Building A Retro Gravel Bike From My Parts Bin - Wheeltop EDS TX

Today awe start a gravel build from a retro Saracen Andes steel mountain bike.
We will be using the EDS TX from Wheeltop. you can learn more about it below.
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[@christopherwebb3517]

You have plenty of clearance on that rear wheel. In fact, you could almost fit an entire water molecule between the tire and the frame.

[@farhanprasasta501]

probably better with 650b

[@matthewsmith22]

Loving the build videos, recently been drawn back in! I used to cycle commute fairly regularly, got a job further across town and got lazy. I have a failry terrible rock rider I got over ten years ago, I have changed bars, stem, tried to make the drive chain easier to work on going one by, front chain ring has been changed. Our school has recently joined a cycle to work scheme so I have been looking at new bikes again but honestly just find them a bit dull compared to retro mountain bikes. I honestly feel like I'm starting from scratch with it all! I found a boardman hyb 8.9 that's not too far away, very tempted thinking I can change the stem and whatnot to make it more comfortable for a 40+ year old 😂. Just a thanks for the videos, if I get around to it I may post stuff on here, fun and expensive times!

[@fablife1093]

Do it! I did similar. Brings a lot of joy. Simple pleasures.

[@matthewsmith22]

@@fablife1093 thanks, I needed this nudge, dropped an offer in, we'll see how's it goes!

[@iamjamestheiv]

Run a 40 or 42 in the rear and the 45 up front. Alot of people do it nowadays. 🤘 Can't wait to see this build completed.

[@michaelsturgeon5210]

I'd get the stayer bloke to chop the rear brace off and weld it higher up , remove the rear cable break tabs also . Silver finishing kit brown bar tape & brown saddle.

[@johnharrington2400]

At 8 minutes 8 seconds it confirmed my feelings. That is a ridiculous project.

[@fablife1093]

I don't know why I get so excited about tight clearances on wheels. I thought I was pushing the extremes but wow you are really pushing the extremes. Super cool.

[@fetacyklar]

With that tall BB and small tire clearance you might as well make it a cyclocross bike with 33mm knobblies!

[@tremayneuk]

Stunning parts bike

[@Gaunafabandcustom]

Bro keeps on saying his first name and I'm like wait his name is Craig?

[@rafael9948]

I would like to see more gravel bike builds on this channel :)

[@kimrice394]

I call these Dirt Crit bikes. 😍

[@DomSockett]

Middleburn cranks would look fancy.

[@andyamos8594]

You made yourself a bit of a dirt magnet at the back there. It will just complicate life if not addressed. Option one, cut off the bridge behind the bottom bracket! Its a mountain bike after all so should be pleanty strong enough without it, same for the one in the seat stays!!!! Option two, smaller wheels, but not as much fun!

[@edwardmaney6995]

Since you have a frame builder handy, why not move the bridges on the seat and chain stays a little bit for some more room.

[@itotech7845]

Love it. But I agree smaller wheel or tires and it will be awesome. Cheers from Ohio, USA

[@chadquadhamer5577]

Try running a 700x40 in the rear. Should give you enough room.

[@oheso]

The moment you said the tires were 700c I said nope! And everything that came after that only reinforced my opinion.

[@xzcion]

When are you releasing the "carpark mechanic" sticker?

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

😂

[@AlexdaCunha]

The setup looks really cool. Just that rear tire clearance 😬 really tight for a gravel

[@jakemccabe5571]

Paint some Sonder Bomber bars silver 🤘

[@Nix_sound]

650b wheels and silver finishing kit. Also agree with some comments about a little too much of the video being of your face. Not trying to be orrible, just saying you're very close to the camera... I enjoy the videos though, love old bikes with modern kit on them

[@wayneclement7201]

Flip that stem brother! Id say run a 12 speed cassette, 11-50, with a 38T Oval Chainring!

