EDITORIAL
Four Clamps Good, Two Clamps Better
Adapter Farm
I've been around mountain biking long enough to remember the joy of two clamps being eclipsed by four. Shimano's svelte shifter-brake lever combo units wrenched from monogamy and thrown into a whirling menage of options to suit any passion. Hayes Mag brakes with XT shifters, Shimano XT Disc brakes with Grip Shift, Grimeca 6-pots with a manual shift eNVy Inner-E granny guard.
The empire attempted to strike back briefly by bringing their STI (Shimano Total Integration) concept to mountain bikes in the form of Dual Control, but after that failed colossally at capturing the hearts and minds of mountain biking, we all could get on with our mix-matched cockpits. The mass adoption of convenience over comfort in the form of lock-on grips largely negated any outcry for hinged clamps and everyone was happy.
Well, not everyone. Even a curmudgeon such as myself has to admit that having two clamps on the handlebar looks a whole lot cleaner than four and it wasn't more than a hot minute after mountain-STI had died when SRAM released MatchMaker.
This is an e13 dropper remote, a Magura Shiftmix clamp, and a Formula Cura4 brake lever all possible thanks to SRAM's MatchMaker standard.
SRAM's MatchMaker standard isn't perfect. Compared to running separate clamps for my brakes, shifters, and dropper remote, it doesn't always allow for my preferred placement of both brake lever and trigger. That's especially true when I start mixing a bunch of parts that are MatchMaker compatible manufactured by various brands to tie their products into SRAM's drivetrains.
But, SRAM never lets perfection get in the way of good enough - that's both high praise and a low dig depending on the product in question - and the true beauty of MatchMaker is that it was done right the first time. Sure, the hinged clamps can fubar a carbon bar like nobody's business, and the fixed clamps are a royal pain-in-the-tush for those of us who run push-on grips but it has three key features that make it the better system between the two biggest S-brands.
1) It's very easy, and relatively cheap to split up brakes and shifters to go back to a four-clamp cockpit.
2) Other brands have been encouraged to adopt it so there are factory MatchMaker solutions to combining SRAM shifters with other brake systems.
3) They have not changed it every couple of years since it was introduced.
And do you know who agrees with me? Shimano. Because what is Shimano I-Spec EV if not a final coming to terms with the fact that SRAM's system was better in the first place? Heck, I ran a Deore M6100 EV shifter mounted to a SRAM MatchMaker hinged clamp for months with a fabulous result.
Magura makes factory 'Shiftmix' options for SRAM MatchMaker shifter integration and all the various Shimano I-Spec options. At the time of writing this that includes I-Spec A, I-Spec B, I-Spec II, and I-Spec EV.
Of course, I-Spec EV is not actually MatchMaker compatible. You're not just going to bolt a SHI-12 shifter to your beloved CODE-R brakes and ride off down the trail. That would not have been possible for Shimano the same way they couldn't just R&D* RaceFace CINCH for their direct mount chainring tool (using a legacy bike tool that every shop, and many riders, already own). And I'm not trying to blow smoke up SRAM's 28.99mm crank axles, but they are getting some traction with their universal derailleur hanger, and Wheels Manufacturing is now manufacturing hangers in some 431-flavours so it does feel like a little bit of a 'you're with us or against us' moment here.
*Rip-off & Duplicate
Shimano I-Spec EV brake lever and SHI-12 shifter combination. Absolutely the best I-Spec system to date when it comes to making a match between lever and shifter.
For my Magura brakes all I had kicking about to make the shifter work was a MatchMaker hinged clamp. Works great but the position is wrong if you want to add a SRAM brake to the same clamp.
Adapter Industrial Complex
But wait, there is another side to the story. A lot of folks are choosing to Buy The Bike They Already Own and upgrading parts across four generations of Shimano I-Spec can get downright gnarly. Let's say your brakes crap out and you spring for some brand new Deore M6120 four-pistons. But wait again, your shifter is a 10-speed I-Spec B for which there is no I-Spec EV replacement, and your dropper post remote uses I-Spec II because when you broke your master cylinder that was the only option that was available and you purchased the dropper remote after the fact.
