1) I love the color you chose.
2) My mountain bike (see signature) has a SunTour RollerCam front brake, an under-the-chainstays Shimano U-Brake, salmon KoolStop pads, and those great motorcycle-style 4-finger Shimano brake handles, which I can grab either from the grips or the bar extensions. I am delighted with the bike's braking system.
3) I have considered adding mudguards, since it does sometimes rain around here during the winter months, but I need some which do not require rack/mudguard eyelets, which my Team Issue racing bike lacks. I did install a Blackburn MtnRack using vinyl-coated straps around the seat stays and taking advantage of the chain hanger as a slip stop.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069