I've recently become obsessed with the idea of a bike with drum brakes (front dynamo, rear IGH). I'm thinking of finding an old steel touring frame and building up some wheels, because try as I might I cannot find any reasonable options for new bikes with drum brakes in Canada. Anyone know of any reasonably priced new bikes that come stock with drum brakes?

Maybe consider widening your search to include roller brakes?


as weather-proof as drums, a tiny bit more demanding wrt service, can be combined with dynohubs.

Why do you want drums? Aesthetics? I can't think of any (although I had fun adding some to a tandem once...)

I'm not sure if it is available in Canada, but I have a Trek ST720 that has been awesome. drum brakes front and rear, 7spd IGH, dynamo on the front. The only downside is that they haven't connected the rear light to the dynamo. I just replaced it with a Cube Travel SL, which has disc brakes, but also has IGH and a dynamo...

They are the lowest maintenance type of brake. But they're really heavy. I built a bike with them and couldn't stand the weight.

The Shimano Nexus has coaster brake versions. A coaster brake is essentially a drum brake.

I won't buy a car with drum brakes anymore, sure not interested in a bike with them. Discs FTW.

GREAT idea, weight smeight. I won't be riding without at least one drum anymore. SA Drum brakes are set and forget, ZERO adjustment, any weather round the world ready. My XL FDD has 21,000 miles, just one bearing change at 17,000. Toured 4,200 miles. It does need a very strong fork.
I also just got an old 1973 CCM 3 spd. Now half upgraded with an all new rear SA RD3 and Dyad rim. Absolutely fabulous. The 70 mm seems to actually grip better than the 90 mm.
Dutch bikes use them for a reason ....

Great to hear about the XL-FDD. Do the old CCM bikes have the same issues as Raleigh three speeds (non standard BB threading, etc.)? I've seen a few around here and have thought about building one up with the 70mm version X-FDD (not sure I want to risk bending a fork with the 90mm drums.)

Mostly for riding through Ottawa winters (sandy, salty slush everywhere). I have used both V-brakes and calipers and don't really mind extra weight, if they are much nicer to deal with in bad weather.

My CCM has a 1PC which has the same cups but diff size thread parts from new BMX . So would need to change the whole crank. Way better than a cotter crank.
Yah, need new fork for a new hub. The front caliper is not bad when dry. I wrote about my bike in the C&V English 3 spd thread.

Got drum brakes on my 72 Super Course, which I use as a daily commuter. Yes they weigh a more but are reliable in all weather, have a good modulation feel, and I don't have to mess with the black gunk produced by rim brakes.

I don't recall seeing any new bikes with them (unless you are interested in a tadpole trike)

Good luck

I have a sa 5 sp drum wheelset I could probably sell - I used it last winter some, but was my second favorite winter bike. 5sp hub needs a rebuild, front drum worked well last winter. I just switched to a single speed test wheel and a road caliper after the hub started acting funny.

Nexus hubs should be able to accommodate a roller brake module. I've done this on two folding bikes and the results are reasonably good.
Steve

Do the nexus hubs use cup/cone like other Shimano hubs? I'm wondering how they would fare in the winter (not a fan of repacking too often...)