Those four individual clamps don't look so bad now, do they? But never fear, because the beauty of the sheer catastrophic volume of mountain bikers facing exactly the same cluster of ducks is that an entire industry has blown up to keep your clean-handlebar-dreams alive. It's a microcosm of the bike industry itself where a series of utilitarian units from Problem Solvers swims in the same lake as Wolf Tooth's newly released ShiftMount collection.
It actually wounds me a bit that this ridiculous adapter has to exist but if you're attaching a fresh SHI-12 I-Spec EV shifter to last generation's I-Spec II brakes this is the 30 USD / 39 CAD piece of machining that you're looking for. Photo: WTC
The potential combinations are of course boggling. Let's say I have a Formula Cura4 brake, I'm dead-set on two clamps on my bar, and I've just purchased a min-maxed combo of a Shimano M8100 I-Spec EV shifter with a Deore M6100 drivetrain. Formula doesn't yet offer their MixMaster handlebar clamps in I-Spec EV.
Thanks to the adapter industrial complex there are a few ways I can accomplish this match. For example, I could purchase Formula's MixMaster MatchMaker clamp (say that five times fast), then purchase Wolf Tooth's MatchMaker to I-Spec EV adapter. Or, I could purchase Magura's ShiftMix adapter for I-Spec EV which does work with a Formula Master Cylinder, or I could pair up Wolf Tooth's Magura-to-MatchMaker clamp with their MatchMaker to I-Spec EV adapter.
Be right-back, After that I need a Tequila Negroni.
Shimano I-Spec shifter mated to a SRAM MatchMaker hinged clamp (with or without a SRAM brake attached). Photo: WTC
SRAM MatchMaker shifter mated to a Shimano I-Spec EV brake lever (this one will always have a brake attached). Photo: WTC
Connect Four
If you're anything like me, the whole state of affairs makes a return to four independently clamped controls seem spiritually uncluttering despite being cosmetically more cluttered. On the Banshee Titan, I've been running four independent clamps (dropper post, two brake levers, one shifter) for months now and it doesn't really bother me compared to the much cleaner-looking cockpits on almost every other bike I've ridden or worked on in that time.
There are many practical reasons - not the least of which is future-proofing my controls - to keep everything divided, and from a min-max perspective, there is no way with all the adapters involved that it won't end up cheaper in the long run compared to potentially adding an adapter or two every time I change brakes or shifters.
I like to think that I almost always let practicality win over aesthetics but there is something about fewer clamps that cleans up a cockpit so nicely. Despite my own internal struggle, Wolf Tooth obviously envisions a lot of folks choosing to go back to individual connections by making push-on friendly hinged clamps for Shimano I-Spec EV and I-Spec II shifters that are looking to avoid, or end, their arranged marriage to the Shimano disc brakes. I'm a bit surprised they didn't do a MatchMaker version as well since the stock simple MM clamps aren't hinged.
I'm surprised Wolf Tooth has any of these I-Spec EV to 22.2mm hinged clamps left from the number of riders I know trying different braking systems with their SHI-12 drivetrains.
In Wolf Tooth's Muttlucks I would have made a MatchMaker version of this clamp. The stock thin clamps aren't hinged and the hinged clamps are big and sometimes-brutal to bars.
I took a straw poll among some of the untrendy bike-nerds I know to fall more on the sensible and skint side of mountain biking rather than the give-me-AXS-in-oil-slick side of mountain biking and I was legitimately surprised to learn that most folks will spend a few dollars more to attach their dropper post and shifter to their brake levers.
Apparently, cosmetics matter most when it comes to putting hands onto controls. Four clamps good, two clamps better.
