Current Projects chat and miscellany

...and ignore stuff like this!

You don't just 'add tabs' to make a disc frame. It's going to dictate the fork and headtube and how the bike rides.

I didn't suggest "adding tabs" I don't think. I was thinking mechanical discs, with the potential for a later upgrade. That Chinese crabon disc road frame that was posted a few weeks ago is great.

How do you know it's great?

Forks

I've got Enve 3T Fundas and have had Easton and Ritchey. All very good forks but if you can find a set of Wound Ups or afford new they are my current favourites for my Ti Enigma.

TMs forks are pretty tasty and if you are out I would like them for my parts pile - I don't think they will be there for long before the right frame arrives.

Yeah I know, I will be speaking with my frame builder at length about what I want and how I'm going to use the bike before it all gets finalised. Disc brakes ain't happening though.

Good choice no doubt. Will be sweet!

Go for it Enigmatic, I can't buy anything for a few weeks at least.

So I'm in the preliminary stages of ordering a custom titanium Burls road frame. I'm thinking all black components: Ultegra groupset, Thompson seat post and stem, not sure about saddle and bars yet. For the time being I'll probably order v-sprint wheels and look to upgrade later. I'm sure I will be back to pick your brains, doubt i'll start a whole CP thread.

Very good decision.

This is the question.. I don't know, I can so I probably should right? Also, 10 or 11 speed?

Definitely 11 speed. The cassette spacing is so much better.

How do you know it's great?

It shows that carbon road frames with discs are starting to be mass-produced which will bring prices down. Admittedly I haven't ridden it, but the owner seemed pleased enough, and I thought we were allowed to pass judgment on others' projects here?

I have a road bike, and I have a bike with mechanical discs, and I find the idea of a bike which combines the two appealing.

Disc Brakes, even Jim Walker is not sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8yEZf0KGeM

It shows that carbon road frames with discs are starting to be mass-produced which will bring prices down. Admittedly I haven't ridden it, but the owner seemed pleased enough, and I thought we were allowed to pass judgment on others' projects here?

I have a road bike, and I have a bike with mechanical discs, and I find the idea of a bike which combines the two appealing.

Fuck me, If I knew you had that kind of insider knowledge I'd have asked you to build my bike.

B what happened to the Merlin?

Was this question for me? I don't have a Merlin so is confused.

^^Such angst!

What exactly did I say to make you so pissy? Is suggesting someone might want superior brake technology on a road bike really so infuriating?

^ I do not need any more squeaks then the seat post on my bike. Those drop outs on the Evoke are lush so.

I think if you've got a knarrende Sattelstütze your brakes are the least of your worries.

My Oak (crosses fingers) should be ready soon, it's disc- I never considered anything else for that.

The commuter is going to be caliper because it's a bit of a throwback- a path racer with skinny steel tubes.

If I didn't have the EE Cycleworks brakes and 7970 Di2 I'd absolutely have specified hydro-Di2 on the new road bike, but I do have that kit so I went caliper again.

However, given a clean sheet of paper I'd certainly not consider calipers- likewise I wouldn't consider a quill stem, or a front mech that changed gear via a long lever (although I think that's pretty cool).

Prepare yourself for a miro_o onslaught.

I would go for calipers every time for a road bike.

Up to you of course, but it's the equivalent of picking 7700 over 9000.

You can argue that it looks better, is simpler, has a purity to it that is more inline with what road cycling means to you- all sorts of horseshit, basically.

It doesn't change the reality that you are choosing to use the poorer option.

Scoblesse Oblige, indeed.

Not really, I've never had a problem with braking even in the wet using Swiss Stop pads and good cables/set up. I enjoy the simplicity of calipers and I think parts which are easy to maintain/service/adjust yourself are very important.

I would argue that calipers are simpler and more reliable and have easily enough performance.

I know this debate happens regularly, but now that I've tried discs on a road going bike, I'm not sure I'll ever consider calipers again.

Admittedly I've not yet had to change any pads, but so far I see only positives when using discs.

^ judging by how your brakes were set up on Dave, anything would have been an improvement.

Not really, I've never had a problem with braking even in the wet using Swiss Stop pads and good cables/set up. I enjoy the simplicity of calipers and I think parts which are easy to maintain/service/adjust yourself are very important.

Yep, 9 speeds are enough for anyone, changes perfectly, easy to service, parts are cheap.

You have 9 speed don't you Sumo?

It doesn't change the reality that you are choosing to use the poorer option.

for some people though, the poorer option is still more than sufficient. and in such a case horseshit arguments are just as valid as science squabbles.

Yep, 9 speeds are enough for anyone, changes perfectly, easy to service, parts are cheap.

You have 9 speed don't you Sumo?

I was waiting for that. You could have also said why did I buy Sram Red when Tiagra functions perfectly.

Having 10 speed rather than 9 speed is only an improvement, there is increased functionality without any increased hassle or parts to go wrong.

Brake are death boring.