Advertisement

One of our favorite things about attending “gravel grinder” events is checking out the bikes that people build and use for these adventures.

It’s similar to cyclocross twenty years ago, when purpose-built production cyclocross bikes were rare and most racers would modify a touring, mountain, hybrid or road bike to get the job done. Many people would take different approaches, but all end up with satisfying results, and usually end the race in one piece and with a big smile.

It was no different last month at the inaugural Lost and Found Bike Ride in Northern California. Racers brought cyclocross bikes, hardtails, full suspension bikes, and even a few hybrids, road bikes, and singlespeeds (see Ron Shevock’s sixth-place Felt F1X singlespeed build).

One of the more interesting builds we spotted at the Lost and Found ride was Jesse Reeves’ custom titanium Triton adventure bike. Built to order for Reeves in Russia, the bike featured a titanium frame and fork, and when he’s touring, a custom titanium rack as well.

Jesse Reeves finished third in the amateur 100-mile race on this Triton, one of the more interesting builds we saw at the Lost and Found. © Cyclocross Magazine

Jesse Reeves finished third in the amateur 100-mile race on this Triton, one of the more interesting builds we saw at the Lost and Found. © Cyclocross Magazine

Reeves finished third in the amateur category of the Lost and Found 100-mile race, with a time good enough to place him seventh in the Pro category.

His build featured a Race Face Single narrow/wide 38 tooth ring mated to an ethirteen crankset, a SRAM X9 long cage derailleur with an 11-36t 10-speed cassette and an X9 shifter paired with a seat collar clamp to attach to his drop handlebar.

A seat collar clamp let Reeves put an X9 shifter to his flat bar. 2014 Lost and Found Ride. © Cyclocross Magazine

A seat collar clamp let Reeves put an X9 shifter to his flat bar. 2014 Lost and Found Ride. © Cyclocross Magazine

Jesse Reeves' used an ethirteen crankset with a 38t Race Face single ring with narrow/wide teeth. © Cyclocross Magazine

Jesse Reeves’ used an ethirteen crankset with a 38t Race Face single ring with narrow/wide teeth. © Cyclocross Magazine

Reeves also relied on BB7 MTN mechanical disc brakes paired with V-brake specific brake levers. The frameset features massive tire clearance, and Reeves used Kenda Small Block Eight 1.9″ tires set up tubeless on NoTubes Arch rims, and had plenty of room to spare.

Jesse Reeves' Triton titanium gravel bike has sliding dropouts to go single or geared. A BB7 MTN disc caliper is compatible with his V-brake drop bar brake levers. © Cyclocross Magazine

Jesse Reeves’ Triton titanium gravel bike has sliding dropouts to go single or geared. A BB7 MTN disc caliper is compatible with his V-brake drop bar brake levers. © Cyclocross Magazine

Built with sliding dropouts, Reeves’ Triton can be run singlespeed or geared, but for the hilly event, Reeves obviously relied on gears.

See more details of the bike build in the slideshow below.

Jesse Reeves’ Titanium Triton Gravel Bike Photo Gallery:

Previous Image
Next Image

info heading

info content