Bassi Hog's Back

Modern affordable hydro disc brakes are superb. My partner has run the same cheap SLX brakes on her commute every day for six years and I've only ever changed the pads. Mechanical disc brakes are fussy and offer so few meaningful advantages.

Signed – an industry nark who's pushing the pro disc agenda

I’m partial to a hydro, had 105s on my old 2019(?) Enigma Escape and they were frankly unrivalled in terms of modulation and bite. I buy the minimal to zero advantages over hydro (field-serviceability is overstated IMO), but what makes cable discs fussier? Cable stretch, wear etc.?

Other than installing a headset and building a wheel (which I have zero appetite for when there are so many competent bike shops and wheelbuilders out there), installing and bleeding a hydro disc is pretty much the only other bike thing I haven’t tried. So I’ll get them, but probably next winter when I tinker more and ride less.

My experience with cabled discs is more stretch/wear and, contaminated or fraying cables affecting the smoothness of the cable pull, and manually having to adjust the pads and cable every so often. Granted I did a lot of riding and can be a heavy braker.

Bleeding isn't too bad when you've done it a couple of times. I do think Shimano is easier/safer to bleed, but the SRAM bleeding edge port (on brakes that have it) is a nice improvement.

I am here for this. Keep us updated on this rad machine please.

Hydro flat bar brakes are good, not as good looking as a nice cable set up but very functional!

I’ve been in touch with Arup Sen and after a chat I said I would try and help him with a clear out. He has the below to sell off in 26” size, as well as a bunch of other stuff
Mavic EN521 32h pair
DT EX 500 36h single
Mavic 717 black 32h pair

When do you expect the frameset to arrive? This thread needs more pictures:)

Hopefully soon! Woods have ordered just the one frameset, so it's coming via air. Oh don't encourage me, I have a trinket box of photogenic components ready to go -- will drop some photos later...

In the meantime, I joined some work colleagues for a pre-work ride from Bath to Bristol via the cycle path this morning; here's my custom Clandestine road bike (NDS, apols).

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love this bike

Looks lovely that!
Neon rack wouldn't look out of place on that one either imo

what is that colour?
looks pleasing on my eye right now

I think it's blue

‘Ello stranger! It’s ‘Pearlenzian 139’ about mid-way down the right hand column here.

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OK this is exciting!

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Class A service.

@infmz covered it well but:

• Adjusting for pad wear is a pain
  
• Initial setup is a lot more fiddly than hydro brakes
  
• Modulation is generally poorer
  
• Truly good mechanical discs cost considerably more than excellent cheap hydros
  
  

FWIW, I rode with BB7s for 1,000's and 1,000's of KMs on several bikes. They were fine, and the additional maintenance they required was hardly onerous, but hydros are just so much better that I wouldn't consider mechanical brakes outside of very niche applications.

If you're after brakes that look a little different to Shimano, my colleague really rated these. They look quite nice in the flesh: https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/components/brakes/disc-brake-systems/clarks-crs-4-brakes

Thanks @infmz and @JacqueLucque, appreciate your intel. Those Clarks do look great.

Hoarded trinkets…

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Love the way the pedals ‘match’ with the derailleurs.

One of the best rear mechs to ever do it. I've had more than my fair share on most bikes and they always shift beautifully.

I was aiming for that! Don’t want it looking too matchy-matchy. @Maj’s @Hulsroy is the perfect example.

The thinking person's M950, can't fault it. No chain slap either.

Soggy school run this morning, here’s my 2018 Big Dummy which I bought two years ago from Janet in Ludlow. Probably my most-used bike. Bone stock other than a longer stem, kid corral, lever-actuated kickstand (these ought to be standard issue) and front canti rack.

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I still maintain that the best part of that bike is the reflector!

Brilliant bike!
I'm thinking it wouldn't be too hard to convert our tandem into something similar.

Bicycle Pubes said it best...

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