Disc road frame for commuting
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Disc road frame for commuting
Postby Reman » Tue Aug 14, 2012 3:05 pm
I'm interested in building a bike from the ground up and I was originally looking at a Dengfu or Hongfu CX carbon frame, but the lack of pannier and mud guard mount points made me look elsewhere.
Found the Salsa Vaya and Surly Disc Trucker frames, they are pretty much identical but I found a place with the Surly frame for about $485 shipped. I also looked at 29er MTB frames, but the geometry doesn't look fantastic for use as a drop bar, even the Surly looks a little relaxed.
Only issue is the Surly (and Salsa) frames are made for loaded touring so they both come in at over 2kg's just for the frame and another 1kg for the forks.
Does anyone know of any alternative disc road frames that may fit the bill for less than $1k? Or am I better off just sticking with the Surly?
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby jasonc » Tue Aug 14, 2012 3:47 pm
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby Reman » Tue Aug 14, 2012 4:01 pm
I should probably mention that this is one part of a project to build a Campy Athena-equipped disc-braked drop bar commuter with self-built wheels for $2k.jasonc wrote:I know you want to build, but what about one of these
Yes, I am probably mad.
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby MichaelB » Tue Aug 14, 2012 4:19 pm
By having mudguard and rack mounts, you are consigning yourself to mainly touring frames.
My Kona Honky Inc has mudguard mounts, but not rack mounts (well, they can double as rack mounts ..). The only other road based double disc frame that has mudguard mounts is the Volagi Liscio, but it does not have rack mounts. They can be bought as a F&F as well, and should be available in Aus in September.
Oh, and yes you are mad.
Other option is a custom Ti frame from China, that can be had for under $1k. Look up Xian (I think), and you should get plenty of hits
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby MattyK » Tue Aug 14, 2012 4:29 pm
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby Nobody » Tue Aug 14, 2012 5:23 pm
You are correct.MattyK wrote:I thought flat bars were usually longer ETT than roadies??
@Reman:
This cheap disc frame.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FRPXKV2/pla ... _out_frame
Matched with this cheap disc fork:
http://www.aebike.com/Dimension-Cross-f ... 11038.html
I have a Surly CC with the above fork. If I could do it all again I may have gone for the above combination.
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby lethoso » Tue Aug 14, 2012 6:13 pm
For a commuter this isn't such an issue. Once you have a pannier of stuff on the bike an extra kg in a frame is neither here nor there really. Makes the roadbike feel that much better when I ride it on the weekend tooReman wrote:Only issue is the Surly (and Salsa) frames are made for loaded touring so they both come in at over 2kg's just for the frame and another 1kg for the forks.
FWIW I'm happy with my (non-disc) cross check. The other frame I looked at getting was a Soma double-cross (also available in disc), but I was unable to find somewhere without exorbient shipping when I was looking (about 2 years ago now, so that's probably changed).
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby find_bruce » Tue Aug 14, 2012 7:30 pm
Any particular reason you recommend the dimension fork rather than the on one fork ?Nobody wrote:You are correct.
@Reman:
This cheap disc frame.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FRPXKV2/pla ... _out_frame
Matched with this cheap disc fork:
http://www.aebike.com/Dimension-Cross-f ... 11038.html
I have a Surly CC with the above fork. If I could do it all again I may have gone for the above combination.
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby Uncle Just » Tue Aug 14, 2012 7:42 pm
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby Reman » Wed Aug 15, 2012 6:47 am
Maybe I miswrote.MattyK wrote:I thought flat bars were usually longer ETT than roadies?? My Avanti Blade (large size) is 596mm, with a 110mm stem.
A frame used with flat bars has exactly the same ETT as a with drop bars. With the same stem length and saddle setup the position of the hoods means that that the reach to them is further.
My flat bar frame was the largest for the model at 58cm ETT, which for me is too short. But I reckon 58cm ETT in a drop bar would be perfect.
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby Reman » Wed Aug 15, 2012 7:02 am
Thanks, I'll look into those.MichaelB wrote:Look at some of the smaller UK frame makers such as Genesis. Kenisis is also another one that makes disc frames.
Very much true, After using panniers I never want to go back to a back pack. I had high hopes that I could find a CX frame that would fit the bill, they had the geometry and discs but no mount points There just doesn't seem to be much (frames that is) aimed at a fast commuter.MichaelB wrote:By having mudguard and rack mounts, you are consigning yourself to mainly touring frames.
I took a leap of faith and got a Brooks saddle after reading all the positive reviews, now I'll add my voice to those who love them.MichaelB wrote:Oh, and yes you are mad.
