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#976
dumb
#982
Thinking about a new frame.
option 1: 2019 wabi special moss green. $600 minus fork and headset (already have a wound up fork that perfectly matches wabi's fork specs)
option 2: surly cross check mint green. Only $500 plus I like the color a bit better. This is also more versitile than the wabi (tire clearance, fenders, running it geared at some point etc.) BUT my wound up fork, which I'd like to use, is a full 20mm shorter than the stock cross check fork...
Thoughts?
option 1: 2019 wabi special moss green. $600 minus fork and headset (already have a wound up fork that perfectly matches wabi's fork specs)
option 2: surly cross check mint green. Only $500 plus I like the color a bit better. This is also more versitile than the wabi (tire clearance, fenders, running it geared at some point etc.) BUT my wound up fork, which I'd like to use, is a full 20mm shorter than the stock cross check fork...
Thoughts?
Those two frames are pretty different from each other. Cross-shopping them is unusual, and it's hard to give advice without knowing why you've narrowed it down to those two specific frames.
What are your actual needs/wants from a new frame?
#983
Senior Member
I narrowed it down to these two because Im kind of caught between two different build philosophies.
First some info about me and my riding style:
- I live in Chicago and commute and run errands year round, all weather.
- right now my rides are usually under 10 miles (can be a few times a day though) and on mostly paved surfaces (the word "paved" doesn't always mean what you think in Chicago though).
- right now I ride exclusively fixed on a frame with track geometry (fuji track) and I don't have any major complaints.
What I want out of a new frame:
- something that looks nice and matches the quality of some of the upgrades that I've made to my current bike
- something a tad less tracky and a bit more roady
- clearance for 32c tires min
- bosses for 2 bottle cages
- fenders would be nice but I get by fine with what I use now
Why I like the wabi:
- riding fixed is what I prefer and what I'm comfortable with. The wabi seems like the right tool for the job in that regard
- lugs
- weight
- basically the wabi frame would complete my ideal fixed gear build and essentially perfect my current setup
Why I'm thinking about the cross check instead:
- after riding a few of my dads geared bikes, I'm getting into the idea of doing some touring and longer rides on a geared bike.
- I also think the cross check may be a better all weather platform
- The cross check build would be a do it all swiss army knife bike that I could configure however I wanted at the time, changing with me as my ride style evolves.
First some info about me and my riding style:
- I live in Chicago and commute and run errands year round, all weather.
- right now my rides are usually under 10 miles (can be a few times a day though) and on mostly paved surfaces (the word "paved" doesn't always mean what you think in Chicago though).
- right now I ride exclusively fixed on a frame with track geometry (fuji track) and I don't have any major complaints.
What I want out of a new frame:
- something that looks nice and matches the quality of some of the upgrades that I've made to my current bike
- something a tad less tracky and a bit more roady
- clearance for 32c tires min
- bosses for 2 bottle cages
- fenders would be nice but I get by fine with what I use now
Why I like the wabi:
- riding fixed is what I prefer and what I'm comfortable with. The wabi seems like the right tool for the job in that regard
- lugs
- weight
- basically the wabi frame would complete my ideal fixed gear build and essentially perfect my current setup
Why I'm thinking about the cross check instead:
- after riding a few of my dads geared bikes, I'm getting into the idea of doing some touring and longer rides on a geared bike.
- I also think the cross check may be a better all weather platform
- The cross check build would be a do it all swiss army knife bike that I could configure however I wanted at the time, changing with me as my ride style evolves.
#985
If you just want to do some longer rides, try it out with what you've got now. Riding long-distance on a fixed gear is a fun challenge.
That being said, I think what you ultimately want is two bikes (and I'm not one of those N+1 pushers, normally). Versatile bikes are cool, and the Cross Check is cool, but converting between fixed and geared is a decent amount of work and probably not something you want to do on a regular basis unless you simply don't have room for an additional bike. Personally, I like the variety of riding both fixed and geared bikes.
That being said, I think what you ultimately want is two bikes (and I'm not one of those N+1 pushers, normally). Versatile bikes are cool, and the Cross Check is cool, but converting between fixed and geared is a decent amount of work and probably not something you want to do on a regular basis unless you simply don't have room for an additional bike. Personally, I like the variety of riding both fixed and geared bikes.
#986
Senior Member
wabi is looking better and better for now I think
#987
dumb
I mean, you're honestly spot on. I probably would satisfy my criteria perfectly with one fixed gear commuter/every day bike and one geared adventure/touring bike. Maybe the swiss army bike idea is not as much of a holy grail as it seems in theory...
wabi is looking better and better for now I think
wabi is looking better and better for now I think
Wabi!!!!
Last edited by mouse; 03-07-19 at 11:03 AM.
#989
Senior Member
I'm glad you also posted your Wabi here 'cos I've always felt that the "Post your bike" pic thread is strictly a place for attaboys, and I do have a question/comment about yours that I hope you won't take the wrong way, as it is genuine curiosity and hopefully helpful...
