'Cross Builders, what are y'all doing about legalized discing?

[zank]

I think a big plus to a wider selection of disc-equipped cross bikes will come when those bikes get ridden on the roads. Lots of people here buy cross bikes for winter riding, and cantis can leave something to be desired when it's sloppy outside and coming to a stop actually matters.

I hear ya, but the rule change is about the use of disks in UCI elite level racing. The discussion gets clouded when alternative uses of the bikes are brought into the equation and I think it helps to stay focused on race bikes. The OP's question was about whether customers are asking for them. My client base might be different from some other builders, but all of my customers want a stripped down, clean, light, reliable, and functional race bike. They tend to have a lot invested in equipment and the thought of having to sell and buy up to five or more new sets of wheels is reason enough to not even consider disks. Not to mention that if they have a spare bike that is not disk-compatible, it would need its own wheels instead of being able to share multiple wheelsets between multiple bikes. I can only comment on what my customers want and what I want. The customers aren't asking for them.

[Shinomaster]

i am late to this thread - sorry.
let's talk elegance atmo.
?

disc brakes are ugly.

[zank]

Wasn't there a pretty serious thread on heree last season about how canti's suck and v-brakes were the way. It escapes me who started it.

You didn't read the end of the thread and get to the reasons why I am switching back to cantis.

[Saab2000]

You didn't read the end of the thread and get to the reasons why I am switching back to cantis.

But those Campagnolo Vs were too cool. Rare. But I don't have to ride them and maybe they weren't good.

[zank]

Hee- hee-hee, You guys must be good friends..... Besides, that was so last year.

the kid's such a punk. but yeah, i'd have him and his lovely bride over for dinner any night.

[e-RICHIE]

disc brakes are ugly.

on a ten speed-ish type bicycle - yeah, to me they are inelegant atmo.

[ergott]

tubeless 285 gram aluminum clinchers rims w/Ultegra hubs(The wheels are on their 3rd season this year).

I'd like to know more about those rims. That's about 100g lighter than any alloy clincher rim I know of.

I'd say that using existing technology as a reason against them is missing the point that components evolve. If pros raced with disc brakes for 2-4 years, you would see huge improvements in the system. Then have this discussion.

I use canti brakes with little complaint, but that's not to say I'm not interested in what's on the horizon. There was a time when learning to ride friction shifting was considered a rite of passage and essential for proper racing.

-Eric

[Shinomaster]

on a ten speed-ish type bicycle - yeah, to me they are inelegant atmo.

I would like to try a commuter with disc-brakes for riding in the PNW in the winter, but not on my race bike. I just don't see a need, even in our muddy conditions. If you maintain your cantis (with new pads cables etc.) and set them up well they work great, and look handsome.

[Jonathan]

when did you start working for USAC?

We (colavita FL) have spent 25k on junior racing this year with a big junior stage race in Canada our big goal. Money makes this stuff happen. I've seen people sell out for less. Get me 8 groups and a multi year commitment and I'd be a cheerleader, surpassing the master and repaying the debt.

[e-RICHIE]

I would like to try a commuter with disc-brakes for riding in the PNW in the winter, but not on my race bike. I just don't see a need, even in our muddy conditions. If you maintain your cantis (with new pads cables etc.) and set them up well they work great, and look handsome.

okay we can still hang atmo.

[anthonymaietta]

the kid's such a punk. but yeah, i'd have him and his lovely bride over for dinner any night.

We'll bring dessert.

Seriously though, I feel like a lot of this argument is like trying to hold onto VHS with DVD's out there (I don't want to buy things on DVD, I already own it on VHS!) or LPs with CD's out there (I don't want to buy things on CD, I already own it on LP!). The fact is no one here has never ridden a drop bar hyrdaulic disc setup specifically designed for cross racing. I don't think SRAM's BB7 cable system was designed for this purpose. I am excited to see if this opens the door for an R&D group somewhere to develop something new and specifically tailored for cross racing. If the shoe doesn't fit, no one will buy it....but maybe they'll come up with something kick ass.

[critpix]

I hear ya, but the rule change is about the use of disks in UCI elite level racing. The discussion gets clouded when alternative uses of the bikes are brought into the equation and I think it helps to stay focused on race bikes. The OP's question was about whether customers are asking for them...

True, apologies for the tangent. Whatever happens. Hopefully racing can breed stuff that works well elsewhere too.

[acotts]

i am still convinced that you do not need discs for racing cross. brakes are gravy

I can honestly say that I will never be able to GROK this mentality. I had a big diatribe written out, but I will just leave it at that.

[e-RICHIE]

We'll bring dessert.

Seriously though, I feel like a lot of this argument is like trying to hold onto VHS with DVD's out there (I don't want to buy things on DVD, I already own it on VHS!) or LPs with CD's out there (I don't want to buy things on CD, I already own it on LP!). The fact is no one here has never ridden a drop bar hyrdaulic disc setup specifically designed for cross racing. I don't think SRAM's BB7 cable system was designed for this purpose. I am excited to see if this opens the door for an R&D group somewhere to develop something new and specifically tailored for cross racing. If the shoe doesn't fit, no one will buy it....but maybe they'll come up with something kick ass.

we are not discussing music, its delivery system, electronics, or consumer goods.
this central issue is a sport and its rules.
have cantis ever made racing (for elites) a problem or anything remotely similar to a problem - NO atmo.
this is all about money flexing its muscle.

[Jonathan]

You can be the pitcher or the catcher.

[Chance Legstrong]

I can honestly say that I will never be able to GROK this mentality. I had a big diatribe written out, but I will just leave it at that.

MY opinion is that you do not need disc brakes to race CX- pretty simple and straight fwd.
you are controlling your speed in a cx race. cantis do this.

I am on Richard's side of the fence= that this issue is one that was manufactured by ahem, manufacturers to address a problem that didn't exist. the evolution of discs for racing would come about naturally, and organically. it shouldn't be shoved down anyone's throat as a standard.
Let it flow on it's own.

[acotts]

I am more confused now. So are they forcing everyone to use disk, or are they giving folks the option?

I guess I am a CX poser- I want to ride my bikes everywhere not just on a course.

[e-RICHIE]

I am more confused now. So are they forcing everyone to use disk, or are they giving folks the option?

option is a sugar-coated word here.
the UCI changed its regulation to allow discs in all events.
previously, discs were only common in cat 4 races atmo.
ps that's an observation not a judgment.

i feel the change was precipitated by industry trying to get its hands in more pockets.
'cross, as small a niche as it is, (finally) made someone's radar.

[Shinomaster]

We'll bring dessert.

Seriously though, I feel like a lot of this argument is like trying to hold onto VHS with DVD's out there (I don't want to buy things on DVD, I already own it on VHS!) or LPs with CD's out there (I don't want to buy things on CD, I already own it on LP!). The fact is no one here has never ridden a drop bar hyrdaulic disc setup specifically designed for cross racing. I don't think SRAM's BB7 cable system was designed for this purpose. I am excited to see if this opens the door for an R&D group somewhere to develop something new and specifically tailored for cross racing. If the shoe doesn't fit, no one will buy it....but maybe they'll come up with something kick ass.

If it adds pounds to my bike I don't want it, even if the braking is phenomenal. I'll wait till it only adds a few grams, or until all my campy rims wear out, and Zank is making frames with discs.

[Zimmermanbicycle]

personally I'll take a 622mm disk any day.
-EZ