Commuting with a track bike frame? (Surly Steamroller)
 

Hey guys. I used to live in Florida and got a Surly Steamroller about a year ago (pretty sure it's the 2009 model). Anyway, I just moved to the pacific northwest which, as I'm sure you know, is rainy as hell most of the time. I'm now living in the very bike-friendly state of Oregon (Eugene, specifically, but Portland soon) so I'm trying to gear up so that I can bike to work and the grocery store and, hopefully, use my car as little as possible. To do this, of course, I would need some fenders and a rack for a pannier or two. I took my bike to a local shop and was essentially told that a track bike frame isn't exactly a good frame for doing this. They had only one fender in stock that would fit my bike, and it was basically a flappy piece of rubber that would hit the tires and be annoying. They also told me I wouldn't be able to put a decent rack on the back of the bike, as racks wouldn't be able to attach to the sides of the frame near the tires. I could get one that attaches only to the seat post, but my bags would flop around and hit the tires.

I'd like some advice on what to do. I love the Steamroller and would hate to give it up for a different bike, but if that's what needs to be done, then I'll suck it up and do it. Does anybody know of a good way to make my frame commuter friendly in the rain?

You can make it rain-worthy, but it will take some work. You will need to hack road bike fenders to fit, as it doesn't have any eyelets on the fork or rear dropouts... it would require hacked rack mounts, too. You might be better off getting a second SS bike to use that's fender and rack ready, like the Bikes Direct Kilo WT. Then you'd have a spare bike, too.

Getting a second bike is something I really don't want to do. I don't really need two and I'm living in a small place right now, so I don't have a lot of room for one. Something I'm looking into that would be easiest, I suppose, would be to get a cross check frame and move the components from the steamroller to the cross check.

That would work, for sure.

Your LBS guys need to lurk around this site for a while to improve their knowledge base. You can mount this rack to your Steamroller. Get some Ortlieb panniers. Wipe down your bike after the wet rides. Enjoy life.

And what of fenders? I read in this older thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...fender-options) that SKS P45s would attach with P-clips, but I am unsure as to how permanent that would be. Eugene would appear to have a problem with bike theft and bike part theft, so I wouldn't want somebody leaving with the fenders or rack, etc.

there are several good fenders made for roadbikes (i.e. bikes without eyelets) - SKS makes some. the best I've seen are CRUD, though you have to get them shipped from the UK because the US doesnt have a good distributor right now (but you can often get free shipping)

Planet Bike makes some neato clip on fenders that don't require eyelets. I'm pretty sure other manufacturers do. I think it's doable, but a pain, and will require some research on the gear that you order. It may also be worthwhile to consider a large saddlebag, like a Carradice Camper Longflap, instead of a rack if it will be big enough to suit your needs.

Get a rain jacket and large messenger bag.

rear wheel won't fit, but otherwise its a good idea.

If you do decide to go the CC route, the rear wheel may fit. Some of these bikes with the 120 rear spacing have longer axles that may fit in a 130 frame. Two 5 mm spacers on each end may do the trick. Second solution would be just replace the axle.

But I think you should keep what you have and make the rack and fenders work. The Axiom rack will be just fine but you need P clips to attach it to the frame. That problem is now fixed. The second is the fenders. This is what Surly recommends on their website
"Room for tires up to 700c x 38mm. Individual tire and rim combos affect tire clearance, but figure on being able to use tires up to 32mm with fenders (p.s. use clip-on fenders)"

The suggestion for the SKS Race Blades is a good one and if you worried about theft, run a cable lock through the rack and the fenders.

My son's bike has a 120mm hub in a 135mm rear triangle. Long enough axle and enough spacers.

Are you running fixed or SS? This will affect what fenders you can get away with using. I use race blades, and I love them, but my bike is set up as an SS so I can coast through big puddles. If you're fixed and have to pedal through puddles, you might end up with wet feet unless you use full length fenders.

For the rack you could use a seat post mount rack, get a large saddlebag (like Carradice), or a small front basket (like the wald 137) and mount to the forks with hose clamps or p clips.

If you try a bit, you can make something work. Keep your steamroller, your lbs is full of it.

The track in Eugene is for running around on foot, get a different bike and sell the one you have.
Get a Bike Friday Tikit, made in town, there, It can be bought in a fixie configuration , if you wish.

and as it folds , take up even less space inside your small place.

take the bike you have, they can duplicate the fit.. then do a CL FS ad.

get a different frame.

does adding fenders affect wind resistance?

Not in my experience.

Yes. The question is by how much, which is usually so minimal you might not notice it.

The whistling noise is more noticeable than any perceived loss in speed.

I have the 1/8th inch Scrambler. Horizontal track ends for the rear wheel. I drilled two holes and tapped to accept small bolts to hold rack and fender stay in place. I am using 35c tires. Had to cut the rear fender into two pieces. Rear half is mounted to rack and rear fender mounts. Front portion using L-bracket to rear brake boss and zip tie to seat tube. Rear half needs to be loosened for wheel removal- pain in the butt. Front fenders hit my toes. Not too happy with it. I take it in the skate park and the toe fender hitting weirds me out and causes me to crash. Last crash buggered up my right shoulder. Fun bike, but the fenders gotta go. Love my fenders also. Will build something else for the wet weather rides.

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A few pictures.