Condor Fratello... with discs?

[Isy315]

Hi everyone,

I need some help here. I've had a Condor Fratello for a couple of years now, and of all my bikes it is by far my favourite and I find myself using it for everything now, it's comfortable and fast enough to make my two hour commute fun. But the only niggling thing is the brakes, when it's wet there just isn't the braking power, and the rain the last few days has got me seriously scared! I fitted new Shimano Ultegra calipers (which I read were supposed to make a really strong combo with the Campag Centaur shifters I have). Still no improvement, even though pads are toed in and there is a nice amount of pull on the cable.

I used a touring bike with disc brakes this summer for cycling around Norway and found what a difference it makes in braking power - especially steep descents in the wet (/snow). So I was wondering if anyone out there can suggest any bikes with: steel frame, relaxed geometry AND mechanical disc brakes? Does this bike exist? Or any suggestions on how to improve braking power? (though any excuse for a new bike...)

Any pointers would be very much appreciated
- Isy

 

[vickster]

Pearson do one

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/pearson-a-cunning-plan-698.html#product_tabs1

Or surly

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p3033

Or Raleigh

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p3059

Not sure if these are all mechanical, hydraulic, or mix brakes

 

[Nebulous]

How much do you want to spend? A few options here.
I had a country traveller until it got written off in an argument with a car and I really liked it. The one drawback was the brakes. They were cantis and struggled in the wet. The explorer looks good - or for a bigger budget that Awol elite also looks good to me.

 

[Newman8]

Just in case you've not seen it yet - your Fratello is coming out in a disc version this spring. Some pics & reviews online already.

 

[mythste]

The new Charge Plug range seem to fit the bill, and they look gawjus as well.

 

[vickster]

The new Charge Plug range seem to fit the bill, and they look gawjus as well.

But condor simply ooze class including their London shop (And I've been in a lot of bike shops up to now)...if I ever buy another bike, I'll get one I think

 

[Cyclist33]

Learn to anticipate earlier and ride so that you don't need to brake so sharply.

 

[mythste]

Learn to anticipate earlier and ride so that you don't need to brake so sharply.

Really?

 

[totallyfixed]

That's interesting, my better half has a Fratello and loves it, she uses it for commuting [a hilly long commute] and for loaded touring on and as far as I am aware has never had a problem with braking, even loaded. She also has quite weak hands so no issue there either.

 

[HLaB]

I've Ultegra brakes and there very good when dry but the performance does decrease, the colder and wetter it is but they are far better than the tektro ones they replaced. Apologies if you all ready know this, the rear brake on any bike is only good for modulation to actually stop you need to then use the front brake.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Hi everyone,

I need some help here. I've had a Condor Fratello for a couple of years now, and of all my bikes it is by far my favourite and I find myself using it for everything now, it's comfortable and fast enough to make my two hour commute fun. But the only niggling thing is the brakes, when it's wet there just isn't the braking power, and the rain the last few days has got me seriously scared! I fitted new Shimano Ultegra calipers (which I read were supposed to make a really strong combo with the Campag Centaur shifters I have). Still no improvement, even though pads are toed in and there is a nice amount of pull on the cable.

I used a touring bike with disc brakes this summer for cycling around Norway and found what a difference it makes in braking power - especially steep descents in the wet (/snow). So I was wondering if anyone out there can suggest any bikes with: steel frame, relaxed geometry AND mechanical disc brakes? Does this bike exist? Or any suggestions on how to improve braking power? (though any excuse for a new bike...)

Any pointers would be very much appreciated
- Isy

Although a new bike is of course the correct answer, you could simply fit a disk specific fork to your Fratello. Then you'd have efficient front braking in the wet.

 

[Cyclist33]

Really?

Yeah, I don't get the fascination with disk brakes on road bikes, if a rim brake is in good order and set up well it provides more than enough braking. If you're coming to lights or a junction or some such you can anticipate and bring your speed down in good time. If you're not able to anticipate you're probably going too fast, eg if you have to pull up sharply because a car driver in front has, you could just as easily have ensured you were far enough back that you didn't need to pull up sharply. Surely the rules of the road apply to riding bikes?

 

[mythste]

Yeah, I don't get the fascination with disk brakes on road bikes, if a rim brake is in good order and set up well it provides more than enough braking. If you're coming to lights or a junction or some such you can anticipate and bring your speed down in good time. If you're not able to anticipate you're probably going too fast, eg if you have to pull up sharply because a car driver in front has, you could just as easily have ensured you were far enough back that you didn't need to pull up sharply. Surely the rules of the road apply to riding bikes?

Surely if weight isn't an issue then you may as well have superior stopping power than not?

I don't doubt many cyclists could be a little more aware than they currently are but confidence in being able to stop if the need arises could go a long way to helping on that front.

 

[Cyclist33]

Agreed but you don't need disk brakes for that. I guess it's a personal choice now since disk brakes became light enough to go on road bikes... personally I would rather have rim brakes and spend the difference on better wheels!

 

[Flying Dodo]

Yeah, I don't get the fascination with disk brakes on road bikes, if a rim brake is in good order and set up well it provides more than enough braking. If you're coming to lights or a junction or some such you can anticipate and bring your speed down in good time. If you're not able to anticipate you're probably going too fast, eg if you have to pull up sharply because a car driver in front has, you could just as easily have ensured you were far enough back that you didn't need to pull up sharply. Surely the rules of the road apply to riding bikes?

Of course what you can't take into account is an idiot driver suddenly cutting you up. Especially in the wet, having disks could make all the difference between stopping in time or not.