Brother Kepler light touring build

I'm building up a Brother Kepler as a multi purpose, but predominantly light touring bike. I need some help and advice on parts as I've only worked on single speed so far.

The plan is to bring in some CX elements - rough inspiration from here: http://www.headsetpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/rowan-frameworks_headsetpress-bespoked-bristol-2015-39511.jpg

I don't have a huge budget and I'm planning to buy some parts new and then get hold of the rest secondhand when can. I've ordered a Tiagra drivetrain as a base as it's durable and cheap.

My wishlist is as follows:

• Chris King black headset
  
• Velo Orange cantis
  
• Thomson stem and post
  
• Tubus front rack
  
• Time pedals
  
  

The things I'm not sure about are:
Wheels - I want something that can take a knock and carry weight but not so heavy duty that it makes the bike sluggish. Was thinking about Mavic A319s but that might be overkill
Cockpit - not sure about bars and tape
Tyres - not sure about whether to fit gumwall of CX tyres

Suggestions welcome. If you have any secondhand parts that could work for the build let me know.

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I was looking at these...
Is that a 52 or 55cm?

It's a 54. Sizing here: https://www.brothercycles.com/assets/Keplergeo1.gif

Cool. Thanks.

I'd reckon DT TK540 rims would be my choice

I'm currently building a Kepler for touring too. I'm using H+Son Archetype wheelset with Shimano 105 Hubs. I considered using 36 spoke wheels but have decided on 32 spoke as it'll do the job and avoid the excess weight.

Will be running Shimano 105 5800 Groupset with canti brakes and using a Pro LT finishing kit as it's pretty decent quality.

When I killed my 32h rim on a tour I wish I'd gone for the 36! ... 20g per wheel is worth it for extra strength methinks

Yeah that's worth considering, would definitely be a massive regret if the 32h failed.

definitely go with 36h - the extra spokes are also balanced by more holes in the rims...

You will only kick yourself when a spoke goes in the middle of nowhere.

Okay I'm convinced, I'm gonna go for the 36h.

Any saddle recommendations? This is a detail I don't want to skip over, going to be spending a lot of time on it.

Got VO cantis yesterday, and I decided on A319s in the end so wheels should be arriving mid-week. Now on the hunt for the rest of it.. Any spare bits poking around that would work for this?

@grantm86 how's your build going?

Good shout on the A319s, it was between them and the H+Sons for me but went with the latter in the end.

Got the wheels last week and the 105 hubs at the weekend @speculoos. Pretty much everything has arrived other than the frame but should have that this week or next!

What are you still needing?

@grantm86 Nice. Did you go for the navy frame? I was so keen on the pink and blue fade, but it was all sold out...

Still need a lot really.. Stem, seatpost, headset (got a crappy one I might use for now), bars, tape, tyres, pedals and racks!

You can get the blue/pink fade on dropout.cc

New Galatic will be on pre-order next week!

Yeah went for the Navy, I wanted the Fade too but as you said - sold out :(

Can't wait to get on mine and take it out. Gonna take it up to Epping Forest for a test run as soon as I get it.

Edit: The Galactic is sick @Fahrgestell but I don't have the patience to wait for it!

I'm so eager to get it built, might just have to bite the bullet and buy the rest rather than waiting to sell old bits etc.... I think a weekend on the South Downs Way will be my first test run!

@Fahrgestell ah, missed that! But to be fair, I got a bank holiday discount on the Brother site on the navy frame, so I'm happy with that. And as @grantm86 said, too impatient too wait for the Galactic one - looks so sweet though.

Wheels arrived today, slowly getting there!

Recommendations for gum wall tyres?

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Hello good people.

I'm thinking of going Keploid too, but nobody in London has one in stock let alone built up so I can get an idea of fit. I'm 170cm high with a ~70.5 cm seat height and can't decide whether to go for a 52 or a 54 (usually a 52/53 c to c st in a regular road frame with a 54 tt). May I enquire as to your dimensions speculoos? (And did you face a similar quandary?) Intended use is bridleway bashing/bikepacking and maybe a bit of 'cross.

Rather get a size down if you're not sure. You can easily compensate with stem length or height. It's a good idea to get a bike fit, also comes in handy when buying other bikes in the future.

I agree with @Heldring. I'd say go for a 52 and compensate with stem etc. There was someone on here selling a Kepler a few weeks ago - I think he was 5'6 and was riding a 52.. I believe the new frame is coming out v soon, so will probably be around to test for size soon enough!

Thomson seat post, panaracer tyres, VO cantis and tiagra group set added. Waiting on a few other bits bought from here and online. Will hopefully be ready for next weekend!

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And starting to regret all the silver...

Don't, the tiagra looks great and silver really suits the blue frame .

Really nice pal

To the fellow above thinking about 52/54 ... I'm the same height and I say go 54 every time. Easier to compensate with a shorter stem than a longer one.. Plus you get higher bars and more toe clearance with mudguards. No brainer!

Yeah silver looks good. Love the blue.