Refurb: Surly SteamRoller
12-08-17, 11:53 AM
#1
BIKE RIDE
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Refurb: Surly SteamRoller
Howdy - CLICK ME FOR PHOTOS
Finished up a second single speed project a couple weeks ago. I was chatting with the local bike shop owner over the summer and mentioned I was thinking of building up a single speed, since my existing single speed resides at my in-laws for holiday coffee shoppe rideing. He happily offered me a Steamroller another customer had 'retired' - basically a frame, fork, and front wheel. Got it out of his way!
He suggested a coaster brake rear wheel, and some quick mental calculations later, I said "SURE!" - saves me cash on buying brakes & levers & cables. And I really like the clean look of no cables. Seth, the bike shop owner, is a bit like a big kid, so he was talking about how I could do some major skids & look cool.
The first few rides have been a blast. Still learning how to finesse the cranks when I stop. The biggest fear is a dropped chain now means -- NO BRAKES! My first single speed (with brakes) has never dropped the chain, but during the first test rides after getting everything together, the chain fell off several times. I failed to clear the paint out of the rear drop out, so the wheel was shifting.
The Surly frame & fork were well loved. I was not prepared to pay $150 or so for powder coating, so I opted to scuff the existing powder coating, clean the rust off, and primer / paint / decal / clear. After it took 3 cans of black to cover the primer I says to myself - "DANG!! shoulda just paid for powder coat!!" - not sure I could have gotten three colors for $35... but whatever. You can make fun of me. I'll be fine.
Probably I'll get Jones SG 2.5 bars in the spring to raise things a bit. I'd really like to add a front brake. If I can afford it, I think I'd like Paul levers and Paul Racer center pull. Most likely I'll end up with a Tektro long reach.
OK ! Thanks for reading! I don't lurk the single speed pages so much, so I don't know if SteamRollers are popular or passe' . At the moment I think I'll be keeping this bike long - long term. We'll see!
Cheers!
-------what i spent on what-------------
Free-ish from my LBS:
frame / fork
crankset (running 40t x 18t at the moment)
front wheel
seat post
New Money for the project:
gray primer: $5
black matte paint: $15 (rattle can paint over scuffed up powder coating)
yellow: $5
red: $5
clear: $5
decals / head badge: $14
chain: $10
rear wheel: $70
bag & cage: $24
tape & stem & bars: $20 ?
TOTAL: $183 (maybe inner tubes too)
From the parts bin:
Serfas TEGU seat
Crank Bros 50/50 pedals
CONTI Cross Tyres 700 x 38
First Project: First Single Speed Project - The Misfit Bike
Finished up a second single speed project a couple weeks ago. I was chatting with the local bike shop owner over the summer and mentioned I was thinking of building up a single speed, since my existing single speed resides at my in-laws for holiday coffee shoppe rideing. He happily offered me a Steamroller another customer had 'retired' - basically a frame, fork, and front wheel. Got it out of his way!
He suggested a coaster brake rear wheel, and some quick mental calculations later, I said "SURE!" - saves me cash on buying brakes & levers & cables. And I really like the clean look of no cables. Seth, the bike shop owner, is a bit like a big kid, so he was talking about how I could do some major skids & look cool.
The first few rides have been a blast. Still learning how to finesse the cranks when I stop. The biggest fear is a dropped chain now means -- NO BRAKES! My first single speed (with brakes) has never dropped the chain, but during the first test rides after getting everything together, the chain fell off several times. I failed to clear the paint out of the rear drop out, so the wheel was shifting.
The Surly frame & fork were well loved. I was not prepared to pay $150 or so for powder coating, so I opted to scuff the existing powder coating, clean the rust off, and primer / paint / decal / clear. After it took 3 cans of black to cover the primer I says to myself - "DANG!! shoulda just paid for powder coat!!" - not sure I could have gotten three colors for $35... but whatever. You can make fun of me. I'll be fine.
