Originally Posted by
MassiveD
Well, it is more than a few extra bits. We are talking on this build about two complete parallel set-ups for brakes, and three for gears. Providing access for the gates belt is a non-trivial modification. A stay bridge like that alone, is around 200-300 for S&S. Rohloffs use a lot of cabling, the drop is different, the rear stays are beefed up differently. If you really want to have a nice set-up you need custom bars, at least for drops. Then what you guys are forgetting are the cost of the gates parts.
I agree that Chris went a bit overboard. I don't think accommodating the Gates stuff makes much sense.
Originally Posted by
MassiveD
So on an equal economics basis, two frames, no S&S on both of them, no gates, no financing, and cost the part of the future risk that isn't going to be handled by this. Seems like a wash to me.
The "economic" argument is already lost with nearly any custom frame. A Surly Trucker Deluxe frame set (it has S&S couplers) is about $1000.