Thanks everyone.

Although I have to tell you Knott, there's not much left of that orginial bike. Two years ago the frame went back to Surly with a defective paint job. When I got my new frame, I switched to a whole new braking system, got a new seatpost, new fenders and new wheels. After I switch out the drivetrain, I think about all I'll have left of the orginial bike is the Brooks saddle I bought with the bike, the handlebars and the bar end shifters that I just love. Plus, for me for Christmas, I bought a Tubus rear rack and a pair of Ortlieb panniers.

I'm going with a Salsa rear cassette and front rings. My LBS guy likes them and I have options with the sizes. I'm going from 26 to 24 teeth on the small ring in front, was going to do some adding and subtracting of teeth in the back but decided to leave it the same.

I hope I can wait until spring to change things out but my DH is having to dink with it every other night to keep it going. I will have the new Chris King () headset put in as soon as it comes. The old one is pitted and grooved and again DH has taken it apart and turned it a few time to keep it from catching in the same grooves. Don't want to take a chance with the steering!

Maybe with the non-winter we seem to be having, the road crews will finally quit putting the de-icer down on the roads. It's already eaten through a set of fairly new brake pads and I'm sure it has contributed to my drivetrains demise. I quess I shouldn't complain. I've been able to commute just about every day since Jan. 1. bikerHen