[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

[Bold Seagull]

I discussed budget gravels in my new LBS today. I was advised to go for hydraulic brakes if possible. That not far off doubles the cost. I'll leave it for now.

I've got hydraulic brakes on my hardtail, cable disc brakes on my cycleX, and rim brakes on the Bianchi road bike.

The hydraulic brakes on the hardtail are by far the better brakes in pure braking terms of the 3. I mean properly urgent, but also with a bit of feel. The cable disc brakes by comparison (TRP Spyre) I don't think really give me any better braking performance than my rim brakes, even in the wet, feels like you have to give the cable disc brakes an extra squeeze for a real urgent stop - it's like the difference between a cable disc and hydraulic disc brake is like remembering what it was like to drive with power assisted steering or not in a car.

Cable disc brakes are similar to maintain as rim brakes though. Tightening and oiling of the cable every now and again, sometimes the brake unit needs fine adjustment if you start getting that annoying 'tic' sound when the disc is slightly out of line with the pads, but maintenance wise easier to maintain.

Hydraulics on the other hand, you do need a bleed kit, a set of syringes and a load of fluid if you need to adjust the brakes. That said I went years without needing to do it, only swapping pads out. Once you've followed a youtube and done it once, it's not that difficult, although doing it with my son's bike there was so much air trapped it was unbelievable how many times we needed to repeat the process.

While some expensive upgrades on a bike you might not notice, I'd say you would notice the difference between hydraulic and cable. As said a cable disc brake is closer to rim braking than it is to a hydraulic that is out there on it's own in terms of performance.

In my opinion like.

 

[Bold Seagull]

I have friends who have mechanical discs and they are more than happy with them....and I've read more than a few magazine reviews that say they work well enough if hydraulics arent in the budget. A lot easier to sort out at home as well, so I wouldn't be swayed too much by the hydraulic argument tbh.

Im seriously considering an e-Gravel for my next bike (probably a 50th birthday present to myself) but they are way out of my budget at the moment. So Im seriously tempted to have a look at one of these for the time being, just so I can get my long planned over-nighter sorted out...

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/grave...c-brake-green/_/R-p-312397?mc=8575940&c=GREEN

That's a fine looking bike. Had great value from Decathlon, my aforementioned hardtail is a B'Twin and unbelievable value, as well as 2 Triban road bikes in the family.

As mentioned above, I reckon if you go from a rim brake to a mechanical disc brake, you'll be happy enough, the mechanical disc may well feel better in fact. So echoing your advice, if you haven't tasted hydraulic, then you won't know what you're missing anyway, and as you said, they are easy to maintain. Because I have both though, the hydraulic is just different gravy though in terms of braking, and that's not even an expensive set, just the set that came on the £400 Btwin hardtail.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

the hydraulic is just different gravy though in terms of braking, and that's not even an expensive set, just the set that came on the £400 Btwin hardtail.

And thats the beauty of Decathlon / B'Twin...a £400 bike with hydraulics! You just wouldn't find that elsewhere I dont think!

 

[1066familyman]

The Eurosport / GCN commentary? Only that it was Kirby & Smith....so assume they will be on TDF duty next month as they missed the Giro?

And what did you notice Kirby kept saying about the riders who finished 1st and 2nd?

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

And what did you notice Kirby kept saying about the riders who finished 1st and 2nd?

About them being brothers? Typical Kirby

 

[1066familyman]

Exactly!

The man's a total fool. So wrapped up in delivering the Carlton Kirby Show each race, he can't even get the basics of his job description right.

I note Brian Smith didn't pull him up once on it. Maybe it's me being whoosed by Kirby's attempt at humour again?

Btw, Kirby aside, what a brilliant race it was!

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Exactly!

The man's a total fool. So wrapped up in delivering the Carlton Kirby Show each race, he can't even get the basics of his job description right.

I note Brian Smith didn't pull him up once on it. Maybe it's me being whoosed by Kirby's attempt at humour again?

Btw, Kirby aside, what a brilliant race it was!

I was surprised Smithy didn't say anything tbh...hes not normally shy about correcting Kirby!
I did notice though that CK eventually said "his compatriot" (and not brother) as Gianni went over the line in 2nd. Someone must've corrected him...or his addled old brain finally clicked into gear.
I dont mind CK if Im honest - but he does waffle on about some rubbish sometimes

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Btw, Kirby aside, what a brilliant race it was!

It was the first time I've properly watched the Antwerp Port Epic tbh - and I totally agree. Absolutely fantastic parcours...a bit like a Paris Roubaix / Tro Bro Leon / Dirty Kanza mashup!

Really needs a lot more coverage and media exposure, because this could be a real grower like Strade Bianche & Tro Bro have been over the last few years.

 

[Stat Brother]

Checks date - it's not early April
Raises finger about to say something.
Stops.
Raises finger again.
Stops.




[tweet]1532297623125860353[/tweet]

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Maybe B&H Council need to swap out their Brighton bikes for a whole fleet of these, & get rid of all the seafront bike lanes once and for all.
Everyone using pedal power to commute can just use the sea between the Marina & Hove Lagoon instead, & all those angry car drivers will finally be happy. Sorted.

 

[Stat Brother]

[tweet]1533868844309151746[/tweet]

 

[Stat Brother]

[MENTION=3858]Motogull[/MENTION]

[tweet]1535689571702345730[/tweet]

 

[Motogull]

I think Cantii won't happen for me now. My works 'scheme' is with Evans only. Choices being a bargain 'Dale (but a proper gravel, so single) or a chicken-in-a-basket Pinnacle. I'm sure that's fine but...

I'd rather get a De Rosa for summer rides and keep the 'Dale for rolling and commuting. Won't happen either.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Anyone else sitting watching the Tour de Suisse this week thinking, "I need to go there"...?

Stunningly beautiful.

 

[Motogull]

Some Sad Ken has flagged a 7 year old ride of mine. Its because of sprint section KOM that I studied and 'went for' successfully. There are some proper wet farts out there.

In other news, our 'all nighter' has been put back to next weekend.

 

[1066familyman]

Anyone else sitting watching the Tour de Suisse this week thinking, "I need to go there"...?

Stunningly beautiful.

Yes and Yes.

Enjoy it while you can. Can see it possibly not starting tomorrow if more positive Covid tests put more teams out of action.

 

[1066familyman]

Some Sad Ken has flagged a 7 year old ride of mine. Its because of sprint section KOM that I studied and 'went for' successfully. There are some proper wet farts out there.

In other news, our 'all nighter' has been put back to next weekend.

Sad Ken you say.

I had no idea John Shuttleworth was into cycling, let alone Strava.

 

[1066familyman]

Moto. Try sending this to Ken. It's sure to cheer him up and then he may withdraw the flag for you

 

[Stat Brother]

No reason.

[tweet]1538456625433808896[/tweet]

 

[Stat Brother]

Morning Strat Fans.