Comments
Shoreboy
3 years ago
Ill take 4 clamps all day, everyday. I like to run my levers fairly flat, and could never find a good position for the shifter. Having them independently adjustable is much better in my opinion. Also, not having to hunt for the right adapter all of the time when a new set of brakes/shifter/dropper comes along.
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Andrew Major
3 years ago
That's how I've been running the Titan and I have to say being able to ~ infinitely adjust the controls has been beautiful. I was very surprised that the vast, vast majority of folks I talked to would take the cleaner appearance every day.
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AJ Barlas
3 years ago
Yup. My current setup didn’t have the range required either, forcing me back to four clamps. I’ve often run the dropper remote separate for better adjustability but have gotten away with the shifter x brake lever being integrated, mostly. I need to see about those push-on friendly WT clamps though, then I can happily ditch the lock ons.
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Andrew Major
3 years ago
The hinged I-Spec EV clamp is going to be the top seller no doubt. Lots of bikes coming with Shimano shifter-brake package where folks want to try other stoppers.
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MuscogeeMasher
3 years ago
You people have a better handle on your OCD than I do. Part of me kind of likes that I bolt on the shifter/remote in one of the two holes, generally rotate it up as far as it will go (run my levers more towards the horizontal side), and go ride. Feels more than good enough and keeps me from constantly fiddling because the reach to the shifter/remote just doesn't feel as completely perfect as it did yesterday. Probably different if mixing and matching, though.
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nothingfuture
3 years ago
Fully agree on using four clamps.
I'm just not willing to spend $30-45 on each hand to make *this* set of brakes have integrated clamps with *that* set of shifters knowing full-well that I'm going to need to replace any one of those four components and doing so will necessitate another $30-45 each side.
I put this right up there in the category of "upgrade" to a bike that internal cable routing makes- it's way more difficult to install and maintain, and it's entirely there for aesthetic reasons- and while I care about the aesthetics of my bikes, I've never thought them "cluttered" looking because of the cable housing (except for the time I had super long rear brake/shift housing for doing bar spins, but I digress).
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Velocipedestrian
3 years ago
"I put this right up there in the category of "upgrade" to a bike that internal cable routing makes- it's way more difficult to install and maintain, and it's entirely there for aesthetic reasons "
Exactly. It's a machine, it's OK for it to look like a machine.
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Dan Lees
3 years ago
4 Clamps 4 the win.
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cheapondirt
3 years ago
Ok, so I am cheap. But the real reason I'm still using 4 clamps is because one time I tried to figure out which adapters I needed and it made my brain hurt. I wasn't nerd enough.
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samnation
3 years ago
Username checks out.
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cheapondirt
3 years ago
It's my schtick. Bike budget of $100/mo firm, and pretend like it was my own idea.
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Verskis
3 years ago
I agree with Shoreboy, separate clamps offer greater adjustability and simpler life. I've never understood the drive to eliminate some small clamps from the bars.
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fartymarty
3 years ago
I got rid of my second clamps (Shimano shifter clamps) when I switched to push on grips. I spec B made it easy to do this. Now i'm stuck with having to run I spec B levers to hold my 10 speed shifter and dropper (modded left shifter).
Edit (Aug 22) - I've now moved to Cura 2 brakes on the FS bike and tried the Formula match makers but couldn't get the shifter / dropper in the right place. I'm now on 4 mounts and happy with the range of adjustment. I got some 3D printed I Spec B mounts for my shifter / dropper off ebay.
I'm still running Shimano I Spec B brakes and shifters on the HT which put the shifters in a good position.
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fartymarty
3 years ago
Wouldn't the world be a wonderful place if all brakes and shifters had the same mounts meaning you could run any shifter with any brake...
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AJ Barlas
3 years ago
EDIT: How dare you. 🙂
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Cr4w
3 years ago
Because mountain bikes have done so well with standardization up to this point.
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Andrew Major
3 years ago
You’re so salty! MatchMaker is pretty close to a universal standard and it’s fine.
