New F600 project

[JohnnyD]

I just picked up another ebay find project bike frame. Not much to do other than wheels and drive train. That's good since it's too darn hot to spend a ton of time out in the heat building up another bike.

I love the custom riveted look. Reminds me of WWII aircraft and as a former aircraft maintainer that look is right up my alley.

 

[letsbike]

Pretty neat graphics. It even has WW2 D-day invasion stripes.
I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.
Do you know the production year?

 

[JohnnyD]

2006 I believe. That year the F600 came in raw aluminum. I am thinking that a previous owner stripped off the original decals and had this paintjob custom done over the raw aluminum. Which makes sense.

 

[letsbike]

I've looked around the internet. It looks to be a 2005 F600 Furio model.
Pictures are from the 2005 catalog.

 

[JohnnyD]

I definitely missed that while I was looking in the catalogs, thanks!

 

[JohnnyD]

I apologize for not uploading any pictures of the bike sooner. Life has just been busy with some personal matters that have prevented me from having enough free time to work on it. However, it is assembled and rides fantastic.
Still need to decide one way or another to turn this bike into a drop bar gravel bike or not. Until then, it's sporting a nice MicroShift 1x9 with 11-46T and a 34T oval chaining. I never thought an oval would make much difference but it is quite noticeable when you have a good cadence going.

Since I don't plan on riding the bike on any serious trails, I decided to spread a little tan side wall love and used some 2.3" Maxxis DTH. With the way the oval chain ring behaves and how light the bike is (still need to weigh it but I am guessing sub 28lbs based on my calibrated arms compared to my other bikes) this bike is pretty fast for a 1x setup as a commuter. Which is what I will be riding it as until I decide on the whole drop bar idea.

 

[IdahoBrett]

Looking forward to whatever you decide. I like the drop bar gravel bike idea.

 

[JohnnyD]

Looking forward to whatever you decide. I like the drop bar gravel bike idea.

I've been considering it for a while but didn't have a correct size frame to do it. This is an XL whereas the other hardtail I have is the Delta V. That is a medium and a too small to do it and make it a comfortable ride for any longer distance. I 100% will not do it to my M700.
If I do it with this bike I plan on using the RedShift Topshelf handlebar that has 50mm of rise to it.. That should get into a pretty comfortable position with the stems that are available for the Headshok. I'll be sending that off to Mendon Cyclesmith to get serviced in the next month or so. That way I know it's good to go for a while.

 

[JohnnyD]

A user on r/Cannondale posted a picture of his F600 as a gravel bike. I thought I would have a unique looking bike, but I guess I am year late as his post if over a year old.
However, I think it looks incredible. I wasn't sure I wanted to have yet another 1x bike, but I don't think they made a 2x 11 GRX groupset that will accept an 11-42+ cassette. 11-34 was the highest I know of. I will have to check.

So this bike is pretty much what I had envisioned..

 

[black lightning 1987]

I think it's a very practical gravel bike idea as long as you can get a reasonable saddle to bar drop number.

 

[JohnnyD]

Shimano GRX shifters are expensive! Other than that most things are ordered already.

 

[black lightning 1987]

Price of Shimano STI has always steered me towards other options like bar end shifters and Campagnolo.