Thanks for that review. It is very helpful. Interesting to hear that you feel the fork is stiffer but prefer it that way anyhow. As far as the brakes go, I haven't had discs yet. Some people seem to prefer the adjustability mechanical but others say they need too much finagling with to get them just right without rubbing. My guess is that coming to them from rim brakes, the mechanical discs would be an improvement just so long as they aren't to finicky.
@DCPX thanks for the thoughts about the Tamland and do you have a guesstimate on overall weight? Thanks @pauley the disc brake set up is a breeze, only need to move the pads in when they start to wear. Accomplished with a hex wrench on the caliper, very easy to do. Simply adjust to your liking. My technique is to bring the pad in till it is in full contact with the rotor then back it out till I can see a gap between the rotor and pad doing this on both sides. Then adjust more or less depending on lever feel, done. I personally never had a rubbing issue. Just take a little time to understand them. The TRP's are very good brakes and are easily user serviceable.
@pauley the disc brake set up is a breeze, only need to move the pads in when they start to wear. Accomplished with a hex wrench on the caliper, very easy to do. Simply adjust to your liking. My technique is to bring the pad in till it is in full contact with the rotor then back it out till I can see a gap between the rotor and pad doing this on both sides. Then adjust more or less depending on lever feel, done. I personally never had a rubbing issue. Just take a little time to understand them. The TRP's are very good brakes and are easily user serviceable.[/QUOTE]"
Seems like there is something to be said for mechanical brakes like the TRP's. At least if they start rubbing on a ride you can adjust them. My friend has hydraulic brakes that often start rubbing and there isn't much he can do until he gets home or takes his bike to the shop. I'm considering the Tamland 1 and Jamis Renegade Elite. http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/renegadeexploit.html The Jamis has a little bit better wheels (I think) and cockpit has Ritchey parts which are nice. It also has hydraulics which most people say are better but I'm not sure its worth more modulation and power if mechanical discs are more than adequate and also more practical.
One Raleigh rep I talked said they are coming out with A Tamland frame with S&S couplers in 2018. Now until I see it in print from them,I would just take it something on the drawing board at Raleigh. Just have to wait and see.
<span>jjbnum3</span> wrote: One Raleigh rep I talked said they are coming out with A Tamland frame with S&S couplers in 2018. Now until I see it in print from them,I would just take it something on the drawing board at
I heard that as well from a rep also, I also heard the 2018 Tamlands would be available in Jan 2018 too. Supposed to be some major updates. I see some slight changes with the Willard platform but nothing on the Tamland yet. Agree about it just being speculation at this point cause media usually gets a hold of the new stuff sooner. They could be simply shifting their introduction for other issues though. Who knows for sure, I hope they stay in the gravel game.
Rover Al I wouldn't hold your breath on Raleigh staying in on the gravel scene. I guess they probably will keep the same line up as they have now less the Roker as that isn't in the plans for 2018. The kicker in my mind is I don't think you can see anything new from them in the gravel bike line up. That makes me sad because for sure I love the Raleigh line of gravel bikes as you are getting a great bike/bang for your buck.
I don't know if you are on their email list or not. I am ever since I set up the Corporate account. All I seem to keep getting from them as far as bikes that they are trying to entice me to buy is the beach cruisers or the old style retro bikes. It looks like they are going after the weekend warriors or beach people/part time city riders for their new bike line up that they are going after. Pretty sad from my end.
I'm on the list and get those mails with all the different lifestyle bikes too. They did apply some changes to the WIllard lineup for 2018 nothing major, just specs. AN updated Tamland would interest me, but it looks like they have a boat load of older stock to sell off. I might snag one if I'm in the mood. I hope they stick around.
RoverAl wrote:I'm on the list and get those mails with all the different lifestyle bikes too. They did apply some changes to the WIllard lineup for 2018 nothing major, just specs. AN updated Tamland would interest me, but it looks like they have a boat load of older stock to sell off. I might snag one if I'm in the mood. I hope they stick around.
RoverAl I guess you know I bought the Roker Comp in 56 cm. If I was going to snag a bike right now it would be their Roker Sport. I was really amazed on the only ride I had on the Roker on my downhill mt. descent which is nasty/rough/washboards/potholes, loose stones and not maintained at all. It for sure was a lot smoother than my Tamland which is suppose to soak them up also. That was my first experience with hydraulic brakes also. When I hit the brakes the bike stopped quickly. I finally did get use to the TRP's on my Tamland but they can't hold a candle to the hydraulic brakes.
The weather is finally nice here today in Pa. but I can't take the Roker out in all that salt so I guess my Tamland is relegated to my beater bike and I will be riding it today.
I hope they stick around too. At my end I have a Raleigh dealer about 10 miles from my house but he doesn't sell any of the gravel bikes. We have Amish/Mennonite all around us and all they ride are road bikes and bents.
RoverAl wrote:Yeah the Roker is on my Radar, why can't you ride in the salt or are you just babying the Roker?
Babying the Roker would be right I just can't seem to get my head wrapped around taking the bike out in the salt.
I don't know if you have been reading all the Raleigh threads but if you want a Roker you better buy one as they are going out of stock. NoCoGreg had a really hard time in finding a 60 mm Raleigh Sport which I probably would have bought now because of the Shimano 2x
RoverAl wrote:Nice photos, makes me want to get after it, except the climbing that's what e-bikes are for.
Thanks RoverAl at my end I still am trying to get back in shape from last years medical issue aka severe right collarbone nerve pain and I gained 10-15 lbs from that which I am trying to lose this season. It has been a struggle. Lol on the climbing and what e bikes are for. I am not there yet on the e bikes but have walked more hills on gravel this 1st year than I have done total since riding roadie starting in 1992. I will say one of the things I have found out very quickly is that you need to be in much better shape to do the gravel riding/racing that you have to be as a roadie. I am not there yet.
