Steel fast commuter

I've been commuting on my old (but still fairly nice) road bike. I've decided though that as a commuter it's not cutting it... I want mudguards and to stop having a sweaty back so am moving to something more commuting specific.

I picked up a BLB hitchhiker frameset which I'm pretty pleased with. I'm now debating whether to build it up with rim brakes (cheap as I have lots of stuff I can transfer from my road bike) or hydro brakes.

I'm then planning to do 28mm ish tan walled tyres, back rack with a milk crate or similar to chuck a bag in and mudguards.

Any top tips on parts I should go for or opinions on the disc Vs rim brake debate?

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Thats a frame that I've never heard of but looks nice. Bit like a lht to me. I'd go with v brakes if you have them along with a nice town bar.

What about a wald basket on front to put bag in ?
+1 for v brakes if you already have the wheels for them.

I'll need to buy wheels either way as I've donated the ones from the roadie to my wife who had hers stolen yesterday! So the cost differential is I can keep going with my now quite old 10 speed gear or I can get new shifters that do discs. Are Vs an option with drops? I much prefer riding drops so plan to keen them going.

Re-front rack... I really like the look, but how do they compare to a rear rack for ease of riding, carrying capacity etc?

I'd say basket, front platform or rear saddlebag

Front probably has less capacity than a pannier, and size of a basket can be limited by width of bars, which might stop you carrying a laptop. I like how it handles better than rear loading - rear has most of the weight of the rider anyway

Not a big fan of blb stuff but the frame looks rather nice

Yeah I think Surly midnight specials and similar bikes are super nice and this seemed like it could be pretty similar and was pretty cheap in Fleabay

+1 for a front rack over a rear one. Was initially sceptical but it really is so much nicer to ride. Plus you can get one from SJS that attaches to canti/V studs that's really cheap and handy.

Are Vs an option with drops? I much prefer riding drops so plan to keen them going.

Mini Vs have the right pull ratio for integrated road shifters/levers. I have some of the cheap Tektro ones if you're interested?

Having used v-brakes, mini v's, canti's, cable and hydro disc set up in the past in the past I would personally opt for cable discs for lonegevity and reliability. TRP spyres are perfectly capable, work well with 10-speed road shifters and pop up fairly frequently for cheap on the forum!

That it not a bad shout... Has the massive benefit of making this much cheaper and if I don't like them can go hydraulic in due course when my 10 speed parts give up and I go 11

Reviews tend to say the spires don't provide much stopping power though... Have you found that?

Get some compressionless cable and the TRPs can work well. I've got some tidy Spyre C's and rotors if you decide you want to give them a try.

Tempting... Will work out a plan and PM you if I go with mechanicals (which I'm thinking I may do!)

I'd say cable discs as well. With compressionless outers and a decent/careful set-up they're great, and keep a commuter bike a lot cleaner than rim brakes. Which is important in my view, especially if you're commuting year-round.

Personally I have found BB7s to be better than the TRPs but might be down to user error

Ok sounds like a good plan... Any consunsus on BB7 Vs TRP? Any other contenders?

What're people's views on dynamo hubs and lights?

I'm switching my TRPs out for Shimano Cx77s this weekend. Will report back in due course.

Also awesome to have on a commuter! Get a light with a capacitor if possible, so it doesn't go off when you stop at a junction etc. Whether you go for a linked rear light is up to you.

My bro uses TRPs with compressionless cables and they’re not far off hydro brakes. Minimal if any stretch and super easy to set up. No experience w BB7’s though. Cheers. T

Do you know which cables he's got out of interest?

BMX linear cables are the cheapest option for compressionless. Heavier though (does the weight of your outers really bother you?) and not always long enough for drop bar bikes.

I was trying to decipher whether one particular brand was significantly better then any other. I've used Jagwire in the past and found them to be a bit meh.

There are no such thing as bad brakes IMHO just badly set-up brakes and bad pads..I'm a bit suspicious of how the shops are all selling disc brakes on road bikes because I think that anything which is more technological like hydraulics will need more attention and cost more money to maintain. But I am admittedly a Retro Grouch: I have some look cleats and shoes which have been in my drawer for 15 years. I had a bad knee experience with them so went back to toe straps and clips. I suppose its up to personal preferance..

I was about to get rid of my Spyres but compressionless cables + Shimano Ice Tech Discs + Uberbike white pads have revolutionised my braking.

The TRP ones work really well for me.