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Some pictures would be nice if you have them. What fork did you fit? Is there any toe overlap? Did you use disc brakes. What do you think of the bike?
Your help most appreciated.
I do,
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In answer to your questions, i used the canti only fork that matches the frame, only because the dual mounting one wasn't available at the time and i'm not going to be using discs for the foreseeable future. No toe overlap at all, and no i didn't use discs because i already had three sets of wheels for this bike and couldn't budget for another set.
As for what i think of the bike, well overall it's favourable, it is a little heavy but then i think on a steel frame at this price point that's to be expected, wasn't impressed with the solution for running cantis though, there are no hangers on the frame so you need to use seatpost and headset attachments, for me it just didn't work well so i swapped over to mini v's, which can be picked up for less than the price of the hangers alone so if your not using discs then go for them.
Do be careful of the sizing, i now have 3 PX/OO bikes and the sizing for my Sl pro carbon and Scandal are fairly consistent (Large and 19.5 respectively) but after a bit of measuring up of the road bike and the bike that this replaced (a Genesis Vapour CX bike 56cm) i opted for the XL and am using a 90mm stem which for me is just about ideal.
After the weight the other things i noticed of the ride is the wheel base length, it's longer than my Vapour was and is a little more ponderous in the corners. And then there's the comfort, on the vapour i used to feel every imperfection on the road, on this i just see the imperfections and feel a very small buzz.
Just building mine so can't really add anything for now. Will be using a Kinesis DC19 fork and discs, in fact all the kit from my Roadrat will swap straight over. Looks to be nicely made, weight wise it was pretty similar to the Rat, though I had a small Roadrat and I've bought a med Kaff. I'll stick some pics up once it's finished
I have the bronze one.... I'm using the matching forks. Very nice, lovely ride. I'm running the BB7 disc brakes and they're brilliant. Yes there is toe overlap on the medium. Only downside is that it ways a ton (which is probably due to the wheels I have on it)... Doesn't really bother me for the riding I do on it tho....
Couple of pics here: http://www.theseaandthesky.co.uk/2012/06/planet-x-kaffenback.html
and here: http://www.theseaandthesky.co.uk/2011/11/kaffenback.html
Thanks gents. Looking at replacing an old CX frame for road training purposes, with mud gards fitted massive toe overlap. Due to nature of injuries a fall would catastrofic hence the overlap question. Nice looking bikes, the frame seems to be just what I'm looking for. Thanks for your help.
I have an older one and get toe overlap with gaurds, but it's never caused a problem. Not had a bike that when fitted with full gaurds I don't occassionly catch the gaurds. Especially when trying to track stand at traffic lights 😳
On my second brown, pre disc one. Fine. Its my day trip road bike although its been my round the woods bke and my tourer. I suspect that any steel that isn't a recognisable type eg Columbus Sl or 531 is likely to be nothing special but its not a tank. it will probably go soon as I want something that will run dual pivot road brakes.
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My commuter - PX carbon fork, Charge Spoon, flat bar with flat bar shifters, Ultegra chainset, 520 spds, XT rear mech, 719s on XT hubs and deore V brakes with speed dial levers.
As a result not the lightest but very comfy and stops well. No toe overlap. I've never had a decent road bike but really enjoy riding this. Trouble is my commute is very hilly in places and I need the car for work a lot so don't use it as much as I should.
Have a new style one. Lovely bike, although heavy. My big problem was ridiculous amounts of heel clip. Couldn't run a road crankset in the end because of this, and ended up with a HT2 MTB one to fix the q factor issue.
Not really a problem as I use mine for a training bike for cross.
Ooh that's interesting. I will probably get myself a Pompetamine frame to replace my Pompino when it finally fails (although the cracks seem quite stable though now). Wouldn't want even more heel rub than I get on the 120 spaced back end... Although the chainstay length has been extended from mine so that might help.
Anyway, no toe overlap for me either with 32mm tyres. Not used guards though!
Love mine. It's my tourer.
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8435/7858293684_3ed6faaec6_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53067724@N00/7858293684/ ]bridge-quernmore[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/53067724@N00/ ]Jon Wyatt[/url], on Flickr
I've not long been back from a trip to the lakes with that setup.
Day 1 - 110 miles up to Windermere
Day 2 - 87 miles - Kirkstone pass, Whinlatter pass, Hardknott pass, Wrynose pass.
Day 3 - 90 miles back home.
Loved it (although I admit, I might have had a nap when I got home)
No toe overlap with those forks
Bit late to the party I realise, but here's my Kaff...
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And on her recent holiday in the Outer Hebrides...
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With the medium frame / basic chromo fork / Vavert guards / size 10 feet there is toe-overlap, but I've learnt to live with it / ride round it and haven't had any embarrassing incidents (yet!!!).
Mine with mostly Brown finishing kit, inc the Vavert guards.
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p.s. largest frame, original fork, slight toe overlap on the front guard sometimes. not enough to cause falls etc tho
Put a whole can of GT85 through the frame after this!
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For sale soon though as I have Ti itch to scratch