Mud Proof Steel Project - Univega vs Breezer Sky

[Johnsqual]

Hello,

Went and picked up that Breezer Sky I mentioned the other day. €150.
It is a lovely thing, mostly period correct although missing the seat post adjuster fandangle.

Not sure it is an ideal candidate for what I am thinking to do, and it does need a respray. But for the price it is a nice bike to have

It has huge balloon tyres on it at the moment so the clearances are like a track bike.

Will post some photos soon.

I do have a couple of alternatives for the mud project in my shed, either a 1995 Zaskar or an early 90s Rocky mountain.

What I am thinking at the moment is to put drum brakes on there with an 8 speed hub and maybe a front derailleur. This seems the best option for a frame that is not already disc compatible. A Rohloff hub is not practical because they only seem to be compatible with discs,

I am trying to decide between the Sturmey Archer 90mm brakes with theur 8 speed or the Shimano IM80s with Nexus.

Does anyone have any experience of either of these for off road use?

Cheers,

Johnny

 

[captaincosmic]

I have a good idea ...why not sell me the Rocky to fund your build :idea:

 

[Dickyboy]

In a similar vein, I've been thinking of getting some disc brake mounts put on my old Trek 950 to make it fully suitable for the current chilterns mudfest.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a local frame builder / repairer / DIY enthusiast who might be able to help?

 

[legrandefromage]

Apart from the really claggy stuff, this did pretty well around Cannock last week. I was pretty mud free by the end of the day. The Sturmey Archer drum brakes actually decide to work this year!

 

[Johnsqual]

In a similar vein, I've been thinking of getting some disc brake mounts put on my old Trek 950 to make it fully suitable for the current chilterns mudfest.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a local frame builder / repairer / DIY enthusiast who might be able to help?

From my own research into this, I've found various bolt on disc brake mounts.
There is the one from A2Z, but it's not suitable for steel frames. There is also
one from Quad. But for the price, this from Onza looks most promising:

http://www.rocknrollbikes.com/trials/br ... erter.html

Not used one so can't say if they work, but might be worth a go.

Good luck,

Johnny

 

[Johnsqual]

Apart from the really claggy stuff, this did pretty well around Cannock last week. I was pretty mud free by the end of the day. The Sturmey Archer drum brakes actually decide to work this year!

Yes! That's the sort of thing I am thinking of. Looks like a lot of fun.

I would like to use internal hub gears too, maybe Nexus is better since I have the impression S-A don't stand up too well. Shame Alfine is not available for drum brakes.

 

[Dickyboy]

From my own research into this, I've found various bolt on disc brake mounts.
There is the one from A2Z, but it's not suitable for steel frames. There is also
one from Quad. But for the price, this from Onza looks most promising

thanks for that - but I am really after getting the frame & forks modified with braze on fittings if I can

 

[GeoffApps]

Hello,

1) Can anyone suggest a decent hub brake? I saw that on the original bikes
they were using old moped hubs. Is there a more easily available alternative? Surely not Shimano Nexus?

2) How do they cope with descents? The trails I ride include some technical-ish descents and I'm curious about how the Clelands would deal with that.

Yep, Shimano Nexus (or Nexave) IM70 Roller Brakes. Cheap, bombproof, almost zero maintenance, and work brilliantly!

They are full of grease, so unaffected by drowning. Maintenance consists of squirting a bit more in and twiddling the cables every year or two.

Mine have been working for six, nearly seven, years; consistent and reliable braking with no worries if or how they will work, no cleaning, no adjusting, no replacement shoes or pads.

Looks like they're good for another six years. When they're worn out, disconnect cable, remove wheel, undo nut, remove old brake, slip new one onto the axle, tighten nut, wheel back into bike, reconnect cable ~ and that's it!

I really could not care less that they weigh as much as the breakfast I eat before riding.

I'll see if I can post a headcam video of some technical-ish descending on a Cleland...

 

[GeoffApps]

Here's a link to the video: http://vimeo.com/56721351
It was taken on a mobile phone strapped to my forehead, so quality not brilliant.
Also, a mobile's mic seems particularly attuned to all the grunts and puffings of this decrepit old geezer hauling a 47lb bike around (looking forward to the new, lighter prototype to be completed this summer).
...and that's not a protracted fart near the end, it's a stick caught up in the rear wheel.





That's my story...

Is that technical-ish enough? The sort of thing you do?

 

[Johnsqual]

Hey,

Thanks for that! Straight from the man himself...

The video is brilliant, and indeed very similar to some of the rides I do. I attempted something similar in the Ardennes on a cyclocross bike, but it was pretty terrifying, both the climbing (ran out of gears) and the descending (cantis stopped working).

FWIW, I think there could really be a market for this kind of bike in Belgium
if it went into production. Unfortunately the domestic MTB manufacturers here (e.g. Ridley, Granville) seem to follow US type MTBs rather than looking at what's actually needed to ride in Northern Europe.

Cheers,

Johnny