Brother Kepler Commuteur/All-Road

Back in January, I wanted to get a geared commuter so upgraded from a Pompino to a Genesis Equilibrium Disc.

I got a great deal off a guy on a 2014 one with 11 speed 105, threw some mudguards, a rack and some Gravelkings on it and I was away! Great bike.

Took it on the DunRun on it earlier this year, which was great fun (thanks to the LUFGUSSers), but i’ve since found myself wanting to do some more touring/light CX and the 28mm doesn’t quite cut it - the clearances don’t give me space for much more taking the mudguards into account, and to be frank the frame is a bit small for me (laughable amount of seat post).

The plan is to just swap everything over from the Equliibrium onto a new frame, as the 105 and HY/RDs are perfect for me.

My inspiration was the 650b Croix de Fer Randonneur and the Wolverine Monsteur threads - I like the idea of hitting more CX sections in Kent and doing some touring around the UK so more clearance and racks are a must.

I looked at the Kaffenback as it’s the same geo as the old Pomp, but also the Surly Stragger, a Fairlight Faran and the Brother Kepler Disc.

Took the Brother for a test ride and it was very comfortable. SpaCycles have the frame up for £450, so that’s now in the post!

Other than that, I have some tyres - specifically 38mm Schwalbe G-Ones (on recommendation from the tyres thread), and that is just about it. Mudguards are on the list as a must, but i’m not entirely sure what is going to fit. Brother reckons there is 54mm clearance, and the GB 50mm looks like they’d work - bit of a crapshoot though.

I’ll keep this thread updated as and when I get some more bits and bobs in.

2 Attachments

Nice, followed.

So the frame's arriving today!

Thoughts are moving toward mudguards and a rack.

I reckon the Gilles Berthoud Long 50mm guards could look pretty great with the black - i've got a dremel coming this week in anticipation of them being a tiny bit too wide, and also for trimming down the stays.

Front rack, I think a Pelago Front Commuter would compliment the guards well.

Mind changed thanks to @hamrack - a Tubus Tara is in the post from Germany.

Mudguards went on over the last couple of days. Must say that GB guards are a pain in the arse without a Dremel. 38mm Schwalble G-Ones fit pretty nicely under the 50mm versions.

Unfortunately, the front derailleur arm fouls the mudguard, so i'll have to have a think about how to attack that problem.

Using the commute to work for a shakedown means a hell of a lot of stops to do up the odd nut and bolt every now and then. I think it's pretty much there though.

Anyone want to buy an Equilibrium Disc frame in 58cm?

@umop3pisdn had similar issues with the 11spd front derailleur fouling a GB mudguard on his Pinnacle. I think he just gave it a few artful taps with a hammer... I believe clearance issuee were one of the reasons Shimano moved back to a more compact FD style for 9000/8000.

Yep. Hit that shit with a hammer.

Exciting. I love the splatter paint job on the Brother Kepler. Bummed that they don't make a bike in my size (i.e. <52cm).

1 Attachment

Finally got this almost where I want it - had a solid shakedown in the form of 400km of some beautiful Welsh roads (and not roads).

5 Attachments

Nice, are you thinking of getting their carbon fork at some point?

@mattspare I'm pretty happy with the steel fork at the moment - I think lower gearing is next on priorities as 36/28 is too high to drag this thing up mountain passes!

Nice! What do you think of the G-Ones?

400km of some beautiful Welsh roads (and not roads).

Looks good, where did you go?

Do you strava? Looks good.

@spotter @Thrasher

Strava indeed! Just stitching the GPX files together now. Title is a @sensom quote.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1225156128

I took the train up to Holyhead on Friday afternoon with a couple of mates and pretty much did the NCN 8 or Lon Las Cymru. Stayed in a couple of Hostels and an Airbnb and got back to Cardiff for a 2:30pm train on the Monday.

Favourite bits were the gravel sections from 310km through the Brecon Beacons, up until Mirthyr Tydfil - past that until Cardiff are pretty decent bike paths (similar to Avenue Verte in northern France).

The G-Ones are generally good - I did have a few punctures from a patch if glass and a pretty large thorn. I have the 38s which I ran at around 45-50psi for most of it.

Rider and bike combined weight is about 100kg i'd imagine.

Thanks. Was that tubeless?

What you end up doing with the equilibrium?

@pjhobs I just had some tubes in it for this trip - i'm planning on getting a dynamo at some point so will hold off until I can afford going tubeless at the same time.

@motoko Just trying to arrange pickup from someone on here at the moment!

apologies for the thread dredge, but I'm about to do the exact same frame swap.
I think all the bits should be a straight swap, was that your experience?
have you still got the Kepler?
cheers!

Yep - pretty much a straight swap! Love the frame - so comfortable. This is where it's at now.

1 Attachment

nice! looks good with the 1x kit. I'll be sticking with a double up front, although I swapped out the original non series crankset for a 105 with compact gearing.
also, I've gone for a 56 Kepler from the genesis 58 as I always felt it was a bit big and I was a bit concerned with the horizontal TT being too high.
looking forward to building it up!