I do have to admit I’m most jazzed about the hinged I-Spec EV clamp personally.
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Cr4w
3 years ago
If SRAM and Shimano can agree on a universal standard then everyone else will follow suit and I will consider the case closed. Or at least if Shimano could stop revising its standard every single year.
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AndrewR
3 years ago
Except by having two holes as mounting positions rather than a slide some people (like me) are either too close or too far.
There is no little bear out come of "just right" in the solution.
I have found that the outboard hole (short thumbs) and a dremel to remove the material that blocks my natural thumb extension, and to round off any sharp, square edges, is the perfect solution (for me).
Oh and a sculpted notch on the front of the rocker switch so I can toggle a gear change with the thumb nail (extension of the thumb).
And grip tape on all the shiny flat plastic surfaces.
But I am not particular about my control set up at all.
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Andrew Major
2 years, 11 months ago
Hahaha. In think if I was that particular I’d just single speed!
Seriously though, any photos of shifter notch/mod?
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fartymarty
3 years ago
I was being very hopeful...
In reality it aint ever going to happen and those of us that want 2 mounts will be stuck paying £££ for adapters to suit.
I'll take Renthal pushons and Shimano shifting anyday with less flexibilty.
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Peter Adamkovics
3 years ago
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Velocipedestrian
3 years ago
My first thought too.
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Andrew Major
3 years ago
I always laugh at this particular strip because it’s so true so often... BUT, in the case of the UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) there are 400+ standards and enough companies have already committed to it that I’m very down with adding +1.
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cornedbeef
3 years ago
One of the most annoying things about I-Spec EV is Shimano only bequeathing the XTR brake levers with 60 degrees rotational angle versus the pithy 10 degrees of Deore. Shimano could just have easily made Deore with 60 degrees (with little extra production cost) by milling out the ridge for that T-nut to rotate more.
I ended up coughing up for an XTR 12sp brake lever after finding out mounting a WT remote to an I-Spec B XT M785 would never ever ergonomically work.
The adapter industrial complex is real... I'm sure lindarets and wolf tooth are salivating at Linkglide's unique pull ratio as to sell cable ratio adapters for 45 bucks a pop....
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Andrew Major
3 years ago
It often happens in the bike industry where the more expensive product will have a feature, like XTR’s additional adjustment, and I wonder if it really would have cost a dime more to just design/manufacture that feature into every level of product.
Certainly in Shimano’s case the quality of M6100 is so good now they could dump SLX and sell more XT/Deore mixed bikes and save a pile of cash at the manufacturing and marketing end. Then some of those features could better trickle down thanks to requiring less effort to micro-differentiate the different groups.
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Abies
3 years ago
Haha, I read this early in the morning before coffee and had a minor anxiety attack about my recently purchased bar clamp WolfTooth lever and ordered the silly 25 dollar i-spec II adapter. And now I read all these comments that I will be sacrificing ergonomics for fashion! Will I even be able to operate the lever, or will I be frantically reaching for it as I high-post it down a jump line? I guess we'll find out.
Had a similar level of anxiety when deciding whether to replace my cracked seat clamp with a silver or purple unit, so I realize this is a me issue.
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Andrew Major
3 years ago
Ha, no you’re good to go. Tonnes of adjustment both side-to-side and angle with that one.
That’s my Magura one in the header photo. Lots of side-to-side but no angle adjustment independent of the brake lever.
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Abies
3 years ago
Oh thank god. And now my cockpit will look clean on the gram.
Is there an NSMB writer I can blame when I forget to flip the climb switch on my shock back to open, though?
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Andrew Major
3 years ago
Its not me... jokes about my passion for rigid single speeds aside, I don’t much ever use climb switches.
Trying to think of anyone here who is super switch happy but no one’s coming to mind.
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Velocipedestrian
3 years ago
Not NSMB, but one of the Mikes on the pinksite is all about the climb switch, throw your shade that way.
