Messages

16

General Discussion / Re: Down Tube Shifters

« on: January 05, 2016, 02:07:46 pm »

Thanks Russ.  I understand the difference, you just can't tell the sarcasm because we are on computer screens.....a point i made earlier.  I abused mountain bikes for 15-20 years with no issues on any shifter I used, made the switch to road and again, no issues.  With all of the options out there I just like the Gevenalle shifters, at least I think I do, I wanna try them.   If I was worried about the money I would have bought the bike off the floor.  Im already in the neighborhood of $1200 and I think the Disk Trucker built is around $1500.  Im no where close to having this thing ready and I have almost spent what it would cost for a new one.  Frame and Powdercoat alone was $809.

17

General Discussion / Re: Down Tube Shifters

« on: January 05, 2016, 10:17:41 am »

Ahh Pat, my friend.  There are people who do and people who sit in the corner and wish they do.  You see, I am not sure exactly what it takes to build up a bike as I have never done it.  I absolutely will never know if I do not try.  With your train of thought we would never have any bike mechanics or anyone able to assemble a bike.  I do not know of any mechanics that jumped out of the womb and began building bikes or headed off to UBI, one must crawl before they walk.  I can assure you that I can build the bike and it will be done correctly when I'm finished, or I will do it over until it is correct.  It is very easy to just buy things these days, which I could easily do but I want to understand it and what better way than to build it.  I have never been the guy in the corner, no I like to be the guy at the tip of the spear.  Just think had Christopher Columbus had those thoughts, General Patton, Chris Kyle, etc.  What a boring world it would be.  When I left for Marine Corps Boot camp in the early 90's all of my friends sat in the corner to scared to take that step, man I would hate to be that safe, or scared I guess.

All I do know for sure right now is it's a bicycle.  At the end of the day I am not trying to build a space shuttle......just a bike.  I use this site as a tool along with many other tools.  It's hard to get your points across or see the emotion in a persons eyes when they are behind a computer screen.  I am sure if we knew each other you would understand that this bike will be pretty nice when completed.  I ask a lot of questions.  I gather as much intel on a topic as I can, sometimes I may stay on one thing to long.  Once I think I have enough I make my decision off of the totality of the facts, then execute my plan. 

This site is a very valuable tool for me, one of many.  I respect the opinions of its members and for the most part I get a lot of good stuff from it.  Your opinion of the situation here is incorrect and I do not want this thread to take a turn off topic which it has.  We will stop right here and right the ship and keep this thread polite, fun, and informative.     Now with all of that out of the way lets get back to a much more educational thread, leave the opinions and random thoughts for another time.

18

General Discussion / Re: Down Tube Shifters

« on: January 04, 2016, 06:40:12 pm »

Awesome, thanks Dave.  Your information pretty much matches what the guys over at Gevenalle said.  Maybe I will be riding this thing before June.  Gonna look at wheels next.  Thanks for the help.

19

General Discussion / Re: Down Tube Shifters

« on: January 04, 2016, 05:21:59 am »

Dave, do you know what retroshift models you are using?  If I am understanding correctly I would use the CXV for long pull Avid BB7 brakes.

20

General Discussion / Re: Down Tube Shifters

« on: January 03, 2016, 05:57:03 pm »

Thanks Dave.  After I responded to your post I went back and looked at them and remembered I had sent them an email a few months ago.  The company responded quickly and told me that basically they will work with almost any combination, just like you are saying.  He said to figure out what I am going with (crankset, deralier, cogs, etc) and he could point me in the right direction as to what shifter would fit my set up.  I really like the looks of these.  Thanks again Dave.

21

General Discussion / Re: Down Tube Shifters

« on: January 03, 2016, 01:50:54 pm »

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and input.  Dave B., I have seen the "Retroshift" (now renamed Gevenalle) shifters and thought about going that way.  It sounds like you like them, maybe I need to look at them again.  I'm guessing they will work with my crankset I have chosen.  It sure was a whole lot easier to buy the bike built but i'm learning a lot and having fun along the way.

