zeppinger

Hi all,

Im an experienced commuter and have three years of Michigan winter commuting under my belt. I used an old Specialized RockeHopper that did the trick very well with 1.75 Schwalbe Marathon winter tires added. However, I am moving to Chicago and need to trim down the number of bikes I have so I can no longer keep a dedicated winter bike (I already have a touring bike and a polo bike to deal with...Plus my fianes bikes!) So I took the plunge on something that I think can serve

I found my Breezer Uptown 8 for $525 on some random bike warehouse kinda site but here are the specs with pictures. https://www.breezerbikes.com/archive/2016/uptown-8-2

So since I saved so much money on the bike (almost 50%) I am thinking of doming some upgrading for winter. I have read that people really like roller brakes and that I can easily fit them on this bike without much conversion. My questions are as follows:

1) Which roller brake models should I be looking at and why?

2) Should I get just a rear roller brake and keep the rim brake up front as Sheldown Brown recommends or just go full roller? There are no long downhills in Chicago so heat shouldnt be a big issue. I am mostly trying to get rid of that super irritating rim brake sound in the winter, improve braking performance in slop, and just have as low of maintenance bike as possible.

3) Any other suggestions for upgrades from more experienced winter commuters than myself? Stuff I should do to the bike to help protect it from corrosion? I never had to worry about this before since I used a beater! Anything special I need to know about Chicago?

Thanks in Advance!
-Zep

dabac

Rollers and drums are the most weather-independent brakes.
Rollers do need lube once in a good while. Drums can go longer w/o care.
While frame and forks generally tolerate the addition of drums/rollers well, hubs rarely do. Are you looking to trade in your current wheels?

Apart from that it looks like a sensible choice. Fenders, chaincase.
I'd fit a longer front mud flap though.

zeppinger

I was under the impression from my research that I could add roller brakes fairly easily to this nexus 8 hub un th eback and to the front dyno hub? No?

dabac

You'd have to tell what exact versions of the hubs you have.
But I don't think it's generally possible to retrofit rollerbrakes to any Nexus IGH or dynohub.

fietsbob

RollerBrake is a Shimano Thing..There are several, did you get the RollerBrake ready interface version or the smooth left end one.



Road salt must be washed off..



I use a Sturmey Archer Drum brake Hub.. and have for 20+ years.. they make a drum combo dynamo hub.

I have their 6 speed freewheel version, but they make Internal gear - drum brake versions too..

Chicago is flat ... maybe 3 speeds enough JRA, a headwind and a tail wind gear lower & higher.





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