Originally Posted by
Zzbog
1) Which front derailleur are you using? Is there enough space between Ignitors and your front derailleur?
I'm using an XT M770 low mount front derailleur. The spacing is a little tight with the Ignitors, but the frame clearance is really the tightest spot.
Here's what it looks like:
Originally Posted by
Zzbog
2) Have you possibly weighted that X-Flow Crankset, which originally came with the bike? I'm about to get new cranks myself (I'm torn between Shimano SLX, XT M771 and Truvativ Team mostly because of the color - I want to retain that stealth look), so have the riding experience improved greatly with new cranks? I mean really noticeable difference? Because those basic cranks haven't failed on me yet...
It's really kind of hard to say. I went from 48/38/28 to 44/32/22, so the difference in gearing was so big that I don't know if I'd be able to pick out other differences. I like external bottom brackets.
Originally Posted by
Zzbog
3) How do you like your new brakes? Adjusting those BB5 is really a headache.. I've been messing with them for quite some tim and still can't find the point where stopping power combines with the lack of squeak they produce sometimes. What are the noticeable riding improvements, that come with those BB7's?
The BB7's are like night and day next to the BB5's. I put on the Speed Dial brake levers at the same time I switched the brakes, so I don't know if all the difference in braking feel and performance is due to the BB7's, but it does have a much better feel to it now.
Beyond that, the difference in adjusting the brakes when they start to wear down is worth the price of the upgrade by itself. Everything I've found says that after initial setup you should make the adjustment exclusively using the outboard knob, which the BB5 doesn't have. It's as easy as leaning down and turning the knob (which turns much, much easier than the inside knobs). A lot of the time I don't even need to get off the bike.
The pad braking surface is bigger on the BB7 and the choice of replacement pads seems to be better.
I think this was the best bang-for-the-buck upgrade I've made, with the possible exception of the saddle.
Originally Posted by
Zzbog
4) Did you manage to get those Cascadia fenders? Do they fit fine? Especially with wider tires?
I just got them last week, and I haven't worked out all the kinks, but they're definitely going to work. I found a set of 29x2.1 Schwalbe Marathon Supremes and put them on with the new fenders. The fender fits between the seat stays, but mounting adapter doesn't, so I put a spacer in there and used a longer bolt. I'm not thrilled with that. I've also got a bit of an issue with the rack not providing quite enough clearance.
Here are some pictures:
(I haven't trimmed down the rods yet.)
