I don't like disc brakes

menthel
menthel Posts: 2,484
edited June 2013 in Commuting chat
There, I said it. I find them a nightmare to keep in good fettle and not sounding like a knife sharpener. Unfortunately my Charge won't take normal, human brakes and that makes me sad. I see the possibility to N+1 but it would never fly unless I did a second hand self assembly job for £200-300. All I would want would be a steel frame with mudguard and rack points, wheels, gears, brakes and all the other trimmings! However, the wife would kill me, even despite the fact she owns 3 bikes vs my 2 and has only just recently got a new spesh (as in last weekend!). For full disclosure I do have to state that I also have a very nice condor italia but I don't want to commute that every day- it would spoil it for the weekend blasts! ;)
RIP commute...
Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
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Comments

  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    Are you not just casting doubt on your fettling skills and therefore, by extension, your masculinity...? :wink:
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    Are you not just casting doubt on your fettling skills and therefore, by extension, your masculinity...? :wink:

    Probably but as I can drink a pint in less than 3 seconds I am sure these things balance out! ;)

    I think I am mainly trying to justify my lust for a steel framed bike! ;)
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    This does sound like a cry out for a trip back to Condor to get yourself a Tempo...
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    Croix de Fer is steel and has discs...
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    iPete wrote:
    This does sound like a cry out for a trip back to Condor to get yourself a Tempo...

    And a free castration courtesy of the wife! ;) Anyways I am fancying a Bob Jackson Audax frame in yellow...
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • DrLex
    DrLex Posts: 2,142
    Been very happy with my S/H Pompetamine Alfine 11 as foul weather bike (i.e. most days) - Shimano disks & dynamo hub. Only failing has been SKS mudguards snapping - nothing duct tape can't fix...
    Location: ciderspace
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    rubertoe wrote:
    Croix de Fer is steel and has discs...

    All good until the last word! ;)
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    Genesis Equilibrium. The framesets are almost free.
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    There are a lot of Dawes touring bikes out there on ebay....
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    Genesis Equilibrium. The framesets are almost free.
    Shame the rest of it isn't as well. They are very nice looking bikes- I had a quick look whilst the wife was faffinf around with her spesh in Evans the other day.
    Asprilla wrote:
    There are a lot of Dawes touring bikes out there on ebay....

    A bit too grandad (and not yellow) perhaps! ;)
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    menthel wrote:
    Genesis Equilibrium. The framesets are almost free.
    Shame the rest of it isn't as well. They are very nice looking bikes- I had a quick look whilst the wife was faffinf around with her spesh in Evans the other day.
    Asprilla wrote:
    There are a lot of Dawes touring bikes out there on ebay....

    A bit too grandad (and not yellow) perhaps! ;)

    That's why you can pick them up for under £200 as a 531 frame.

    Call it a fixed and it's £400.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    Asprilla wrote:
    menthel wrote:
    Genesis Equilibrium. The framesets are almost free.
    Shame the rest of it isn't as well. They are very nice looking bikes- I had a quick look whilst the wife was faffinf around with her spesh in Evans the other day.
    Asprilla wrote:
    There are a lot of Dawes touring bikes out there on ebay....

    A bit too grandad (and not yellow) perhaps! ;)

    That's why you can pick them up for under £200 as a 531 frame.

    Call it a fixed and it's £400.

    And get it resprayed...

    Liking the thinking! ;)
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    menthel wrote:
    iPete wrote:
    This does sound like a cry out for a trip back to Condor to get yourself a Tempo...

    And a free castration courtesy of the wife! ;) Anyways I am fancying a Bob Jackson Audax frame in yellow...

    Like.

    But like the others have said, wait for a bargain on e-bay.

    or have a look at http://vintagebikecave.com/
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    rubertoe wrote:
    menthel wrote:
    iPete wrote:
    This does sound like a cry out for a trip back to Condor to get yourself a Tempo...

    And a free castration courtesy of the wife! ;) Anyways I am fancying a Bob Jackson Audax frame in yellow...

    Like.

    But like the others have said, wait for a bargain on e-bay.

    or have a look at http://vintagebikecave.com/

    Thanks, interesting site!
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • rhext
    rhext Posts: 1,639
    Get some better disc brakes?
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    rhext wrote:
    Get some better disc brakes?

    I did, got some BB7s, still don't like them.
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    To be clear then, what about then BB&'s (which are generally considered to be the very best cable disc brakes) do you not like?
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    menthel wrote:
    rhext wrote:
    Get some better disc brakes?

    I did, got some BB7s, still don't like them.

    let me know if you are selling. :wink:
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    To be clear then, what about then BB&'s (which are generally considered to be the very best cable disc brakes) do you not like?

    Their disc brakeyness. They are better than the old ones but still need constant adjustment. I am also not keen on the way they feel.
    rubertoe wrote:
    menthel wrote:
    rhext wrote:
    Get some better disc brakes?

