Surly

[Catrin]

So exciting! Hope you'll be posting some pictures soon. Enjoy your first ride.

I did, see them here http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...738#post500738

[moderncyclista]

Okay Catrin, you started something.

I just ordered a 46cm for myself as my new "Bad Weather" bike. I had to find a way to justify it. *grins* If I sell my Aurora great. If not I'll have three bikes which might tick off the s/o, but what're ya gonna do? Anyways, I'm pretty stoked. I blame you for making me seriously consider it. Well, wish me luck. I have to wait until the 1st week of June for them to come back in stock and then a little bit after that until I can take it home. Eeep. Here goes nothin'.

[Catrin]

Okay Catrin, you started something.

I just ordered a 46cm for myself as my new "Bad Weather" bike. I had to find a way to justify it. *grins* If I sell my Aurora great. If not I'll have three bikes which might tick off the s/o, but what're ya gonna do? Anyways, I'm pretty stoked. I blame you for making me seriously consider it. Well, wish me luck. I have to wait until the 1st week of June for them to come back in stock and then a little bit after that until I can take it home. Eeep. Here goes nothin'.

Oooooh, "Bad Weather Bike" I LIKE it My issues with the bars/shifters aside I do love this bike - The 46cm frame is cool too - though it is interesting how everyone who has seen it so far always comments on how small it is - I suppose that it is

Maybe the S.O. will accept that you have to have a back-up bike? Are you going for the blue or the black?

[moderncyclista]

Oooooh, "Bad Weather Bike" I LIKE it My issues with the bars/shifters aside I do love this bike - The 46cm frame is cool too - though it is interesting how everyone who has seen it so far always comments on how small it is - I suppose that it is

Maybe the S.O. will accept that you have to have a back-up bike? Are you going for the blue or the black?

Yeah. People always comment on how small my bikes are anyways. *chuckle*
I'm 5'3'' so I get that a lot.

I went for the blue. I couldn't get over how nice your bike looked. Black is always a color for bikes, but blue doesn't come around in a shade I like very often. Fenders will be mounted first and I have a beat up rack that was on one of my old bikes until I can get a quality one. The bars/shifters are already good for me. I like bar ends. I like utility bikes. I didn't want to give in to it, but I did.

[Catrin]

Yeah. People always comment on how small my bikes are anyways. *chuckle*
I'm 5'3'' so I get that a lot.

I went for the blue. I couldn't get over how nice your bike looked. Black is always a color for bikes, but blue doesn't come around in a shade I like very often. Fenders will be mounted first and I have a beat up rack that was on one of my old bikes until I can get a quality one. The bars/shifters are already good for me. I like bar ends. I like utility bikes. I didn't want to give in to it, but I did.

It is interesting that, to my eye at least, my Trek 7.6 looks MUCH bigger than Sully does - until I park them next to each other it is just the geometry that makes the Trek look larger.

I WAS getting racks and fenders this week, until I decide to convert it to riser bars and trigger shifters... the racks will have to wait a bit... I am glad you like bar ends - and they probably would have been fine if I had a few years experience, but I don't want to wait that long to ride my lovely steel steed!

I have learned that Surly seems to have a problem with sending the wrong size brake levers with the smallest sizes, might want to give your LBS the heads up. I will also have 48cm Salsa Poco bars for sale in a couple of weeks in case you don't want the 50cm that comes with it .... Just saying

[Chicken Little]

I'm getting a fitting tomorrow for something "Surly" but will pay for the build with the components I want. In a perfect world, with the right stuff and a ton of $$, how light would you guys guess you could build up a cross check?

[moderncyclista]

I went stock components as Surly offers pretty good stuff stock. I will have to get a new saddle (I'm sure) and a few other finicky tweaks but other than that I think I'll be pretty happy. Surly fever is apparently catching. I still recommend the 520. I'm never getting rid of that bike. It is mine forever. Loves. If I love my Surly half-as-much it will be with me for a loooong time.

I have no idea on the Cross-Check frame weight. It's steel so it'll never be as light as carbon obviously. But I would imagine, if your budget is limitless - you're golden.

[Blueberry]

I'm getting a fitting tomorrow for something "Surly" but will pay for the build with the components I want. In a perfect world, with the right stuff and a ton of $$, how light would you guys guess you could build up a cross check?

With a carbon fork - I think probably 21-22 lbs. The frame is heavy, but not *that* heavy. It's only a pound or so heavier than the really light stuff. Of course, you'd be dropping serious coin on the fork and components.

[Catrin]

Okay Catrin, you started something.

I just ordered a 46cm for myself as my new "Bad Weather" bike. I had to find a way to justify it. *grins* If I sell my Aurora great. If not I'll have three bikes which might tick off the s/o, but what're ya gonna do? Anyways, I'm pretty stoked. I blame you for making me seriously consider it. Well, wish me luck. I have to wait until the 1st week of June for them to come back in stock and then a little bit after that until I can take it home. Eeep. Here goes nothin'.

Do you have it yet? I am looking forward to hear what you think of your lovely new steed. The conversion is complete for mine - and while I haven't been able to take it out for a REAL ride yet (hopefully later today) I can already tell that the fit issues are much, much, much better. They better be considering what the conversion cost...

New pics on this thread http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...932#post512932

[moderncyclista]

It should arrive this week. *squeeee* I am beyond excited. I'll keep you posted. At first they thought they weren't going to get it. I was nervous. I guess Surly is having trouble meeting demand. *meep*

[Catrin]

It should arrive this week. *squeeee* I am beyond excited. I'll keep you posted. At first they thought they weren't going to get it. I was nervous. I guess Surly is having trouble meeting demand. *meep*

Now that MY LHT fits me I can see why they are having problems meeting the demand - it is a fantastic bike! My Trek pales in comparison...but it isn't fair to compare the two bikes as they are so different.

Looking forward to hearing about your new bike

[moderncyclista]

Update: I went to the bike shop and picked up my Surly 46cm. It was lovely. Except for one thing, the drive train chattered excessively and made a grinding noise during coasting. I took it back to the shop. Defective Free Hub is the diagnosis. I will hopefully get it back on Monday. When I do I'll try and snap some pics. Has rack, bottle cages, and ill fitting but functional fenders. The stock saddle is a vadge-bruiser, I will replace it shortly. (I can't find any good fenders for Surly's 26'' wheels. Alot of people say there are, but when I read the reviews for them it's a disappointment) Point being, me and my Surly (as of yet un-named I need to ride him more than once) hit a slight snag - but will be on the right track shortly.

Footnote: I've owned a Jamis, Surly, and a couple Treks. So far the Trek 520 has been the most maintenance/problem free.

[Catrin]

Did you get the proper short-reach brake levers? They sent the wrong levers with mine - and apparently it is a common mistake Surly makes when shipping the smaller frames.

I need to get fenders and a rack for my boy as well - please post your final choice for the fenders. I am going to discuss this with my LBS, and need to find a decent rack that won't weigh 3 lbs but be strong enough for what I would realistically carry. I have a very stripped down budget for such things right now...