From the looks of things, Signal Cycles have been kept busy with orders for bikes that aren’t afraid of unsealed roads and gravel paths. That’s understandable. Why limit yourself? The Portland workshop of Nate Meschke and Matt Cardinal is perfectly located to access forested fire roads by bicycle, so while this Gravel Grinder is showroom-shiny, it won’t be for long.
Don’t let the stylish good looks fool you. It may appear to be a more-than-capable road bike from a distance, but it can accept up to a 700x35C tire with fenders and a 40C without. It’s currently set up with Clément X’Plor USH, named after Argentina’s—and the world’s—southern-most city, Ushuaia (for inspiration… apparently it’s an ideal destination for bicycle touring).
Shimano’s Ultegra group will prove to be a reliable companion, bolstered by Chris King bearings and Racer brakes by Paul Components. The fillet-brazed / bi-lam frame is finished with complementary touches, such as a matching pump and graphics. Now, I can’t wait to see some ‘After’ shots. See more on the Signal Cycles flickr set and check out their production model: The Saltzman.
