Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Signal Cycles ‘Cross Grinder

Signal Cycles Cross Grinder

Is it a cyclocrosser? Is it a commuter? An all-roader? A ‘gravel grinder’? Come to think of it, the only things missing from the latest Signal Cycle are S&S couplers, which would turn it into the ultimate travel bike — for the discerning touring-adventuring-‘cross racer.

Signal Cycles Cross Grinder

Portland’s Signal Cycles are well versed in creating multi-talented bikes, just as they are in building single-minded machines. This one is for a returning customer — always a nice compliment and a solid reminder that Signal’s Nate Meschke and Matt Cardinal are doing something right.

Signal Cycles Cross Grinder

For those who snort at the expense of a custom frame, it’s also a solution for riders on a budget. If you want three different bikes but the Finance Minister will only sign off on one, why not invest in a bike that excels in all three genres? Although, if it looks like this, it’s worth the price of three.

Signal Cycles Cross Grinder

The customer’s first bike was a more straight-forward fendered road bike — with S&S couplers — but this order was a bit more adventurous. He’ll race cross with it, then use it as a commuter (there’s a custom Signal rear rack to go with it) and explore some back roads with it also.

Signal Cycles Cross Grinder

A matching custom stem sits atop the head tube, mounting a cockpit equipped with ‘cross-specific Gevenalle levers and a shifter that operates the 1×10 drivetrain. The necessary braze-ons are there, however, to accommodate a front shift cable, using a simple two-bolt process.

Signal Cycles Cross Grinder

The front chainring is a 42T Wolftooth cog, minimising chain slip without the need for a retention device. It’s an ingenious development for modern drivetrains, and looks the business, too. The whole setup is complemented by the paint, applied by Spectrum Powderworks in Colorado Springs.

See more on the Signal Cycles Flickr stream.

Signal Cycles Cross Grinder