Every time I read this thread, I feel warm and fuzzy inside. These bikes are so cool.

In my case, I will start out with a rear derailluer, but I would like the flexibility to switch to an IGH at a future point. It will probably take me a few years to save up the money for the IGH (I have my eye on a Rohloff).

Sounds reasonable. Do you only have to loosen the fender stays on one side or do you need to loosen them on both sides?

Both sides have to be loosened. I use the PB Hardcore fenders, which have a clamping nut at the fender attachment point, so the fender just slides up the stays. I left the stays uncut and a little longer than needed so that the nut does not come off the stay when removing the wheel.

I'm debating between the 20" and the 22". I'm 6'3", have a 33.5" inseam and 36" arms. Was wondering what size you were to get a sense whether I should get the 20" or 22".

That's a tough call. I'm 6'0" 34" inseam and ride a 58cm road bike. The 20" is a perfect fit with plenty of standover clearance, even with larger tires. You could probably find a bike with similar geometry in your LBS and see what works best. I was fortunate that my previous bike was almost the exact same geometry, so it was a no-brainer.

I think the 20" would probably be right (my very old hybrid is 58cm, but a different geometry). But, I think this recommendation makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the response!

Had a nice ride today with the Troll in road configuration for a loop of Rock Creek Park, with a stop at the cherry blossoms in full bloom at the Tidal Basin, and then back on the Capital Cresent Trail. It was a cool spring day, but at least dry and not too crowded, except at the Tidal Basin. I took picture below at a rare moment when there was a break in the crowds.

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/...ss/photocb.jpg

Interesting build. Its pretty much exactly what I have in my head other than my desire for 29in wheels and tires like the Schwalbe Big Apples. I see you're running a 700c wheel with 700x28 tires and 26" wheels with the 2.35" big apples. It doesn't look like theres any hope for fitting a 700c/29" wheel with big tires though. Could you confirm this?

Being a life long cheap-o MTB rider until I purchased a Felt road bike 3 season ago, I was pleasantly surprised by 700c tire size. I've since taken a few test rides on 29" MTBs and really like the feel compared to 26" setups. Now that I'm looking to build up a commuter to handle all types of environments (trails, urban, road, basically everything outside single track), I'd like 29" wheels. Since you ride both 26" and 700m on the same frame, can you comment on the differences? Pros/cons?

Basically I want a steel frame with accommodations for disk brakes, front/rear racks, and front/rear fenders. The accommodation for IGH is nice, but not something I've currently got planned. The Surly Troll and Salsa Fargo are the two frames I've found that come close to meeting my wants. I've read some not so positive views about the Fargo, though I've yet to ride one.

Seems like you're happy with the Troll, maybe I'll just drop my want for 29" wheels and do 26" wheels with big apples.

I had the bike out today for the first time on single track, and it was a little tough going with the Big Apples at max pressure. The tires were fully inflated because the ride to the trail and back was 15 miles of roads with only 3-4 miles of trail. It would have been much better with knobbies, a suspension fork and no fenders, but the bike was able to handle with no problem. Definitely could have used more traction at times.

There's probably enough room to fit 29" mountain tires, but I read somewhere that the result in not as good as a true 29er in handling. If you really want a 29er, then go with a bike specifically designed for that.

I'm fine with the option of 26" with Big Apples/studded tires/slicks or 700c with road tires. The advantage of 26" wheels is that they are stronger, lighter and use lighter tires/tubes and you can usually get a better deal on them. There are some situations where a 29er has its advantages. For riding on roads only the 700c wheels are noticeably faster and climb better.

Thanks for the insight. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do. I'll have to think it over some more.

What are those bar ends? Sorry if you said before but I don't see it. That looks like a handlebar set up that I could live with. Nice bike.

Those are Cane Creek bar ends with Lizardskin grips. The bar ends lock into the grips for a very solid feel. They allow multiple hand positions, and make climbing out of the saddle much easier. The handlebars are a little wider with the bar ends, but you can always cut down the bars if too wide. Personally, I like wider bars, but if I had to ride in tight spaces, the bars would definitely be cut down a couple inches.

Cool, thanks. I guess I would have to lose my bar end mirror though.

