Surly Steamroller build-up recommendations
 

Looking for any advice about a good wheelset (light, sturdy, etc) for a steamroller (would like to run cross tires and 23's periodically), as well as cranks. I'd like to run at least a 170cm crank and I have a giant foot so I'm worried about smashing my heels on the wider chainstays. Any help is appreciated.

Do you have a Steamroller "complete"? The wheels it comes with (with Alex rims) will take larger tires than the standard 700 x 25's it comes with, and they're pretty durable rims. I normally have 700 x 32 cross tires on mine.

I've got size 14 feet and haven't had any problems with heels striking the chainstays. If that's a problem for you, you can buy pedal spacers at most bike shops. They screw in between the crank arms and pedals, and give you another 1/2" width on each side.

That's good to know I want to put 700x32 cross tires on mine soon and clip on fenders. What cross tires are you running? I have been riding 700x23 Vittorias since July or so it will be interesting riding some larger tires with more tread.

I'm using 700 x 32c Vittoria Randonneur Cross tires on mine. They're puncture resistant and a GREAT improvement over the crappy 700 x 25c Kenda West tires that came on the bike (the Kenda's were flat magnets, attracting every nail, screw, & construction staple on the road). The 32c's give a slightly softer, slower ride, but I'd rather ride than stop and fix flats.

I don't have fenders on mine, but whether you can add the to yours will depend on your chain length and the cog you have in the back. I was originally running a 17T freewheel in the back, and the 32c tire came really close to the seat tube. I changed to a 15T freewheel and it provides a little more room, so no need for a new chain at this time. Might jump the crank up to 50T or 52T, then I'll definately have to get a longer chain.

BTW: I ride mine almost exclusively on flat streets and an MUP, and I'm more comfortable with a slower crank speed (around 70-80 revs/minutes), so the high gearing shown above isn't a problem for me. I also added front and rear brakes since there's too many "loco" drivers (and roadie cyclists) here in So Calif.

Thank you, I had considered the chain length since I have a 19t cog and it seems as though if I move to a 700x32 tire it would put it pretty close to the seat tube but I guess I could always add some links to my chain or just buy a new chain, not sure if mixing new links with old is a great idea.

I don't have a complete build, just frame, fork, stem and bars.
So I'm looking for anything on-line to find a good wheelset and hub, and good bottom bracket and crank.
Thanks.

as far as i know the general rule is 700x28 is the largest tire you can run with fenders on a steamroller. i'm in the midst of building a steamroller and have a pair of 700x30 schwalbe cx pros on order(i've been told the 30s are sized large and are more like 28s)

i bought formula hubs and mavic ma3 rims. i'm having them hand built with double butted dt spokes. i picked soma hellyer cranks(they take a 110mm square taper bottom bracket). i was looking for middle of the road, relatively inexpensive parts though as this will be my winter/bad weather bike.

Where did you find the schwalbe tires? I think these are the tires I have been lookng for to get me through the winter months, thank you much.

i ordered them through my lbs from whatever distributor they get them from.

I've hit my feet on the chainstays but it depends on the shoes I'm wearing. I wear a 15 and with slip on vans I'll hit them sometimes but with chucks or old school vans I'm fine. Why are you stuck on a 170 crank? I have a 170 on my Steamroller and a 165 on my Broakland and the 165 feels great plus I can lean in to turns better....but over all the spinning feels more efficient and controllable especially at really high cadences.

I'm not stuck on it, but I run a 175 on my regular bike so I figured stepping down to a 170 would be appropriate. I wear a 13 shoe but anticipate wearing my sidi's which are 47.5's.

Do you have a crank/bottom bracket recommendation?

I really like the Sugino 75 with a Zen ring but honestly that's the nicest crank I've used. I keep forgetting to ask what bottom bracket the guy put in.

"louderthangod"?

You wouldn't happen to be a Blue Cheer fan, would you?

The wheels on my Steamroller are Velocity Dyads, DB Wheelsmith, and Dia Compe Gran Compe hubs. They're pretty much bombproof although they're a little wide for 23's. I run 32c Vittoria Randonneurs(not the cross version). Best tires out there IMO. As for my crank - it's a 175 Sugino 75 bolted to a 110.5 ISO Phil bottom bracket with an old school Sugino Mighty Competition chainring. I have never hit my feet on the chainstays but I only wear 11's which, apparently, are very small.Just my .02.