What to consider for carbon/titanium/other bike WITH Di2 and WITHOUT disc brakes?
#26
Full Member
I'm shopping for a rim brake frame as well and narrowed it down to a Canyon Ultimate SL7 or a Ribble SLR, mainly based on geometry and my requirements for carbon and rim brake.
#27
Senior Member
Making the change to disc isn't a big deal. I did it about 18 months ago with no regrets. I chose sram force axs. I took the same force axs levers that I was using on two rim brake bikes and moved them over to disc frames with Juin-Tech GT calipers. I'm planning a new disc bike with force axs and full hydro. Bleeding brake hoses with DOT 5.1 fluid in them probably won't be fun. Cable operated calipers are much easier to maintain. The number of rim brake frames being made is dwindling quickly.
#28
Newbie
Thread Starter
Apologies, my use of the word "distracting" in the OP was a little confusing. I was trying to convey that I find the hype/discussion about disc brakes distracting and not the most important issue for most people's performance (especially mine). I didn't mean that they are actually distracting in the moment of riding.
#29
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
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Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
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I'm seeing many excellent used bikes with Di2 on eBay with rim brakes.
No way I'd go disc. Doesn't solve any problem. I'd buy one of these or similar used bikes and be happy forever:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32522531894...wAAOSwtCZijmuw
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12539164088...UAAOSwiRhiu3NV
No way I'd go disc. Doesn't solve any problem. I'd buy one of these or similar used bikes and be happy forever:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32522531894...wAAOSwtCZijmuw
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12539164088...UAAOSwiRhiu3NV
Not saying discs are better, but rim wear is an actual problem with rim brakes. It's FAR easier to replace a disc than a rim.
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
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#30
Old Worn Treads
What on earth did we do before disc brakes lol.
Got along swimmingly with rim brakes for centuries (pardon the pun).
I've ridden wheels thousands and thousands of miles. Never replaced a wheel because of rim wear. Maybe I should have, but never did. Are manufacturers now convincing us that we should be replacing our rims every 500 miles or ********** Poppycock.
Got along swimmingly with rim brakes for centuries (pardon the pun).
I've ridden wheels thousands and thousands of miles. Never replaced a wheel because of rim wear. Maybe I should have, but never did. Are manufacturers now convincing us that we should be replacing our rims every 500 miles or ********** Poppycock.
#31
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 13,715
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
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What on earth did we do before disc brakes lol.
Got along swimmingly with rim brakes for centuries (pardon the pun).
I've ridden wheels thousands and thousands of miles. Never replaced a wheel because of rim wear. Maybe I should have, but never did. Are manufacturers now convincing us that we should be replacing our rims every 500 miles or ********** Poppycock.
Got along swimmingly with rim brakes for centuries (pardon the pun).
I've ridden wheels thousands and thousands of miles. Never replaced a wheel because of rim wear. Maybe I should have, but never did. Are manufacturers now convincing us that we should be replacing our rims every 500 miles or ********** Poppycock.

__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
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#33
Senior Member
We don't really need another rim vs disc debate in this thread to derail the OP's question: it's all been said before and everyone is intransigent with their opinion. That being said, I am firmly in the rim-brake camp because discs contribute nothing to the joy of cycling for the type of riding I do, and actually detract from it in many ways.
Back to the original question: IMO, the cheapest way to get a really nice, new electronic rim brake bike is to source the components and frameset separately and build it up yourself or with the help of your LBS. For example, I built up a 6.5kg Giant TCR advanced SL with SRAM Red AXS, carbon wheels, integrated aero bar, etc. for about £4k just before Christmas. (A better or lighter off-the-shelf disc brake bike would cost in excess of £10k I am sure). Right now, Wiggle are selling a rim-brake carbon frame for £600 and Planet-X, a rim-brake Ti frame for £500. You can buy Red AXS 12x1 for £850 (or Force 12x1 cheaper if you can find it), add a Rival AXS FD for £130, and you're well on your way to a complete electronic shifting bike with nice carbon wheels for about £2.5-£2.8k.
I'm guessing the OP is not in the UK, but I suspect there are similar deals to be found in the US.
Back to the original question: IMO, the cheapest way to get a really nice, new electronic rim brake bike is to source the components and frameset separately and build it up yourself or with the help of your LBS. For example, I built up a 6.5kg Giant TCR advanced SL with SRAM Red AXS, carbon wheels, integrated aero bar, etc. for about £4k just before Christmas. (A better or lighter off-the-shelf disc brake bike would cost in excess of £10k I am sure). Right now, Wiggle are selling a rim-brake carbon frame for £600 and Planet-X, a rim-brake Ti frame for £500. You can buy Red AXS 12x1 for £850 (or Force 12x1 cheaper if you can find it), add a Rival AXS FD for £130, and you're well on your way to a complete electronic shifting bike with nice carbon wheels for about £2.5-£2.8k.
I'm guessing the OP is not in the UK, but I suspect there are similar deals to be found in the US.
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#34
Newbie
Thread Starter
...
... Right now, Wiggle are selling a rim-brake carbon frame for £600 and Planet-X, a rim-brake Ti frame for £500. You can buy Red AXS 12x1 for £850 (or Force 12x1 cheaper if you can find it), add a Rival AXS FD for £130, and you're well on your way to a complete electronic shifting bike with nice carbon wheels for about £2.5-£2.8k.
I'm guessing the OP is not in the UK, but I suspect there are similar deals to be found in the US.
... Right now, Wiggle are selling a rim-brake carbon frame for £600 and Planet-X, a rim-brake Ti frame for £500. You can buy Red AXS 12x1 for £850 (or Force 12x1 cheaper if you can find it), add a Rival AXS FD for £130, and you're well on your way to a complete electronic shifting bike with nice carbon wheels for about £2.5-£2.8k.
I'm guessing the OP is not in the UK, but I suspect there are similar deals to be found in the US.
Would anyone have suggestions about what parts sites to look at for these in the US? Thanks!