Cinelli Debuts Bootleg Hobo Ultra-Distance Steel (Off) Road Bike

Seems like they could have at least included disc tabs.

I don’t care what the retro-grouches say, but I for one will never own another bike with cantilevers. A bike like this needs mechanical disc brakes like the Avid BB7. Carry a few sets of brake pads and you’re good to cross Africa. If you are really paranoid you could carry an extra caliper in your panniers, but I really think the odds of failure are way too low to worry about replacement parts. And doesn’t this bike have STI shifters? Can you find those way out in the jungle? Probably not.

Finally! I’ve been on an On One Il Pompino for the past couple of years and really love the ride and fit. Comfort and stability come from the Cinelli design. There are those occasions that I would like to run gears, racks and more than 2 bottles. This seems perfect. Canti is making a comeback. New designs have easier set up, great stopping power, lighter weight than disks and parts are readibly available. No need to add what you don’t need (disk tabs). I just hope it has good tire clearance. Can’t wait to see it in person.

Disc tabs would be a nice touch and at least give the owner the option but I agree that cantis are the better choice for reliability in remote areas. When was the last time you wore out a pair pads in a year or broke a canti arm?

Having said that, it’s nice to see a bike that looks like it would be comfortable to ride for more than 2 or 3 hours!

Just my uneducated guess but by sticking with canti’s, it allows them to stay in whatever price point their research says they need to stay in. That’s not to say that disc brakes would put it over the top as far as price goes but, apparently the powers-that-be for Cinelli think it’s a non-plus for the bike as it is. Plus, they may be marketing this more in other coutries that don’t put as high a value on discs. JMHO

I’m surprised to see so many people still claim that discs are unreliable – my Hope and Shimano disc brakes have not required any maintenance in more than five years apart from pad changes, and they were used off-road. Hell, if you are using Hope or other systems using DOT5 fluid, you are more likely to find brake fluids than brake cables in many parts of the world, since rod brakes and foot brakes are pretty much the standard in large part of the developing world. If you are worried about breaking hoses (which rarely happens anyway), bring a piece of hose plus hardware, they weigh next to nothing anyway. It’s also pretty silly to single out discs as we are talking about a bike with STIs and external BB.

Although I must say it’s very nice to see Cinelli at least trying again- they haven’t really been relevant for nearly two decades now (if you discount the track bikes they sold to the fixed gear crowd, and all the NOS stuff), and mostly stayed alive as an also-ran who made so-so parts and boring mediocre aluminium frames. They use to be such a design-focused company, remember the stems? The XA, the Sesamo, the Alter? The Spinacci? That’s not even mentioning the iconic Laser.

Love it, but it needs disks. Mechanical disks are EVERYWHERE.

@Mudrock – Totally agree with the rim wear comment. For me, that’s one of the biggest benefits of disk brakes, you can have a really nice, expensive wheelset that doesn’t wear, even after years of use, just general upkeep and bearing changes. no need to worry about expensive re-builds or new wheelsets as the rims wear.

I’m surprised it’s taken this long for disks to be accepted on road / touring / cross bikes although the component choices are still slightly limited.

It seems to be that mountain bikers who have seen the “disk break light” are all for them, where as the roadies don’t think it’s necessary, interesting debate.

PIAS’s scarab has been released, and if you’re talking disc brakes, yesthe frame cauld handle both

Disc brakes are just a pain! when Rim Brakes are the biggist disc brake you can run on a bicycle!
In the end a well set up rim brake is the best for Touring and to ride across Africa, Please read a well set up rim brake as most people ride bicycles with brakes Not set up right!
I have been lucky to ride in Tour d’Afrique and there is No need for disc brakes, a pain when the sand is blowing and dirt getting into the workings of disc brake was a pain.

Disc brakes stop the hub, that is it. Then it is the job of the spokes and rim to stop the bike. Let me know when the nipples start pulling out, breaking, etc.

Hi, Really interested in picking this or a similar bike up. The frame looks close to perfect.
My 2 cents worth is this:
I’d like to see more makers having the frame ready for both disc & canti brakes.
+ (or at least), Having both types of fork available too (painted the right color etc.).
Personally I’d go for canti front & disc rear.
Having Forks strengthened to handle discs, increasing rigidity & will make the ride less comfortable. Anything to put off numb fingers has to be a good thing. I suspect the previous post might be speaking of this issue. Of course, that isn’t a problem for frame mounted discs. Thorn Bikes have taken this into consideration, but these guys are just too expensive for my liking.
If there’s any bike makers reading – please help.