S40 on gravel?

[velocio]

... I used the biggest tires that would fit in my S40 with 700c wheels. I got 700cx38 Schwalbe G One All-around ...
TRP mechanical disc brakes performed well. However, there was a long stretch of very deep decline. At the bottom of the hill, I could smell the brake. The back brake feels more spongy in general anyway, so maybe I will switch it in the summer to the HY/RD to see if it feels better. Regarding brake pads, any recommendations?
View attachment 7996

Hey Cpml123,

Sounds like a fun ride! I'm thankful to Cruzbike for producing such a versatile bike and ability to accommodate tires like your 700x38's is a big part of that. BTW, I'm waiting on a set of Schwalbe G-One Speed in 650Bx1.5" so I can move from 700c wheels to 650B. I wanted to lower the seat height a bit, but access to a wide range of fast chubby rubber is a nice benefit as well.

As for spongy rear brake feel ... We have the same S40 frame (though mine lacks the spiffy blue accents), so I'm familiar with the rear brake cable routing issues and have some "sponge" in the rear lever as well. The rear brake housing supplied on my bike is decent enough Jagwire stuff, but not the compressionless type (not sure if that was stock from Cruzbike, I'm the 2'nd owner). I plan to install compressionaless housing as soon as I clear other projects from my workstand. The current S40 frame appears to have a much cleaner routing of the rear brake cable, but on our bikes ... well ... It's one of the few niggles I have with my S40. Compressionless housing can't hurt and may well help!

Cheers!

-Jack

 

[Bill K]

TruckerCo.com metalic sintered pads all the way

Are those TruckerCo sintered pads quiet in the rain?
The "factory" sintered pads I have used for both Yokozuna and TRP calipers were extremely noisy so I switched to CoolStop organics (which wear out quickly).

 

[cpml123]

The rear brake housing supplied on my bike is decent enough Jagwire stuff, but not the compressionless type (not sure if that was stock from Cruzbike, I'm the 2'nd owner)

Robert told me before this is what they use.
https://www.bikewagon.com/clarks-cable-housing-5mmx30m-box-brake-silver

Please let me know how your project turns out. If it works, I will change my cable as well. I also don't know if Hy/rd would help as well.

Michael

 

[super slim]

Hey Cpml123,

Sounds like a fun ride! I'm thankful to Cruzbike for producing such a versatile bike and ability to accommodate tires like your 700x38's is a big part of that. BTW, I'm waiting on a set of Schwalbe G-One Speed in 650Bx1.5" so I can move from 700c wheels to 650B. I wanted to lower the seat height a bit, but access to a wide range of fast chubby rubber is a nice benefit as well.

As for spongy rear brake feel ... We have the same S40 frame (though mine lacks the spiffy blue accents), so I'm familiar with the rear brake cable routing issues and have some "sponge" in the rear lever as well. The rear brake housing supplied on my bike is decent enough Jagwire stuff, but not the compressionless type (not sure if that was stock from Cruzbike, I'm the 2'nd owner). I plan to install compressionaless housing as soon as I clear other projects from my workstand. The current S40 frame appears to have a much cleaner routing of the rear brake cable, but on our bikes ... well ... It's one of the few niggles I have with my S40. Compressionless housing can't hurt and may well help!

Cheers!

-Jack

My Silvio V1.0 rim brakes was VERY spongy, as there were 3 outer sections, with 2 exposed sections, so 6 outer ends.
I replaced the exposed sections, so now one outer, with large bend radius, taped to the black frame, and much better feel.

On my Silvio V2.2 , I have pushed out the internal stops and have a single outer to the rear disk brake, after reading forum reports of reduced sponginess.

 

[rx7mark]

I rode the annual Seattle Flying Wheels event today. I joined my friends to ride the gravel route. Since this would be my first time, I used the biggest tires that would fit in my S40 with 700c wheels. I got 700cx38 Schwalbe G One All-around.

I rode 47 mi. Overall S40 performed very well when the surface is hard packed. When it's loose gravels and level, it's ok. Going uphill or downhill on loose gravel is nerve wracking.

TRP mechanical disc brakes performed well. However, there was a long stretch of very deep decline. At the bottom of the hill, I could smell the brake. The back brake feels more spongy in general anyway, so maybe I will switch it in the summer to the HY/RD to see if it feels better. Regarding brake pads, any recommendations?

On pavement, S40 is really good on flat or descent. I passed many riders. The G One tires feel fast.

Here is a picture.

