Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Commuter Options - Beef up current bike, second bike, new bike, ebike?

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Commuter Options - Beef up current bike, second bike, new bike, ebike?

Old 06-10-19, 06:48 PM
  #1  
surlygurly
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
surlygurly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Indiana
Posts: 6

Bikes: 2013 Surly Cross Check

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
Commuter Options - Beef up current bike, second bike, new bike, ebike?

I have a beautiful bike. A Surly Cross Check. And I ride it almost every day to work. We have one car for our family and my husband, a stay-at-home parent uses our car during the day. So, I generally use my bike as a second car. We bought a house in an ideal neighborhood so I could commute to and from work more than half of the way on a trail. I ride on pavement and gravel so my current setup is great. I used to do long rides with my husband and we both bought cross bikes for the gravel we road on. Overall, I love my bike but I think I may need to upgrade to make it into a total car replacement for me. For that, I need help!


Terrain and weather seem to be my biggest obstacles. I live in a seriously hill place and our driveway sits at the top of a quarter-mile hill. This makes hauling groceries and/or my toddler up that hill seem too much. It also makes riding in crappy conditions that much more crappy. We also live in a place with winter. While it doesn't snow all the time like in the Chicago area where I grew up, it does snow and get icky. I ride rain or shine now - barring a severe storm. I would like to ride year round (barring particularly snowy days where I can use backup transport) and be able to haul groceries up that damn hill and occasionally a kid. I would also like to be able to go to hillier parts of our area - including some gravel roads - but it gets daunting to the point where it isn't super fun anymore to keep up with my husband on his carbon bike with a triple.


I have a few options in mind:

1. Upgrade my surly to a triple, replace my tires with fatter, knubbier tires in the winter, and add fenders. The downside of this is that I can't get disc brakes and I'm not sure a triple will solve all of my problems completely but it's been so long since I've had one that I don't really know!

2. Buy a new bike with disc brakes and a triple that can also take big tires. I think an LHT would fit this, yet? Are there other models (particularly steel models) you could recommend?

3. Buy an ebike. I would love this but I'm struggling to find something reasonably priced (3 grand or less) that also has a small enough frame for someone my height (I'm 5' tall and ride between a 47 and 50 frame right now on my cross check and past road bike). Most target people of 5'4'' height or 5'6'' height and since my reach is so limited, it wouldn't work.

4. Turn my Surly into an ebike. My LBS is discouraging this because they said the supplier they used to recommend to people has gone out of business and they can't find another reliable supplier as of yet. They think my bike should be able to handle it just fine but they're concerned about who would supply the hub motor and battery.


Ideas? Suggestions? Any hilly commuters here who find it to be the biggest barrier to success? I want to make this work year round. I just want to keep loving it rather than wanting to rage quit half way up our hill.
surlygurly is offline  
Old 06-10-19, 10:35 PM
  #2  
Hub Spanner
Senior Member
 
Hub Spanner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: California, USA
Posts: 113

Bikes: 2011 Raleigh Grand Prix, 2014 Raleigh Sojourn, et al

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Congrats on being a hard-core all-weather commuter! You have me beat...

I only have a partial answer for you...

If you have the storage space at home, I really recommend a second bike.

Since you have gone all-in on commuting and being a one-car family, the second bike will be your backup bike for those days when you are late for work in the morning and your other bike has a flat.

Also, you can get that second bike dialed in exactly like you want it.

As for WHAT to get as that second bike, I will let my gentle colleagues on this list chime in with recommendations.
Hub Spanner is offline  
Old 06-10-19, 11:45 PM
  #3  
Darth Lefty 
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times in 1,366 Posts
A Cross Check is a blank slate, do whatever mods you want and it will probably work out all right.

Take a look at your crankset and see if it has the threaded holes for an inner ring. It might... the same crank was on the LHT and Surly are thoughtful about things like that. The catalog also says it has a triple front derailleur even though it's a double bike... that might be a typo. But if all this holds true, buy the appropriate 74 bcd x 26t cog and five chain ring bolts, and you are nearly all set. But if it doesn't hold true then a triple crank and FD will swap right in.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Darth Lefty is offline  
Old 06-11-19, 05:58 AM
  #4  
surlygurly
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
surlygurly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Indiana
Posts: 6

Bikes: 2013 Surly Cross Check

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Hub Spanner
Congrats on being a hard-core all-weather commuter! You have me beat...

I only have a partial answer for you...

If you have the storage space at home, I really recommend a second bike.

Since you have gone all-in on commuting and being a one-car family, the second bike will be your backup bike for those days when you are late for work in the morning and your other bike has a flat.

Also, you can get that second bike dialed in exactly like you want it.

As for WHAT to get as that second bike, I will let my gentle colleagues on this list chime in with recommendations.
Twist my arm! Although my husband thinks you only need one bike but he only does one thing with his bike and he’s never commuted (he is a pretty phobic road rider and would rather stick to simple doubletrack, gravel, and paved paths).