22

General Discussion / Re: Down Tube Shifters

« on: January 01, 2016, 09:07:05 pm »

OK, maybe your right.  Thanks, I will keep you posted.

23

General Discussion / Re: Down Tube Shifters

« on: January 01, 2016, 08:14:53 pm »

Thanks Ron, this thing is a little tricky.  Maybe I should go back to the drawing board for a different crankset.  I sure hope I have this thing built before June.

24

General Discussion / Re: Down Tube Shifters

« on: January 01, 2016, 12:36:43 pm »

OK guys thanks for all of the thoughts and experience, I really appreciate the feedback.  Maybe I should forget the down tube shifters and move on.  I am getting ready to buy, today at some point, my crankset.  I am going with the Shimano Deore FC-M590 Bike Crankset 9 spd 175mm 44/32/22 w/ BB Cups Black Cranks.  I have read a bunch of things on this and this should work and fit well.  Will it work with Brifters, bar end shifters, etc?  I am thinking it will but thought i would ask before I make the purchase.  As always thanks for the input.

25

General Discussion / Down Tube Shifters

« on: December 30, 2015, 07:58:50 pm »

I have touched on this briefly in another thread but I thought I would start a one just for them.  Is there anyone out there using down tube shifters?  In the last thread a few of the members here said do not use them for various reasons.  I still see pictures on the net with them on bikes of all kinds so I'm wondering......someone has to be using them. 

For those of you with them what do you like and dislike about them?  I'd love to hear from you if you were using them but switched.  I have to say I love the way they look and the appear to be very simple to maintain and work on.  Thanks in advance.

26

General Discussion / Re: Surly LHT/Disc Trucker

« on: December 30, 2015, 03:20:27 pm »

Thanks a lot Russ.  I think that is the route I am going, very nice price as well.  Thanks for the link, I've never ordered from overseas but I think I might give it a shot.  I don't know much about the Hollowtech BB that it comes with.  Will that BB fit my surly?  Any advice on the cassette?  I may order that as well.   9 speed 11-32?  9 speed 11-36?  I know I am asking a bunch of what may seem like silly questions to you but its just me, a park tools manual and youtube.  Im learning as I go.  This site has been very helpful as well with folks like yourself sharing their knowledge and experience.  Thanks a ton for taking the time to respond to my posts, I really appreciate it.

27

General Discussion / Re: Surly LHT/Disc Trucker

« on: December 30, 2015, 07:09:27 am »

Performance has the Shimano M442 Crankset 22-32-44 for $49.99.  Good reviews including a guy who put it on a Surly LHT and has nothing but good to say about it.  Save some money maybe...I don't know.

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General Discussion / Re: Surly LHT/Disc Trucker

« on: December 29, 2015, 06:48:33 pm »

Not sure Russ, can't seem to find what you suggested.  I would like to stay with Shimano if I could.  I would like to stay around $200 if I could.  I would like the whole crank color to be black, or mostly black.  The color seems insignificant but I'm building it so why not build what I want.  If you get a chance please let fill me in on what you suggested Russ.  This whole crankset choice thing is a little tougher than I thought it would be.

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General Discussion / Re: Surly LHT/Disc Trucker

« on: December 27, 2015, 10:06:38 pm »

Alright guys, I may have found my crankset.  I am looking at the Shimano Deore M590 9Speed Crankset, 26-36-48.  Can this be considered a touring crankset?  I like the reviews on it and the price is good.  My touring will be most of the time loaded down.  Not sure about the terrain as I have many places I want to go ride.  I look forward to hearing from you all.  Thanks.

30

General Discussion / Re: Surly LHT/Disc Trucker

« on: December 26, 2015, 10:14:47 pm »

Got my bike back from the powder coat company and man this thing looks great.  I will try to post a picture real soon.  I got the headset as well, along with my spacers and my brass bell from Velo Orange.  Now I have Christmas and birthday money and I want to purchase the Chain set/BB.  SO many choices I just still am not sure where to start.