Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Introducing: Blue Steel

227557227559227554227555227556227558

The N+1 has arrived! It's amazing!

11-34 rear cassette.
48/36/26 crank
cyclocross cantilevers
Shimano 105 shifters
700x40 tires
Brooks Saddle.


Took it for a 22 mile test ride, it fits like a glove. The STI levers had a 5 minute learning curve; in less than a mile they seemed perfectly natural to me, despite having never used them before. Some wicked 30mph winds today, but amazingly I averaged 2mph faster than I normally do in these winds.


Since taking the pictures I've installed my Garmin GSC-10 and my Revelate Tangle Bag. Debating whether to install a rack on the bike at this point in time. Eventually I'll need one for long distance rides, and a front rack for touring, but those are probably next-year changes.

Additionally I'm still debating whether to go with fenders or not. They've proven to be amazing in the rain, and last time I cleaned my MTB's drivetrain pre-fender it was absolutely disgusting. I'll probably end up getting them to be honest. When I do it'll be SKS Longboards, probably silver, unless someone can convince me that black will look better.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/129687451

http://cdn.fd.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Zoolander-Blue-Steel.jpg

I shouldn't even be talking about it...

Enjoy! Welcome to the Surly Cult brother.

http://cdn.fd.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Zoolander-Blue-Steel.jpg

I shouldn't even be talking about it...

Heh heh heh.

I was trying to think of a clever name. Blue Steel is cool because it's simple, accurate... and funny :)

Nice bike. Where you're riding, fenders definitely :)

Flip It!


beautiful bike bro. Its just begging to be taken on a century or double century ;)

question, the gearing seems on the low side? why is that?

I like it! :)


question, the gearing seems on the low side? why is that?

He's got a range of about 20 to 120 GI. Good enough for pretty much everything. :thumb:

great bike! Are you going to commute with it? I have a road bike as well and I used a simple seat post rack with a clip in bontrager bag. Works good for now. I dont have fenders on that bike yet and not sure I will since it is not my commuting bike.

Flip It!


Heh...



beautiful bike bro. Its just begging to be taken on a century or double century ;)


Century next April or May. 200k by June I think. We'll see how it goes.




question, the gearing seems on the low side? why is that?

It works for me, but I'm still experimenting really. I want to be able to go up big hills on this thing, and based on my current MTB gearing I wanted to go below 22 GI on the low end. Originally I specced it out with a 22t low gear, aftermarket, and a 12-30 cassette, but the shop couldn't find the cassette for me and opted to keep 26/34 as the low gear.

In my cruising gear, the middle ring, with a cadence in the range of 70-100, I can hit a speed range of 6mph to 27mph. Given that I cannot sustain 25mph on flats for more than a few seconds right now, 27mph is high enough that I can grow into it over the next year.

The big gear I'll use for descents, as I can hit up to 36mph@100rpm in the highest gear.

If there comes a time where I can use the large gear regularly on flats, I'll consider going for a larger crank, but for now this current gearing is more than adequate for my current fitness level. I don't think I would have been very happy with higher gearing.

great bike! Are you going to commute with it? I have a road bike as well and I used a simple seat post rack with a clip in bontrager bag. Works good for now. I dont have fenders on that bike yet and not sure I will since it is not my commuting bike.

Nope. Sadly my commuting career is now over, as my office has closed and I'll be working from home from now on. I get to take this thing out for fun on lunch breaks though :)

Nice ride! Welcome to the club.
Silver fenders look great on the blue LHTs! I've seen some Honjo hammered aluminum fenders that are very nice looking,
but the Longboards are an excellent choice.
Also it's a touring bike, it's supposed to have low gearing; and don't flip it if it fits.
I saw an LHT at the LBS not long ago with the stem flipped down; it looked ridiculous, but I guess it worked for the owner.

So, the 105 brifters work well with cantis? Line pull wise I mean. I notice that there's no Travel Agents on there.

So, the 105 brifters work well with cantis? Line pull wise I mean. I notice that there's no Travel Agents on there.

Yeah they work alright. Wanted to go with V-brakes but they're long-pull and brifters are short-pull. Decided to avoid travel agents and go with canti's, which are short-pull and thus don't need the travel agents.

Braking power isn't as strong as v-brakes of course, but that's to be expected. Still getting used to the hand position too, I'm used to pulling with all 4 fingers, not with just 2.

Looks like a really sweet ride. Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/1PhUAUsGuu4

Congrats on the bike!

Nice bike! I've put 6500 miles on my LHT and still love it. You'll love yours too.

Flip It!


beautiful bike bro. Its just begging to be taken on a century or double century ;)

question, the gearing seems on the low side? why is that?

It's a touring bicycle. It's a bike designed to carry heavy loads long distances and up climbs. Think of a long-haul truck.... oh, wait..... :-)

The N+1 has arrived! It's amazing!
Great looking bike. :thumb:

Enjoy it :)

It's a touring bicycle. It's a bike designed to carry heavy loads long distances and up climbs. Think of a long-haul truck.... oh, wait..... :-)

:roflmao2::lol::roflmao2:

Sweet looking ride!

I think black fenders would look nice with that set-up, since everything else is black. Also, they will be less conspicuous over the tires.

It works for me, but I'm still experimenting really. I want to be able to go up big hills on this thing, and based on my current MTB gearing I wanted to go below 22 GI on the low end. Originally I specced it out with a 22t low gear, aftermarket, and a 12-30 cassette, but the shop couldn't find the cassette for me and opted to keep 26/34 as the low gear.

i guess some missed the tongue-in-cheek with the "flip it" ;)

I my brain didnt correlate the LHT, gearing, and the true purpose of the touring bike. plus i forget at times other people actually have hills on their roads as i am from the land flat like a white girls booty.

Who ever mentioned silver fenders, is spot on. chrome with that blue will be sick.