Originally Posted by fietsbob (Post 16628920)

You sure nobody invests in the NYSE in Europe?


You are half my age, many shopping days before your 30 more Christmas remain ..





One item TT when thinking ring lock mounts , i see they used the wrong , Back side ,IMO.

Originally Posted by fietsbob (Post 16629070)

precisely. it's bassackwards..

I use the Axa Defender . the Koga folks have it right. front facing,

Key on the left , security chain pin catch socket on the right.

unless you are a hard core southpaw and dismount on the right side and lock up your bike on the left side.

Originally Posted by tsl (Post 16627898)

Also comes in black.

Originally Posted by fietsbob (Post 16629103)

1st thing to break would be the brass spoke nipples and so the spoke , nearest the ring hasp.

Originally Posted by alan s (Post 16629117)

Didn't realize that. It seems Surly is hedging its bets on color a little now. Any idea what the build weighs in at? If it's in the upper 20s, that's pretty decent. Been contemplating a dropbar disc commuter recently.

Originally Posted by tsl (Post 16623181)

A friend of mine just sent pics of his new Surly Straggler build. It's not even dirty yet, but based on the few miles he has on it, he likes it a lot. He built it up with a Sora triple, BB7 brakes, Shimano Alfine dyno hub in front, B&M lights, Topeak Super Tourist disc rack, and SKS fenders. He's running 40mm tires on it now, planning on 28s for summer.

If it turns out aluminum with rim brakes is in the cards for you, I'm very pleased with the Ribble Winter/Audax I built up last spring. I bought it because it was cheap, intending to replace it when I could afford better. It's so nice, I changed my plans. It's a keeper. The bare frame is $143, I also bought the $121 Deda Black Rain carbon fork with fender eyelets. Plan on $80 for trans-Atlantic air freight.

It requires 57mm "long-reach" brake calipers, like Shimano BR-651. It fits 25mm Conti 4-Seasons under SKS P-35 fenders right out of the box. When I went up to 28mm 4-Seasons, I needed Reacharound Fender Brackets for the back.

Ribble also has a very similar frame in Reynolds 525 for $242.

Originally Posted by john.b (Post 16627000)

Long Tom found a deal on an REI Novara Strada with the 20% member coupon (annual membership is a jackson).

http://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...l#post16622924

Carbon fork and 105/FSA parts to start with, would probably be cheaper than starting to build up a frameset from the ground up.

Originally Posted by PatrickGSR94 (Post 16631996)

Odd that frame you built up, it says it only takes up to 23mm tires, but you actually did fit 28's with fenders?

Originally Posted by bikemig (Post 16627998)

...Best choice, I think, is to find a good vintage bike and mod as needed. Good platforms to work from include a rigid mtb or an old touring bike. You can mod those to your heart's (and wallet's) content.

Originally Posted by Mr IGH (Post 16634969)

I agree, and if you don't want rim brakes there's always drums, here's my vintage Schwinn frame all pimped out. Another advantage is that it's not so attractive to thieves:

Originally Posted by PatrickGSR94 (Post 16631996)

but but but.... I like putting stuff together!! :p