Gazelle Chamonix conversion

[Vbruun]

Get a hydraulic caliper. They work much better!

 

[Chalo]

Get a hydraulic caliper. They work much better!

They oil your pads automatically! Yay!

 

[Vbruun]

Just get a deore. It costs 50 dollars and works well. Don't listen to the old grumpy man.

It is the future. Maybe hydraulic brakes were bad once. Now theyre great!

 

[jonescg]

Ah, you're learning that disc brakes are not the same as good brakes. Well, now you know.
Sintered metal pads are an upgrade (until they too get contaminated). Or you can fit a dual pivot caliper brake with good pads, if your rim has brake tracks.

I knew they weren't the best kind of brakes (much prefer rim shoes myself) but in going for a rear 1000 W hub, I had no option but to go for a disc brake. The alternative was no brake (not an option) or a new frame (not an option). The frame doesn't even have a point for classic calliper brakes.

 

[Chalo]

The frame doesn't even have a point for classic calliper brakes.

No fender mounting holes or anything?

 

[jonescg]

The frame doesn't even have a point for classic calliper brakes.

No fender mounting holes or anything?

Closest I can get is the rear wheel lock, but that's a featre we'd like to retain (along with the mudguards).
Front forks have an option but the brakes ther are OK for now.

 

[thundercamel]

Get a hydraulic caliper. They work much better!

They oil your pads automatically! Yay!

Dude, 99.9% of motorized vehicles use hydraulic brakes, and most of them are disc. You know this. I'd rather replace a rotor over time than a wheel rim. Stop yelling at clouds please.

 

[Chalo]

Get a hydraulic caliper. They work much better!

They oil your pads automatically! Yay!

Dude, 99.9% of motorized vehicles use hydraulic brakes, and most of them are disc. You know this. I'd rather replace a rotor over time than a wheel rim. Stop yelling at clouds please.

I work at two different bike shops. I see a lot of hydraulic brakes, and most of them are contaminated by the time I have a look at them. You can say this isn't a problem, but it's a problem I deal with all the time.

When bicycles start getting hydraulic brakes as reliable as those on DOT vehicles, I'll know. I don't believe they will, though, because the hydraulics are there for fetishistic rather then utilitarian purposes.

 

[LewTwo]

When bicycles start getting hydraulic brakes as reliable as those on DOT vehicles, I'll know. I don't believe they will, though, because the hydraulics are there for fetishistic rather then utilitarian purposes.

FYI:
The NineBot (formally Segway) CM-80 E-bike has a DOT rated front hydraulic disk brake.
I believe the ONYX RCR front disk brake is also DOT rated.
Take a look at the rotors as well. Those are NOT stamped out sheet metal.

Both of these bikes stretch the definition of an E-Bike and interesting enough, neither has the same quality rear brake.

 

[Chalo]

Those may be statutory "electric bicycles", but they're not bicycles. Their brakes may be okay, or they may be crap, but that doesn't make them bicycles.

 

[LewTwo]

Those may be statutory "electric bicycles", but they're not bicycles. Their brakes may be okay, or they may be crap, but that doesn't make them bicycles.

Fair point: in fact I believe according to Texas statues the ONYX RCR would actually be a "motor cycle".
... but at least it is a start.

Ref:
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.541.htm
TRANSPORTATION CODE, TITLE 7. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, SUBTITLE C. RULES OF THE ROAD, CHAPTER 541. DEFINITIONS

 

[jonescg]

Ghetto, but fully functional.
I have a small strap which stops it from jumping out, but it would take a big bump to dislodge it.

 

[jonescg]

Quick update on this ebike - it hammers up the hill really well. The last 7 km of the ride gains 240 m in elevation, with the steepest part being a 10% grade for roughly 1 km. I did drop down a few gears on the derailleur but left the throttle wide open. No sweat - not even warm by the top of the hill.

Brakes are fine too, I just tend to reach for them pre-emptively if I think I might need them.

Overall, a solid bike

 

[99t4]

Brakes are fine too, I just tend to reach for them pre-emptively if I think I might need them.

Welcome to the club. EVERY time I ride (almost every day) I see AT LEAST one driver blasting thru a red light (theirs). So I too, have learned to preemptively prepare to brake when approaching intersections.