Recommend me a cx/gravel commuter

Sell cables, buy xt hydros. Lovely.

Nope, just a Kona fan from way back, and I like them on paper. The numbers with a good bit of stack suit my proportions, and I like the simple/fun ‘vibe’. Is it the best thing for knocking over the ks on the road day in day out, I don’t know?

no better criteria for knocking out kms than thinking your bike is simple and fun.

Got a price on the Kona… Swinging that way now.

I don’t know what spec the Rove has, but Asher has 105 Hydro shakes on Bicycle Market ATM for $150. Reviews say they’re pretty much the same as RS685 except for the shape.

  • some calipers, mech and a tanpan you’d have a sweet wide range off road whip.

Yeah. I started looking last night at upgrade costs for SRAM hydraulic shifters and calipers. Conclusion was… Fuck sram. Would probably just go to Shimano. At least then I can share some consumables with Shimano MTB brakes I already have (e.g. not keep both mineral oil and dot fluid), plus seems generally a bit cheaper and less confusing.

All that is contingent on deciding I don’t like cable brakes. I’ll probably just give them a go and only upgrade if I hate them.

Which Rove are you looking at? What specs?

Rove ST 2018. Rival, 1x11, spyre disc brakes, thru axle front and rear, steel frame

i have TRP Spyres on my Jari, first bike i’ve owned with disc brakes.

my new Focus MTB has hydros.

they are way better.

but…

it’s all relative. the TRP’s have been great, handled the Attack of the Buns ride which had some -17% gravel descents, and i don’t really ever think they’re not good enough for the type of riding i’ve been doing along the yarra trails etc.

unless you’re doing gnarly shit with them, i reckon they’re fine and mean you can get something within your budget.

pretty much all brakes work.

gtfo here.

they fkn work man. Plus not currently featuring in the decision pending

He did say pretty much. And didn’t say they work well…

remember when your first bike had a back brake which didn’t work and you effectively stopped by riding into trees? That was sweet.

true story - when i first learned how to ride, i would ride my bmx to the end of the cul-de-sac before returning to our corner block & literally diving off onto the grass coz i didn’t know how to stop.

what a time to be alive.

Brakes only slow you down anyway.

Summer of brakeless gravel

Check out Jesse Carlson’s insta story. There’s a hint they may have an ex-demo Belgie for pretty bloody cheap. More road biased than MTB, and might not be your size, but hey

Yeah but some work heeeeeeeeeeeaps better than others.