I'm new to the forum, this is my first post. Apologies in advance if I'm posting in the wrong place.
I'm considering picking up a flat-bar road bike that I'd mostly use for city riding and fitness rides, and have the option to get back into touring. I've gotten out of shape, but I rode cross country when I was 19, and it's in my blood.
I'm leaning towards a project in which I'd get a Motobecane Cafe Java flat bar road bike and swap out parts with parts (mostly Shimano 105) harvested from a bike with a cracked carbon frame with a triple crankset that's available in my area. A possible drawback of this that the only option I have in terms of brakes on the Java are stock Tektro R559's. It could be a complete misconception. but it's my understanding that they're considered below average by today's standards.
Another option would be getting a Motobecane Noir, also a steel frame with mostly Shimano Deore parts and what look like decent entry level hydraulic disc brakes. The thinking on that is I could always upgrade parts on it down the road should I get more serious about cycling. The Noir has much lower gearing, so that's another advantage on that side of the ledger.
I've only used hydraulic discs on test rides, and for many years was just fine with brakes nowhere nearly as powerful. I'm wondering if I'm overthinking the Tektro R559s, which equipped with Kool Stop pads may be more than adequate for my needs.
The costs of the two options, with help from my local shop with assembly are roughly the same. If you or a friend were between two steel frame flat-bar road bikes, one with mostly Shimano 105 parts but with Tektro R559 brakes, the other with lower level parts but with Shimano hydraulic brakes and better gearing, which would you pick?
I'm considering picking up a flat-bar road bike that I'd mostly use for city riding and fitness rides, and have the option to get back into touring. I've gotten out of shape, but I rode cross country when I was 19, and it's in my blood.
I'm leaning towards a project in which I'd get a Motobecane Cafe Java flat bar road bike and swap out parts with parts (mostly Shimano 105) harvested from a bike with a cracked carbon frame with a triple crankset that's available in my area. A possible drawback of this that the only option I have in terms of brakes on the Java are stock Tektro R559's. It could be a complete misconception. but it's my understanding that they're considered below average by today's standards.
Another option would be getting a Motobecane Noir, also a steel frame with mostly Shimano Deore parts and what look like decent entry level hydraulic disc brakes. The thinking on that is I could always upgrade parts on it down the road should I get more serious about cycling. The Noir has much lower gearing, so that's another advantage on that side of the ledger.
I've only used hydraulic discs on test rides, and for many years was just fine with brakes nowhere nearly as powerful. I'm wondering if I'm overthinking the Tektro R559s, which equipped with Kool Stop pads may be more than adequate for my needs.
The costs of the two options, with help from my local shop with assembly are roughly the same. If you or a friend were between two steel frame flat-bar road bikes, one with mostly Shimano 105 parts but with Tektro R559 brakes, the other with lower level parts but with Shimano hydraulic brakes and better gearing, which would you pick?
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