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How are you finding the Kaffenback? What's it like to ride etc.?
I'm always surprised they're not more popular, when you consider how many people seem to go for more expensive Surly equivalents.
Re bar ends under the tape all the way; personally I could never find a comfortable routing at the hooks and past the levers. Horses for courses obviously.
hugo7-
I did take a look at a few of the Surly offerings as I was working out just which frame to buy but I couldn't really figure out what it was they had going at the price point that the Kaffenback didn't. That and an inability on my part to fathom out their sizing eventually lead me to rule them out.
The frame is fairly well finished and built up easily, I don't think it's particularly heavy at all coming from other steel bikes (well, the fork is porky). The final build is in line with what I expected, I'm not disappointed there.
In terms of ride I can't really compare against other bikes of this type as it's my first but I am liking it so far. I've only taken it out for a few short trips at this point so I'm not going to know all there is to know until this weekend but from what I've experienced so far it's very comfy, handles well at low speeds in the city, handling is not particularly fast when you're at pace but it does track well. So far no surprises, just nice easy riding.
It's a very different thing to my other road bikes but so far seems pretty spot on what I was looking for so I can't say I'm disappointed or regret not buying one of the more expensive models.
Tychom
A little further along with the Kaffenback -
Bars are not wrapped yet as they're a bit narrow. For some reason I thought FSA bars measured c-c but apparently not the case & I'll have to find another set.
Haven't put on mudguards yet because hey it's summer - of course it pissed it down on the way home yesterday x_x;
Rack to mount sometime once everything else is nicely adjusted and settled in.
One thing I need to find is a reasonably priced set of 32c tyres, riding 80% on tarmac and 20% tracks/paths/gravel. Anyone have some recommendations?