Surly Steamroller
 

To those who have one and have had other fg/ss bikes: How does the Steamroller compare? A LBS employee has one and would not have any other. I'm in a position to build a bike and would appreciate other opinions regarding the Steamroller before I move forward. Thanks.

AFAIAC you could do a lot worse than a Steamroller - I had one and loved it so much that when I was able to acquire my dream frame...instead of selling it, I passed the SR on to my son. He beats the hell out of that thing and it is still going stong. If I am not mistaken, Steamrollers are pretty universally liked/respected but may be considered somewhat passe now, and other "semi-track" frames that can also handle wider tires like the All-city Big Block and...is it Soma Rush? Or Bare Knuckle? and SSCX bikes in general seem to have stolen its thunder...

If you haven't seen it already - check out the http://www.bikeforums.net/singlespee...perthread.html

Good luck and don't forget to post pics if you get it ;)

I love mine. If I had to get rid of all of my bikes except one, I'd keep the Steamroller. It's a fantastic all-around machine; can fit real chunky tires for gravely stuff or cross racing, but still handles pretty well with skinny tires for goin fast and stuff. My only complaints would be: rack and fender mounts would be nice, and it wouldn't hurt if they put the bottom bracket a little higher like the Big Block (Steamroller is the only bike I've had pedal strike on more than once).

But yeah as said above it's tough to go too far wrong with them. They're fun, durable, useful frames.

I can't give you a comparison to other frames, but I will say that for a 'track' frame, the tire clearance really opens up it's capabilities.

You mentioned you acquired your dream frame. Would you mind sharing what that is and a pic or two?

Are you familiar with the Felt Brougham and if so, how does it compare to the SR?

Guess you mean me? I don't have to be asked twice to see a pic of my baby :D

http://i64.tinypic.com/205e7wl.jpg

Thank you for sharing. It's a beauty alright. But what make is it? I can't tell from the photo. What are the different components you have on this bike (wheel set, crank, seat, etc.)? What sort of clips do you use? I only used clips once a few years back, had a bad experience and tossed them, but I believe if I'm going to ride fixed I need to learn.

Make is cinelli, campagnolo record track cranks. The wheels look like h+son archetypes w/ logos taken off to me but i think i'm wrong about this one.

http://i.imgur.com/VH98ax4.jpg

I've been riding it only on the track, and it leaves quite a bit to be desired as a race rig only, but this was definitely not what surly had in mind when they made this frame, so I can't really complain.

It's a great machine for riding around town and longer road rides because it has the STA and bb drop of a road bike with the steeper HTA and lower rake fork of a track bike, and the frame is super comfy

aha make drops are those?

FSA Wing pro compacts

Agreed, and me too!

I was going to sell mine to fund an All-City Macho Man Disc, because my 51-year-old knees were telling me to get some gears. But my 14-year-old son said, can I have it? So he rides it now, and loves it.

I had it set up as Fixed, but he was tired of that, so we put on a SS freewheel on the flip-flop. Great bike, and the SS has made it more enjoyable all the way around.