kaffenback and bob yak by placid casual, on Flickr
it’s true. i’ve currently got a prototype to test and i’m delighted to say that it is everything i’d hoped for.
my original kaffenback has covered 8000 miles in the last 4 years. mostly to work and back, but some trips further afield, including last year’s tour of flanders sportive.
for 150 quid, it is a lovely, comfortable steel framed bike with a position that i like very much (exactly the same geometry as my pompinos i think).
the mark 2 version has replaceable drop-outs, meaning that you can run discs, fixed, single etc. this has meant some tweaks to the stays, but it all looks very nice, especially in the sand colour that still gets positivive comments (most of the time).
i’ve done 300 miles on this prototype, most of them towing a bob yak. the discs are invaluable in stopping the load. the steel frame and the 28 section tyres on 29er rims make for a smooth, fast rolling tourer that should easily clock up the miles.
i’m not sure on plans for putting these into production – worth a call to rotherham…
Placid – what’s the tyre clearances like? The on one seat stay design always produces huge clearances at the top, but what about the chainstays? What kind of rubber size could you run? 42c? Bigger?
I have both a first run of both the pompino and Kaffanback which are about 7 years old and they are the best handling road bikes I have ever owned ( argos customs x2 look and litespeed)
My presant Kaff need a respray but I will hold fire because I had a chat with Planet X today and they expect delivery late april
Just one question does it ride any better than the mk1 Kaff ????
Mr Dodger, it rides very similarly to the original although difficult to make direct comparison as the new one has 29er mtb wheels and 28 section tyres.. the old one was great – the new one, with the added flexibility of discs, ss, fixed etc will be even better. it does need a second set of eyelets on the back though…
Rik, it’s huge.
Dunno about 42s, but I’ve had 32s and guards on both the pomp and the kaff. I’ve added a load more pictures for you to check out those stays…
I have both a first run of both the pompino and Kaffanback which are about 7 years old and they are the best handling road bikes I have ever owned ( argos customs x2 look and litespeed)
I might sell my medium old one and get a new small one when they’re out – I am on the border between medium/small and I think the medium is a teeny bit long for me.
Unless I am just a girly man who can’t handle the road bike position.
That does look good! I’m trying to fit a road bike into my stable and was thinking of the Genesis equilibrium/croix de fer but might also consider this. How does it compare to a proper road bike?
Looks like it would be a better tourer than a road bike, is that what it’s aimed at?
i emailed planet x about the mark 2 and they said it should be in in around 8 weeks. that was about 12 weeks ago so should be due any time soon.
Unconfirmed price of around £175.
Does anyone want a blue Dragon Kafenback frame & forks, 17″?
It’s too nice-looking for me to ever use it.
Mail in profile, but I’m now going away for the weekend.
Had a chat with the Guys at PX / On-One at MM this weekend. The new Kaffenback frames are currently being painted and are expected towards the end of next month: black and “sort of metallic copper”. Frame should be around £180-190 as it will have swap outs, and the fork will be around £40.
yeah, I did get referred to someone else as the first two guys had no idea. The frames are apparently all fabricated and are just getting painted up. I’m not sure about metallic copper – could be very much love / hate.
Thanks placid for the pics the new Kaff looks interesting. I already have a Pompino which I use for commuting and find that its one of the most comfortable bikes I have owned. looking forward to buying the MK 2 Kaffenback, plenty of options.
I phoned Planet X 2 days ago and they informed me that the new Kaffenback will arrive late next month. Looks like its the usual story when a new product is to be launched, setbacks! Should be worth the wait though.
Mowgli – Member
Looks brilliant. Any ideas on the weight of the frame and forks? Compared to, say, a Salsa Casseroll which it’d be replacing?
Cheers
My 2009 57 Casseroll (which has disc mounts added and is FOR SALE!) weighs 2.2kg frame and 800gm fork. My Pompetamine (which I understand is similar tubing and probs a bit lighter once swap-outs added) is 2.4kg and the Pomp forks are 1.1kg IIRC.
Cheers Al, that’s useful. Will be good to see how the kaff 2 compares. The Salsa is hefty enough, and I’m not sure I want to replace it with something heavier.
As an aside, was it fine using a 135mm disk hub in the casseroll? I’ve not seen any 130mm disk hubs.
My My that IS pretty.
can i request a change or two though please?
can we get rid of the zip tie on hose mounts on the down tube, and replace them with a Cable stop. Ideally, one at the top next to the gears, and one on the chain stay, to connect it to the caliper, with a “sliding” bottom bracket style run, like the gears are…
that or just mount a stop on the bottom bracket, n run outer from there.
i realise this would negate hydro brakes, but it would look SO much cleaner without the hose down the down tube.
also hide the V brake stops under the top tube?
other than that, it ties up all the tiny little niggles i have with my inbred tourer
Could be tempted with a kaffenback frame for this though (and change to drop bars and cable brakes)