To all you 29er's out there!

Ask mmccarthy, he's had both.

They're better definitely, but I wouldn't say they're £70 (or however much you'd be spending) better.

If you want I can have a look at them and see if I can sort it out though.

I remember my BB5s being awesome when they were set up properly, haven't quite got the BB7s to match them yet.

Isnt there less adjustability in the calipers?

I'm a hydraulic man TBH, and would usually stand firmly on that side of the fence. But I'm getting on brilliantly with my top of the range avid levers. Make my budget tektro cable calipers, and cheapo discs function flawlessly.

Maybe just upgrade the levers?

The only 2 differences between them are on the BB7s both pad positions are adjustable (as opposed to just one), which is very handy. And the BB7 pad is the same as the rest of Avid's disc brake range, which is a fair bit bigger than the BB5 one. So it should last longer and provide better braking. Not worth buying the BB7s if you alread have the BB5s, i'd used the BB5s for 4 years and raced with them and they were fantastic when set up right. Unfortunately I had no idea how to set them up when I first got them!

Also as far as I recall that bike came with the FR-5 levers which are just as good as the Speed Dials, without the adjustability, which is rarely used anyway!

I'm about to set up some BB5s on a new build (old calipers though). Any advice on how the correct set up is achieved or can you point to an online guide?

I found this to be most useful http://howtosetuptheavidbb7.weebly.com/how-to-set-up-the-avid-bb7.html

I tried the credit card trick but I seem to just end up swearing all the time.

They're very simple brakes to work with, I found the main thing that makes a huge difference is having the inner pad (the adjustable one) as close as you can get to the rotor without it dragging the wheel. Rubbing is fine (imo) as long as it's not actually slowing the wheel down that much. Even one little click makes a huge difference.

trickier when you're trying to eliminate brake squeal.

On the roads a bit of brake squeal is pretty handy for letting people know you're there! I rarely find it actually affects braking power.

I find it bloody annoying. What measures can be taken to minimise it? bb7.

Make sure all of your bolts are tight, failing that use non-metallic pads.

Anyone else getting pretty excited about the Surly Krampus? I idea of a fatbike never really appealed to me and the lack suspension on a rigid 29er likewise doesn't appeal but the Krampus seems to me the best of both worlds. Anyone know of any Demo days coming to the UK?

yes ... but i need it now!

If you dont feel the need for the uber low pressure floatation of fatbike tyres. Its definitly a cool option. I bet plenty of rigid forks clear the Rabbit-hole/Knard combo too. So setting up a Krampus fronted rigid 29er should'nt be too much hassle.

I'm more in love with Surlys new Bud and Lou tyres. Though the 26x3.8" version of the krampus tyres seems to make the most sense for summer.

From left....

3.8" Black floyd, 3,8" Nate, 3.8" Knard, 3.8" Larry, 4.7" Lou, 4.7" Bud, 3"(29er) Knard.

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Not a 29er. But I dont care its a fecking tank. Regardless of logic, functionality or any kind of common sense. I want to set my fat bike up like this....

makes brum brum noises

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I want to see who builds up the first fixed Krampus :-)

I want to see who builds up the first fixed Krampus :-)

Brakeless..... :S

Brakeless..... :S

Ha, I think I'd contribute to the build to see that :-)

Anyone else getting pretty excited about the Surly Krampus? I idea of a fatbike never really appealed to me and the lack suspension on a rigid 29er likewise doesn't appeal but the Krampus seems to me the best of both worlds. Anyone know of any Demo days coming to the UK?

there is a bike hire place in Richmond station, i was chatting to the guy there today and when the Krampus arrives he will have a test model available for hire

May have just treated myself to a early xmas pressie...

Not 29er specific, but the posts about saddles reminded me...

Is it a good idea to have a saddle on a mtb that's slightly more padded than a road saddle? I'm thinking of swapping out the stock one that came on my rockrider, and have a specialized toupe that I could use, but was wondering if it would be a bad idea to use such a hard saddle?

Is it a good idea to have a saddle on a mtb that's slightly more padded than a road saddle? I'm thinking of swapping out the stock one that came on my rockrider, and have a specialized toupe that I could use, but was wondering if it would be a bad idea to use such a hard saddle?

I have a really shit saddle on my 29ers, it's definitely not comfortable on a road bike, but on my MTB, I didn't really notice any comfort since I rarely sat down on it.

I don't think it's that important to worry about padding.

May have just treated myself to a early xmas pressie...

looks good!

May have just treated myself to a early xmas pressie...

Are you being sponsored by On One now mmccarthy?