Wet weather SSCX commuter

Reliability - my experience disagrees with this, but obviously that's not data. But what does seem to be consistent is the complexity and expense of repairing / replacing a hydraulic system is greater than a mechanical system.

True pro and con discussion this. Agreed, hydraulics are more expensive, but worth the money if you ask me (no surprise). I seem to have been lucky and you vice verca. Sometimes it's like rolling dices.

Durability: I don't care how long my outers and cables last if it takes me 10 minutes to replace them with the same tools I use for my road bike. Having said that my last set of outers / cables lasted three years and two hard seasons. A lot of racers jet wash their bikes here - hydraulics HATE this - it forces dirt into the seals in the caliper...and then the seals fail, and then you have contaminated brake pads and complete brake failure.

I'd like to see you replace them in 10 min with bartape, readjustment and all, however I'll agree, they are fairly easy to exchange but not that cheap if you want something just a little decent.

Pro racers (and dentists) might jet wash their bikes but I've found it common knowledge amoung the guys I race with to simply hose is down at most to take are of our bearings, seals and CABLES ;)

Racers that do use jets are generally also fairly handy using one i.e. turn down the pressure and keep it at a distance when around the important bits.

The freezing thing - that's interesting. Never experienced that. Wouldn't that freeze mechs and traditional road brakes, too?

I've experienced it on regular road brakes and my BB7's once. I remember as a kid, that my citybike with internal gears did it all the time. There are ways to avoid it for some time, but it has to be checked on. More maintenance.

Modulation - all the cable pull calipers I've used have had better modulation than cantis and mini-vs. Having said that though Hydraulics will probably win here against static pad designs, agreed. My post that sparked this discussion alluded to this. However to me that's one pro amongst some deal breakers. I also suspect that the modulation on the Spyre might be equal or close enough to a similar hydraulic caliper. We shall see.

Agreed. The spire will be better but it would have to bend the rules of physics to ever be better than well build hydraulic brakes. A cable pulled system is natually more prone to flex in the whole system. A liquid is stiffer than a wire cable and a piston can be made stiffer than an actuation arm.

Power - not really - pretty much any cable brake that's been set up properly has more power than CX tires have grip.

The part "another part where cables are inferior" was actually refering to the modulation bit. Bad reference, sorry.
Courses in the start of the season can actually be fairly hardpack, dry and grippy. On some summerdays I've experience that my BB7's were on the limit with organic pads, but I'll give you power wise they are not that far off.

I just want hydraulics because they're cool.

Just a bit curious about the frameset... are they safe? Well built, etc? Whenever I see these on eBay, I'm always a bit wary!

Eastway and PX just rebadge crabon so I'd imagine so.

Is this bike getting mudguards anytime soon?

What suppliers do eastway and px use?

Just a bit curious about the frameset... are they safe? Well built, etc? Whenever I see these on eBay, I'm always a bit wary!

It's a very well built and solid frame set with nice finishing touches. I'd recommend them to anyone.

Is this bike getting mudguards anytime soon?

Haven't decided yet. Might get some but can't find any fitted ones that I like.

I have a chromoplastic in 45mm that I can sell to you for £20, it included a big front flap to keep your feet dry.

Thanks but no thanks Ed, I have a set already... I want something sleek and preferably matt.

I like the look of the Curana C-lite but can't find a uk distributer.

I gave up trying and ordered from Germany.

Do you have a set then? Are they any good?

I have two sets (needed three mudguards), but they've not been fitted yet as they are for the Oak.

Sam of LMNH has them on his Donhou and he rates them.

Cool. What width did you go for? I'm running 25c

I went for the 30mm.

Not, please note, that I've tested them- so 30mm might have been a terrible error.

Very nice bike, I've just ordered one. Did yours come with a headset? If not what type did you use?

I gave up trying and ordered from Germany.

Which shop did you order them from? Struggling w/ finding ones that will ship to the UK.

Very nice bike, I've just ordered one. Did yours come with a headset? If not what type did you use?

Yup; it came with a headset. There is a tiny bit of play in it but I think most press fit ones have a small amount.

what are tyre clearances like? Do you think I could go monster cross - 29er 2.1 tyres?

The modulation of these brakes and the setup (after initial issues) is perfect but i'm having major problems with the pads / rotors...

Under even light braking, the discs make a horrible grinding noise that sounds oddly like a metal spokey-doke. I can feel the pads and rotors juddering against each other (like there are little imperfections on the pads...). Also, in the rain on Friday, they had the most horrendous squeal. I've had discs that have squealed before but this was ridiculous.

Could it just be a case of changing the pads / rotors? If so, any recommendations?

Did you resolve this, Tim?

Nope. Nasty grinding noise still exists.

I'm going to try filing the pads this weekend.

My frame turned up minus headset - do you have a reference for the one in your frame? Thanks

My frame turned up minus headset - do you have a reference for the one in your frame? Thanks

Sorry; only just seen this...

I'm afraid I don't have the headset model number and it appears to be a generic one for the Fly Xii company (they manufacture the frame) as it has their logo on it.

Sweet sweet silence.

I replaced the rotors w/ Shimano Ice-Tech and pads w/ Shimano resin ones and it runs beautifully quiet now.

Now to complain to TRP and get some money back...

Sweet sweet bike build there!

What rotors more specifically did you get? 160 mm's?