Rim’ed — THE POGGIO

I am by all accounts a neo retro grouch. Why neo? Well you won’t hear me drag on about the ride quality of a steel bicycle, or long for the days of downtube shifters. My first road bike was steel and did have downtube shifters, but I love my traditional bend bars, and will always have a place in my heart for 32 spoke training wheels. The mid-2000s shaped me as a cyclist, and more specially, a competitive cyclist, it is the traditions and styles from this generation I relate to the most. I love innovation. Gear is what makes cycling one of the coolest sports. It pairs human power, with technical innovation. That said, I still love rim brakes.

The Poggio will offer rim brake models as long as the market, and suppliers allow it.

This might not be for much longer, but however long it is, I am proud that The Poggio will offer all of our models in disc and rim brake. This post isn’t about how I think rim brakes are better: discs are great for lot of applications and people. Below are some of my grumblings as a neo retro grouch.

-A simpler design. I prefer rim brakes because they are simpler: less parts, less weight, less fuss. As fantastic as disc brakes can be, nothing is worse than hearing the slightest rub, or worse than a discs deafening scream.

-The QR. When The Poggio released our disc model, there was no doubt at all it would use thru axles. After a year of riding and racing a disc braked bike, I realized what a fantastic part the humble quick release is. Tullio really figured this shit out. Wheels taken on and off easily, no tool needed, the quick release is awesome. Things are starting to get a bit more standardized, but honestly, why are there so many thru axle lengths, and thread pitches? It can be more annoying figuring out the thru axle you need than a press fit BB adaptor. Also, who is supposed to include the locking? Wheel maker, component maker?!

-Travel. When I travel with my bike I want the simplest setup, I do not want to leave anything to chance. If I have a problem with my rim brake, there is likely a simple easy solution.

Custom bikes center around enthusiast’s preferences. This is why I believe it is so important for The Poggio to offer frames in rim and disc brakes. I am also super proud that The Poggio frame sets some with direct mount rim brakes. Why Direct mount? Yes another ‘standard’, sorry not everyone is perfect. I believe direct mount rim brakes are the superior version rim brakes. Direct mount brakes won’t misalign, and provide marginally more stopping power, as well as more tire clearance.