I’m wondering if I don’t overhaul the Surly and save for a fat tire bike that only comes out in winter when I have no plans to haul a kid or groceries.
surlygurly is offline  
Old 06-11-19, 11:46 AM
  #5  
robertorolfo
Senior Member
 
robertorolfo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Queens, NY for now...
Posts: 1,533

Bikes: 82 Lotus Unique, 86 Lotus Legend, 88 Basso Loto, 88 Basso PR, 89 Basso PR, 96 Bianchi CDI, 2013 Deda Aegis, 2019 Basso Diamante SV

Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 943 Post(s)
Liked 171 Times in 113 Posts
Originally Posted by surlygurly
...my husband thinks you only need one bike...
Blasphemy! And heresy!
robertorolfo is offline  
Likes For robertorolfo:
Old 06-11-19, 01:56 PM
  #6  
pdlamb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,844

Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2575 Post(s)
Liked 1,900 Times in 1,192 Posts
Originally Posted by surlygurly
I’m wondering if I don’t overhaul the Surly and save for a fat tire bike that only comes out in winter when I have no plans to haul a kid or groceries.
Try a triple on what you got to climb hills, with or without child or groceries. Then look for a bike to see you through winter (maybe with studs?) and tackle the gravel.

What kind of carbon wonder bike does your husband have?
pdlamb is offline  
Old 06-11-19, 02:42 PM
  #7  
BobbyG
Senior Member
 
BobbyG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,960

Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1359 Post(s)
Liked 1,658 Times in 822 Posts
My 1997 Nishiki Blazer MTB has a triple with an extra large ring for high-gear cruising, and a small, low ring for the steep hills of Colorado Springs. It is an enormous ratio spread.

With my bar set-up I am able to sit upright and spin my way up the steepest hills. It can be slow, but it is easier than trying to muscle uphill on my other two bikes which are roadbikes, although last year I put new wider ratio gearing on the back wheels of those bikes for lower gearing. I can get up most hills okay on my newer commuter (2x8) with its new lower gearing, but my old Nishiki roadbike (2x6) still requires me to stand up out of the saddle on many hills, although the bike is so light it's not too bad.

But nothing compares to the amazingly low gears of my triple.

I also run studded snow tires on the old triple MTB in the winter. Suomi Nokian W106 26x1.65. The tread is aggressive, but not completely knobby. They let me stop on ice, DOWNHILL! Tire pressure is the key. At their 65psi max, the studs are mostly off the road for better dry pavement riding. I run them at 35psi for ice, and 25psi for snow and ice. I'm good up to 3" of snow. I can ride in deeper snow up to 5", but above 3" I average 5 to 6 miles an hour which makes my 9 mile commute more than double the usual time.

I recommend buying a triple with discs if possible. The added weight is negligible, the added capability is substantial. Plus with discs, if you wanted to get a second set of wheels (with discs) you could easily swap between snow and non-snow tires.

Last edited by BobbyG; 06-11-19 at 02:47 PM.
BobbyG is offline  
Old 06-11-19, 03:04 PM
  #8  
mcours2006
Senior Member
 
mcours2006's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,198

Bikes: ...a few.

Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2009 Post(s)
Liked 405 Times in 231 Posts
I think Option 1 is the most economical. Disc brakes are not essential. The cantis you have will bring your bike to a stop just fine. You can get a cheap second set of wheels on which you can mount winter/studded tires to make the transition easier from/to winter. A triple with a 28t upfront is totally going to make it easier to climb that hill.

If money/space weren't a concern I'd go the e-route of course. It'll make life so much easier.
mcours2006 is offline  
Old 06-11-19, 05:52 PM
  #9  
RubeRad
Keepin it Wheel
 
RubeRad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,238

Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,399 Times in 2,510 Posts
Welcome to BF -- love the name you chose!

I also commute on a CrossCheck -- but it sounds like I don't have to deal with hills and loads like you sometimes do. As mentioned above, CrossCheck is a blank slate. You can definitely get a triple on there, a mountain triple even, with a 22-tooth granny chainring, combined with a cassette that goes to 32 or 36T, should enable you to climb walls.

If you have stock barend shifters, hopefully the left is friction and would have no trouble shifting between three instead of two. I've seen mountain left/front trigger shifters that have a lockout button that toggles between double- and triple-mode, but I've never heard of that on an indexed drop-bar brifter. All that to say, if you switch to a triple make sure the rest of your front shifting can handle it.

As for disc, the closest to a CC is a Surly Straggler. LHT is a good option as well, especially as for your size, LHT comes in 26".

You might not need a shop to convert to e-assist, there are systems where the motor is the hub of either the front or rear wheel, so conversion is as easy as swapping in the wheel and routing a few wires to a handlebar controller.

Anyways good job on your bike commuting. A largely gravel/trail route sounds fun. I've actually considered changing jobs, looking for a new company by seeing what's accessible from a trail I wish was my daily commute!
RubeRad is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 01:39 AM
  #10  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
Honestly, I must admit that I'm not an expert with Surly as they're very rare in Europe. I'll assume it's Shimano equipped.

