I did a bad bad thing…….

[Dirt]

@bluerider 80679 wrote:

and ordered a Salsa Vaya frameset today. Project “Super Commuter” starts now……

Can’t wait to see this build.

[Phatboing]

It’ll take some serious doing to turn a Vaya into a bad thing.

[rpiretti]

Nice, Ryan!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bluerider]

I will post the proposed build details soon.

[bluerider]

So here is my build list. Any input or opinons are welcomed. I am trying to build a great commuting and touring rig with racks and fenders.

Frame: 56cm Salsa Vaya in Smokey Robinson blue
Fork: Salsa
Headset: Chris King
Stem: Thomson X4
Bar: Salsa Cowbell 2 (or maybe reuse my old Aerus bar off my Norcross)
Brakes levers: SRAM S500

Drivetrain
Crank: SRAM X9 42/28
Front derailleur: SRAM X9
Rear derailleur: SRAM X9
Shifters: SRAM 500 Aero barcons mounted on Paul Thumbies
Cassette: SRAM 36-12
Chain: Wipperman stainless
Seatpost: Thomson Elite
Seat: Brooks Cambium C-17
Cables: Yokozuna Reaction

Wheels
Hubs: White Industries Mi6 36 hole
Rim: DT Swiss TK-540 Disc 36 hole
Spokes: DT Champion
Brakes: TRP HY/RD discs
Tires: Clement USH 700 X 35c

Rack: Tubus Cosmo stainless steel
Fenders: SKS Longboards or Velo Orange (still decided on best fenders)

Opinions? Suggested changes?

[FFX_Hinterlands]

I have the P45 longboards on my Handsome Devil. Good coverage. You can smash things against them and they bounce back. The move around more than my metal fenders on my other bike, but it doesn’t bother me. They can “wag” a little down low on the front flap. You can swap out a shorter mudflap if you don’t like the super long front flap.

The VO ones will look really good, I’m sure. They won’t withstand being banged around as much. You’ll need flaps to have the same coverage as the longboards. VO mudflaps are pretty heavy (think leather, SS hardware), so you may want to make your own.

[bluerider]

Thanks FFX,
Also considering the Handsome Cycles Mud Butlers as well.

[TwoWheelsDC]

Why not throw a dynohub on there since you’re building the wheels from scratch? Also, you gotta let us know how the Cambium works out. I’m probably one of the few people who will say that I just really don’t care for my B17 (#expressyourunpopularopinion), but the Cambium looks more like a road saddle, with that Brooks classiness.

[Phatboing]

Have you thought about/tried the Salsa Woodchipper handlebars? I’ve had many, many miles on them, and they’re preposterously comfortable; doubly so if you, as you say, plan on doing some touring. The flared drops also make for excellent leverage while climbing.

[KayakCyndi]

@bluerider 80851 wrote:

…..

Brakes: TRP HY/RD discs

Opinions? Suggested changes?

I have no suggested changes — it sounds marvelous — but I’m dying for a full report on the TRP Hy/RD discs. That is likely going to be my next upgrade on the Viaje.

[bluerider]

I have considered it but I don’t ride a night a lot and I don’t know that I want to add the weight and complication.

[jopamora]

I have a pair lying in my basement. Small ding on the rear one. Decided I wanted more coverage than they offered, so I went with the SKS longboards.

You are welcome to try them.
@bluerider 80854 wrote:

Thanks FFX,
Also considering the Handsome Cycles Mud Butlers as well.

[bluerider]

@jopamora 80864 wrote:

I have a pair lying in my basement. Small ding on the rear one. Decided I wanted more coverage than they offered, so I went with the SKS longboards.

You are welcome to try them.

Thanks Peter,
I may just take you up on that for testing purposes. I want fenders just not sure what yet.

[hozn]

This sounds like a nice build! I considered the TRP Hy/Rd brakes but went with the Spyres on my road bike. I am very happy with the Spyres, but I imagine the Hy/Rd will be even better. I used Yokozuna Reaction housing. That stuff ain’t cheap, but it’s good (apparently housing quality is still relevant with the Hy/Rd). I would probably do Hope Pro II hubs or DT Swiss 350 if those are available in 36-hole, but I have no first-hand knowledge of WI hubs (I have the vibe from forum reviews that they are a little higher maintenance? but I’m sure I’m wrong). I have found the 9mm thru-bolt to be quite nice for stiffness. (Or 15mm if you want to get crazy with a new fork?) On my commuter the discs rub when run at tight tolerances and I am out-of-seat climbing, but it is impossible for me to get them to rub with the 9mm thru-bolt on my road bike. Carbon forks in both, but it isn’t apples-to-apples.

I have the Brooks Cambium 17 and a Specialized Phenom. I switch them up on my commuter (I have them on different seatposts). I like the Brooks for just casual riding, but find the Specialized to be more comfortable when I want to be able to move around on the saddle (climbing, getting low/forward, etc.). Those Brooks saddles weigh a ton, though I mostly notice the difference when hanging up the bike.

(TwoWheelsDC, if you have a 27.2mm seatpost, you are welcome to borrow the C17 to try it out for a week or whatever.)

Forgot to mention: you are likely using your for touring only, whereas I switch mine between commute & cx, but I have installed the SKS Urban Velo 42 fenders which I absolutely love. They have a bracket installed at the fork / brake bridge that the fender just slides onto. I did get the fenders stays too, so it’s not tool-free install/removal but it is very fast (no wheel removals), so I am happy. Before that I had SKS P35 fenders. One thing, I think the PlanetBike Cascadia fenders come with the hardware (spacer) to clear the disc caliper; I am not sure if your rear caliper is on the seatstay or chainstay.

[rpiretti]

Nice build! If I could chime in on the mudflaps…kinda like Hinterlands said…the VO flaps are too thick for any practical use, unless you’re think wide fenders. I’ve bought one and you can have it if you want but never used it. They also don’t “give” any. So, I recommend something different, perhaps a fake leather material that is thinner and that gives – I think you know my blog address – take a visit on there and check out my rear flap that Wayne in Purcellville did. Or you could go with a flap that Honjo makes. Check out boulder bicycles online shop and it’s on there. It’s black. By the way, Honjos are the best fenders if you’re thinking classic although SKS looks to be more rugged and able to take more blunt abuse. Since, we’re on the subject of fenders, Jan Heine made a great point on his blog the other day that “a lip” on a fender helps to keep rain from going over the sides of a fender. This is in reference to the inside of a fender where there is an overhang of the aluminum material.

@FFX_Hinterlands 80853 wrote:

…The VO ones will look really good, I’m sure. They won’t withstand being banged around as much. You’ll need flaps to have the same coverage as the longboards. VO mudflaps are pretty heavy (think leather, SS hardware), so you may want to make your own.

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