Oddos Raleigh Ronniewagon, Brexit Crust Wanker Hybrid, Gravel Bieks and anodized aluminum

I am struggling a bit with brake levers.
in the beginnig I was about to use these Dia Compe Quick Release Levers I had in my parts box.

However they non aero levers. And while I kinda dig the look on builds like Tom Farrells Singular Peregrine I know it would annoy me.

So I opted for the Aero version of them. They don't really work with the modern compact shape of Nitto Gravel handlebars... The way the cable exits the levers creates a really tight corner and a lot of friction. So these are going back unfortunately. I like the look of them.

Next up are some TRP RRL-SR levers. They weren't my first choice but they seem to work well with compact drops and they are on offer at Planet X.

I have the non drilled version of those, decent brake levers.

I seriously recommend SRAM S500 levers, they work much better with internal routing (make sure you don't use end cap on it).

I have went back to Shimano drop bar levers and found them incredibly uncomfortable after eons of riding with normal shift/brake levers, I feel this is a situation you may have to decide on comfort in the long run, however awesome they feel when braking.

Yeah I used to have S500 levers on a build with bar end shifters and really liked them. Looked them up but silver ones seem to be super rare these days. I already ordered the TRPs. Lots of people like them so I am willing to give it a go.

I regret selling my silver S500, at the moment I'm trying to find broken Di2 levers that I can butcher into single speed but that's very spendy.

Time for an update.

An update of my current favourite thread, on a Sunday evening... Sweet!

Get those Shimano levers? Like Ed says. Classy levers.

Wheels look great!
(and the rest)

Time for an update!

1. Brake levers have arrived
   
2. Brakes and gears are set up
   
3. Handlebars are wrapped
   
4. Old plastic mudguards have been installed amateurishly
   
5. Found some nice bottle cages
   
6. Went for a test commute
   
   

Lots of small things have happened sind the last update. I was really looking forward to get the bike in to a rideable state just to finally try it. There were a few draw backs.

The matching Deore FD-M735 (triple) front derrailleur wasn't playing well with 2x cranks. It was simply too big. I couldn't shift up in the front without running the cage into the crank arm. While I would have loved the colourmatch on front and rear derrailleur this wasn't a big loss. The Deore FD was only £4 on eBay and I found nice Shimano 600 6207 to replace it.

Installing the brakes and gears was also "eventful". While wiring everything up I had to realise my ferrules weren't fitting in the cable guides. I had to buy stepped ferrules. Didn't even know they were a thing.

It was also my first time to set up canti brakes. I still don't know how I managed as apparently I am underequipped having only two hands. I tried to follow some concepts descriped here and here but I didn't understand all of it. Anyways they seem to work fine. We'll see how they do in the wet.

Besides functionality I am starting to get real worked up on small details. I must have spent already over 5 hrs trying to decide on quick releases without success.
So after sending a pair of bottle cages back I was really happy when I found the Condor Stainless Steel Bottle Cage. From what I can tell they are identical to the Nitto R Stainless Bottle Cage. Like the Holdsworth / Velo Orange seatpost this was another great budget find.

Finally I managed to fill some remaining gaps in the build to make the bike rideable. Today I had to leave my safe living room #wfh desk to check something at work which gave me the perfect excuse to take this for a quick test ride.
What can I say, it flies. It's fast and comfortable.
There is still loads of finetuning to be done but I am really happy with it so far.

2 Attachments

Looking good. Maybe some black hoods for the brake levers?

I don't mind the current ones colour wise but I am still unsure wether these are brake levers I want. They aren't as comfortable as I'd like them. So I am keeping my eyes open for some silver SRAM S500 levers.

Love this, except the crank!

Also, where’s the mini front rack?

this looks great! good job

The mini rack is definitley coming back. Just couldn't be bothered earlier with the 5 minute fender install job.

And oh definitely. The cranks have to go. It's just what I had lying around. Same is true for the fenders, front light, pedals and quick releases. They are placeholders.

And then at some point there will be a new paintjob and maybe even a custom headtube badge. But that's for later.

I love it as is. Extremely tasteful.

Can understand the want for S500 levers, very comfortable. If you find some, and want to move the TRP ones on, gimme a shout, I'll take em off your hands.

Noted. Will do!

Soo... Let's talk pedals.
I am ususally a spd guy on all of my bikes but this is supposed to be a bike I can just pick up and ride no matter the shoes or clothes etc.
I had some MKS track pedals in my parts box. Visually they are great but without cages it's annoying that they are single sided. A bit more grip and real estate also wouldn't hurt.

So I am looking at flat pedals. My beef with most flat pedals is their enormous size and weight. Ideally I would like something with an area of 90x90 - 95x95 and 360gr maximum (I am used to 200 - 250gr pedals). To match the final build they also need to be some kind of metal and silver (polished).
Staying true to the whole Crust/ Nitto /BlueLug / SimWorks bubble that birthed the idea for this build I feel obliged to mention the latest MKS collaborations of which I like the plain MKS x Crust Godito pedals best. Unfortunatlel they are all around the 400gr mark...

MKS x SimWorks - Bubbly Pedals (392gr):

MKS x Crust - Sylvan Gordito Pedals (430gr):

MKS x BlueLug - XC-III (~400gr):

More modern and lighter options are:
Cube All Mountain Pedals (366gr):

DMR v12 Magnesium (350gr with ti axle upgrade ~ 270gr but not quite silver...):

I used to have these Schindelhauer Urban CNC pedals (300gr) on a fixed gear with straps but I think without straps they don't offer enough grip.

What about mks sylvan touring
Like the track pedals but double sided.

MKS x BlueLug - XC-III (~400gr)

I've been recommended these on here, bought them, and am very pleased.

@Skülly had a couple of pairs he'd brought from Japan for sale recently, you both live SE London...

I think I saw that @Skülly had something like this going recently?

Edit: what they said ^

Very nice btw!

I have a spare pair of apex levers that I have turned into SS levers, bit scratched and scuffed. You can have them if you like Scob?

literally sitting in a box next to my 3 pairs of SS levers!

wow this is lovely!

Honestly I just go for big flat thin pedals.

Extremely spendy but Hope F20 are fucking amazing, it can be ridden without pins, still grippy for everything (beside MTB riding).

That be brilliant! Happy to pay for it plus postage