This week’s Reader’s Rig comes from returning contributor Pat Valade. This time around, we check out the All-City Gorilla Monsoon he’s been slowly transforming into the perfect all-rounder. See it here…

Words and photos by Pat Valade (@bikestachelessvalade)

Hi again, I’m Pat Valade, back with my second Reader’s Rig. I decided I wanted to get my hands on a steel drop bar rig at some point in life, and looking at the Gorilla Monsoon when it came out, I was pretty excited. I didn’t pull the trigger for a while, but was sure happy when I did!

Pat Valade, All-City Gorilla Monsoon

I’ve always liked All-City’s bikes, but I already had a Kona Unit, so I didn’t need another rigid plus bike, and I didn’t need a cross bike, so I’d never considered anything from All-City. When the Gorilla Monsoon came out, it looked like a bike that could handle chunky exploring, gravel riding, singletrack, and frequent trips for coffee and other beverages around Squamish. I saved up while I was off of bikes last winter with a shattered ankle, and this bike was a consolation prize for being out for a while. I bought it as the stock build, but quickly realized I was probably going to make some changes to it.

  • Pat Valade, Reader's Rig, All-City Gorilla Monsoon
  • Pat Valade, Reader's Rig, All-City Gorilla Monsoon

The first things were a new wheelset and new brakes as I was pretty unhappy with the Hayes brakes that came with the bike. I’ve always been impressed with the bike tinkerers amongst my pals, but was never one of them. Nonetheless, I decided to change that with this ride, trying to swap things out myself as best as I could, along with the help of the great shops we have here in Squamish. I think all the bike shops in town have worked on this bike. After riding the Gorilla Monsoon on some shorter overnighters with my partner in our area, and plenty of rides to the local coffee shops, I rode it on the 2019 BC Epic 1000, where it performed admirably with no issues! Riding 1,000 kilometers of dirt was a great way to get really familiar with the bike, and to understand the things I still wanted to change. New stem, new cranks, platform pedals, bigger bars… I’m slowly swapping parts out as I can. All in all, I couldn’t be happier.

I love the feeling that comes from the burly steel frame, while still having the bike feel agile with no bags/racks on it for longer day rides. Bikes are supposed to be fun, and this thing lives up to that!

  • Pat Valade, Reader's Rig, All-City Gorilla Monsoon
  • Pat Valade, Reader's Rig, All-City Gorilla Monsoon
  • Pat Valade, Reader's Rig, All-City Gorilla Monsoon
  • Frame/Fork All-City Gorilla Monsoon
  • Rims Stans Crest
  • Hubs DT Swiss 350
  • Tires Maxxis Ardent Race
  • Handlebars Salsa Cowchippers (46cm, double wrapped in Neubaum’s tape)
  • Headset Cane Creek
  • Crankset Purple Race Face Atlas w/ Race Face NW chainring
  • Pedals One Up Composite
  • Cassette SunRace 11-46t
  • Derailleur SRAM Apex
  • Brakes TRP Spyre
  • Shifter(s) SRAM Apex
  • Saddle Brooks Cambium
  • Seatpost Ritchey WCS
  • Front bags Wizard Works Shazam or Porcelain Rocket Roll
  • Frame bags Porcelain Rocket 52Hz
  • Rear bags Porcelain Rocket Mr Fusion or Wizard Works tool roll
  • Accessory bags Wizard Works Voila Snack Bag
  • Other accessories Surly 24-pack Rack or Specialized Pizza Rack
  • Pat Valade, Reader's Rig, All-City Gorilla Monsoon
  • Pat Valade, Reader's Rig, All-City Gorilla Monsoon

You can find Pat on Instagram @bikestachevalade and @patvalade, or via his photography portfolio at PatValade.com. And be sure to check out our Reader’s Rig feature of his Kona Unit from February 2019.

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