I took the Troll to Moab, it might have been the first Troll on the famous Slickrock trail. It was tough since the Alfine 11 setup I have doesn't gear down as low as most of the bikes out there with true granny gears. It was fun, though I had more fun on more moderate Moab trails.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=200118http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=200117

Haven't updated my build in a while. Recent additions are Schwalbe Marathon Supremes 700x35. Also added a Lezyne pump that mounts under the water bottle cage and a Topeak wedge. I have some Conti X-King 26x2.2 tires on order so I can ride singletrack near work. Looking at getting a suspension fork at some point.

I removed the fenders and rack with the end of the rainy season. The fenders will go back on soon, but I just felt like taking them off for a change. Even with the 700x35s, there is still plenty of clearance for fenders.

The tires are great on paved surfaces and unpaved trails. There is a tradeoff in speed compared to a skinny road tire, and comfort compared to the Big Apples, but they are the best all-around tire I have used. I'm really happy with Schwalbe tires so far.

The pictures below were taken at Swains Lock along the C&O Canal, which was totally flooded several times this year due to excessive rainfall. The NPS just replaced the picnic tables, so they are obviously expecting the flooding to be over for the year. This area was under several feet of water a few weeks ago. Enjoy.

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/...s/photo1-4.jpg

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/...s/photo2-1.jpg

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/...s/photo3-2.jpg

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/...s/photo4-1.jpg

Man! This is a hot build. Pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. I've reevaluated my wants/needs and have decided a 26" fat tire and 700c skinny tire setup will work for me. Could I ask for a rough estimate of how much it cost? (you don't have to include the various wheel/tire setups)

I probably have around $2k in the bike, not including accessories (computer/pump/bags/waterbottle cages/rack/fenders, etc.), plus an additional $500 for second wheelset (with everything including rotors, tires, tubes, cassette). All was purchased new within the last year or so, except the seat post and stem.

Mighta missed it, but is this the rig you're taking on the Cumberland-DC tour on the C&O you mentioned over on touring?

Yup. I'm hoping for a dry towpath and cool tailwind. Probably won't happen in August, though. As long as the thunderstorms are later in the afternoon, I should be done riding before they hit.

Right on, thats about what I was thinking. Thanks for the info!

The Troll should be great for the trip. I'm planning for an overnight to Harpers Ferry area mid July. And I'm hoping for the same weather... both ways! :)

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=210158
Yet another adventure for my Surly Troll- I rode from Monterey, CA to Santa Barbara along Highway 1 last week. It was 260 miles and about 10,000 feet of climbing. It was a proper bike tour with fully loaded paniers: tent, camping gear, food, etc.
Some hills were steep and the Alfine 11 IGH just doesn't have the range of a typical 27 speed setup. There were a couple of times I wish I had a slightly lower gear, and my top pedaling topped out at about 30mph as well, though my top downhill speed was 39mph on a very steep descent.
Minor details though, the Troll was great. It's as versatile a bike as I can imagine, from Hawaii's volcanoes to Moab's Slickrock trail to California's Highway 1- oh, and as a daily commuter too. It's still a pretty new bike but I have over 800 happy miles on it so far. Hopefully a lot more to go!

Love this thread...I live just a few miles away from the Point of Rocks access to the C&O Trail and road the 50miles from Harper's Ferry to Great Falls last Friday on a day with a heat index of 120...awesome...BUT...it made me want to upgrade my trail bike...and then I found the Surly Troll and this thread which seals the deal for me...I'll be getting a Troll frame and building it up...

My riding with the Troll will a) rarely if ever be on the road (I have a dedicated road bike), b) typically be 'faster' C&O trail riding (not casual), c) and the occasional long trip down the Allegheny and C&O trails...it seems like the flexible Troll frameset will fit my needs...but...

I'm just under 5' 10" with a measured 33.5" inseam...I just can't seem to get any feedback on sizing a frame like this...any thoughts out there??

Tire/Rim Combination
 

Visited a LBS in Ashburn, VA...and I'm going with the 16" Troll frame.

My only question now are the rims and tires...I see you like the all around qualities of the Marathon Supremes...but...I have no desire to ride on roads...only on trails like the C&O for short and multi-day, long distance rides...if that were the case...which rims/tire combination would you go with??