russian fighter

Here's my new Monkey that I also posted under the commuter bike pic sticky.

https://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/3...096a0273_b.jpg

https://farm1.static.flickr.com/126/3...0d6acb42_b.jpg

https://farm1.static.flickr.com/129/3...d2c19de8_b.jpg

Nothing fancy, but it rides so nicely--the Schwalbe Big Apples are awesome. It's my first single speed, too, so it's fun to ride around feeling like you're on a tank.

Mooo

Very nice.
Needs fenders though :-)

russian fighter

Thanks--as it's set up I can't fit fenders (v brakes + big apples = no space). I might need to get some taller v brakes, or maybe cantilevers. It also needs a chainguard. And the cork grips look cool and feel all right but are brittle as hell. I've ordered some leather ones. I was tempted by the Brooks leather grips but for $90?? No way.

jyossarian

Very nice! Could use an old style saddlebag and maybe a rack, but it's still beautiful.

trackandtrials

You actually can fit fenders - you just need to make some longer stays for the regular planet bike MTB fenders. Mine look pretty identical to these

edit: almost forgot - word on the street is that Planet Bike is making some proper 29er fenders, to be available in teh next couple months.

russian fighter

My problem is that the tires are so big they don't leave much vertical clearance for a fender to fit b/w the horizontal brake cable of the vbrake and the rear seat stay bridge. I've been told that a few manufacturers make brakes w/longer a longer "v" that can fit, or I can do cantilvers. But fenders will be added soon.

edit--thanks for the planet bike tip.

aadhils

Now you have me lusting for one. Thanks for ruining my day at work...

brunop

i saw this bike once in central park last summer i think it was. i heard somethin' happened to the guy mike who owns it.

max-a-mill

don't downgrade to canti's...

flipped4bikes

Or you could run fixed, throw out the brakes and get some proper wood fenders to match...that would be sweet!

highlyselassie

It's not downgrading if you can find the ones that come out at 90 degrees from the mounts, although no-one's made these for nigh on 20 years now. Dunno why, better modulation that v's, better braking than the newer 45 degree canti's. Some thing's have no rhyme or reason.

highlyselassie

flipped4bikes, is that your bike in the attached photo?. Red anodized rims and wooden mudguards is certainly an acquired taste.

JeffS

Sure they do

https://www.paulcomp.com/neoretro.html

They're just incredibly expensive compared to other cantis. That price is each, not per set.

CrosseyedCrickt

I consider my cantis superios to mose v-brakes I have used

flipped4bikes

Uh, no. I borrowed that image from the guy I bought my wood fenders from. I'm still trying to get past how fat those tires are!

I have no complaints with my Shimano cantis and STI levers: plenty of stopping power for me...

Bklyn

That's a nice-looking bike. Exactly how wide are those tires? And what's the gearing?

russian fighter

Thanks. I actually can't recall sitting here at my desk how wide the tires are--they're the biggest Schwalbe Big Apples available. https://schwalbetires.com/node/61/ok I can't recommend them highly enough. They really just roll over everything. I'm using the KM as a townie type bike--upright, smooth riding, and not necessarily the most effecient thing on the road. It's really fun to ride and a nice change of pace from my road bikes.

RE: the cantis--very helpful discussion. JeffS--those neo retros look bad ass. Cantis just look so much nicer than v-brakes. But at that price? Hmm...

russian fighter

Why do you think it'd be a downgrade?

russian fighter

This is my first single speed since my kid days riding BMX bikes, so I'm taking it one step at a time. Those wood fenders are sweet. I'm afraid though that parking it anywhere w/those plus the brooks would just invite theives. Maybe I'm being presumptous.

tlupfer

you could also try getting a half link for your chain, bringing the wheel back further and giving you a bit more room for fenders (you might also have to use a shim between the bridge and the fender).

I've used the same frame/tire combination. it's a very nice setup. enjoy.

highlyselassie

I know of these brakes, but didn't mention them. Just why are they so expensive?.

Taking advantage of being in a field of 1?.

I'd rather look for some old Mafac's and go out for a meal on the change.

JeffS

I think they're just a small machine shop. Probably just the cost of a high-quality product made the "old fashion" way. They could probably slash the price if they'd outsource them overseas, but I guess some manufacturers still take pride in really manufacturing something.

CBBaron

Paul Components is a CNC shop making parts one at a time on a very expensive piece of machinery. Considering the work that goes into it Paul prices are pretty reasonable, however mass produced stamped or forged parts are much cheaper to produce if you can sell in quantity.
Craig

max-a-mill

huh, i never knew there were so many canti fans till i got to bikeforums.

in my opinion (thought it was fact, but i guess it will be relegated to my opinion) v's stop way better and are MUCH easier to set up than canti's. they also don't require near as much adjustment.

i think there is a reson canti's were phased out in favor of v's in the mtb world years ago.

and btw i know a bike shop guy who's got the paul canti's on his crossbike and still says they are lame compared to v's...

but to each theyz own.

best upgrade i ever made was to switch the canti's on mine and the GF's crosscheck commuters to v brakes.

you ever try to stop going down a hill in the rain with canti's??? well i think it sucks....

only half beleivable argument i have ever heard for canti's is better "modulation".... me, i prefer to stop.

russian fighter

Fair enough. Can anyone recommend vbrakes w/tall arms that can better fit my Big Apple tires?