Probably I'll get Jones SG 2.5 bars in the spring to raise things a bit. I'd really like to add a front brake. If I can afford it, I think I'd like Paul levers and Paul Racer center pull. Most likely I'll end up with a Tektro long reach.
OK ! Thanks for reading! I don't lurk the single speed pages so much, so I don't know if SteamRollers are popular or passe' . At the moment I think I'll be keeping this bike long - long term. We'll see!
Cheers!
-------what i spent on what-------------
Free-ish from my LBS:
frame / fork
crankset (running 40t x 18t at the moment)
front wheel
seat post
New Money for the project:
gray primer: $5
black matte paint: $15 (rattle can paint over scuffed up powder coating)
yellow: $5
red: $5
clear: $5
decals / head badge: $14
chain: $10
rear wheel: $70
bag & cage: $24
tape & stem & bars: $20 ?
TOTAL: $183 (maybe inner tubes too)
From the parts bin:
Serfas TEGU seat
Crank Bros 50/50 pedals
CONTI Cross Tyres 700 x 38
First Project: First Single Speed Project - The Misfit Bike
12-08-17, 12:30 PM
#2
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I always loved skidding with my coaster brake when I was a kid. What coaster brake hub did you use?
12-08-17, 01:35 PM
#3
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That is a great rescue.
Any bike that is fun to ride is a great bike.
Any bike that is fun to ride is a great bike.
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12-08-17, 07:43 PM
#4
BIKE RIDE
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Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Michigan
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Bikes: my very own customized GUNNAR CrossHairs
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Originally Posted by zubes5280
I always loved skidding with my coaster brake when I was a kid. What coaster brake hub did you use?
Shimano EB 110 Hub; AlexRims DC19.
- I'm not a very good gear geek. I'm more of a route finder / coffee shop experimenter. The bike is just a way to do that.
Eventually I'd like to get matching wheels. The front wheel is a VELOCITY Chukker rim. Maybe - maybe I'll get an 8 or 9 speed IGH. Not soon - but maybe later.
12-09-17, 01:33 PM
#6
BIKE RIDE
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Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,492
Bikes: my very own customized GUNNAR CrossHairs
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Originally Posted by Gresp15C
Nice job!
Originally Posted by eom
That is a great rescue.
Any bike that is fun to ride is a great bike.
Any bike that is fun to ride is a great bike.
12-09-17, 05:27 PM
#7
Full Member
Originally Posted by mrv
Howdy - CLICK ME FOR PHOTOS
Finished up a second single speed project a couple weeks ago. I was chatting with the local bike shop owner over the summer and mentioned I was thinking of building up a single speed, since my existing single speed resides at my in-laws for holiday coffee shoppe rideing. He happily offered me a Steamroller another customer had 'retired' - basically a frame, fork, and front wheel. Got it out of his way!
He suggested a coaster brake rear wheel, and some quick mental calculations later, I said "SURE!" - saves me cash on buying brakes & levers & cables. And I really like the clean look of no cables. Seth, the bike shop owner, is a bit like a big kid, so he was talking about how I could do some major skids & look cool.
The first few rides have been a blast. Still learning how to finesse the cranks when I stop. The biggest fear is a dropped chain now means -- NO BRAKES! My first single speed (with brakes) has never dropped the chain, but during the first test rides after getting everything together, the chain fell off several times. I failed to clear the paint out of the rear drop out, so the wheel was shifting.
The Surly frame & fork were well loved. I was not prepared to pay $150 or so for powder coating, so I opted to scuff the existing powder coating, clean the rust off, and primer / paint / decal / clear. After it took 3 cans of black to cover the primer I says to myself - "DANG!! shoulda just paid for powder coat!!" - not sure I could have gotten three colors for $35... but whatever. You can make fun of me. I'll be fine.
Probably I'll get Jones SG 2.5 bars in the spring to raise things a bit. I'd really like to add a front brake. If I can afford it, I think I'd like Paul levers and Paul Racer center pull. Most likely I'll end up with a Tektro long reach.
OK ! Thanks for reading! I don't lurk the single speed pages so much, so I don't know if SteamRollers are popular or passe' . At the moment I think I'll be keeping this bike long - long term. We'll see!
