Darrel Williams, the man behind Thrive Cycles of Savanah, Missouri, is self-taught and has only been building for a year and half, but is already making waves with his simple, understated aesthetic.
Each frame is fillet-brazed producing clean lines with mostly True Temper OX Platinum tubing, although their S3 tubing is an option. The catching, yet understated appearance fits with Thrive's tagline ""deliberately simple."
The mint or celeste green brazed Thrive Cycles' steel cyclocross/gravel bike almost glows and stands out in the crowded show. NAHBS 2016. © Cyclocross Magazine
The do-it-all gravel bike Thrive had on display at NAHBS is purpose built with a T47 bottom bracket, 44mm head tube and 43 cm chainstays, which offer good clearance for all-road riding.
The painted-to-match stem is a $125 USD option, but the framesets represent a good value for those interested in a custom bike. Thrive framesets start at $1,400 USD with standard one color wet paint, the 44mm head tube, and stainless dropouts.
The bike was shown with the new Kenda Flintridge tubeless tires, which we featured earlier in our NAHBS coverage.
Frame: Thrive custom steel
Fork: TRP carbon thru axle
Crankset: SRAM Force 1
Shift/brake levers: SRAM Force 1
Rear derailleur: SRAM Force 1
Front derailleur: n/a
Brake calipers: SRAM Force hydraulic
Stem: Thrive custom steel, painted to match
Seatpost: Thomson Elite
Saddle: Carbon-railed SLR style
Wheels: Velocite Venn Rev 35 carbon from Southern Wheelworks
Tires: Kendra Flitridge, 700 x 40c
More info: thrive-cycles.com
Williams uses a unique, low-profile disc caliper mount that bridges the chainstay and seatstay. Thrive Cycles’ Steel cyclocross/gravel bike. NAHBS 2016. © Cyclocross Magazine
