VAGABONDE CYCLES is a french Handcrafter specialized in steel frames. Its workshop is based in Montélier (FR - Dpt26), a city not so far from the Hight Speed Strain Station of Valence...handy for those who wish to visit its workshop. Mathieu is one of its last customer, he lives close to Montélimar and ride a Vagabonde Gravel 650B. He has chosen a bike made in France and design few kilometers from its home.
VAGABONDE GRAVEL are part of the range since 2016. This GRAVEL is derived from the CROSSROAD - allroad touring machine - but it is lighter, more reactive...sport orientated, but on the other hand a lighter bike cannot carry heavy luggage. Equiped with big tires and thanks to the use of disc brakes, this bike can ride on any terrain. Mathieu answers few questions about its gravel bikes.
MATHIEU’S VAGABONDE GRAVEL
Mathieu, who are you ?
Mathieu 47 years old, always been a sportsman and I do 3 to 4 weekly workouts divided between running (trail and road on 5h events) and road cycling only (never racing), that i practive more when sping starts to come.
How do you like riding bikes ?
I like touring and love to ride with buddies but also on solo outings on 1 to 4 days.
How many bikes do you own ?
I have 7 bikes : 3 Vintage machine : Mercier, Gios Torino, Cattin A Touring Follis which is about 40 years old, an handmade fixie built from an old Vitus frameset, a Canyon Road bike Endurance and this fresly new Vagabonde Gravel.
Why a gravel bike ?
More than a typical gravel, i especially want a do it all machine, comfortable for long hours riding with the capacity to go off road and discover new path.
Why a bike made of steel ?
I love steel (6 of my bikes are made of steel for only one in carbon) and the knowledge of French handcraftam convinced me that those bikes are designed to ride far and for a long time
How do you know VAGABONDE ?
First of all, I am a faithful reader of the Revue 200, le vélo autrement and since the first edition. They have made several reports on steel framebuilders. Vagabonde was part of it, I live close to its workshop and i chose a local production.
Can you shortly explain us the differents steps you went across to get you bike ?
After hours of research on the internet, I went to visit the workshop Vagabonde near Valence for a first contact and discussed with him about my project. Patrice Drouin listened and well understood what I wanted. Postural study, sketch all done by Vagabonde and then a quotation. After acceptance of my part i only had to wait for the delivery. Around 3 and 4 months when I ordered mine.
What do you plan to achieve with this new bike ?
I 'll intend to make some long trips and lightweight equipped trips. Beginning of June, this will be my first solo trip from Montélimar to Dinan, around 1050kms in 6 stages. The goal is to go back to Brittany, my native region to eat a Pancake with Caramel and salted butter.
VAGABONDE GRAVEL
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Geometry
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The frame of this VAGABONDE GRAVEL is made to measure. Once Mathieu's expectations well defined, Vagabonde has selected Columbus Steel Tubes. The front triangle is made of Columbus Spirit. The down-tube has a diameter of 38mm -thickness 0.65-0.38-0.65mm. The tube is oval when arriving close to the bottom bracket to contain twists generated by pedalling. The top-tube has a diameter of 31.7mm 0.65-0.38-0.65mm oval. Lastly, the seat tube has an outer diameter of 28.6mm for a 27.2mm seatpost.
The headtube is 1"1/8, and welcome an handmade steel fork by Vagabonde, designed with Reynolds R853 blades Disc specific. THey will perfectly managed the force generated with 160mm disc brakes system. The bottom bracket is BSA type 68mm - threaded. One of the most reliable bottom bracket standard for those who like to ride far and long without a hitch.
The rear triangle is designed with Columbus ZONA. Vagabonde uses the Zona S-Bend série for thje seatstays but also chainstays. It allows Mathieu to mount large tires up to 650bx48. This is the best for him who wish to ride off-road and discovering new path. Rear dropouts are vertical for a 135x9mm quick release. The brake mount at the rear, same for the front fork, is ISO - with a 140mm rear disc. As Mathieu has decided to travel from Montélimar to Dinan to eat its pancake, he needs to carry luggages. His frame is equipped with eyelet to install a rear rack.
What has been the specification around your gravel machine ?
The goal was to have a bike make to measure (1,69m) on which I feel like in my sofa! Comfort is a main element but without omitting the sporty side of the bike so I can also use it on the weekend riding with friends.
Did you had to make some concessions?
Patrice has quickly oriented me to a bike equipped with 650b wheels more in harmony with the small size of the frame. I wanted the bike equipped with a Carbon fork but it looked complicated to find something reliable for this size of wheels and accepting disc braking.
Components are proposed by VAGABONDE when you make the choice of complete bike. The transmission is fully managed by a Shimano 105 groupset. The crank is a compact 50/34 (crankarm 170) and the cassette is a large model 11-32. Brakes are SPYRE Mechanical from the brand TRP.
Wheels are built by Vagabonde. Rear and front wheels share the same rim DT Swiss X392 - mount with 32 DT SWISS Aerolite spokes. The rear hub is a HOPE PRO4 made in UK and at the front a dynamo hub SON 28 Disc as Mathieu intends to ride by night. The front light is also, like the frond hub, from Germany : Edelux 2. About tires, he firstly has chosen Grand Bois 650Bx32 Cypres design a road use, but as he intends to ride on path, he has opted for Compass Switchback Hill 650bx48 Extralight.
How components have been chosen ?
Components were those proposed on the "reliable components catalogues" at Vagabonde Workshop, and they fits my needs.
Does Vagabonde has built the wheels ?
Wheels are indeed built by Vagabonde, I just chose the option for flat spokes and dynamo hub..
Il y a peu vous avez monté des pneumatiques en 650x48. Précédemment en 650x32, qu'est ce qui vous a poussé à cela ?
J’ai eu la possibilité grâce à Jean Philippe Ferreira de chez 2-11 cycles de choisir une paire de pneus, comme j avais choisi des 650x32 de chez GRAND BOIS pour la monte d’origine plutôt destiné à la route, j’ai choisi de partir sur des 650x48 ( le maxi de ce que peut accepter mon vélo) afin de pouvoir comparer le rendement, le confort procurées par ces deux options.
Compass tires are acclaimed for their comfort and ride quality ... what is your return on these?
I have so far not enough experience to draw conclusions, with the return of the beautiful days and spring I will be able to start long rides of 6 or 7 hours that will allow me to judge these. I can just say that I am very pleasantly surprised by my first ride with my Compass.
Does the bike meet your expectations, how does it behave on the ground?
I am still in the "honeymoon" phase and lack of perspective but am really enthusiastic and eager to see spring arrive to spend long hours with my "V439"!
Vagabone proposes on its catalogue several types of bicycles: GRAND RAID - CROSS ROAD - TOURING - GRAVEL - ROUTe - TANDEM which allow you to guide you in your choice. Afterwards, Patrice realizes your customized frame - made to measure. If you wish, in case of a complete bike, it proposes you all components suitable for your practice among reliable and proven products. Do not hesitate to contact the handcrafter for more information and why not to get a first quote.
Thank a lot to Mathieu for answering my questions and for the photos. Thanks also to Patrice, manager of VAGABONDE CYCLES, for taking the time to answer my questions with precision and the geometry scheme.
Website : http://vagabondecycles.com
Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/vagabondecycles/