticky tape is really strong and tears it off. Ps. Great build, but the frame definitely could use some nice period-correct decals. As for the chain, if you got it from aliexpress, it's probably a counterfeit. I had an x11 from ali and it didn't even last 1000 km in my mtb until it streched beyond 1 mm.

[@PhilippLerz]

I have very little knowledge about bikes. What’s the point in having the frame repainted. Isn’t it cheaper to look for a “good” frame? Or is this frame so special that it’s worth the money for the paint job?

[@Velofil]

a cyclocross frame in perfect condition is probably about the same price as repainting an old frame...

[@rudnytskyi]

Дуже гарний апарат вийшов. 👍🇺🇦

[@Velofil]

Дякую🤗

[@leonhanke2770]

Tolles Video! Hat das mit den 600er Schalthebeln und dem XT Schaltwerk einfach so funktioniert oder musstest du noch irgendwas dafür machen?

[@Velofil]

Danke Leon, das funktioniert einfach so. Alte 8s sind kompatibel miteinander

[@graememorrison333]

Very nice! Who makes those brakes btw? (My Shimpagnolo equipped, canti-braked retro crosser is my all-purpose, do anything bike - and by far my favourite bike to ride. Anything less than steep downhills, I don't need discs)

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot 🤗 Brakes are made by AVID (Tri Align)

[@Tacsson]

Hi, could you please outline the process you use for polishing the cranks? They look awesome!

[@Velofil]

It's not difficult, just start with coarse sanding and then gradually work your way to finer sanding. Then polish with polishing paste and you're done.

[@GlobuleRed]

Magnifique

[@Velofil]

Merci🤗

[@antoniocorigliano68]

God job 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Velofil]

thanks Antonio🤗

[@SamirBiciAventure]

Hermosa bici.

[@Velofil]

Gracias👍

[@juancarlossalinamontilla511]

Hola amigo, que bonito trabajo, me gustaría hacerte una pregunta, ¿El marco o cuadro que usaste es un Rin 26 o Semi Carrera?

[@Velofil]

Hola, viejo, húmedo, es una bicicleta de ciclocross con ruedas de 28".

[@Jenoxen]

@@Velofil "Viejo, Húmedo" 🤣🤣🤣

[@shimona500]

Silver parts 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍

[@tonytouch4608]

So viel Liebe zum Detail und dann eiern die Reifen nur so auf der Felge rum 😔

[@Velofil]

Keine Angst da eiert gar nichts 🤨

[@kjellbergvall4605]

Wow🙏

[@andersonsantos-sv8ij]

❤❤❤

[@ivansolakov1634]

Awesome. How did you source all those old parts in brand new condition ??

[@Velofil]

Thanks a lot, all parts are from Ebay, but you need a lot of patience to find them🤪

[@afifulwan5115]

AKU SUKA KONTEN MU YANG SEPERTI INI

[@migrantfamily]

7:50 Never grease tapered axle ends, you could end up ruining the cranks.

[@Velofil]

That's right. After many traumatic experiences over the last thirty years with stuck and rusted cranks, I decided that greasing is better. I've never had any problems with a greased crank assembly 😊

[@migrantfamily]

@@Velofil I have never had anything but problems when the taper has been greased. Cranks cracking, cranks coming loose. It’s bad practice.

[@FuchsHorst]

Does the MTB FD work with the STIs? While I know that 8-9spd MTB RD can work fine with Road STIs, I always assumed you need a road FD as the pull ration was different from the beginning of all time.

[@Velofil]

Works just fine, AFAIK all old 8s Shimanos are cross compatible