We found Keith’s bike on Instagram (he used the #KonaDreamBuilds hashtag) just after he’d ridden this years Dirty Kanza 100 on it with zero flats. It seemed Keith was gushing about his Libre and it was clear from his post that he really got this bike. A fully capable gravel race bike one day and a lightweight full carbon bike packing rig the next. We asked Keith for a bit more build info and just how he set it up for the two applications. Check out some of the bikes cooler details and Keith’s response below.

I built the bike to do dual duties – first as a gravel race bike and second as a touring / bikepacking rig.  I built it in time to race the DK 100 this year, which was essentially a training ride for the Day Across Minnesota in August.  To that end, I wanted to make sure I had tire clearance to fit at least a 700×40 or larger and the Schwalbe G-One Allround fit just great and set up tubeless on these Mason x Hunt 4 Season Wheels very easily.  I had zero flats at DK, a race notorious for them. 

I’m a bigger dude, so I wanted to make sure that I had enough gearing for when the gravel gets steep or when I’m fully loaded down, so I combined an FSA Energy subcompact crankset with an Ultegra Di2 RX-805 rear derailleur and SRAM 11-36 cassette.  This setup gives me a lot of options for climbing while still allowing for flat land speed.  The new RX derailleur’s clutch was a big help in reducing chain slap, though I still wrapped my chainstay to protect it (and frankly because it looks like something Rambo would do to his bike).

The gas tank bag from Rogue Panda bolts on to the top tube mounts, stays put, keeps me fed and my computer charged. With three bottle cage mounts inside the triangle, I was able to stay well hydrated in the Kansas heat.  Bars and seatpost are carbon and made by my friends over at Framed bikes in St. Paul, while the tool keg is from Twin Six out of Minneapolis.  This ensures that I’m never without a tube, CO2 or spare derailleur hanger, but I also run a Silca Seat Roll Premio during a race for backup CO2 and tire lever – extra piece of mind when you’re way out there. 

The combination computer / light mount from K-Edge keeps the bars uncluttered and is going to come in handy on The DAMN as we start at night and will be in the dark for the first six hours. Cinelli cork tape rounds out the cockpit simply because its comfy and looks really good against the green of the frame.

When I load this guy up for a weekend or more trip, I add a couple Outpost cages by Blackburn on the fork leg mounts to carry my hammock and sleeping bag, a handlebar roll by Rogue Panda and seat pack by Revelate Designs. These are more than enough to carry gear for a few days and keep my stuff safe and dry.