View attachment 7996

Nice ride Michelle! Sounds like you had a good day.

I would definitly try different pads before you spend money on new calipers. I also use TruckerCo, and I am very pleased with the pads and I really love their tubeless sealant. You could also try the Shimano Ice rotors with the cooling fins which will help with heat buildup.

Mark

 

[cpml123]

I would definitly try different pads before you spend money on new calipers. I also use TruckerCo, and I am very pleased with the pads

For sure!

 

[Ross Jantz]

As for spongy rear brake feel ... We have the same S40 frame (though mine lacks the spiffy blue accents), so I'm familiar with the rear brake cable routing issues and have some "sponge" in the rear lever as well. The rear brake housing supplied on my bike is decent enough Jagwire stuff, but not the compressionless type (not sure if that was stock from Cruzbike, I'm the 2'nd owner). I plan to install compressionaless housing as soon as I clear other projects from my workstand. The current S40 frame appears to have a much cleaner routing of the rear brake cable, but on our bikes ... well ... It's one of the few niggles I have with my S40. Compressionless housing can't hurt and may well help!

I have the first generation S40, too. I replaced the brake cables with TRP's compressionless set and have been very happy - particularly with the rear. The sponginess is significantly reduced. The limited travel of the SRAM brifters is a bit of a pain, but if the pads are adjusted very close to the rotor they work fine for me. I replaced the rotors with Uberbike floating rotors (oooh, they come in different colors, like blue to match my bike accents).

As for gravel, I run 700x28c and avoid gravel when possible. I've become more comfortable on gravel the more I've ridden on it, but uphill on loose gravel just isn't happening. It took me a year and a couple thousand miles to get to the point where I feel fairly confident that I won't go down. Here is a video of yesterday's group ride with the other S40 in the group just ahead of me in the beginning. We do this ride most every Sunday. Some portions are pavement, some are multi-use trail and some are gravel. Just FYI - its a mixed group (i.e. recumbents and pain machines) of old farts like myself and a 'nobody gets dropped' ride (which is why you'll see me pull up when I catch the guy in our group who's riding a gravel bike once we're back on pavement). https://www.facebook.com/ross.jantz.35/videos/2500262343537647/?t=112

 

[cpml123]

I have the first generation S40, too. I replaced the brake cables with TRP's compressionless set and have been very happy - particularly with the rear. The sponginess is significantly reduced. The limited travel of the SRAM brifters is a bit of a pain, but if the pads are adjusted very close to the rotor they work fine for me. I replaced the rotors with Uberbike floating rotors (oooh, they come in different colors, like blue to match my bike accents).

As for gravel, I run 700x28c and avoid gravel when possible. I've become more comfortable on gravel the more I've ridden on it, but uphill on loose gravel just isn't happening. It took me a year and a couple thousand miles to get to the point where I feel fairly confident that I won't go down. Here is a video of yesterday's group ride with the other S40 in the group just ahead of me in the beginning. We do this ride most every Sunday. Some portions are pavement, some are multi-use trail and some are gravel. Just FYI - its a mixed group (i.e. recumbents and pain machines) of old farts like myself and a 'nobody gets dropped' ride (which is why you'll see me pull up when I catch the guy in our group who's riding a gravel bike once we're back on pavement). https://www.facebook.com/ross.jantz.35/videos/2500262343537647/?t=112

That looked like a great trail to bike. No cars and very scenic!

To summarize what folks have suggested, it looks like this is the order I am going to try updating the brakes (in the order of cost and time) and see which changes work out ...

1. Truckerco sintered pads
2. Shimano ICE rotors
3. TRP compressionless cable set for rear

 

[cpml123]

To summarize what folks have suggested, it looks like this is the order I am going to try updating the brakes (in the order of cost and time) and see which changes work out ...

1. Truckerco sintered pads

I received the Truckerco sintered pads and put them on yesterday. I rode 30 mi.

1. Pros - it seems that they grab a little faster and firmer, but I don't know if it's psychological or not because I didn't do a comparison before and after. They are not loud either.

2. Cons - I think this probably pertains to all pad replacement on my bike. Such a pain to realign the pads/rotors! I spent about 30 min to do the business card insertion realignment method for the back wheel (align, spin, ride, realign, spin, ride, etc.). I think it's good now. The front wheel looked ok, so I didn't bother. It seemed like it's scratching a little when riding. I will have to adjust the alignment before I ride next time. Urr...

I think I will ride this for a while and see if I need to proceed to replacing rotors and rear cable housing.