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Bushpilot
3 years ago
This is a major fail of the Magura shiftmix clamp for Sram. Running levers flattish put the shifter in a bad spot. Thanks for the advice about the Formula clamp. That one is adjustable and works so much better. I wonder why Magura doesn’t get this.
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dsciulli19
3 years ago
I think we call this a solution looking for a problem. 4 clamps all day.
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ackshunW
3 years ago
Now these were nice clamps! When I had my singlespeed set up with cable disc and these levers— the best! Nothing at all hanging out behind or under the bar to snag your knee on, just two little 2mm thick bands of aluminum. Those were the days.
I also like 4 clamps in order to keep my brake levers really inboard, for 1-finger braking and a good grip on the bar. And honestly all the adaptor talk sounds like a foreign language to me. Way too many standards with basically the same name!
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Vik Banerjee
3 years ago
I'm mostly a 4 mounts guy. I have ended up with fewer mostly by accident a few times. With the newer integrated mounts the adjustment between brake and shifter isn't bad, but once the bike is setup and I am using it I could never tell you if I had any integrated mounts or not. That detail just holds no practical or aesthetic meaning to me.
OTOH matchy matchy pedals and grips make my day. ;-)
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Frorider
3 years ago
If you ride a lot & have several bikes and/or a parts bin, you find yourself swapping out brakes or shifters or dropper remotes semi regularly…for various reasons….and inevitably the integrated clamp thing becomes a giant PItA (I have a mix of 3 different brake brands and 2 shifter brands).
Then one day you find yourself (ie Me) saying No to the whole fiasco. Especially when your brake levers can now be inboard as much as needed
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Andrew Major
3 years ago
One thing worth noting is that Magura, Formula, Hope, and cheap-SRAM (non-MM) brakes all use the same-ish two-bolt clamp dimensions so there is a lot of inter-compatibility.
I mean, put another way there’s more inter-compatibility between those brands than the 3.5 versions of I-Spec.
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Allen Lloyd
3 years ago
I am the very rare person who prefers Shimano brakes and SRAM shifting. I also have never riden a 2 clamp bike where the brakes and shifters both felt like they were in the right position. Being able to adjust independently is way more important than my bar looking cleaner. Odd thing, when I am riding I never actually look at my bar :)
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Andrew Major
3 years ago
Folks always bring up this argument for the huge Muddhugger rear fenders: “I can’t see it while I’m riding.” But you know it’s there.
I’m happier with four-clamps because I treat all bikes like adult Lego sets but I definitely am aware that two clamps looks better. Even when I’m in a different room from my bike.
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fartymarty
3 years ago
...You can't see it while you're riding but you're enjoying not having a soggy ass. The rear MH is a winner once you accept it looks dorky. Try one - they're a revelation.
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Andrew Major
3 years ago
I own one...
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fartymarty
3 years ago
Preaching to the converted..
Andrew - In response to your following comment - I am guilty of having an engineering degree. I wish I received some income from MH as I've been preaching their goodness since I bought two of them. Having a clean dry ass is very satifying - it feels like you are cheating mother nature.
I figured if they were good enough for Wade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evfzIl2g1PE&ab_channel=RaceFaceMTB they're good enough for me.
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Andrew Major
3 years ago
...that’s hanging up in my storage because when it’s on my bike I see its hideousness in the faces of every other rider on the mountain (hahaha).
Love the front fender but I have it on good authority that 99% of people running the rear either derive some income from people buying them (work in a shop, distribution, brand ambassador) or have an engineering degree (and in this instance I’m including physics and math degrees so if Stephen Seagull is reading this don’t you semantics me friend!)