I don't get it! And by it - I mean dummy hoods with the inline brake lever on the top. In the pic thread you mentioned possible future plans that you were interested in a single new lever to match with a dummy you'd keep using, and even that you like the dummy hood setup so may just upgrade your cross-top lever. If you ride on the hoods, and I've got to figure you do, or there's no reason for those dummies - the logical solution is to have the lever/s right there where you keep your hand/s most of the time so you are ready to brake immediately, not on top of the bar and you have to move your hand to brake. Plus, I am almost willing to bet that unless you have one already lined up, or a connection, it will be close to impossible to find a single hooded lever to match with your dummies, and will have to buy a pair anyway.
In other words, from my own fairly extensive experience with just about any lever/bar combo for a front, single brake...on a drop handlebar forget the interrupter lever - two matching hooded levers with whichever side you prefer functioning works, and (most importantly ) looks, best.
Enjoy your new bike - its almost there...
I don't get it! And by it - I mean dummy hoods with the inline brake lever on the top. In the pic thread you mentioned possible future plans that you were interested in a single new lever to match with a dummy you'd keep using, and even that you like the dummy hood setup so may just upgrade your cross-top lever. If you ride on the hoods, and I've got to figure you do, or there's no reason for those dummies - the logical solution is to have the lever/s right there where you keep your hand/s most of the time so you are ready to brake immediately, not on top of the bar and you have to move your hand to brake. Plus, I am almost willing to bet that unless you have one already lined up, or a connection, it will be close to impossible to find a single hooded lever to match with your dummies, and will have to buy a pair anyway.
In other words, from my own fairly extensive experience with just about any lever/bar combo for a front, single brake...on a drop handlebar forget the interrupter lever - two matching hooded levers with whichever side you prefer functioning works, and (most importantly ) looks, best.
Enjoy your new bike - its almost there...
#990
Senior Member
Good question! That setup didnt really come about on purpose. The dummy hoods were a chance rescue from my dads old parts bin. I thought they were kinda funky so I slapped them on my stock bars and ended up liking the extra hand position. I was already running the dinky stock bmx lever on the tops before I put the hoods on and I guess I just got used to the setup how it is.
The plan was always to get a set of road drops that are more conducive to having hoods. Like I said in the other post that you mentioned, what Ill most likely do is replace the left dummy hood with a matching lever. I'm diametrically opposed to having a nonfunctional brake lever on my bike (I guess we have to agree to disagree on that one ) So because of that, I figured Id just use a bmx lever setup if I couldn't get my hands on a left SCR-5.
My reasoning for a lever on the tops (or adding a cross lever if I already had an scr-5) if that when I ride in traffic I'm often on the tops for maximum visibility. Its nice to have a lever right on hand in traffic in case somebody cuts me off or opens their car door without looking.
Just had my first ride on it this morning. Glorious.
The plan was always to get a set of road drops that are more conducive to having hoods. Like I said in the other post that you mentioned, what Ill most likely do is replace the left dummy hood with a matching lever. I'm diametrically opposed to having a nonfunctional brake lever on my bike (I guess we have to agree to disagree on that one ) So because of that, I figured Id just use a bmx lever setup if I couldn't get my hands on a left SCR-5.
My reasoning for a lever on the tops (or adding a cross lever if I already had an scr-5) if that when I ride in traffic I'm often on the tops for maximum visibility. Its nice to have a lever right on hand in traffic in case somebody cuts me off or opens their car door without looking.
Just had my first ride on it this morning. Glorious.
#991
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: SD
Posts: 2,745
Bikes: Handsome Fredward, Trek 1.1
Liked 131 Times
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I'm glad you also posted your Wabi here 'cos I've always felt that the "Post your bike" pic thread is strictly a place for attaboys, and I do have a question/comment about yours that I hope you won't take the wrong way, as it is genuine curiosity and hopefully helpful...
I don't get it! And by it - I mean dummy hoods with the inline brake lever on the top. In the pic thread you mentioned possible future plans that you were interested in a single new lever to match with a dummy you'd keep using, and even that you like the dummy hood setup so may just upgrade your cross-top lever. If you ride on the hoods, and I've got to figure you do, or there's no reason for those dummies - the logical solution is to have the lever/s right there where you keep your hand/s most of the time so you are ready to brake immediately, not on top of the bar and you have to move your hand to brake. Plus, I am almost willing to bet that unless you have one already lined up, or a connection, it will be close to impossible to find a single hooded lever to match with your dummies, and will have to buy a pair anyway.
In other words, from my own fairly extensive experience with just about any lever/bar combo for a front, single brake...on a drop handlebar forget the interrupter lever - two matching hooded levers with whichever side you prefer functioning works, and (most importantly ) looks, best.
Enjoy your new bike - its almost there...
