On One Pompino owners...

+1 for the XL.

I am 1.86m too, I have the Pomp v4 XL and Pompetamine XL, no issues - and an old Pomp v2 L which is a bit short (but fine for urban cycling with a longer stem and drop bars).

And the XL longer head tube (167 vs 135mm) is better for long rides?

I think you should all buy size L so when they are for sale after they fit me.

Oh, and on cobblestones I feel a real rear comfort difference between the L and XL old wishbone frames (tough Pomp v2 L with 35mm Schwalbe Kojaks and soft Pompetamine XL with 33mm Maxxis Mud Wrestlers) -> can it be due to the shorter wishbone on the L? Or maybe this is just psychological...

can it be due to the shorter wishbone on the L?

Unlikely. I'd say the longer top/down tubes on the XL might make more difference, but above all the longer wheelbase means you go up and down less as a proportion of the amount the wheels go up and down. Simple levers, innit?

I have a frame I'm contemplating selling. Baby blue.
I'd like a pompetamine, or something similar in 130 mm for SSCX.

Pm incoming...

This makes a lot of sense, thx!

What brake levers are people running on their pompinos? I have drop levers (old shimano ones) like the below but they are a pain in the arse to set up with v brakes. Perhaps the pull ratio is off? Either the lever throw is massive or the pads rub on the rims, and it's bloody frustrating to fettle them. They're also not very comfy, I'd prefer a longer hood... The brakes are cheap shimano ones set up by my lbs, and I'm assured they're fine with drop levers.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-ultegra-r600-brake-levers/rp-prod13673#

I have similar (possibly newer) shimano levers on mine, they work really well with cantilevers (I have tektros). Not had chance to try them with v brakes though.

Vbrakes and cantis need different cable pull.

Yup, so if I wanted to keep these then I'd need a travel agent? Or are there any levers that work better with v brakes and can be used on drop bar?

The levers you're looking for are Tektro RL 520. (I have a set in my parts box, as I didn't like the hood shape)

Thanks for the pointer - what didn't you like about the shape? I see a few others online saying similar.

Being scared of dying will never be sexy

They're more like an old fashioned hood shape. Less flat area for resting the hands on, more of a curved top. As levers they work well, but my hands didn't enjoy them (I ride on the hoods a lot). I ended up getting some mini v brakes and sram s500 levers.

Cool. Thinking about s500s but I also see that they have no return spring. I ride with two brakes so I dont see this as being a problem, but do they use the power of the spring from the brake to return to normal position? Only reason I ask is I don't trust the spring power on my brakes (shimano mini v) to be able to do that!

Depends how slick your cables are. You can try adding a biro spring in the lever.

Yes they do use the brake spring. No comment on shimano mini v's though; I have trp and the lever return works fine (granted the brake modulation isn't great, but that's to be expected with longer arm mini v's and road levers)

Nice paintjob!

loving that paint!

That is easily one of the most attractive Pompinos I've seen to date.

Don't suppose you want to part with those rl 520s?

We can figure something out. I'll PM you.

Just art!