zymphad

I don't mind or care if other people like or use disc brakes.

But I decided to build a new bike like I did last time. I like my bikes simple. So I decided to go with the R7000 105 because frankly I thought the hoods on the R5800 were rather uncomfortable.

But here is the thing. All new carbon frames, whether it's branded or direct from factory, I chose Winspace, they all require internal routing. And I think anyone who does home maintenance has noticed that internal routing definitely affects the smoothness of mechanical shifting.

So I decided to look into electronic shifting now that I read the batteries last long time and quick charging. Well I can't find Shimano Di2 without hydraulic disc brakes. I have absolutely no interest in hydraulic disc.

The other issue is it's now difficult to find a frame that I want with rim brake support. Almost any new modern frame is disc only.

That's my rant. I wish the bike industry wasn't so fixed on forcing people onto certain standards and was a more open.

So I managed to figure out a build. The only frame I could find within my budget and what I wanted was the Winspace SLC 2.0 with direct mount support. And I just had to put together a custom with 105 R7000 mechanical with Ultegra direct mount brakes, costing me an additional $200 that I didn't want to spend. Annoying.

indyfabz

Don’t spoil your dinner.

mstateglfr 

Ok.

Garthr

There's always custom frames(carbon or steel) as demanding that prefab frame manufacturers conform to my particularly sensibilities is futile. Myself I'm perfectly content with riding steel frames, rim brakes, friction shifting and 7-speed freewheels as I figure no natter how fast I think I may be going, or not, well here I am. This here/now/fact does not change, can't be sped up or slowed down, and can't be weighed or dimensionalized in any way.

No escaping, nor anything to escape from.

Troul 

E-bikes will soon be forced on everyone. Crash for clunkers, the bicycle exchange program. Give them your non E-bike for a cast steel framed E-Bike.

cb400bill

Stories like this make me glad that I purchased my Fuji SL2.1 when I did. Carbon frame, Ultegra Di2 11 speed, and Ultegra rim brakes. Great riding 16.5 lb bike.

zymphad

I honestly do think when I feel the need to do another bike build in 5+ years from now, my next bike with probably be a steel custom/vintage. I just have zero interest at all in disc brakes, I do my own tinkering and maintenance, I have zero interest in buying new tools to bleed, install, re-align bent rotors etc.

zymphad

Yeah, current road bike environment is extremely toxic if you don't want to join the disc brake bandwagon.

georges1

Great Fuji and nice color

indyfabz

And ti, which is the best frame material.

Atlas Shrugged

What a sad story. I am glad you shared this because it gives us a fresh insight. I see you have been a member for over 10 years but perhaps you may not have visited the friendly and welcoming participants over in C&V. They would show much more empathy and understanding for your particular problem. Over in General this post could easily be misinterpreted as a pathetic attempt at trolling.

70sSanO

I think you can still get Ultegra R8050 Di2 for rim brakes. At least a couple online suppliers show it in stock, but I didn’t spend much time.

John

Russ Roth

I'll agree with you on internal routing, I really dislike it in general and, in particular, not with hydraulic disc. I really dislike having to disconnect and reconnect hydraulic hoses to route them through frames and forks. And there's no doubt that they reduce shift quality. Though my Daughter's bike has a removable plate in the downtube so that there isn't an extra visible hole with electronic shifting its still annoying to route the brake hose through there. As to disc themselves, I've yet to really experience anything about them that doesn't make them superior to rim brake and, between cyclocross, wet mtb rides and races, and commuting in the rain, I really appreciate not wearing through rims and creating a black slurry that has to be cleaned off or it reduces stopping ability. Only ever riding in the dry, quality dual pivot rim brakes and v-brakes are more than adequate to the task of stopping, but in all weather they're def more maintenance, more mess, and more wear.

surak

Not sure how a lockring tool and a crescent wrench for centerlock rotors, the latter also used for rotor truing, or a Torx bit for 6-bolt, is asking a lot or even expected to be new to any home mechanics' toolbox.

Bleed kits are more or less the same and costs as little as $20 off Amazon.

But sure, Big Bike wants everyone on disc brakes as difficult to maintain as rocket science. Luckily, it's all a long con and you can rest assured that if you wait a few years, they'll reintroduce rim brakes as Bike Classic and all will be right in the world again. Except for the high fructose corn syrup in the frames -- whoops, we don't let on that we know too much.

slow rollin

If I am going disk it's going to be hydraulic. Otherwise I am getting an older bike with rim brakes. I have only been keeping tabs on the bike industry for a decade now, but after seeing how 26in mtb wheels got treated I know the game. Progress, or get left behind.
I still think everyone should try out the new stuff for a while to make a judgement.
Still lots of good used rim brake bikes for sale out there.

DangerousDanR

Stories like this make me glad that I purchased my Scylon when I did. Carbon frame, Ekar 13 speed, and those fantastic Campagnolo hydraulic disc brakes. Great riding 16.5 lb bike.

The "good old days" are NOW!

But, you know, I did have to bleed the brakes on my other Ekar equipped bike, and a genuine Campagnolo bleeding kit ( they actually are a different size threads ) set me back $40 (The only new tool needed), and it took maybe 5 minutes to bleed the brakes. So two bikes, maybe 4.000 miles, one set of pads (which take maybe a couple minutes to change)and one bleed.

But the brakes work when it is snowing (like today) or raining, or that delightful thing the NWS calls winter mix. Or in the summer thunderstorms that catch you when you were expecting a sunny day. And I will never have to change a brake cable.

P.S. I hope you got the WinSpace Lun Hyper wheels with the carbon spokes. They are fantastic.

PeteHski

People often moan about internal routing, but it makes bike frame cleaning so much easier without all those cables and guides collecting dirt and grime.

Also these days (at least with SRAM AXS anyway) there are only the hydraulic brake hoses to route, which is a one-off operation.

The new skills required are pretty simple and learning new things is always good for the mind. Whinging about things is not usually productive.

smd4

He doesn’t have to leave here; we’re willing to make the trip.

PeteHski

None of you guys are even vaguely interested in disc brakes, but still arrive like flies to poop

smd4

What can I say? It's fun to watch you guys get all defensive. When did "General Cycling" become the "Disc Brake and Electronic Shifting ONLY Forum??"

The OP is following your modern mantra almost completely, but dislikes one aspect. And for that, he's told that he's a troll and should be banished.

Very welcoming.

PeteHski

I don’t have any objections, it was just my observation.

ScottCommutes

Keeping up with new tech is part of life, whether you like it or not. Don't believe me, I'll sell you my VGA cables, typewriter ribbons, handsaw sharpening jig, and lantern batteries.

BTinNYC 

'Everything you love and everyone you know will change and there's nothing you can do about it.'

The 5 Meditations of the Buddha, circa 500 BC.

indyfabz

Do you have any whale oil you’re willing to part with? Greenpeace has made that stuff hard to come by. I’ll trade you my Atari 5200.

Atlas Shrugged

I appreciate your response and enjoy our back-and-forth banter. However, I kindly request that you post my full message instead of only selecting certain lines. This particular thread made by a long-time active member, seems to have been created solely to stir up conflict and disagreement regarding an issue that has been excessively debated in the past.