Cheers!
-------what i spent on what-------------
Free-ish from my LBS:
frame / fork
crankset (running 40t x 18t at the moment)
front wheel
seat post
New Money for the project:
gray primer: $5
black matte paint: $15 (rattle can paint over scuffed up powder coating)
yellow: $5
red: $5
clear: $5
decals / head badge: $14
chain: $10
rear wheel: $70
bag & cage: $24
tape & stem & bars: $20 ?
TOTAL: $183 (maybe inner tubes too)
From the parts bin:
Serfas TEGU seat
Crank Bros 50/50 pedals
CONTI Cross Tyres 700 x 38
First Project: First Single Speed Project - The Misfit Bike
Finished up a second single speed project a couple weeks ago. I was chatting with the local bike shop owner over the summer and mentioned I was thinking of building up a single speed, since my existing single speed resides at my in-laws for holiday coffee shoppe rideing. He happily offered me a Steamroller another customer had 'retired' - basically a frame, fork, and front wheel. Got it out of his way!
He suggested a coaster brake rear wheel, and some quick mental calculations later, I said "SURE!" - saves me cash on buying brakes & levers & cables. And I really like the clean look of no cables. Seth, the bike shop owner, is a bit like a big kid, so he was talking about how I could do some major skids & look cool.
The first few rides have been a blast. Still learning how to finesse the cranks when I stop. The biggest fear is a dropped chain now means -- NO BRAKES! My first single speed (with brakes) has never dropped the chain, but during the first test rides after getting everything together, the chain fell off several times. I failed to clear the paint out of the rear drop out, so the wheel was shifting.
The Surly frame & fork were well loved. I was not prepared to pay $150 or so for powder coating, so I opted to scuff the existing powder coating, clean the rust off, and primer / paint / decal / clear. After it took 3 cans of black to cover the primer I says to myself - "DANG!! shoulda just paid for powder coat!!" - not sure I could have gotten three colors for $35... but whatever. You can make fun of me. I'll be fine.
Probably I'll get Jones SG 2.5 bars in the spring to raise things a bit. I'd really like to add a front brake. If I can afford it, I think I'd like Paul levers and Paul Racer center pull. Most likely I'll end up with a Tektro long reach.
OK ! Thanks for reading! I don't lurk the single speed pages so much, so I don't know if SteamRollers are popular or passe' . At the moment I think I'll be keeping this bike long - long term. We'll see!
Cheers!
-------what i spent on what-------------
Free-ish from my LBS:
frame / fork
crankset (running 40t x 18t at the moment)
front wheel
seat post
New Money for the project:
gray primer: $5
black matte paint: $15 (rattle can paint over scuffed up powder coating)
yellow: $5
red: $5
clear: $5
decals / head badge: $14
chain: $10
rear wheel: $70
bag & cage: $24
tape & stem & bars: $20 ?
TOTAL: $183 (maybe inner tubes too)
From the parts bin:
Serfas TEGU seat
Crank Bros 50/50 pedals
CONTI Cross Tyres 700 x 38
First Project: First Single Speed Project - The Misfit Bike
12-10-17, 12:19 AM
#8
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 58
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Originally Posted by mrv
- My LBS owner got me a pretty basic wheel - I think-
Shimano EB 110 Hub; AlexRims DC19.
- I'm not a very good gear geek. I'm more of a route finder / coffee shop experimenter. The bike is just a way to do that.
Eventually I'd like to get matching wheels. The front wheel is a VELOCITY Chukker rim. Maybe - maybe I'll get an 8 or 9 speed IGH. Not soon - but maybe later.
Shimano EB 110 Hub; AlexRims DC19.
- I'm not a very good gear geek. I'm more of a route finder / coffee shop experimenter. The bike is just a way to do that.
Eventually I'd like to get matching wheels. The front wheel is a VELOCITY Chukker rim. Maybe - maybe I'll get an 8 or 9 speed IGH. Not soon - but maybe later.
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