Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: My Custom Built Surly Disc Trucker

« on: March 23, 2016, 04:04:00 pm »

Thanks Woodrowstar, I will check that out.

I finally got a bit of free time to put some miles on my new bike.  I gotta say, for a bike that doesn't fit me it is one of the most comfortable bikes I have ever been on.  I covered 75.58 miles with it yesterday (49.63) and today (25.95).  I was not loaded on any of these miles as my shipment of panniers will be here tomorrow.  Hopefully I will get to use them next week as I plan to do the Va Capital Trail.

Nothing really to report other than two adjustments that were made.  I had to raise the seat a little and trim the stays for the front fender, other than that what a comfortable ride.

During the whole process I knew what I wanted and built what I wanted.  I am happy to say that it turned out great.  At the end of the day that is really all that matters as it’s my money and I'm the one riding it.  Thanks for all of the advice, thoughts, and comments.

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General Discussion / Re: My Custom Built Surly Disc Trucker

« on: March 20, 2016, 08:27:59 pm »

No doubt Dave, I was part of a couple of the discussions.  I read a lot here and some other places to.   Like anything else you can get slightly different answers depending on who you ask, the reasons are to many to speculate here.

Thanks for taking the time to post Russ.  I do agree with your assessment and thoughts on proper bike fit.  It is my opinion that you are correct, I was thinking maybe you had some information I was unaware of. 

I have a Cannondale Super Six Ultegra Di2 in 54cm.  This bike was correctly fitted to me and that fitting came with a spec sheet to re-set things if I ever got them out of whack.  I am very comfortable on that bike and have rode many miles on it.  Bike MS 2014 I did back to back centuries, 200 miles in 2 days and the bike was great...what a proper fitting bike should feel like.  If I could find anything that would feel better I would be shocked, so I agree about that feel right and the feel wrong thing as you are right on the money with that.

I wanted the Trucker and I was aware that there were other options out there.  I read a bunch about the size of the bike and there were varying opinions across the board.  Many guys that were 5'10" like me said they fit fine on their 56cm Trucker.  Now, you and I know there are many variables that come into play when we are talking about bike fit and height is just one small part of the equation.  With that said, there was enough information out there that I felt comfortable moving forward on the 56cm.

When you line the Trucker up with my other bikes (I have a Specialized Epic Comp as well) all of the saddles are pretty much at the exact height.  In my shop I have them all parked beside each other in stands and this is easy to see.  The top tube on the Trucker is a little bit higher than the Super Six's top tube, and the handlebars are higher.  Of course the position for the two bikes are different, more aggressive on the Super Six and more upright on the Trucker.  The saddle heights are the same though.

So far the bike feels good.  I don't feel like I am reaching to far at all, I really don't and steering has not been an issue.  When I am standing over it I am ok to do so flat footed.  I have only ridden the bike down my street so I cannot say to you for sure that the bike will be a comfortable fit but right now it feels great.  When I get home Tuesday I plan to ride 35 miles or so unloaded and I will jump back on and report my findings.  I hope I didn't screw up because I really like this bike and I am hoping to make it work.  I know what right feels like on a bike, I should have a better idea on Tuesday.

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General Discussion / Re: My Custom Built Surly Disc Trucker

« 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.   

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Gear Talk / Re: Compatible front rack for a Trek 520 disc

« on: March 20, 2016, 10:40:57 am »

I saw the same thing Dave is talking about from Old Man Mountain.  I ran into the same problem with my Disc Trucker.  We used spacers for the front Surly Nice rack to fit.  I have yet to try it but I think its gonna work fine.  Good luck.

5

General Discussion / Re: So I bought a bike now which panniers?

