Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

No one telling me why Iris cages are so bad?

@Batt? Think you were against them too?

1. PITA with a frame bag as can't get a good exit / entry angle on that centre slot ...

2. Made a dogs dinner of two of my bidons ... need pretty slim headed/chamfered fixing bolts otherwise they catch.

Apart from that I love them — sexy cage.

I love my Iris.

Fair enough.

I'm no using a framebag so not getting that problem and using the same bolts across all bikes (bought s bag of 100 stainless bolts) and must just have got lucky they have a low profile head. I'll double check they aren't hitting my bottles though. Cheers.

Standard King cages are as good at holding onto bottles then? Thought about it every time I've bought another Iris but I know the Iris works really well (for me).

Blackburn chicane seemed to be totally wrong shape, too deep front to back. Tried a few bottles and none fit very well. Think I had two of the cages but could perhaps have been seconds/rejects as they were bought from eBay.

Which bottles are you using? Never lost a bottle from my stainless Blackburns they've been excellent at holding on to my rapha bidons

When I tried the Blackburn cage(s) I think I was using some big 750ml? Continental bottles and some of the smaller pro team replicas from Elite is it?

I think the cages might have been dodgy then.

Can you even break a BB?

Wear it out, definitely but not to the point it no longer work.

Reckon it's the least of your concern.

I use 750ml bottles with no issue, maybe the stainless ones are different?

It was the stainless one I meant!

Might try another one from s reputable retailer as they're a good bit cheaper than Kings and I still have a couple alloy cages that I'd like to swap to stainless.

That's really nice, if only it would fit road cranks

About Iris, perfect cages for a bike you take onto the rough stuff. I use specialized purist (sim works) bottles with them

Interesting drivetrain, 11s and clutch with friction shifter. That seems to be the dia compe lever with the bigger cable pull, but still. Wonder how easy it is to shift, as already a 9s with friction is pretty crowded.

Iris, perfect cages for a bike you take onto the rough stuff.

I initially bought one for my mtb, because ali cages were dropping my bottles and covering them in that black shitty mess when they got wet and muddy.

My understanding is that the more gears you have the easier friction becomes because you'll hit a gear even if it isn't the right gear whereas with fewer speeds you might be between gears.

I'd say it's the other way around, in that with a 5 speed you're more likely to get into a gear rather than ride the chain on top of it.

I've had friction shifters with 6 and 9, the former was easier, you don't have to be that precise, the 9 speed feels like it has a lot of cogs in a narrow space, not that easy to pick one. Though 9 is still easy enough, more could be difficult.

I used to ride 10 speed friction. Its a bit slow but you get used to it. It was on a bike for leisurely rides so wasn't a problem.

Mandatory Ultraromance comment.
He presumably rode the Baja Devide with 12 speed friction.
So I guess it will work - the only question is how well.

Not tried any higher, but I've used friction on 9-speed spacing and it was fine. Lacked the satisfying clunk of 6-speed shifting into place, mind.

@topkek new functional beast! Beautiful.

That's very tidy! Cool that it's a TREK. Love the colour palette.

I agree, well thought out.

Love that trek.
This might be asking for unicorn poo- anyone think of a frame with guard mounts, 700c, but big stand over/ low top tube? With a front rack, back baby seat and bad hips I struggle getting my leg over a gringo frame
Thanks

Pelago Aristo would do the trick, I think.

CDF 931 feeling great with hand-built 650b wheels (Stans Crest 32H, Deore /SP Dyno, Sapim strong spokes) with Compass Babyshoe Pass running tubeless.

Wheels feel super stiff and responsive, yet comfortable.

Also fitted SON front and rear lights which are great.

Better photos to follow.

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Thanks guys, it's actually just the 520 touring model. This rim brake version is not listed on their (danish) website, but I saw it somewhere on the web and my lbs were able to get the frameset for me within 4 days.