Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

My friend had one where a rod operated on a pad that pushed down directly on the front tyre from above!

That was from a time before people start trusting brakes, they're called Spoon brakes, and there's a lots of variation before the invention of pneumatic tyres.

They were common on Ordinary, like this one;

Oh yeah just googled it. It was like that but the pad was definitely a modern thing made of black compound, rather than that metal spoon shape.

"Bobby dodgers", that's what that sort of brake used to be called, wasn't it?

Purely functional, just that its function wasn't actually braking.

I've decided to base my functional build around a bob Jackson vigorelli track, which after much research seems to over the best VFM to hit my brief.

@edscoble the rest of the setup on the TF you used for your Casablanca trip looks like a good spec for what I want achieve. Have you got any feedback/tips on that setup?

Honestly it was perfect, only for the specific trip as it didn't rain until the last 3 days.

Wheels are tough Velo Orange Grand Cru track hubs (similar to the cheaper System EX/Ambroiso etc. but with hollow axles for additional strength), no point in spending more than that, and they last for eons, the rims are Mavic A319, they're not light, but neither they are heavy, it only took me 10 minutes to true them nicely due to how stiff they have compare to says, the Mavic Open Pro.

Front is a cheapo Shimano dynamo, so much drag, but charged everything, truthfully I hardly notice, as the wind, climb, descent etc. are much more noticable.

Both wheels never gone out of true.

Crankset are again Velo Orange TA copies, but you don't need to go for that as I only purchase the cranks on it's own to use my TA chainring on, and they look awesome, a basic Lasco crankset is ample for this purpose, bottom bracket is best served by the Shimano UN55, cheap, reliable and last for a reasonable amount of time, if you want a longer lasting one, SKF make the very best.

@mdcc_tester approved Wipperman 1Z1 does not rush at all, highly recommended, easy to take apart and put back together again with the simple quick link.

Brakes, the Shimano BR650 will served you well, it's plenty powerful and ample clearance for mudguard and big tyres and enough drop for the Vigorelli frame.

Everything else is just personal, saddle, handlebar etc. are personal choice.

My vigorelli brake drop was the regular type.

So mine, but the shoes sit near the bottom of the arm, medium reach = more clearance for wide mudguard than short reach.

Home made anti-swing on a Cunningham;

Do the longer drop calipers (let's say from Tektro - for example) have wider spaced arms?

Thanks, really helpful.

I want this bike to be a nice commuter for my Wimbledon to Soho commute plus a can do bike for anything else. Would you recommend any spec changes with that in mind?

@miro_o I have some they just seem to be longer but same top dimensions as a normal caliper I think they R365(?).

This is my suspicion too. I've owned them in different drops and I think they're the same shape.

Hard to tell unless they're next to each other though.

Wimbledon to Soho is hardly something to give much thought on, just ride what you have, but with proper mudguard and wet weather brake pads.

Re: Soma Wolverine. Mosquito can get em, to order, supplier can get em ordered by Nov 1, then about two weeks to ship. All for the hansome price of £540.
Really wish I had the cash!

Just a little spam on my behalf here ladies and gents:

http://www.lfgss.com/conversations/256805/#comment11892568

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new Vanilla commuter is lovely:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/42587323@N08/15481715562/

^ small Brooks is small

This crusher is back on the road (and heavier than ever).

The Soma low trail fork looks to work well though I've yet to try to loaded up. Handling is different (duh) though perfectly rideable unloaded, not as radical difference as I expected. Clearance is tighter than a cross check fork but matches the rear end almost exactly and I can still fit a 1.8" tyre so it should suffice.

thats hardcore!!!!!! yes

Love this. What rack is that?

Surly Nice Rack

thank you

Does anyone have any recommendations for an alternative to a 37c Pasela.

I'm looking for a nice wide tyre for my tourer. Can't stand the feel of marathons so willing to sacrifice a bit of puncture protection in the pursuit of ride quality. Black or tan wall - doesn't matter and preferably 38c +

Check out Vittoria Voyager Hyper (formerly "randonneur hyper"). Comes in sizes from 32 to 38mm. I think at least the 35 measures a bit wider than the nominal size.