Today’s build is a prime example of a trend we’ve seen growing over the years: having one bike to rule them all. For many, the appeal of a high-performance bike that lacks a direct specialization may seem odd. Won’t it just be mediocre at everything? Simply put - kinda yes, kinda no. But that doesn’t matter!
These do-it-all bikes hearken back to a time when, no matter the terrain, distance, or time spent, at the heart of it all was the joy that came from the simple act of leaving the house and going for a bike ride. Something truly special.
A bike like this gives the rider the confidence and ability to sample a little bit of everything: smooth road, bike path, punchy singletrack, or double-wide ATV trails. It’s an enticing proposition, especially when done on a light, rugged frame hung with well-curated components.
At the core of this bike is a mischievous wanderlust that comes with riding a bike that's just a tad out of place wherever it goes. It’s a wonderful way to escape the intense focus on optimization that often accompanies modern cycling, while still enjoying all the benefits of today’s refined componentry.
Without further ado, here are some words from the bike’s owner, Pierre Luc Arseneau.
Pierre's Vision: "I had a very specific list of things I wanted in a new gravel bike.700c Carbon wheels, a wide tire clearance, the ability to run a suspension fork (voiding the warranty) if I wanted to, a lighter bike than what I previously had, a color palette that I would not get tired of looking at, 165mm cranks and a 1x mechanical drivetrain. I call this bike my "Ottawa to Gatineau park" bike or my "ride from my house and go anywhere" bike. These days, I tend to not want to drive to ride and I prefer any rides that leaves from my house. So I built a bike that would let me do that in the best way possible. 40 to 120km rides, from asphalt to hardpack gravel to bumpy singletrack to feeling slightly underbiked in proper MTB trails of Gatineau Park. Jack of all trades? Master of none? Perhaps. But for me, finding that one true love was more important than having a few too many bikes to take care of."
Spec List:
Frame: Kona Libre CR G2 Yellow "Coors Light Banquet"
Fork: Cane Creek Invert SL 30mm
Wheels: We Are One Whisp rims laced with CX Ray spokes to I9 Solix Silver hubs
Groupset: Shimano GRX820 1x12
Cranks: Garburuk Gravel Silver
Chainring: Garburuk Black 42t
Bottom Bracket: PF30 Cane Creek Ceramic
Headset: CaneCreek Lite 70 Silver
Stem: Cane Creek Silver 60mm
Bars: Ritchey Beacon 44cm
Bar ends: Cane Creek Silver
Seatpost: Thomson Elite Silver
Seat collar: Wolf Tooth Silver
Tires: Shwalbe Thunderburt 29 x 2.1
