The "do everything" tank - Surly LHT

Running rival on my Genesis, good groupset, and nowhere near as fugly as shimanos offerings.

I used a random one on my Principia road bike and it wasn't all that great.
They didn't sit perfectly and it felt loose. I caved in and bought an offical ck jobbie and it was fine after that.

Yep, official race sorted out the problem.

hmmm.....

Lolz!

much prolly

2014 is all about the Realtree™

hmmm.....

They look like a blind gorilla intern on DMT was in charge of designing them thought.

Buy the tape!

http://www.realtree.com/sites/default/files/styles/x-large/public/content/camo/realtree-camo-pattern-realtree-advantage-classic-03.jpg?itok=F9-1Aest <<< touring, yesterday.

They look like a blind gorilla intern on DMT was in charge of designing them thought.

I deserve that :)

still sort of undecided on brakes although I'm on the v-brake side of the fence. It really is the last 'big' decision, as it effects the shifting set up too (i.e. allows or rules out STIs) Really don't want to use Problem Solvers/Travel Agents.

I hear Microshift are only Shimano compatible, so I could go for Tektro v brakes and levers (as Cane Creek are 2x more pricey and the same equipment effectively), Microshift 2x9, deore RD, 105 FD, 11-34 cassette.

If I went for cantis, I could either get STIs or go for the Sram S500 levers (which I'd prefer) and go for the Sram X5 RD with an apex/rival FD, Sram TT 500 shifters (could be had for £35ish)

Just thinking aloud here. are good cantis still worse than basic v brakes?

I really rate cantis, I'v hurtled down Jerningham Road in the pissing rain many times and my cantis always work much better than the sram rival callipers on my road bike. I've also screamed down alpine roads, overloaded, and the cantis performed excellently then as well.

I know that doesn't answer your question but cantis are bloody good.

These chunky ones have been reduced by 90% at sjs! They're a fiver!
Meant to be very good as well.

got some nice used paul component touring cantis I was going to put in the classifieds soon. also have a surly seat clamp (black) you can have for the price of postage...

Im +1'ing v brakes and bar end shifters

you have a road bike with callipers and STi

I say make this a total machine

Rose Bikes have the elusive black XT in stock

Can't find the Tektros in all black though (except on Google Images)....

I have build up a bike with those modern Shimano cantilever brakes - they're surprisingly decent and powerful.

saw some lovely surlys at charlie bikemongers today
the ogre, built up with Rohloff, so good
as you were

These are short-pull mini vs with big clearance. Then you don't have to use nasty long-pull levers.

They're a bit $pendy.

I really rate cantis, I'v hurtled down Jerningham Road in the pissing rain many times and my cantis always work much better than the sram rival callipers on my road bike. I've also screamed down alpine roads, overloaded, and the cantis performed excellently then as well.

I know that doesn't answer your question but cantis are bloody good.

Agreed. But they have to be set up well. And the set up can be fiddly.

I have build up a bike with those modern Shimano cantilever brakes - they're surprisingly decent and powerful.

These are the same that I use.

Easiest canti I've set up so far.

Credit card either side of pads, or barrier adjustment for that final tweak.

I hear Microshift are only Shimano compatible

I'm surprised to hear that, I would have thought it didn't matter in friction

Maybe not... but I'm gonna go for indexed primarily I think

I don't think Microshift do SRAM, could be wrong.

They do have the cheapest and lightest brifter thought, was rather surprised at how good they are.