My Dekerf Team SL

[Tom@Tidds]

Howdy all,

Long time reader first time poster and all that...

What do I have to offer? I'll start with my Dekerf Team SL. I bought this used about 10 years ago and have loved riding it since. Had it painted at Argos about 5 years ago (used to be metallic green) to the current cream colour.

Nothing I've tried (including a few modern carbon hardtails) seem half as well balanced and responsive.

Plan is to send her back to Argos later this month and get rear disc mount added (and old canti bosses removed). Lock me up, but I'm going to have it painted pink.

Question is... While I'm thinking this is a 'forever bike' and it's at Argos, what about missing a mortgage payment or two and getting a Rohloff set up?

Any advice? I love the idea of knowing it's always tip-top after a hose & lube.

Tom

 

[raidan73]

Really nice that Not sure that I agree with removing the canti mounts but can't argue that it wouldn't look out of place. I think they're a bit of a timeless frame in that sense.

 

[raidan73]

Oh, and welcome to the forum

 

[Tom@Tidds]

Thanks for the nod and the welcome!

I know what you mean re' the canti bosses, but I have had frames with redundant bosses before and it just looks a bit 'unfinished' if you know what I mean.

Add to that the fact that Dekerf frames are famed for the rear stays and the case for cleaning the rear up is even stronger I think.

Big question is the Rohloff hub really. Requires a fair bit of work (cost) on the frame (as well as the gear-hub), so big outlay.

 

[raidan73]

I quite fancy one myself but would personally probably go Alfine due to cost. It seems a lot of outlay for something you don't know if you'll like. I would personally try and find a cheap Alfine complete bike just to see if it was for me, rather than make a decision I might regret.

 

[Tom@Tidds]

Ahh 'Common Sense' - I've heard of it... ;-)

Yeah, sounds like a good idea. I have read the whole thing takes a fair bit of getting used to though, so might be hard to get a lend for long enough to make a decision.

I shall investigate. Maybe the Dekerf will live another iteration with it's mechs in place!

 

[Slimtim]

I fitted a rohloff to my dekerf singlespeed and would suggest it's pretty easy. You don't need to add any bosses. Sjs cycles sell the clip on shifter cable guides for the top tube. Also if you keep the canti bosses then there is a fitting which you attach to one of them to guide the shifter cables to the hub. Use a chain tensioner and you are ready to go. A bit of googling will save you some money. I would be interested to see how argos do your brake mounting as my sjnglspeed is due for a respray and I want to have one added.