I started looking at what they had online and there was nothing that fit exactly what I was looking for so I thought I might just get the Pacer and use it for riding around town.
Then I saw this Straggler bike pop up on the Surly website. It met my 3 criteria:
1. Road bikish.
2. Horizontal dropouts
3. Disc brake compatible
Believe it or not this is a very difficult combo to find.
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So I emailed the Surly and got in touch with Tyler and let him know what size I wanted. From there the frame got delayed (for everyone) and things took longer than expected (It happens).
yesterday I got an email from Tyler that they would be sending me the frame. I jumped online and started ordering the bits and pieces that I would need to complete the bike and have it rolling. At present time I think all I need it a headset and to get the front wheel I have at home trued.
I'm going to post pictures of the frame, parts, and the build process as this will be the first bike that I have put together from start to finish and will post updates in this blog. I'll try and change the title when I add things, I'm not quite sure how it all works out yet.
Hopefully the bike arrives soon and I can get working on it.
***11/30 Update***
Got in the remainder if the parts that I think I will need. Now just waiting for the frame.
I was at One on One today and saw a complete build in person. I don't care for the glitter dreams color and with black components the bike didn't look that great to me.
What did look great was this bike, as well as the price tag ($1550) however, no disc brakes and lower level components had me over it quickly. Still a great looking bike though.
***12/13 Update***
I had to send another email to Surly to see if the bike had shipped or what was going on and it seems like it got forgotten in the basement. Irregardless, less than 24 hours later the Straggler was delivered to my front door.
I opened it up and found this beauty waiting inside:
Shortly after opening it I had to get Cooper to hockey at West Side Arena, so after I dropped him off I went over to the Lowertown Bike Shop to have the headset installed. This is a volunteer shop and the guy working when I got there said he had never installed one before and that it would be a few days before someone could get to it. I'm not gonna lie, I'm nervous about the bike sitting there for a few days. It's nice to support places like this, but when it takes a while and there are volunteers going in and out of the store who knows what could happen to it. I might go pick it up after work and bring it somewhere else...
I almost forgot. I got a steal of a deal on ebay the other day. I picked up this lightly used carbon crankset and bottom bracket for $61.00. I'm sticking with the single speed build for this bike so I am going to ditch the current rings and get a new 48t to go on it.
There has not been much going on towards the actual building up of the bike. I got the headset pressed in and then dropped off my front wheel for truing. They called me back and said that they were unable to get it true since it was so far out of whack. So I went online and got a decent set of 29er wheels for $125, about the same cost as getting a new rim, spoke, and having it built up. The one catch is that the front wheel is for a thru axle so I will have to buy an adapter for $21.
I am putting a carbon fork on the bike rather than the heavy steel one. The problem with that is it says "Bianchi" in large white letters on both sides. After inspecting it I could see that it is a sticker that is under clear coat. So I messaged a guy I know from high school because he works at an auto paint shop. He told be that he can strip, prime, and paint is for a bottle of Jameson. Done deal. I should be getting that back soon.
The only thing left that I think I need to buy is a single speed chain ring. The cranks have a 130 BCD so I will probably get a 48t. 48x16 is good for around town and 48x20 maybe if I ride some gravel, Maybe buy a 22t as well since it is cheaper than buying another chainring.
That is about it for now. Hopefully the next post will include a functioning bike.
***1/10 Update***
Almost a month into the build and it is almost complete. The new wheels are in and the 15mm through axles appears to be working great. I taped up the left bar, but still have to do the right. I thought that I would be good at it since I've probably taped a hockey stick 1000 times, but I wasn't the best. The wrap was always even and looked good, however I kept running out of tape. 4th times and charm and it looks good. I kind of messed up the ending though. Hopefully the second one goes better.
I also installed the brake cables. Not much to say about that.
For my birthday I got a new Surly 44t chainring. It is in the mail so that should be installed early next week. I think that the 44t will be more versatile than the 48t and I won't have to ever change it.
I also have a pair of bolt on skewers in the mail. I think that they make for a cleaner look than QR's.
I got the fork back from the paint shop, and it looks great. I think that it will really shine in the sun. In the picture it looks like an exact match, but if you look close there are some blue and silver flakes.
The stem is a little long so I will have to get that cut and have the star nut re-positioned.
I promise the next post will be a complete build...
By the way, the frame bag that Troy made for my San Jose Pro fits the Straggler nicely.
***1/23 Update***
The build is complete! Got all the parts together finally. Had to get the steer tube cut and install the new chainring.
Awesome, I'm thinking of getting one of these as well. It will be cool to see how yours comes along....later DR
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