ooo, that video is one false colour shot and push past a fire away from the 90s. I like it.
I know I love the idea of this kind of bike but fear I’d never use it for the adventures it undoubtedly deserves.
Just a little update on flat bar stuff. We did some test In Real Life today at the workshop, and you can fit post mount brakes to the Cascade. It's 180 rotors only front and rear, and some Shimano adaptors, but it works. Info is here:
How has the 53mm chainline been achieved with the Easton EA90 cranks? Just wondering where that leaves the Q-factor.
Looks like a Raceface MTB chainring on there - they fit the Easton cranks no problem, and a boost one would increase chainline, probably not to 53mm though
I couldn't resist it, I've ordered!
I’m tempted to rebuild my 100mm XC bike around this frame. It’s very close geometry-wise to some classic steel XC 29er models, which are few and far between without going custom for big money.
I just wondered how the Cascade would fare when used purely as a lightweight 100mm flat bar XC MTB?
I link together the local man-made Bristol trails with tarmac and bridleways, sometimes commuting to work afterwards. My current skinny carbon XC build works really well, but the frame sizing is just a tad short for me despite sticking with it for 4 years. I have a “gravel” bike but it’s much more road biased.
I can tolerate another kg or so in frame weight so long as it rides well!
My current bike even has flat mount rear to IS adapter (interestingly running 160mm disc with the adapter Cy recommends for 180…) so I might be sorted there too.
@onzadog It's an OE special they did just for us. It's Easton EA90 crank arms, a Race Face turbine spindle to get the Boost chainline, and a Race Face Cinch 36t ring to get the chainring size. The Q factor is narrower than a Race Face Turbine chainset, as the Easton arms are less offset. It clears the stays by about 5mm, which is less than a regular MTB crank. It's a nice thing.
@teadrinker Thanking you!
@Ben_H It would be spot on for that. We have had a few enquiries along the lines of what you're saying. The adaptor you have is the correct one. The Cascade uses Flat Mount +20 mounting standard, so instead of working for 140/160 rotors, it works for 160/180, hence you needing a 180 rear rotor despite using that adaptor.
I’m tempted to rebuild my 100mm XC bike around this frame
Did think that for consolidating my pre-CEN Soul and a rim brake CX bike that takes 35mm max tyres, into a do it all gravel/singletrack bike. But then I just worked out that the most I could carry over is a pair of XT SPDs, a saddle, and perhaps the bars and shifters, and a set of 180 rotors.
So in reality that means N=N+1
The Soul is by far my most used bike, and I have/had no intention of ever selling it #26aintdead
Maybe for me a Rocket, Soul and Escapade is a better fit than a Rocket and a Cascade. Even if a Cascade would do 85% of what I do locally in one bike.
Hmm choices.
I'm really intrigued by the Cascade.
If you were doing long roads sections the MTB tyres will be hard work. Is there a suitable 29" gravel tyre for 70% road 30% b-way?
I think if I didnt have my Faran this would have gone straight to the top of the list. Pretty similar to the Fearless Warlock I think which I looked at pretty closely. If you live somewhere that your main bike is a decent travel full suss I can see this making the perfect 2nd bike to do everything else (although the idea of not having a hardtail feels weird).
Is there a suitable 29″ gravel tyre for 70% road 30% b-way?
I've used these and had no issues, still have them so will use them again for the Cascade during the summer months. Vittoria tyres
Also Schwalbe have a load of variations of the G-One that are worth a look.
@ElShalimo The 2.4" WTB Rangers we have as an option roll surprisingly well on roads and still work nicely on dirt so long as it isn't super muddy.
I’m not sure if WTB make them any more but I’ve got a set of Nine Lines 2.25’s in 29er mode on my monster cross which are great and very fast rolling on tarmac. Pressures matter of course.
I do like the look of these. I’ve got a question, deep from the mists of time, when wheels were wheels and they dropped out when you flicked the lever.
I’ve got a set of wheels with DT Swiss hubs currently set up as qr, but have been known to have a thru-axle in their history. I take it these wouldn’t fit in the frame, even with an adapter?
Cheers.
If they're not boost (and it sounds like they're not) then you probably just need end caps for those hubs.
Edit, my bad, the Cascade is a boost frame and fork, so would need boost adapters, but those are readily available for most DT hubs
@root-n-5th Wolf Tooth Boostinator is what you need for DT hubs. Saddleback in the UK stock them.
Many thanks. I’ll look into it.
my review if anyone fancies a read/look
https://ukgravelco.com/cotic-cascade-review/
