Bassi Hog's Back

less kabelsalat

Cheers! It’s a Deore M738 from eBay

The rear brake is really powerful, the lever is firm and I'm enjoying it. The front, not so much. The lever feels mushy and I think it needs a lever bleed. Will give it shot tomorrow!

Because why wouldn't you use a thumbie or a trigger? On a drop bar, having the shifters on the bars either dictates the levers for you or you have bar-ends and jab yourself in the knee all the time. But on a flat bar you have better options. Especially when there's another thumbie already. Each to their own though

Depends on the overall point of the bike I guess.

Nice to have a clean cockpit free of cables and stuff on the bar. Especially if using a bar bag occasionally.

There's enjoyment in the simplicity as well.

That said, my experience is that having no sweep in the bars and reaching down to shift can make what is already awkward, even more difficult. I'd get some bars with sweep.

awesome awesome bikE!!!

Just seen on your IG you locked this bad boy up outside.....😨😨😨😨😨

Not for long I hope 😭😭😭

Have you tried sanding pads and burning rotors?

Just popped to the gym! It’s pretty okay around there with good footfall. I’m also based in the South West.

Will give that a shot if the lever bleed doesn’t yield results. First impressions are good though, plenty of bubbles and lever doesn’t feel as mushy. Really easy.

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That's reassuring. I have an irrational fear of bleeding brakes. Must confront it one day. Good luck!

Cheers, the tutorial by Syd Fixes Bikes on YouTube was really helpful. The more thorough gravity bleed does look a bit intimidating

OK so the brake levers feel nice and taut, but the issue of the Deore pads not having enough contact with the TRP rotors remained, see the first pic.

Biketart (shudder at the name) had well-priced Shimano adaptors and rotors so I changed them up and that seems to have sorted it. Cross-compatibility issues be damned!

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I still wasn't satisfied with the biting point of the front lever compared to the rear, so did another lever bleed and out came a few more bubbles. I'm hoping that's it done for now...(kinda glad I still have the Spykes as a back up).

Also, I ordered this Carradice Zipped Roll from SJS for £38. It was between this and a black rolltop saddle bag by Outer Shell from Velotastic but this seemed a bit more practical (not having to take everything out to get to the inner tube, making the most of the Brooks' loops etc.)

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Great proportions on this bike, 26” wheels were a good shout.

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Getting some @Maj vibes. 26 ain't dead.

In esteemed company :)

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Great shout too on the outta left field Shimano high flange silver hubs, they look great!

how're you getting on with the race kings? :)

Thanks, I couldn’t argue with M525 hubs for their price! Have never been let down by Deore..

@lt perhaps too early to tell but they’re really good so far! No complaints, nice and wide, sidewalls not paper thin, holding sealant well…

Nice plod around the woods at lunchtime, brakes are bedding in nicely. Prime UK springtime ‘gravel’..!

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Good stuff

Really enjoying the Hog. The 2nd lever bleed seems to have sorted the front brake and the Carradice zipped roll looks right at home on it.

The focus of this thread will now turn to my Surly Pacer, though I’ll still update it with photos and anecdotes of the Hog as it wears in :)

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Looks great. I don't mind a pacer at all. If the head tube works for you, it makes for really great build. I wish they did the Steamroller style forks on the pacer though

On reflection, I could probably do with parking the Pacer updates till after Ramadan, so will revisit it then.

First proper spin along the Ridgeway yesterday, this thing rips! Currently 334kms deep into the Fasted500, time for a few days off the bike.

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