NBD – Brother Cycles Big Bro

Just finished building it, thanks to Projektride up in Edinburgh, the guys got the frame and other bits to me just after Chrimbo.     :-)

Rough Spec =

• Frame size – Small
• XT Shifter, Chainset (30t) and Rear Mech
• Formula R1 Racing Brakes
• Specialized Dropper Post
• Renthal Carbon Bars
• SLR XP Saddle
• ESI Foam Grips
• SRAM 1295 Cassette
• 30mm Carbon rims and Hope Pro 4 Hubs
• Hope BB and Headset

Not had chance to try it yet, needs a different stem and the bar height finalising, then the 2.6 Maxis Rekon/Ikon combo adding to the wheels, but only when summer start to make an appearance.

Bought for Bikepacking in summer plus some local FP’s, BW and Canal path pottering.

That orange is great…

Thoughts on this? I’m considering one…

Nice. Always fancied one of those.

That’s gorgeous. I love the yellow Big Bro. If we had space in the shed I would have bought one even though I already have a Big Bro and don’t need another bike…. Hope you’re getting on well with it.

@superstu I love mine, have it set up as single speed and ride it over my geared bike 99/100 times.

Nice! Great colour too.

@Anna-B that’s what I’m considering, a frame build with SS. Replacing a gravel bike which to be fair I use a fair amount, but fancy a change.

Its been great TBH, bought a set of Fox 32’s for it (100mm) and they seem fine. It’s a bit ‘old school’ in terms of geometry, especially in TT length. I’m using a 80mm stem at the moment, which seems spot on. The good thing about that is that it could very well lend itself to some drop bars, which is an itch I have ?. Drops, Flats, Geared, SS front suspension or rigid, It truly lends itself to all sort of builds and all helped by external routing (except the dropper)  Its a nice ride, not very lightweight, but still has that nice feel a steel frame gives.

Here it is in Fox 32’s and some narrow rims and mud tyres

@superstu &

Hope you’re getting on well with it.

I sure am @Anna-B.   ?

@superstu it makes a great gravel bike….

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@Vortexracing great to see it out and about with mud on it :-D

I’ve just put a 120mm SID on mine out of curiosity, I’ve been running it as a gravel/xc crossover sort of bike for a while and had a big ride out on Saturday so wanted to see if it noticeably improved my comfort/fatigue over the rigid fork without changing the way it rides too much from the bike I know and love.

I really enjoyed it, and it hasn’t ruined it for me. I’m undecided if I’ll go back to fully rigid but I think it’s unlikely for the short term:

Looks great. Where is that second photo taken? I didn’t think I’d keep mine as a rigid bike for so long, I find it a bit fatiguing also in excess of a certain distance. But I realised I can’t bear to take the gold forks off mine so they’ll be staying on :-)

Well, if we’re having a Big Bro love-in……………

Love the orange BTW, wasn’t available in 2019

@Anna-B that was taken on the Longmoor Ranges, down near Bordon, Hampshire. Stumbled across a stockpile of training vehicles and had to get a few photos!

I love the look of it with the steel forks, but even with 29×2.4″ at lowish pressures I also found it a bit fatiguing on the arms/shoulder over about the 30 mile mark if I’m riding trails and bridleways rather than fire roads whereas 70 miles at the weekend was a breeze (other than tired legs!).