Clean, Classic, Classy. Twin Six Rando Custom

We've stocked Twin Six clothing for a few years now, and dig how their line is full of solid designs- timeless without being "retro" but not lacking for solid cuts and good technical features. Over last winter, they introduced a line of frames with the same vibe, and we recently had the opportunity to build up someone's Dream Bike on the "Standard Rando" frameset. Tim worked with customer Cory to make a value-packed go-anywhere machine for, well, going anywhere. A mixed Ultegra/105 drivetrain was matched to a hand built set of DT 350 hubs and WTB Frequency CX tubeless-ready rims laced up with DT competition spokes. TRP brakes, Easton/Salsa/Brooks stuff rounded out the package. Nothing too fancy, but all great durable stuff that should last a long damn time and handle just about anything from commuting to gravel to Randonnee rides (surprise surprise...)

Classic lines with modern geometry. Well suited for many styles of riding. Twin Six, you may be new to the frame game but they know a thing or two.

Shimano 105 cranks and derailleurs with Ultegra Shifters, Chain and Cassette. Put the dollars where performance really matters.

Wheel MFG PF30-Shimano adapter bottom bracket. Threads together to solidify a generally weak BB interface. Also, Enduro sealed angular contact bearings. Portland winters, meet your match.

Chris King headset- in traditional boldface logo, keeping the theme of white/silver on black with the Shimano/King/Easton/DT Swiss/WTB parts.

TRP Spyre brakes are awesome and quiet. Enough said.

The Gifford Gravel 50 - aka the Ice Cold Hot Case 8000

New dirt road rides and routes are popping up all over the place. May 2 will see the first "official" running of The Gifford Gravel 50 in the mountains Northwest of Vancouver WA. Last weekend, I went and rode the route with shop buddies Howard and Brendan. It quickly became apparent that the GPS track's promised 57 miles and 6.5k of climbing were going to prove inaccurate. Also, there was a bit more snow at 4,000 ft than we bargained for. Despite taking a bigger bite than we planned, the day turned out to be nice and the route is great. Tough, but abounding with awesome views of SW Washington and the high Cascade volcanoes. This is one to go and check out, as long as you pack some big tires (35mm+) and plenty of H20 or water treatment.

Howard and Brendan

Starting the day with a cool spin through some timberlands

Climb 1.2

The first 12 miles of the route point steadily uphill

Kitty?

A big bobcat? A small Cougar?

Skiddz for Dayzzz

Decent Descents

Climb Time

The route manages to squeeze in a number of punchy bonus climbs.

The road ahead

Unlike so many rides in the area, your can see the road across the valley.

Reaearch Groups : Goons

Portrait of a Dirt Roadie Pt. 1

Will there be more climbing?

Yes.

Snow Problem

Snow Day

Snowzone Layer

The high zone

Ripping Down

Back in the temperate rainforest

By the end of the day, we were all a bit chilly, tired from 8k of climbing and dreaming about the cheap hot case food in Yacolt. Here's the route if you like. May 2 is the "official" ride day.

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Vaya anywhere - a Custom Salsa for All-Road Adventures

We are pleased to announce our sponsorship of BikePortland.org's bikepacking and gravel ride coverage this year. In order to get out and document these rides, editor Jonathan Maus needed a more capable bike than his cyclocross rig and more nimble than his 29er. Enter the Salsa Vaya - our adventure riding bike of choice.

Equally capable on dirt roads and cross-country tours, we've been fans of the Vaya for a few years now. To outfit Mr. Maus in style, we customized a Vaya frame for long day rides and light touring. To begin, we set it up with a reliable Shimano 2x10 drivetrain with 105 shifters and derailleurs, paired with a White Industries VBC crankset. Capable of running a wide range of gears, this will allow for a smaller inner ring than the standard 34t on a compact in case a lower range is needed for heavier loads or steeper dirt terrain. 

Assisting in the conquest of hills is the wheel set. Stan's Grail tubeless rims, paired with DT Swiss Competition spokes in front and heavy duty Alpine III spokes in the rear, laced to a reliable and powerful Alfine 501 dynamo hub up front and XT rear hub. We shod the hoops with a set of WTB Nano 40c tubeless tires for grip and cushion on forest roads. 

Rounding out the package are a pair of Avid BB7 brakes, Salsa Cowbell bar and stem, Brooks Cambium saddle and a Chris King headset. 

Follow along here and on BikePortland.org as Jonathan explores the backroads of Oregon and Washington over the coming year.

Build highlights

• Salsa Vaya triple-butted frameset- 60cm
• Handbuilt wheelset- Stan's Grail tubeless rims, Shimano Alfine dynamo front and XT rear hubs, DT Alpine spokes in back and Competition spokes in front, black brass nipples. WTB Nano 40mm tires, set up tubeless.
• Shimano 105 Shifters and rear derailleur, CX-70 front derailleur
• White Industries VBC Crankset
• Gold Chris King headset matched to gold Salsa seat collar and skewers
• Jagwire sealed shift cable/housing and compression-less brake housing
• 3x King Cage stainless steel h20 cages, handmade in Colorado.
• Brooks Cambium Saddle