Surly Build-Up: Before Picture
Here's my Surly CrossCheck that I'll be building up. It just got painted after installing S&S bicycle couplers. I'll be doing some off-road riding, as well as using it as a travel bike for "light" touring. Will I need to use a "mountain" length seat tube, on account of the sloping top tube? I've ordered a set of M760 XT brakes - I hear they squeal less than the previous M750 model. I'll be using shimano ultegra STI shifters, and a set of travel agent pulleys for the V-brakes. Suggestions for gearing? Ultegra triple with 12x27 cassette is one possibility, or the ultegra triple up front and a mountain cassette, say 11 or 13x34 in the rear. But could a long cage XT derailleur handle 30 or 32 by 52? Another option is to use a mountain crankset up front with a road cassette, such as 11x23 in the rear - this would be like a "compact" crank set up. Fourth option would be xt cranks and mountain cassette in the rear - but this would probably be too low gearing for road use.
SAB