The All-Rounder

Without further delay, I present to you the Origin 8 CX700-framed-all-rounder:

Origin 8's Cx700 frame allows me to run 29er tyres, yet doesn't
look out of place running skinny rubber.

The specs:
- Origin 8 CX700 Cyclocross/Touring/All-Rounder frame, 56 cm *
- CST Critter 29 x 2.1" tyres *
- Mountain Equipment Co-Op Alloy Seatpost (rebranded Kalloy Uno) - 27.0 mm *
- Brooks B17 Standard, Honey
- Nitto B-115 - 40cm/25.4 mm clamp
- RSX 3x8 Brifters
- Avenir adjustable threadless stem w/ Origin 8 Spacers*
- FSA "The Hammer" 1 1/8 in Headset *
- Shimano BB-UN26 Sq. Tpr. *
- Alivio 22-32-42 Crank
- Victor VP-196 Pedals w/toe clips (VP-565 Platforms shown in pictures)
- SRAM 12-32 7-Speed Casette
- Alivio F. Der, 31.8mm clamp  *
- Alivio R. Der
- KMC Z-Chain *
- Wheels: Alivio hubs laced to 36h Araya PX-35 rims
- Jagwire "Basics" Cables + Housings *
- Tektro 720 Cantis
        A "*" means bought new. All other parts are scavenged from my other bike.

FSA "The Hammer" Headset; dirt cheap, but so far,
smooth and strong.

Misc Odds and Ends:
-"Greenfield" seatstay/chainstay kickstand
- Mountain Equipment racks (Blackburn Knock-offs)
- MEC "Wedgy" Seat bag
- Zefal water bottle cages
- Planet Bike ATB Pump

I must say that I am *very* pleasantly surprised at how well this new bike handles, and with the overall quality of the budget-conscious build. As I ripped almost all the parts from my previous "main" bike, the total build cost came in at $428 CAD, all told. Thats actually $28 over what I wanted to spend, but oh well; I wasn't about to reuse my a 17-year-old bottom bracket and grind the old front derailleur to 31.8 clamp dia.

The Frame
The Origin 8 frame was a big surprise for me - it is a relatively new offering, not like the tried-and-true Surly Cross Check or LHT. But, without taking risks, I would have been missing out on something great. What makes this frame a better all-rounder base is the extra-wide clearance for up to 2.3" 29er tyres, which is substantial considering the ~ 42mm tyre limit for the LHT. The specs for the Origin 8 clearly said "Fits 2.1" tyres", but they lied, because there is quite a bit more room to shove in a larger tyre. With my 2.1"s on, there seems to be just enough room to install a fender, albeit tightly.

2.1" 29er tyre and still going strong; the Origin 8 CX700 frame
probably can squeeze in a 2.3", if you don't need fenders. 

The wheel can gain a few extra inches clearance if pulled back in the rear-facing
track-style dropouts (track ends).

  What I also like about this frame is the thoughtful lay-out of the rack mounting points. On the rear, they are placed high above the dropout, in the seatstay, which allows standard racks to be used with the over-sized 29er tyres by giving extra clearance. They also provide a helluva lotta heel room; about 3" more to my pannier bags as compared to my old bike. Oh, and this layout also allows the unimpeded use of disk brakes on the rear. The only problem is that there is slightly less space to strap things to to top of the rack, as there is less room between my seat and the rack's deck.

Rack and fender mounts are up and forward, in the seatstay.

As for the frame weight: For a $165 steel frame, its pretty good. The weight of the 56cm  frame and fork(uncut) together totaled 3.1 kgs, or 6.8 lbs (measured on fairly accurate digital scale). However, these numbers mean nothing without a frame of reference, which I will provide: the equivalent Surly CC weights 7.07 lbs frame+fork, the LHT weights 7.3 lbs, and the only truly off-roadeable frame, the Karate Monkey, weighs in at a good 8.1 lbs. Salsa's "Fargo" is also slightly heavier for the same size; 7 lbs 14 oz (~3.5 kg), according to their website.  So, is my frame a "lightweight"? No. But it is a decent weight, and beats out some of the brand name frames and forks, for under half the price.

To have a 29er - im pretty pshyched.  The CST Critter tyres are dirt cheap; I found a pair for under $25. They are pretty puncture resistant, as I've ridden over nails/ construction rubble and no problems have reared their ugly heads. The rolling resistance is definitely higher than I'm used to, what with my road tyres, but they off-road and mud/dirt traction is amazing (to me at least). No comparison can be made to any tyre under 45mm wide, if only for a 29er's ability to "float" in the muddier bits, as opposed to getting bogged down (as with my skinnier tyres!). More testing to be done, but so far, thumbs up on traction in most regular conditions; seek a tyre with greater volume and more aggressive knobs for the very soft stuff, or mud, but otherwise a very good all-round 29er tyre. Schwalbe "Big Apples" or similar might be warranted for lighter off-road riding, or just light gravel use, as the rolling resistance of the Critters could be a "drag" for long distances.

MMmn...big tyres =  traily fun and offroady goodness

The tyres do surprisingly well in light mud and on rock,
like on this crushed-brick-and-mud-based
road.

More gallery shots, for your viewing pleasure (click to enlarge):

Muddy hub.

Cockpit View