Project update:
There will be a build diary on BROL. Meanwhile the detailed experimentation and weird stuff will be in this thread as I go.
So here are some of the developments in the mad selection of parts and research thus far.
Handlebars.... you knew there would be handle bars galore didn't you? you are correct.
Salsa WoodChipper2 bars and Salsa Cowbell 2 bars both to be tested and compared on the curved slider with check backs to the Garybar of old and on some On-One Midge Bars the I'm bringing in from the UK (gives me a take on the up-charges our non-US tribe members suffer through).
The Cowbell2 looks it might work better for shorter riders like Mrs. Ratz; but might not have enough reach to create leg room. I would really like to get some Salsa Cowchippers, but those might now be out of production; they certainly are out of stock.
Meanwhile on the Bullhorn front an exciting development. Profile Desgin has released the Airwing OS with longer (non UCI) reach... about flipping time someone did that...stupid UCI. A pair of those setup up with Di2 TT gear, or Sram Etap TT could be spectacular; I'm guessing they might be better than the defunct CB Bullhors. I might just have to waste some coin and time to validate that. Too bad I can kickerstarter that
.... Likewise you could take those bar, cut off the curve part and you'd have bull horn brifters with more reach. Not sure which of that I will explore. Suggestions? I'm torn. I know from experience on a Vendetta there is and advantage having some drop bar below the brifter to pull and bear down on. The curved slider will definitely play into those thoughts too.
Brakes.... I love the stopping power of the Ultegra 6800's but since this will be a hybrid build with Rotor Cranks, and SRAM eTap. I am thinking of trying Omega X TT brakes Pretty sure it will be great on the front and that center pull would keep the cable out of the leg zone. Not sure about the rear.
We are going with Jagwire again for the cabling. After Much research since this a Brake only build I have decided that Elite Link would be wasted; as only the stuff in the wind would be links... Understand I still consider Elite Link the bomb for Gear shifting since they result in season long shifting that stays in tune. Also there will be no hydralic because etap doesn't support it yet; and no disc or hybrid TRP hydraulic disc because our uber rims aren't built with disc hubs and I'm not convince disc brakes don't run counter to the V20's massive aero advantage. Therefore since I'll be going continuous housing through the body of the bike I have settled on Jagwire Pro Brake and the compassionless design. I could have gone with Yokozuna but I have the tools and experience with Jagwire so I'm sticking with what I know. Yokozuna is actually slightly cheaper.
In-order to get enough cable housing lengths I could by bulk from bikeman.com but of course we wanted colored cables and only black and white come in bulk. To get colors we had to buy kits (Mrs Ratz is going to be Cruzbike Orange, and mine is Carbon & Camoflauge. ). Unfortunately with the RoadBike kits the Rear is just barely long enough for the rear run on a Medium and supper tight on the front, so we have to get the MTB kits which lack the
Jagwire EZ-Bend Housing Segments for 5mm Pro Compression-less Brake Housing. If you want to do brifters with compression-less cable; those ez-bend make the setup and taping way easier. Fortunately you can get them from Bikeman.com and the are only $11 for 6 units. So MTB kits with the extra part and we are golden.... Of course Orange has been discontinued in the MTB kits...and the lizard skins, apparently orange and dirt don't go together, but the Internet to the rescue and I scored some back stock.
Lastly the drive train is coming into focus. These will not be mountain goat setups; this season. Etap does not have it's Wifli setup yet; and certainly no XO mountain bike gearing. This year we'll be limited to 28T max on the back. Next year Wifli will come out; making 32T an options just like Di2. If we like Etap we can ebay off the RD's and get more range next season. In the mean time the XG-1190 cassette look very intriguing with the Elastomers, I bscored some for ⅓ of list so we are going give those a try. Last year I tried a high-end Durace cassette and we impressed; should be interesting to see if the 1190 can out perform my beloved 1070 series. Historically the 1090 line didn't have the wide range options making 1070 the one choice from SRAM, thats not the case in 11speed 1090 has the full spectrum. If we don't like the 1190 then we'll go back to Dura Ace 9000 like I used on the Di2. Note: Dura Ace 9000 maxes out at 28T too; you have to drop down to Ultegra to get 32T. If the 1190 turns out to be solid that will be awesome as they are offering 32T versions even if the ETap RD's don't yet support that.
I think that's all for now accept for this development right here: