I hope to be able to post an alloy gravel build in this thread soon…
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This is the correct emotion - 
Finally finished a gravel build in November and have really enjoyed riding it. Zanconato aluminum – I may tweak a few things here & there and will eventually get some nicer wheels (though these Shimano GRX were a good price and have been great (“very Shimano”, as one review said). The Rene Herse tires are 700x48 front, 700x42 rear with tons of clearance, and a mish-mash of GRX/Ultegra/DA. The frame is so snappy and responsive – a great ride! (Pardon if the road pedals or anything else offend – the setup in the photo is perfect for where I ride and is subject to change as needed! 
)
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Here’s my Focus Mares AL. I bought it for cross, but now it’s my quiver killer.
Built up with a 105 groupset, except for the XTR rotors. 3T Superergo carbon bars – I love these, Fabric Scoop Flat Pro saddle and Easton EC 70 seatpost for the cockpit. GravelKing SK 38’s on Elite Wheels 45mm deep hookless carbon wheels. I love this bike—it’s racy but has plenty of clearance for large tires, I was previously running GKSK 43c no problem but changed because the 38’s are faster. I keep looking at new carbon, but this thing takes such a beating that I’m reluctant to put so much money into it.
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I’ll second here, I’ve had a few carbon bikes of various pedigrees over the last ten years, from a Cervelo R3, to a Pinarello Prince Carbon. Right now I’m riding my old Pinarello Galileo aluminum bike, and when I built it up, I thought it would be unbearably harsh after those bikes, but in reality, with modern wheels, 28c tires, and a forgiving seat post, I struggle to tell the difference in overall ride quality. Those bikes were a bit stiffer in the BB and more compliant in the seat stay, but seriously, Ive got a Fizik Saddle with Ti Rails, 28c Contis on either Hunt 4 season, or Campy Zonda wheels, and a Ti Campy Record seat post from like 2000 and the bike is a dream on all but the worst chop and seal. Im riding it while I save to have a custom steel roadie built, and its perfectly acceptable.
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My Ripmo AF Enduro Race Build:
Aluminum Frame
Ibis S35 Carbon Wheels w/ Hydra- 1650g for the pair, 35mm IW
It’s the best of both worlds, indestructible frame with dialled geometry and top of the line suspension, and super snappy and still indestructible carbon wheels (With no holds barred 7 year warranty)
and my '76 Ford E150 camper van/ shuttle rig.
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Such a good workingman’s race rig and van setup. I’m jealous.
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Thanks!
I’ve been loving the Ripmo, it checks all the boxes and is affordable enough to be my second (Mountain) bike!
The van is definitely still a work in progress, after replacing 90% of the brake components I finally am confident enough to make out of state trips in it. It doesn’t have a shoulder seat belt for the driver and barely goes 65 though so it rarely makes it our of South Dakota.
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Tell us more about the van. I haven’t seen a proper van in ages.
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3 posts were split to a new topic: Vans & Van Life Thread
We need a van life / bike transporter thread to parallel the pain cave thread.
Summoning our moderator - LOL
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A) I think one of you guys could start it if you want.
B) Or I can just move the top reply from above (and all the following ones related) into a new thread.
Preference?
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I’d do a new thread and make BS605 the van thread moderator for life 
That yellow Ford is bitchin’ Am now curious what others are doing for bike transport.
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OK, I was able to pull his post into a new thread:
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Not sure if this counts since it was an odd duck back in 2007 but it’s been a blast to ride. Cannondale systemsix half carbon front end and aluminum rear with short/beefy chain-stays. Upgraded the bar and wheels to make it quite formidable in criteriums.
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That is a handsome bike.
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Been reading this thread for a while, and I finally have a contribution -
Cobbled together with whatever bargains I could find. First road bike build!
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Its either a CAAD 4 or CAAD 5, not sure as it doesnt say. The downtube is fatter than the more modern bikes. Handles well, and allows me to get low, in the hoods.
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This Scott AFD Elite (2004?) has been a work-in-progress since November. I’ve almost finished painting it - just needs a couple shots of clear coat - then on to the build.
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What a transformation! Excellent work so far.