The "do everything" tank - Surly LHT

As for V, due to the long pull, it's stickier adjusting the modulation, compressionless cable housing and a barrier adjuster will help, but still going to be tricky to ensure the pads is extremely close to the rims (meaning if the wheel's slightly out of true, you'll notice it immediately).

If you want to go for bar-end shifter, you got the benefit of choosing your own levers, as there are v-brake drop levers, downside is that the shape may not be for everyone.

The best compromise I found was the Cane Creek SCR-5 having a decent pull with compressionless housing will work pretty well with v-brake (and barrier adjuster).

also, why V brakes and not cantis? Thinking about long vs short pull issues with using brifters

Because 2012/13 is that way

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

and everyone has suddenly remembered why canti's were shit and became obsolete*

*except for applications where you need loads of clearance and limited braking.

haha, true. I've never used cantis on my own bikes, and hate setting them up

any point in thinking about other manufacturers i.e. Sram? or mixing them?

you're pre-empting my next post!

The best tyres are free. I've got a pair of little used tan wall Paselas in 35mm you can have if you want.

And V brakes, although the lever option is limited.

My 2p;

1) do you want brifters?
2) If not why not?
3) Are you sure that's actually a real reason?

Once you have decided that you want brifters will mini-v's fit? and if not do you actually need tyres that big?

So now that is sorted what are you options for a large range 10 speed groupset?

Sram Rival shifters + the compatible Sram MTB rear mech.

You're welcome.

1X10; SRAM brifters with MTB mech:

If for whatever reason you do decide that you don't want brifters, bar ends are actually really good. They are smooth, efficient, and intuitive.

In that case the obvious option is to go for something like 9-speed Deore. That's what I did: http://www.lfgss.com/thread86670.html If that's too long here is a summary post with my thoughts on the build that might be relevant to you: http://www.lfgss.com/post3199690-36.html

Take the frame and fork to Ryan, get disc mounts, no more problem.

Angle grind off all the braze ons, and turn this into a sick fixeh.

Take the frame and fork to Ryan, get disc mounts, no more problem.

Probably cheaper just to sell the frame and buy a disc trucker instead if it come to that.

Sorted. 1hr project? Some sort of record.

:)

^^ and quicker ;)

In all seriousness getting a Disc Trucker fork isn't a bad idea.

Sorted. 1hr project? Some sort of record.

I only posted it about six hours ago :-/

As far as cantis go, I never had a problem with these Tektro CR720s

Preferred using these though.

Sorted. 1hr project? Some sort of record.

:)

#ubinjaybee'd

Business up front, party out the back.

i.e disc (front), and canti's (out back).

I actually quite like the sound of that.

Angle grind off all the braze ons, and turn this into a sick fixeh.

I actually quite like the sound of that.

Thread ends.

The best tyres are free. I've got a pair of little used tan wall Paselas in 35mm you can have if you want.
PMd you

My 2p;

1) do you want brifters?
2) If not why not?

Probably yes. Although I'm taking on board all the comments about bar-end shifters too.

My original plan was just to get Sora or 105 compact with a 11-28 cassette.

Business up front, party out the back.

could I call the bike "the mullet" ?

My original plan was just to get Sora or 105 compact with a 11-28 cassette.

Sora 3500 cost just as much as a Tiagra 4600 compact, you can get them for £50.

My trucker was built with deore front mech, 105 rear,deore triple and bar end shifters set up on friction, tecktro oryx cantis and never really had a problem stopping when loaded, but the 720s on my pomp are so much better.

I have plans for some thing similar. Originally, I had planned that a Kaffenback would be "that " bike but now it will probably be a X check.
Brakes.
Mini V's- work well and are easier than canti's but clearance is a problem on a Kaffenback. I think I might use the new slightly larger Shimano versions. That said there's nothing wrong with wide arm canti's.
Gears
Yes to 8 or 9 speeds. With a triple 9 is as complicated as you can get. I also find STIs and a 9 speed triple too neurotic. 8s are probably all you really need .

Gear levers- I grew up on down tubes and now ride with a set of Simplex retro frictions. They work beautifully. I have bar ends on the Kaffenback. They also work well . STI's are lovely though, but not on a triple with a 9 speed.

I have plans for some thing similar. Originally, I had planned that a Kaffenback would be "that " bike but now it will probably be a X check.

Double check the sizing, Surly is awfully long in the reach department for the size (I fit 54 but end up having to get a 50cm).