Andy Eunson
3 years ago
Same here. Interestingly when I did have matching SRAM brakes and shifters, I needed a front shifter match maker to get the rear shifter where I wanted it. I give zero shits to alleged aesthetics of having controls with individual clamps. Or running my seat back on the rails, or having spacers under my stem or any of those not cool things because the bike must fit and function first. Road guys were the worst. Stem MUST be slammed. The ends of the drop bar MUST be horizontal or point at the rear axle. Brake levers MUST be oriented just so with the lever end lining up with the bottom of the bar. Stem MUST be at least a 120. All these things that are primarily for aesthetics can FOAD. Slammed stems, ultra wide bars, Internal routing. I’d add short chainstays and ultra steep seat tube angles to that list.
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Morgan Heater
3 years ago
I like my brake levers super inboard for a short lever throw with one finger. Can't be done with two clamps.
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JVP
3 years ago
Yeah, this is where I find myself. Running SRAM + PNW remote seems to work pretty darn good for this with my somewhat wide hands. Fortunately I prefer Codes and SRAM shifty bits, with my brakes half way between French and neutral. I've never been happy with brake position on a 2 clamp *per side* setup, but haven't tried since I went to Codes.
*edit
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AJ Barlas
3 years ago
“Half way between French and Neutral.” Haha. That’s good, and very effective.
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Cr4w
3 years ago
This all sounds like a focus group to help Big Adaptor figure out how to market us more adaptors.
Wait, is AMajor just a shill for Big Adaptor? HOW MUCH ARE THEY PAYING YOU ANDREW??
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Andrew Major
3 years ago
Man, after Crankbrothers bought me that Bentley Mulsanne in exchange for saying their really good dropper post is really good I’ll do or say just about anything for a few buckeroos towards gas / insurance / maintenance.
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khai
3 years ago
Like many things, I understand the first time is the hardest...
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tdc_worm
3 years ago
one of the things that is not necessarily intuitive about SRAMs Matchmaker setup is that, even though they labeled right and left, they are reversible, so you can run two R, two L, or run them opposite. that essentially gives you 4 positions from an inboard/outboard perspective.
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Andrew Major
3 years ago
This for sure. True of the Magura and Formula clamps as well.
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khai
3 years ago
I tried to go 2-clamp years ago but the ergonomics just didn't work out. Shame, because I'd have loved to ditch the Shimano wrap-around style clamp that they refuse to abandon for their shifters for a hinged/2 bolt version. My bars may be a bit more cluttered but I have my brake levers where I want them AND my shifter/dropper paddle well positioned to boot. That's worth it to me.
As for the dorky ultra-long rear fender, I like having a dry ass. Less cleaning of the pack is a nice bonus. No-one comes to me for fashion advice anyway....
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Sanesh Iyer
3 years ago
I take whatever is available. I do not think a 2 clamp situation looks better, and I'd really have to be in a bind to consider buying an aftermarket clamp for an integrated shifter.
All else being equal, I think I'd prefer 4 clamps. I'm so married to the Shimano brakes & drivetrain that it really doesn't matter to me all that much though. Positioning is good either way, though I used to have issues with older ispec.
I'm happy to say I never had 5 or more clamps/levers on my bar. Those people who had lockouts and FDs and droppers boggle my mind. I hate operating droppers and shifters simultaneously and never really liked 2x on MTB. I had a 2x drivetrain on a Slayer for all of 3 months in 2011, prior to that I had 3x on my first MTB hardtail in 2007 that got turned into 1x w/ the ol' chain-wrapped-chainring as a bash guide and locking the FD into position. Point being, I never really got used to all those levers, and it's the number of levers that bothers me more than the clamp.
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Cooper Quinn
3 years ago
Scott Bikes read this article and was like "HOLD MY BEER!!!"
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John Keiffer
3 years ago
It's too bad this topic isn't getting many comments. LOL! I have (gasp) 4 clamps. I'd love a cleaner setup, but don't really feel the need to go out of my way to make it happen. However, the most frustrating thing about my 4 clamps if that I can't always get the thumb controls where I'd like them as far as reach goes. Any 2 clamp solution for me would probably require side-to-side reach adjustments too, because otherwise the controls might be closer than I'd like. With 4 clamps, they are sometimes a little too far. I guess I have tweener thumbs.
