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« on: March 20, 2016, 04:38:08 pm »
Thanks Seadug, I agree with you.
Russ, to me custom meant changing what was stock to my likings or to my specs. I spoke to a frame builder at the beginning of this process and his cost was no where near what I paid for new powder coat to go on the bike, $200. I spoke to this particular builder only because my bicycle club sponsored a class he taught, then there is I did not want a custom built frame, I wanted a Surly LHT or a Disc Trucker. Therefore the bike is not an off the shelf bike and you would be hard pressed to find this exact Disc Trucker anywhere. Anything special....no, different and built the way you want it....yes. Maybe I could call it my different built Surly Disc Trucker, I don't know. Hayes CX Expert disc brakes, Shimano Tiagra components, Salsa bars, Shimano Deora crank, Hand built wheels, Surly Knard tires, Brooks seat, etc,. Several other things that I would say was built for me or to my wants. Custom is the word I used and I guess it has a different meaning to different people. You are correct that it is a off the shelf frame/fork set, but other than that it's different from stock.
Unfortunately the only way it does fit/work is like you see it. In a perfect world I ride a 54CM like my race bike that was fitted to me. I wanted my touring bike to have 700c tires and with the Surly Truckers to get the 700c tires they start at 56cm, nothing smaller. I could of looked at other bikes but I chose not to as I wanted the trucker.
I'm not sure if the fit of this bike will cause issues. When I stand flat footed straddling the top tube it barely touches the bottom of my groin area. When on the saddle and peddling I am getting the extension that I want in my legs. The position feels very comfortable, however I have not really had a chance to ride any distance. Russ can you tell me what I should be looking for with the improper fit of this bike? What issue is it going to cause for me now and down the road to ride it in the position you see it in? Way to long and low, meaning the frame is too big? Im always learning something about bicycles, I would love to hear from you on this.
I know fit is very important in a bicycle, but like so many other things sometimes we go a little overboard with don't do this or don't do that.