Originally Posted by
bikingshearer
Gawd, I hope no one ever spec'd drum brakes on a mountain bike unless it was a supplement to cantilevers or other appropriate rim brake. Aside from the big weight penalty and the need for a special hub and the special drop-out spacing, drum brakes simply don't work very well for generating stoping power.
I have to agree with you on the power, as much as I like drum brakes. With mine, I can brake hard enough to worry about going over the bars, but I have to squeeze the heck out of the lever to do it. I can lock the back wheel as well, but not terribly easily. Weight is probably an issue too, but that particular bike weighs an absolute ton anyway, so I don't notice.
As for dropout spacing, both drum wheels fitted my bike with no trouble, although it may be different with some drums.
Also, Drummerboy, there are some awesome bikes in that link!