Dolan FXE - Offroad maybe...

Double check my Precursa's clearance, definitely look like there's plenty of room left;

So is the FXE a very different frame then? No dropout inserts, lower brake bridge? Whey would they do that? Surely adding cable guides to an existing frame would be easier?

So is the FXE a very different frame then?

Nope, it's a Precursa with bottle cage mount, cable guard and drilled for rear brake, geometry is exactly the same.

Mudguard mount are already on a Precursa, the difference it didn't come with a fork that have mount for mudguard.

Encouraging. What size frame, and tire, Ed?

54cm, 32c tyres on wide rims.

I later discovered that the reach is longer due to Dolan inability to draw a geometry chart properly.

32c is fine fo' light offroad, no?

Plenty fine, pretty good on canal towpath and the like providing you lower the pressure a tad.

Ace. Thanks.

Nope, it's a Precursa with bottle cage mount, cable guard and drilled for rear brake, geometry is exactly the same.

Mudguard mount are already on a Precursa, the difference it didn't come with a fork that have mount for mudguard.

so why no dropout insert on the FXE?

No idea, maybe request by Dolan not to have them, maybe just cost cutting.

Just ordered these for the CX conversion, pretty good deal at £125:

Are you planning on running the same wheels?

I'll use the rear wheel, but will probably get a new front as I share that between bikes at the moment.

Mind if I ask why you've gone for rim brakes? I was thinking disc for mine and was wondering about your reasons...

Can think of many reasons, modulation, big reduction in weight, maybe mini v-brakes (still very powerful).

I have mini v because they were as powerful as disc and kept the bike under 9kg.

Ed, what lever set up did you have with mini vs? I have tried s500s but theory weren't at all effective. Did you have a travel agent?

they were as powerful as disc

THIS I have issue with. I have run both mini-vs, and discs, and I found the discs SO much more powerful.

Mind if I ask why you've gone for rim brakes?

It's a personal preference:

1) I don't like the fiddly-ness of disc brakes (debatable I know, but I find them fiddly)
2) I want my wheels to be inter-changeable as spares for all bikes (dutch bike and brompton not included of course)
3) I have a nostalgia for mini V's. I fitted a mini V when I built my first bike, a hybrid MTB back when I was 12. Haven't used one since.
4) I don't need the extra braking power. I get more than enough with callipers.

Fair play... The interchangeability is something I've had to think about too.

I have tried s500s but theory weren't at all effective. Did you have a travel agent?

I've recently got a hold of a pair of the TRP CX8.4 mini v brakes. Paired with Tektro R200 levers they work very well indeed. Yet to use them in heavy, continual rain (or mud) but much more power than my Avid cantilevers and much easier to setup. I wouldn't want any more power running (reasonably) skinny tyres.

Less modulation and slightly less clearance when compared to cantilevers but, I think, for anything other than a 'cross race bike (this bike is a work bike, cross bike, off-road bike) I'd take the mini vs.

Ed, what lever set up did you have with mini vs? I have tried s500s but theory weren't at all effective. Did you have a travel agent?

They were crap with my S900 levers too, so does the S500 with disc.

Best I found is the expensive cane Creek src-5, great modulation with mini v.

^^Sold me that has. But discs are cooler still.

They were crap with my S900 levers too, so does the S500 with disc.

Best I found is the expensive cane Creek src-5, great modulation with mini v.

which are the same basic lever as the older Tektro R200s, I believe, if you can find them.

To OP: If you have the old blue version of the FXE you can run up to 35c with some clearance for mud in the back. If you want a caliper rear brake you'll be able to fit 32c if you'll use longreach brakes.

I don't know the exact differences to the new ones but the old ones had longer chainstays than the equivelant pre cursa and also much more clearance. So much infact that it would be very troublesome to run a 42mm chainline with anything bigger than a 46T. Stupid design in that aspect.

..I have mini v because they were as powerful as disc

Eh?