Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

Also why the switch from the blackburn rack? I was thinking about that set up too. This is for a cross american tour next summer, trying to figure out my options as I want a bigxtop full size rando
Any idea what this is? could use it with lowriders.

Are those Maxxis Ikon tyres? Picking up a pair this weekend (hopefully). How are they on pavement? Nice bike!

Basically what I have - soma 24 pack and a tubus tara

It was also the fact it was easier and cheaper to get a rear rack and panniers, any bike can accept this.

Front load however, need some eyelit on the fork, a suitable rack that doesn't cause too much flex, and a smaller front panniets.

Functional people. Tell me what to do.

Should I replace TRP Spyres with BB7s? Spyres are continuing to give me trouble. They seem to do really badly in bad weather: Front one seized up after last winter, the rear feels like it's going the same way :/

Not sure I can be bothered with the hassle!

How old are your Spyres? It is not first gen is it?

Bb7 will only be worse

@Hulsroy @spotter Wah :(

They might've been first-gen, but I'm not sure how to tell. The front was replaced under warranty earlier this year and came back with a long noodle that the original's didn't have.

Are the BB7s all-round worse, or just require more adjustment because of the single-sided operation? I'm fine with adjusting pads every so often, less keen on having to strip the Spyres every 6 months or so, as per the advice here.

I might be asking a bit much - he does say that he's had BB7s seize up too..

Edsoble is the only person that likes them, everyone else finds them awful.

I like the BB7s on my commuter. I liked them on my mtb, but I'm trying hydro. I didn't really like my Spyres and haven't decided what to replace them with on the road(ish) bike.

Hah! Oh dear :/

Basically I had first gen Spyres. They broke and was replaced because of call back warranty shit. Never fitted them on as I went on to Tektro Hylix instead. I think you can get them to work with compressionless cables and better pads etc.
Personally I find hydraulic brakes very very good. I am currently riding Sram s700 10sp and they are, just as my Hylix was, amazing. Worth the extra money if it is your fancy bike.

@genesisbikesuk @talbot_frameworks @platypusnow No one is safe touring on carbon! #uvebeenindrad #carbonfail #fuck #boozehoundsontour #nantesto?

A photo posted by Tom Uttley (@malaysianz) on Aug 5, 2016 at 2:00am PDT

Glad I stuck with steel forks for my CdF...

Just finished this for friend. Sad to see it go but it isn't my size. I love 26" mtbs

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This had made me think about getting some surly forks, don't want this happening in the middle of iowa or something and would solve the rack problem too.

Some Spyres are OK, some aren't.

My batch felt really notchy, whether others felt excellent.

Ditto with BB7s.

Some Spyres are OK, some aren't.

We sell a lot at the shop I work in and I've had a very similar experience

@Hulsroy @edscoble @Miitch Thanks gang. I find them really nice to use, and have compressionless cables fitted etc. They just don't seem to be very resistant to shit weather and a bit labour intensive to maintain as a result, which is problematic when you live in the North East.

It's definitely possible I'm just being lazy on the maintenance front. Maybe I'll see if I can get the rear replaced under warranty as it's fully notchy/crunchy as far as lever feel goes. Will use them through another winter and see what's up. If they go the same way as the first pair, perhaps I'll look at hydraulics.

@spotter Macho Man is realllll nice!

So. Brake time. If I got a bike with 28 x 700c and mudguards, I'd get TRP RG957. If I got the same bike with 38 x 650b wheels, would I opt for discs or something centrepull? I don't really know enough about centrepull or its benefits. It'll be used 12 months of the year for all road riding in the UK.

Is it steel? Do you already have it? Can you just get mini v braze on welded for 650b position to try? If you are getting something new then probably disc i guess ..

Yes. No. All new.

My only concern is discs messing with the aesthetic of a totally steel bike with lugs and stuff. But I think it can be done right, too. Hmmmm. Dunno if i am ready for the hassle of discs.

Just go disc.

It's more flexible in wheels size, a lots of steel disc frame can be run with 65ob easily.

Fair point on wanting to look nice and classic, I do love my centerpull and find them easier to fiddle with than cantilevers, but the disc is so much more reliable in all condition.

Gotcha.

Yeah what ed said .. trade offs i guess .. very much possible to make a disc bike look good in steel look at tomii cycles and winter cycles .. you can get those curved blades with Ritchie sax max fork crown at ceeway now if the builder is in the UK. I went dangerously close to pulling a trigger on center pull braze on 650b prolly build but went carbon instead. /Csb