I don't get it! And by it - I mean dummy hoods with the inline brake lever on the top. In the pic thread you mentioned possible future plans that you were interested in a single new lever to match with a dummy you'd keep using, and even that you like the dummy hood setup so may just upgrade your cross-top lever. If you ride on the hoods, and I've got to figure you do, or there's no reason for those dummies - the logical solution is to have the lever/s right there where you keep your hand/s most of the time so you are ready to brake immediately, not on top of the bar and you have to move your hand to brake. Plus, I am almost willing to bet that unless you have one already lined up, or a connection, it will be close to impossible to find a single hooded lever to match with your dummies, and will have to buy a pair anyway.
In other words, from my own fairly extensive experience with just about any lever/bar combo for a front, single brake...on a drop handlebar forget the interrupter lever - two matching hooded levers with whichever side you prefer functioning works, and (most importantly ) looks, best.
Enjoy your new bike - its almost there...
#992
Good question! That setup didnt really come about on purpose. The dummy hoods were a chance rescue from my dads old parts bin. I thought they were kinda funky so I slapped them on my stock bars and ended up liking the extra hand position. I was already running the dinky stock bmx lever on the tops before I put the hoods on and I guess I just got used to the setup how it is.
The plan was always to get a set of road drops that are more conducive to having hoods. Like I said in the other post that you mentioned, what Ill most likely do is replace the left dummy hood with a matching lever. I'm diametrically opposed to having a nonfunctional brake lever on my bike (I guess we have to agree to disagree on that one ) So because of that, I figured Id just use a bmx lever setup if I couldn't get my hands on a left SCR-5.
My reasoning for a lever on the tops (or adding a cross lever if I already had an scr-5) if that when I ride in traffic I'm often on the tops for maximum visibility. Its nice to have a lever right on hand in traffic in case somebody cuts me off or opens their car door without looking.
Just had my first ride on it this morning. Glorious.
The plan was always to get a set of road drops that are more conducive to having hoods. Like I said in the other post that you mentioned, what Ill most likely do is replace the left dummy hood with a matching lever. I'm diametrically opposed to having a nonfunctional brake lever on my bike (I guess we have to agree to disagree on that one ) So because of that, I figured Id just use a bmx lever setup if I couldn't get my hands on a left SCR-5.
My reasoning for a lever on the tops (or adding a cross lever if I already had an scr-5) if that when I ride in traffic I'm often on the tops for maximum visibility. Its nice to have a lever right on hand in traffic in case somebody cuts me off or opens their car door without looking.
Just had my first ride on it this morning. Glorious.
#993
Senior Member
I actually considered going mullet with this setup. I just don't really think I would use the rear brake at all since I'm so used to moderating speed with my feet. Plus I dont want to rub a silver brake track into my nice black rims
#994
Senior Member
Edit: Scratch that. Just found a single left SCR-5 on ebay, never used from somebody's parts box. $12 shipped, would you believe my luck?
Last edited by PeopleAreIdiots; 03-14-19 at 12:06 PM.
#995
1) Archetypes or A23s?
2) almost opposite of #1 , but since I'm already here...
Am I crazy to even be considering trying some ultra-light, and judging from the disclaimers pretty darn fragile, deeply discounted racing skinnies (that I accidentally found while I was shopping for bigger tires ) for JRA?
2) almost opposite of #1 , but since I'm already here...
Am I crazy to even be considering trying some ultra-light, and judging from the disclaimers pretty darn fragile, deeply discounted racing skinnies (that I accidentally found while I was shopping for bigger tires ) for JRA?
Very stiff when cranking, rolling, and turning. Great handling overall.
They left me with a very good impression of H Plus Son. Plus, their rims are aesthetically pleasing.
I'm guessing that Archetypes would be a little stiffer and less forgiving, but i'm sure that they have similar traits with respect to the rim shape (they do something better than the TB14 box section.
Velocities are probably of similar quality. I am riding a deep V right now and I like it's lateral stiffness and solid feel when rolling. I've stripped this thing down to raw and checked it out and can tell you that this is some quality ****. The machining is great. I also have 2 broken spokes right now and that rim hasn't even gone out of true. (Waiting till next week to repair).
The A23 seems like a stronger, heavier, slightly wider more box sectiony deep v basically.
Not sure how much of a weight hot dog you are, but dem is some heavy rims.
Velocity is Made in USA, so there's that.
H + Son is made in a small boutique machine shop in china (they're not made under tin roofs).
I was going to mention the 23mm wideness of H+ Son, but those are both the same width so that settles that.
Notable mention would be SUN CR18.
If you just wanna try out the wide rim thing and see if you like it, CR18 is 22.5mm wide and $30 shipped and $30 in most bike shops that i've visited. May be worth a try.
Last edited by BicycleBicycle; 03-20-19 at 05:59 PM.
#996
Senior Member
Just an update here in case anyones interested. I ended up getting new bars and went with just an SCR-5 as the lever, no cross lever for now at least. The bars are Cinelli MASH compact drops. Here's a quick shot of the cockpit now
#997
Senior Member
Does anyone know where I can get an Andel Chainring from? Or recommendations for a similarly good bang for buck black chainring that would go well with my Andel's?
Last edited by Philasteve; 06-13-19 at 12:11 PM.
#1000
Senior Member