They are actually Shimano Deore Hydraulics with XT Ice tech rotors 160mm. I know the Disc brakes pro/cons discussion is a bit touchy which is why I didn't elaborate much on it. Disc brakes squeal when wet, that's a fact. I might switch rotors as was suggested earlier but as we're (finally) coming up on the spring / summer, the Nature Boy might not see much action the next few months. So far, my rim brakes have had no issue stopping me in the wet.

I should probably add, the I bought the Nature Boy as a frame and built it up from there as I started it with an 8 speed Alfine hub before switching it back to SS after a while.

Op....buy the 2nd frame if it makes you happy. Life's too short.
Maybe a poor comparison but....I was recently gifted a bottle of Legent "bourbon". Never had it before but enjoyed my first few glasses enough to go out and buy 3 more bottles:)

Sorry, it was meant to be a bit tounge in cheek. But I wonder if you just have contaminated pads. Try taking off a bit with some sandpaper. Those brakes should be reasonably quiet. It looks like a fun bike.

All good, it's entirely possible that they're contaminated. We love to salt the streets here in Manhattan (NYC) and given how much residue I had to pull off the rotors, I should probably go back and take a look at the pads as well. I do like my Nature Boy. But, I love the Wabi.

So n+1/2?

I mean a frameset is technically only half the bike, right . . . ? ;)

I have a couple of bikes that are very much alike. Go for it.

How does she feel about taxidermy?

Well, that's a good bike, but why in the world would anyone limit the universe to one make and model. There's many as good or better for the money and something might be a lot better for you, geometry, value, etc..

Mine don't. And that's a fact.

fify.

Fair enough.

That was the only bike the shop had available to test fit in my size (44-46cm). I'm certainly not limiting it to just a Trek. It's just what I've been able to test thus far. When I'm ready for gears, I'll continue my research.

I have heard this criticism of disc brakes many times. I've had my Colnago World Cup CX for about 5 years and have never had that problem. It has mechanical discs and they have been flawless. It's the only one of my 4 bikes that has discs. I wonder why I've never encountered that problem.

Lucky you!
You are in a win-win situation. Get the second/clone, then tell your mother she was right, as always.
Then let her talk you into getting another, different bike.
You restore domestic tranquility, get your second bike, and, get a hall pass to get a third, different bike to scratch the N+1 itch.

I've got two bicycles with the same frame (different forks, though). One's used for road riding, the other for touring. Neither have disc brakes. Both feel great and get time in my 'ride rotation' .

I try to reserve love for other humans. <grin>

I have two socks that are the same.

are they both lefts or rights?

I have two left feet, so ...

that stinks. can't be right tho.

I don’t have a complete spare, but both my bikes have the same cockpit, saddle and pedals, which I mostly like. They are somewhat different bikes, as one is a vintage road frame while the other is a vintage MTB frame. I tend to ride the MTB in the winter and the road frame in the warmer, somewhat drier months.

If I were to set up a different bike, I’d probably try to go in between, rather than replicate, with a bike with a newer frame that could run 700x42 or 650Bx47. That could probably work all year round, and I’d use the same cockpit, saddle and pedals I run now, perhaps just stealing them from the road frame.

Otto

I say go for it; if you have the money then why the hell not?
I have two of the exact same bike; both custom titanium; one has 28 spoke wheels the other has 32 spoke wheels and mudguards; otherwise they’re identical.
I ride them each for roughly 6 months of the year.

the Nature Boy is my in between right now - primarily winter, sometimes wet weather, and soon to be light trail bike. I can fit 650bx42s tires at max though I'd love to find a frame in my size that can take 650bx47s.

Oooh nice, I'd love a custom Ti frame at some point . . . did you go with a particular brand or have a framebuilder put it together?

I kind of lost where this thread is going but I have a friend who buys 2 new very high end road bikes every few years one for his vacation home and one for his residence. That way no issues regarding fit or user experience.