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I have a rather unloved Litespeed Lookout Mountain frame in the garage, which I've de-stickered & cleaned up with the intention of creating a drop-barred commuter/gravel bike, but could do with some help regarding spec.
I'd like some recommendations for a rigid disc fork, which will need a straight steerer. It's geometry is designed for an 80-100mm suspension fork, so should I be looking at a 27.5 or 29" fork, or geo adjusted 26"?
I also have 26" wheels spare but I'm wondering if I should be looking at 27.5" wheels with the skinnier tyres? Would theses fit? I doubt it will get mountain bike tyres as I have other bikes for that.
Finally, disc brakes. I'd like hydraulics, but the cost difference is significant & I'd like to do this with an eye on the budget. Would cable discs be adequate? I've never had any experience of these & have read both good & bad reviews.
Feel free to chip in with any info or knowledge you think might help & if anyone has bits for sale that you think may fit the bill, feel free to let me know!
Thanks in advance.
i have a cheapo chinese carbon fork on an old merlin malt frame that i use for the gym and shopping - having said that need to speak to the kids in the local woods as there trailbuilding is gnarless even by my standards so I'm still alive
one of these - i think - looked at the length and geometry of a few fancy forks to work out what to get
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-1-8-full-carbon-fiber-high-quality-mtb-bike-fork-26inch-compatible-29-wheel-/261726258437 aus ebay but you get the idea
i very very happily made the transition from canti's to disk for my cx stylee / drop bar adventure gravel hybrid - BB7's ok but a pain noise wise and too frequent adjust - swopped them for HyRyd's which are very good but if was starting without STI's suggest think serious about going straight to hydraulic - if end up using the bike anything like as much as most people seem to end up doing then you may regret going cable unless pick up some cheap 2nd hand stuff just to give it go then you'll want to upgrade!
26" v 700c ? 700c is where I'd go but due to a mechanical and a bike out on loan stuck a wheelset with slicks on my 26" hardtail frame a couple of weeks ago and wow it moved - couple of "organised" gravel rides been on pretty mixed between CX frames / adventure /fancy gravel 700c and 26" and 29" fugly set ups
anyway a bump, build and enjoy
So if I put together my old rock lobster with rigid forks what would be my drop bar options? Could I use vee brakes or would it have to be disks?
I've built-up several of these sorts of bikes - I think a lot will depend on intended use, what parts you already have and whether you would consider flat bars.
You'll probably have room to fit 700c / 29er wheels with up 30c tyres; 650b rims with bigger tyres; and even bigger again with 26er wheels. A lightweight carbon fork may sound attractive, but you'll find that steel forks (e.g. Surly) generally include more mudguard and pannier fitting options.
I run BB7 Road callipers on 2 bikes; one with drops and the other with flats. They're very versatile and will allow you to swap bars, but I wouldn't choose them for outright stopping power (although there aren't many better options without going hydraulic or spending loads more). Shimano STI brake levers will work with BB5/7 Road callipers, but not Mountain ones or V-brakes.
As I say, this will really depend on how you want to use your bike. I've recently split one drop bar "gravel" bike into two: a lightweight roadie and a Surly Ogre-based commu-tourer. The latter has fat tyres, flat bars, 29er wheels, mudguards, pannier racks and BB7s - it's no lightweight, but it's very useful.
"Could I use vee brakes or would it have to be disks?" if planning on road sti's then believ can only run standard vee's with a pull adaptor
http://www.wiggle.com.au/problem-solvers-travel-agent/
wiggle don't do I'd try SJS but site not working for me so not sure if worth the spend
think the other solution that people seemed to like is too use mini-vees as the pull is OK ? (not actually done)
if go to for example to BB7 cable disks be aware that there are road(STI) and mtb pull versions not sure on other makes
Thanks for your replies guys, I'm really set on trying the drop bars & as you've suggested, without having STI's etc already ' in stock', then I might as well suck up the expense & go straight for hydraulics.
Will be searching for bits on the wanted forum in the next few days, so keep an eye out if you have stuff to shift...!
panzerjager - Member
Thanks for your replies guys, I'm really set on trying the drop bars & as you've suggested, without having STI's etc already ' in stock', then I might as well suck up the expense & go straight for hydraulics...
No need. BB7s are more than adequate for gravel use. It's just a matter of proper setup and using good quality compressionless outer.
If you don't fancy BB7 and want a simpler setup, and adjustment regime, then the TRP Spyres are good. Same rule about using good outer.
I've used both brakes on various gravel bikes and never needed more brake.