Campy stuff seems to be in a similar boat, I think you would see a boat load more of it around if the cheapest bike you can find equipped with it wasn't $4k Then again some people may choke on their espresso if they saw my final build in the flesh
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby Reman » Wed Aug 15, 2012 7:05 am
Thanks, I'll have a look at those as well. What did you build it up for and how does it go? Any chance of some pics?Nobody wrote:
@Reman:
This cheap disc frame.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FRPXKV2/pla ... _out_frame
Matched with this cheap disc fork:
http://www.aebike.com/Dimension-Cross-f ... 11038.html
I have a Surly CC with the above fork. If I could do it all again I may have gone for the above combination.
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby thomashouseman » Wed Aug 15, 2012 7:25 am
I've put panniers on mine and would never go back to backpack commuting, but yes, disc frames with pannier/guard mounts are few and far between.
T.
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby Nobody » Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:27 am
You may notice that you can never seem to get a Kaffenback fork with disc. Also the axle to crown of the Dimension is a match.find_bruce wrote:Any particular reason you recommend the dimension fork rather than the on one fork ?
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby Nobody » Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:35 am
I built it up as a general purpose road/commuter bike. It does everything it needs to well. I'm not even sure I'd put a disc on the back if I had the chance to change everything as the extra aero drag and weight of a rear disc is probably not worth it for me. Pics? It's not a pretty bike (function before form). I might PM you a pic later.Reman wrote:What did you build it up for and how does it go? Any chance of some pics?
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby find_bruce » Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:38 am
find_bruce wrote:Any particular reason you recommend the dimension fork rather than the on one fork ?
Thanks Nobody, but I am still confused as this kaffenback fork is showing as "lots in stock" in the disc only option (no stock of disc and canti) and the dimensions otherwise seem to be a match.Nobody wrote:You may notice that you can never seem to get a Kaffenback fork with disc. Also the axle to crown of the Dimension is a match.
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby Nobody » Wed Aug 15, 2012 10:14 am
Yeah, I think it's just my mistake. I've been going on the pic and not looking further, sorry. Just get that one then. Simple.find_bruce wrote:Thanks Nobody, but I am still confused as this kaffenback fork is showing as "lots in stock" in the disc only option (no stock of disc and canti) and the dimensions otherwise seem to be a match.
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby Reman » Wed Aug 15, 2012 1:23 pm
Surly Disc Trucker : pros - good price (~$500), has all mount points (discs, panniers, mudguards), nice colour, ETT >= 58cm, good seat tube angle (72.5), built like tank; cons - heavy (>2kg frame, >1kg forks)!
Planet X Kaffenback : pros - cheap, has all mount points; cons - heavy, looks a bit blechy (the orange is approaching nice), largest size has ETT < 58cm.
Genesis Croix de Fer : pros - has all mount points; cons - heavy, only white, largest size has ETT < 58cm
(Genesis have other bikes like the disc Vapour, but it doesn't look like you can buy them as a frame only.)
Kinesis Crosslight PRO6 : pros - has all mount points, nice colours (red!), ETT of 58cm, light (frame 1.8kg, carbon forks 0.5kg); cons - slightly steeper STA (73), more expensive (~$600)
All of that seems to boil down to Surly Disc Trucker vs Kinesis Crosslight PRO6 and TBH the red PRO6 frame is very appealing, even if it costs slightly more.
vs
Edit: Pro for Surly which has chain stay disc mounts, kinesis has seat stay disc mount.
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby jasonc » Wed Aug 15, 2012 1:28 pm
what about the kenesis tripster?Reman wrote:Ok, going through the options.
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby Nobody » Wed Aug 15, 2012 1:40 pm
Durability of steel and failure mode (for a Surly anyway) are considered better.
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby Reman » Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:25 pm
Ah, I missed it as it's not on the main kinesis site. The Tripster appears to be identical to the PRO6 frame except with the chain stay disc mounts. However c r c has it discontinued and PBK has limited sizes, so when I go to purchase (3-9months) it may not be available.jasonc wrote:what about the kenesis tripster?
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby jasonc » Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:30 pm
I liked it because it was alloy rather than steel (I know that's not preferred by some of you here....) and therefore lighter. I do climbing on my commute and would prefer as light as I can make it.... that's my opinion. this isn't my thread....Reman wrote:Ah, I missed it as it's not on the main kinesis site. The Tripster appears to be identical to the PRO6 frame except with the chain stay disc mounts. However c r c has it discontinued and PBK has limited sizes, so when I go to purchase (3-9months) it may not be available.jasonc wrote:what about the kenesis tripster?
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby Reman » Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:41 pm
At the moment I am riding an alloy + carbon forks and the ride is pretty good (even with 23c GP4000s (AT) 100/120PSI) that's why the Kinesis looks pretty good to me, a known quantity F&F material that I'm happy with. Unless the steel option is stiffer (especially around the BB) I can't see any advantages going that way for ride quality. Frame stiffness was the original reason why I first looked at carbon and then Ti frames.Nobody wrote:Steel should give a better ride.
Durability of steel and failure mode (for a Surly anyway) are considered better.
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Re: Disc road frame for commuting
Postby AndrewBurns » Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:55 pm
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