« on: March 20, 2016, 10:27:26 am »

Another vote for Ortlieb.  I used the Back Roller Classic rear panniers on my GAP/C&O ride and they performed perfectly.  I had the yellow color and just sold them on eBay last week.  My new order will be here this Thursday for my Disc Trucker in charcoal/black color, this matches my new orange frame better. I know, I know, color really?  I spent so much time building the Trucker I thought what the heck.....and the OT at work is crazy so I work a bunch when I want a new toy.  I have the Front Rollers, Back Rollers, Ultimate 6 Handlebar bag, and a Rack Pack on the way, can't wait. I don't think you can go wrong with Ortlieb, whichever way you go good luck on your decision. 

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General Discussion / Re: My Custom Built Surly Disc Trucker

« on: March 20, 2016, 08:59:29 am »

Thanks Ron, I thought about that when I put it on there.  The frame was professionally stripped down to metal and powder coated, no paint.  With that said, as tough as the powder coat is I may run into trouble down the road with the vibration of it riding there, I don't know.  Like Dave said it is heavy.  In my case the build was going to come out heavy anyway, we will see how that plays out down the road.  Coming from my carbon race bike it feels like I am lifting a Sherman Tank.

Thanks to the people here that helped when I was asking questions during the build.  I got the occasional response of, "If you don't know what you are doing why are you building a bike".  Totally unnecessary but you take the good with the bad and move forward.  For the most part everyone here was very helpful, and I think the bike turned out great.  It rides great and looks just like I wanted it to.  Thanks.

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General Discussion / Re: My Custom Built Surly Disc Trucker

« on: March 19, 2016, 10:07:55 pm »

Thanks.  Yep, Its a Zefal HPX Classic Aluminum Pump.  I bought mine from eBay, but there are other places to buy it from.  I saw them on www.chainreactioncycles.com for around $28.

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General Discussion / My Custom Built Surly Disc Trucker

« on: March 19, 2016, 04:32:13 pm »

I finally got the custom 2015 Surly Disc Trucker built.  I think she turned out great!  What do you guys think?

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Classifieds / Re: WTB: Wheel set for Surly Disc Trucker

« on: March 14, 2016, 09:25:29 pm »

OK, i thought I would ask.  Im having some built.  Thanks.

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Classifieds / WTB: Wheel set for Surly Disc Trucker

« on: March 04, 2016, 04:13:18 pm »

I am looking for a set of 700C wheels that will fit my Surly Disc Trucker, preferably black.  Please give me a shout if you have any for sale.  Thanks.
fiveonomo@yahoo.com

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General Discussion / Re: Down Tube Shifters

« on: January 10, 2016, 08:25:13 pm »

Robo......my thoughts exactly.  Although I am at the beginning of my first build your post says exactly what I think.  Thanks for the post.

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Gear Talk / Re: Peter White Cycles

« on: January 07, 2016, 05:54:42 pm »

Thanks Pat.  I am a heavier guy as well so I am concerned about the weight.  I filled out a form and gave him my true weight plus what I thought I may be carrying.  He will build the wheels to my specs so hopefully they would serve me well.

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Gear Talk / Peter White Cycles

« on: January 07, 2016, 04:19:45 pm »

Anyone ever had a set of wheels built by Peter?  I am curious to hear any feedback.  I sent in a quote for some touring wheels and got it back pretty quick.  They are pretty pricey but you get what you pay for I guess.  I also asked for a power generating hub and he worked in the SON28 front hub.  I am leaning on going this route just thought I would like to hear from anyone who has had some built by him before.

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General Discussion / Re: Down Tube Shifters

« on: January 05, 2016, 09:57:49 pm »

Im sold on them Dave, gonna be ordering a set real soon.

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General Discussion / Re: Down Tube Shifters

« on: January 05, 2016, 03:54:14 pm »

All valid points Pat.  I do agree that tearing one down you have bought is easier than building from nothing, as you stated everything goes together because it came that way.  If I had not had my other bikes to ride now I would have probably bought one off the floor like my other bikes.  I have to admit I am getting anxious with the bike on the work stand and parts coming in, all part of building one I guess.  Either way, thanks for the thoughts and your point of view.  This site and you guys are very helpful through this process.