Post-mount vs flat-mount, 12 vs 15 mm
04. Mar ’17
General
In one of the previous UPDATES, Geraint asked: "I'm sure you've written elsewhere that you didn't like 12mm or flat mount, Gerard? Why the change of tack?"
Since others may wonder the same thing, here is the explanation.
I don't like new standards when they aren't really necessary. Post-mount works fine, so why do we need flat-mount? We don't. I think it's quite a cynical way to screw over consumers. But I can't singlehandedly stop the introduction of flat-mount, so when it is there and when for example Shimano makes the new DuraAce only with flat-mount brakes, Andy and I need to make an assessment how we deal with that. So then we have 3 options in this case:
For the thru-axle, it's a similar story. 15 mm already existed and worked fine. It meant all road and mtb wheels would be inter-changeable, etc. Changing to 12 mm saves a few grams, but it doesn't outweigh that compatibility advantage in my view. But again, the industry moves towards 12 mm, it is now the standard for road disc bikes and so again Andy and I had to decide where to go.
With so many framesets and wheels coming out with 12 mm front axles, the compatibility advantage has been successfully killed. The difference in stiffness and all other technical considerations are negligible, it's another lateral move. So then it comes down to what standard we feel the most likely parts to be used on the UPPER will follow. And that's 12 mm. For the UP, it's a bit less clear-cut.
Since others may wonder the same thing, here is the explanation.
I don't like new standards when they aren't really necessary. Post-mount works fine, so why do we need flat-mount? We don't. I think it's quite a cynical way to screw over consumers. But I can't singlehandedly stop the introduction of flat-mount, so when it is there and when for example Shimano makes the new DuraAce only with flat-mount brakes, Andy and I need to make an assessment how we deal with that. So then we have 3 options in this case:
- Start our own drivetrain company (that sounds like a lot of work for a 2-man company)
- Make our superlight frame with post-mount and force people to use something other than the lightest brakes (which then makes the complete system not so superlight)
- Make the superlight frame with flat-mount
For the thru-axle, it's a similar story. 15 mm already existed and worked fine. It meant all road and mtb wheels would be inter-changeable, etc. Changing to 12 mm saves a few grams, but it doesn't outweigh that compatibility advantage in my view. But again, the industry moves towards 12 mm, it is now the standard for road disc bikes and so again Andy and I had to decide where to go.
With so many framesets and wheels coming out with 12 mm front axles, the compatibility advantage has been successfully killed. The difference in stiffness and all other technical considerations are negligible, it's another lateral move. So then it comes down to what standard we feel the most likely parts to be used on the UPPER will follow. And that's 12 mm. For the UP, it's a bit less clear-cut.