Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

You have a problem with hydro discs on a step through but not discs in general? How strange.

Ooh, bikes: controversial. I'm sure the owner got what they asked for and will love it.

I always think it's strange when people criticise a custom bike, because it's what someone's asked for. Criticise a mass-produced bike, by all means, because it's someone's idea of what we all should want.

... but honestly.

A custom filet brazed 631 frame, belt drive, Paragon sliding dropouts, expensive finishing kit and disk brakes, on a step-through ladies town bike?

...

Indeed.

My point was really if you're going all out on a custom bike like that why not just spend that extra little bit and have hydro rather than cable?

Also from everyone's comments I'm still not 100% sure whether the fact that it's internal can have a negative effect or posses more problems.

I can tell you why - internal cable routing

How does hydro hosing make a difference?

a lots of hydro come pre-build nowadays, not much of a reasoning TBH.

But they still need bleeding anyway before using them so chopping the hose for a custom frame isn't much extra.

I mean lots of hydro come fully build, as in all you need to do is install them.

And bleed them. They're never bled properly from my experience.

It's a nice frame, but with those handlebars' and the pimped bits why not have hydro disc brakes?

Its not that expensive a finishing kit...

Halo rims
a lot of Velo Orange parts
BLB cranks
Surly front hub
Avid BB7s

The Paul Levers and Nitto bars are about the only extravagance

Plus cable brakes give the option for different bars like moustache or drops in the future.

I think that adds to the functionality of the bike

http://www.unioncycleworks.org.uk/images/uploads/Hill_special_1.jpg

http://www.unioncycleworks.org.uk/stories/page/rachs_hiller

Full of love for the Toei.

http://www.unioncycleworks.org.uk/images/uploads/Hill_special_1.jpg

http://www.unioncycleworks.org.uk/stories/page/rachs_hiller

Jeeze, £1,500 for that and it's 90% replica VO stuff. No thanks.

Indeed.

My point was really if you're going all out on a custom bike like that why not just spend that extra little bit and have hydro rather than cable?

Also from everyone's comments I'm still not 100% sure whether the fact that it's internal can have a negative effect or posses more problems.

How does hydro hosing make a difference?

I'm going internal hydro on my custom fatbike. My excuses for internal routing are ease of carrying the bike when things get too much for it, ease of frame bag attachmant, and because I can.

There is'nt really a downside specific to hydros. If a cable/hose fails in the frame its a PITA.

a lots of hydro come pre-build nowadays, not much of a reasoning TBH.

Usually with 1/2 meter too long hoses for a littl'n like me anyway. So I'll just remove the lever, thread the hose through the frame, using the included wire guides, and chop off 1/2m, and reinstall the lever.

If I can do the threadiong without losiong 1/2m of oil. Happy days*.

(*expecting to need to bleed though)

http://www.unioncycleworks.org.uk/images/uploads/Hill_special_1.jpg

http://www.unioncycleworks.org.uk/stories/page/rachs_hiller

I think bikes like this are pretty boring.

I think bikes like this are pretty boring.

Why?

I would put a little more of that weight up front.

Nicely done OJAW.

Those Klean Kanteen are full of win, loved mine.

Cheers Ed.

Why?

I'm just bored of bikes like that because I see them all the time. They're fashionable; everyone has a constructeur-alike bike, usually built by a rich American harking back to some golden age of French cycling in the 1950s. This particular one is just an expensive version of every other steel ladies bike; mudguards alone do not a functional bike make.

I'm just bored of bikes like that because I see them all the time. They're fashionable; everyone has a constructeur-alike bike, usually built by a rich American harking back to some golden age of French cycling in the 1950s. This particular one is just an expensive version of every other steel ladies bike; mudguards alone do not a functional bike make.

This, many of these bikes also sacrifice functionality to use vintage NOS parts, personally I'd rather have Deore myself...

^ yup. I hardly think titanium Super-Record is the most practical choice for a commuter or a tourer. As for touring on 650b wheels... have fun trying to find a 650b inner tube (or a 26" roadster tube) in 'Bikes R Us' in Halifax at 4:30 on a Sunday afternoon.

My excuse for having MAFAC cantis (and various other 70s bits) on my tourer is that I got them for free. The brakes squeal, the wheels are weaker than modern ones etc. I use Deore mechs because I don't see the point in paying £££ for a matching Campagnolo Rally derailer that won't actually work any better.

I use Deore mechs because I don't see the point in paying £££ for a matching Campagnolo Rally derailer that won't actually work any better.

Nicely done.