BearSquirrel

I've been riding on a cantilever equipped CX bike for winter road training. All of my mountain bikes have disc brakes. I will tell you this, unless you are in a really hilly area, chances are you don't even need a front disc brake.

A great way to make the ride nicer is to make the tires larger. You'll get much more cushion from movement in the rubber than movement in any frame. Also remember that the construction has a lot to do with the characteristics of the frame. It's not just materials.


Again, larger tires. Also consider a suspension seatpost like the Cane Creek Thudbuster.


A lot of people are partial to cheap steel for winter commuters as they consider them fodder for road salt.

daven1986

good news on the brake front didn't really want an ugly travel agent cluttering up my bike! hmm I go between aero position and a bit more upright! guess I will have to try it out, although I don't really mind the current saddle I have, I keep hearing good things about brooks.

I like the idea of your recommendation with the only worry that older frames won't have disc mounts. I'm not adverse to the idea of having a large saddle bag, as long as it can hold all I require, and not crumple my clothes too much.

Instead of going for an older mtb frame how about something like this:
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=10497 or
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=10497 or
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=15508

These seem to fit the bill I guess, especially the first one. I can put a standard brake on the back and get a fork with the disc mounts. With MTB frames do you have to get 26" wheels, I assume 700c won't fit, not that it bothers me, just wondering how hard it is to get thin 26" wheels and tyres.

I do like the idea of a MTB frame as long as I can get thin wheels, a light fork with disc mounts and put drop bars on it. I assume all of these are possible, but one question: how does a bike based on a MTB frame with drop bars and thin tyres compare in ride style / quality to a normal road bike? Also will it be possible to work out what gearing I'd need to account for the smaller wheel size?

thanks again for the great ideas!

daven

daven1986

thanks for the reply, I know larger tyres will improve the ride but for now I think I will put up with it and use thinner tyres! Everyone tells me I don't need a disc brake, and I do listen but I can't help but want one, I know that if I don't have one I will always want one!

I have a suspension seat post on my hybrid but don't notice much difference. I suppose the ride quality on my giant is decent enough.

thanks