[@vernerjuliussen2071]

On my last conventions, I've used the SRAM Apex double-tap (1×11 ore 2×10) with TRP hydro callipers. Realy enjoy them more so than hacking Shimano 105 with Shimano XT (up to 10 gear bar shifter, with up to 9speed MTB shifter in the back). Feels better with component's intended together. 😁🤙

[@kipcc3918]

That is a tall ahh BB, Love it. I have a 700c converted from a 26” litespeed mtb, It was well worth it. It’s the same with your bikes, It’s the most tinkered on bike that I have, Idk why, but i feel like it’s not its final form. Maybe if I get the money to get a disc brake tabs welded on it I might just do it and finalize it. 😅

[@noahhupe1]

I think the clearance is really too tiny.. any mud or mid sized rocks are gonna get caught in there and it won't be a good time. But it's a fun build for sure! Excited about the groupset as well. 😊

[@steve101968]

Grind down the bridge a few mm?

[@Elias-qw1ps]

Still looking for that damn fork! I cant find it :( its stunnin

[@jacoblavinder3827]

Friends at kenda.. I want to be friends with kenda lol always loved their tires

[@biosfearmag]

Cool bike, but my eyes kept drifting towards that VW Electric cargo van in the background. We won't be getting that in the states, only the large passenger model.

[@whitecompany18]

Never had the opportunity to say this before, shes a bit tight. 👍

[@draggonhedd]

take a wide piece of pipe, place it across the frame bridges, and give it a few solid whacks with a mallet to dent in or give some arch to those frame bridges for some tire clearance. Thats what they used to do on klunkers.

[@kingkooper7522]

Hi . Do a mullet build. 700c front with 26 in the rear or cut out cross braces trim and get stayer to re weld with a bigger wheel gap. Wouldnt run it as is.. Go a bit more purple on some parts too....pedals/single front crank/cage bolts/stem bolts etc. Add a bar bag in some mad colours and a strong front light underslung a garmin mount in oil slick colours....then a camo charge seat with blk seat post. Thatll do well.. Peace.

[@Dripaholic]

Mechanical drop post, and downsize tires a bit for more clearance

[@jered2177]

Cool pre build

[@dyrik]

700x40c? maybe? accents gotta stay pink. Someone here said brown saddle/tape and I totally agree

[@moosehand8721]

I want one of those pink proper crusty stickers on that chainstay your working on. You dont show those available anymore.

[@johndef5075]

Ive had bikes where it was easier to mount wheel with tire deflated then pump it up

[@patrickpatrick5355]

Craig, sorry to say that is a death trap with that clearance

[@floppywonka]

bb drop got those chain stays as flat as earth

[@fleurdelispens]

Um, which version of the Wheeltop EDS groupset did you get? If it's the hydraulic version, then you're gonna have to acquire some adapters to put flat mount brakes on an ISO mount rear and a post mount front.

[@demonstructie]

Ah yes, typical parts bin build with 90% of the value being brand new parts you get for free from sponsors. Very relatable and inspirational.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

That’s a fair assessment. I’m extremely lucky to get the parts and opportunity’s to work with brands that’s not lost on me. I suppose the only reason I refer to it as a parts bin bike is because that’s where I keep all my parts, in a box in my shed. New, old what ever they are.

[@demonstructie]

@@2NDLIFEBIKES damn that level headed response makes me feel bad for my snarky tone lol. Yeah it sure must be nice to have companies just give you stuff, but that's also in large part the result of your own work you put in so I don't mean to take credit away from you. It's just the video could have been titled more aptly I suppose m8 is all. Thanks for being reasonable

[@Shaz8389]

​@@2NDLIFEBIKESYour builds are straying more from the "fix up crusty thing" which brought lots of us here. It does change the perception of things.

[@morganrichardson1645]

Just bought some mtb tyres for my 700 x 35c bike and it would fit in the frame do I go 600 or 650 ?

[@williamsjp1000]

Can that electronic set run the cues stuff I really wanna run the 26/40 crank set and the 11-41 cassette, that would be a god like range to have

[@00networker]

Where is this shop craig and whats its name i need to visit this place cheers mate

[@RuezgaDaniel]

maps.app.goo.gl/RuCJ7F5vFHpj3tbY8

[@Stevehatesgravel]

I wouldn’t bother gravel bikes are crap at everything

[@jakecobb3332]

First comment 🎉

[@paulmpak]

Nice build, but I find that you talk wayyyyyyyy too long in that purple room with nothing to look at besides your moustache. You should do more voice-overs while building the bike. Watching a bike build, even for the 100th time, is more interesting that looking at someone's talking face up close for 5 minutes straight.