    I did, got some BB7s, still don't like them.

    let me know if you are selling. :wink:

    :p
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,252
    menthel wrote:
    To be clear then, what about then BB&'s (which are generally considered to be the very best cable disc brakes) do you not like?

    Their disc brakeyness. They are better than the old ones but still need constant adjustment. I am also not keen on the way they feel.
    Really? I only had to make a very minor adjustment when I borrowed Ugo's wheel, then adjusted it straight back when I got mine back. Otherwise no adjustments made since fitting and initial set up. I'm very happy with mine, they just work. Hydraulics may be better, but I'll wait until they come down in price.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    My cable discs need maybe 30 seconds of adjustment every 2 months, hardly a killer!

    Disc brakeyness is a plus point surely?
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    I don't know but perhaps it is just me and my inability to fit the bloody things. I will have a further fiddle once I have some time and see if I can get them any better.

    Not stopping my N+1 yellow steel framed bike lust though...
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    I don't like BB7s either. They sound like a knife sharpener or are no more effective than normal brakes.

    I'd quite like to try TRP Spyres as they are proper two piston mechanicals and self centre as a result.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,252
    I set mine up as per the Volagi video as recommended by MRS. Also watched a couple of others and read up on it a bit.
    From memory it was something like release the cable, loosen the mounting bolts and wind in the adjusters to hold the caliper in place and in line with the disc. Then tighten up the mounting bolts gradually going from one to the other and back. Don't tighten one all the way then the other. Back off the adjusters just enough and refit the cable. Apparently it's good to have a bit of tension on the cable with BB7s as otherwise the actuating arm can rattle.
    Mine were noisy but seem to have quietened down now. I'll get some Superstar organic pads for when I need them.
    I like them, they work. There is a daft schoolkid somewhere in Twickenham that should also like them. He was walking along the pavement and then suddenly ran diagonally into the road in front of me with his headphones on and no backward glance. Luckily it was me and my bike and not a big red bus in the bus lane at that moment.
    You should still go for n+1 though, especially as small competitive yoga female has more bikes than you. ;-)
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    Veronese68 wrote:
    I set mine up as per the Volagi video as recommended by MRS. Also watched a couple of others and read up on it a bit.
    From memory it was something like release the cable, loosen the mounting bolts and wind in the adjusters to hold the caliper in place and in line with the disc. Then tighten up the mounting bolts gradually going from one to the other and back. Don't tighten one all the way then the other. Back off the adjusters just enough and refit the cable. Apparently it's good to have a bit of tension on the cable with BB7s as otherwise the actuating arm can rattle.
    Mine were noisy but seem to have quietened down now. I'll get some Superstar organic pads for when I need them.
    I like them, they work. There is a daft schoolkid somewhere in Twickenham that should also like them. He was walking along the pavement and then suddenly ran diagonally into the road in front of me with his headphones on and no backward glance. Luckily it was me and my bike and not a big red bus in the bus lane at that moment.
    You should still go for n+1 though, especially as small competitive yoga female has more bikes than you. ;-)

    I know, she says she doesn't need another bike and then one appears! ;)

    I will have a google for the vid later- sounds similar to the installation instructions that come with but I have been tightening one bolt fully each time. That may cause some of the trouble.
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    Anyone seen the Spyres yet?

    i see fatbirds list them but no stock yet.

    Anyone know the release date?
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,176
    I think your brakes need better fettling... I have been a BB7 convert for a couple of years now. In traffic situations they are the dogs... with the right grippy tyres they can stop you so quickly that your eyes might pop out of the skull if you don't close them.
    Noise level vary on temperature/weather conditions... right now they are pretty much silent
    left the forum March 2023
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    I think your brakes need better fettling... I have been a BB7 convert for a couple of years now. In traffic situations they are the dogs... with the right grippy tyres they can stop you so quickly that your eyes might pop out of the skull if you don't close them.
    Noise level vary on temperature/weather conditions... right now they are pretty much silent

    Better fettling is also a given seen as I installed them. First time I commuted with the BB7s I managed to lock the back brake and skid on the wet, slick CS7 blue paint. Slightly embarrassing.
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,252
    menthel wrote:
    I will have a google for the vid later- sounds similar to the installation instructions that come with but I have been tightening one bolt fully each time. That may cause some of the trouble.
    Tightening the bolts fully can put pressure on the caliper pulling it out of line. Go gradually from one to the other, 1/4 turn at a time as you nip it up.
    I think there was also an additional video from Volagi with a bit more information as well as the original.
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    Veronese68 wrote:
    menthel wrote:
    I will have a google for the vid later- sounds similar to the installation instructions that come with but I have been tightening one bolt fully each time. That may cause some of the trouble.
    Tightening the bolts fully can put pressure on the caliper pulling it out of line. Go gradually from one to the other, 1/4 turn at a time as you nip it up.
    I think there was also an additional video from Volagi with a bit more information as well as the original.

    Thanks, I will have a look at them later.
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.