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Skooks
3 years ago
I find running 4 clamps gives me the ability to put my controls exactly where I want them. The ability to run different brands and generations of components is nice too. Don't give a dam about 'clutter'.
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neilBar
1 year, 8 months ago
Another rather informative article Andrew. It’s bloody confusing I must say. I see what you mean about the Negroni. Hmm tequila base. Must try that.
I’ve been 4 clamp mountainbiking since the 80’s and more recently running Hope T3 brake levers and Shimano shifter / bike yoke post on 4 clamps, I’m a fan of the adaptability for sure
Another 4 clamp advantage is the ability to run the brake lever loose enough so it can rotate in an impact (levers get costly) - can’t do that with MMX, cos shifting applies rotary pressure and pushes the combination around.
For only the 3rd time in 36 years I’m buying a stock bike with SRAM MMX- so now I’m hoping to separate SRAM Code R brake lever and GX Eagle shifter / XFusion post lever onto 4 clamps.
Will there be a position that works? I’m a veteran of 1 finger braking
So, I’m mr 4 clamps all the way.
Anyone done it? Moved from MMX to 4 clamps?
Googling an answer brought me here which is kinda the opposite of what I was after.
Thanks guys.
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Andrew Major
1 year, 8 months ago
Hi Neil, Cheers!
Running brake levers loose has certainly saved me time and money as well.
You can always swap MMX-compatible parts over to SRAM's fixed clamps but I don't like them because I run push-on grips.
In the same situation, I'd buy a pair of OneUp's hinged 22.2-to-MMX clamps.
That said, if you ask at your local shop they probably have more than a few hanging around as a lot of dropper remotes come/came with them (E13,
OneUp, etc) as do SRAM shifters, and then when they're being paired up into 2-clamp setups.
Not that you need a recipe to make a Tequila Negroni, but here's mine all the same.
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Cooper Quinn
3 years ago
Four clamps?
Are there people still running front derailleurs or something?!
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Andrew Major
3 years ago
What holds your dropper remote onto your bar, professor?
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Mark
3 years ago
Yes! Five!
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Cr4w
3 years ago
You could have separate lockout remotes for front and rear. SIX!!
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Sanesh Iyer
3 years ago
And a Shape shifter remote for 7
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Andrew Major
3 years ago
Might as well go to 8 with the, future, remote version of SwitchGrade.
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Glass
3 years ago
I'm running 4 clamps because I can't find a "matchmaker" to mix my Saint levers (I-spec b) to my sram 11 speed shifter and my Brand-X Ascend XL dropper post.
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HitechTurtleneck
3 years ago
I’d gladly ride a clampless custom handlebar with internal brake hose routing and integrated wireless shifting. 2 years out maybe?
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nothingfuture
3 years ago
Less, if you count the stuff that @dangerholm is doing...
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JVP
3 years ago
Drillium. What could (used to) go wrong!
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HitechTurtleneck
3 years ago
I’m old enough to remember when bikes were made of steel and these new bikes made out of coke cans were going to catastrophicly crack’n’fail . And then carbon fiber could never replace good ol’ bombproof aluminum because if a rock hits carbon fiber: catastrophic failure and fiery death. I won’t be the first through the door, but maybe the tenth when the time comes.
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Cr4w
3 years ago
Ah yes custom anything from the industry that only makes saddles in one length-width, handlebars in a single backsweep-upsweet configuration and 4 sizes of frame where all the relevant dimensions required to adjust fit between sizes don't actually change by size.
Uh huh.
Notice whenever there's a PB article about a custom anything they mean a custom paint job on a standardized carbon frame that gets pumped out of a mould by the 1000s. If there's one thing the bike industry is actively campaigning against it's actual customizability.
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