However, based on your question, I would start with the simplest option and make sure that you have the widest cassette possible before changing anything else. This will depend on the capacity of your rear mech (how much can it handle).

You'd want the largest spread possible ... 10-51 is quite awesome.

I would wager that your drivetrain can't handle a 12-speed cassette, so ignore that first option, but that 11-46 range is pretty good.

https://www.bike24.de/1.php?content=...31%5D=1;page=1

The guys here could probably confirm what you currently have and if this idea would work.

If I believe the Surly website, you have a Shimano CS-HG50-10, 11-32, 10-speed

And would see a huge improvement with a 40, 42, or 46-toothed cassette.

I believe (someone else confirm) that this would be directly swappable and should take a bike mech about 15mins to do it and readjust the rear mech.

https://www.bike24.de/1.php?content=...31%5D=1;page=1

Just call up a local shop and tell them you want a Shimano CS-HG500-10 Cassette 10-speed - 11-42 Teeth andask for a quote.

Cheap and easy for about €25 for parts and maybe depending on US labour rates at a shop, out the door for under $100.

I just think that's an easier option than adding a triple to the front (you may need new shifters and it's a huge amount of labour compared to a cassette swap). Disregard if you have barend shifting.

Reviews on this extended range cassette:

https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano...tml?source=PHG

Good luck and keep on riding.

Last edited by acidfast7; 06-12-19 at 01:46 AM.
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 06:57 AM
  #11  
alias5000
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Ontario
Posts: 558

Bikes: HP Velotechnik Streetmachine GTE, 2015 Devinci Silverstone SL4, 2012 Cannondale Road Tandem 2, Circe Morpheus, 2021 Rose Backroad, 2017 Devinci Hatchet

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 181 Post(s)
Liked 14 Times in 12 Posts
Acidfast7, That might require a derailleur hanger extender, super long b screw or MTB long cage derailleur.

I recently faced the challenge of getting easier gears on our tandem (see tandem forum for thread). Started out with the same idea of using a wide range cassette. Guys pointed me to the fact that many front derailleurs can handle a very wide range of chainring sizes reasonably well.
We changed from a 30/39/52 to a 24/39/52 and that gave us seriously low gears (MTB on low end, road bike on high end). The 24-39 transition isn't beautiful and it needs a chain catcher, but most definitely works and has been a life saver on the mountains of our most recent fully loaded tour.

We did change the cassette from 11-32 to 11-36, but that difference is basically negligible. Front chainring swap was by far the cheapest way to go. Didn't even require to lengthen the chain.
alias5000 is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 08:52 AM
  #12  
RubeRad
Keepin it Wheel
 
RubeRad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,238

Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,399 Times in 2,510 Posts
I agree, I put an 11-42 on my Surly Krampus, and I also added a WolfTooth hanger extender, it was quite necessary.

If front shifting is friction, and front derailleur can have limit screws relaxed to handle a triple, swapping in a triple is a pretty easy change. Especially if the current crankset can magically just accept a granny ring, I've never heard of that before.

Either way, specialized bike tools are needed; cassette tool and chain whip for the rear, or crank puller for the front.
RubeRad is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 08:54 AM
  #13  
fietsbob
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,598

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,354 Times in 861 Posts
Alternate: Shimano 8 or 11 speed Alfine hubs offer a disc mount on the hub,
bike frame/fork has to offer the caliper mount..

wider chain single cog is reliable internal gears out of the grunge..
fietsbob is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 09:00 AM
  #14  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
Yeah, IIRC, there wasn't price difference between a Shimano XT extra long rear mech and a standard rear mech, so most German OEMs for touring/trekking/MTBs were running the long cage rear mechs.

I would assume that Surly was the same at that price point (nearly $1000).

https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/produ...-M8000-GS.html

Ah, that's a ****ty mech at that price point:

https://bike.shimano.com/en-SG/produ...-T610-SGS.html

Sorry, perhaps my idea isn't compatible with the Surly. Man, that's a rubbish rear mech.

Guess, I assumed it was like this bike:

https://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/en/...-disc-807-2019

acidfast7 is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 09:42 AM
  #15  
RubeRad
Keepin it Wheel
 
RubeRad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,238

Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,399 Times in 2,510 Posts
Hmmm, back when I built mine, Surly CrossCheck MSRP was a little over $1200. I see now on the CC page though, "$925-$1149". Who says cost of living only goes up?

Current spec RD is Deore T610-SGS, and the pic makes it look very long cage. I'm sure it would accept a 36 no trouble (stock is 11-32), but in the 40s is pushing it.
RubeRad is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 09:48 AM
  #16  
RubeRad
Keepin it Wheel
 
RubeRad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,238

Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,399 Times in 2,510 Posts
Interesting, that 11-32 is for the drop-bar/bar-end build. Flat bar comes stock with X5 shifters and X5 RD with 11-34, and single 42T cransket.

Even more interesting, in the comment thread, Surly says " In the future, the Cross-Check will only be available as a frameset"
RubeRad is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 11:34 AM
  #17  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by RubeRad
Interesting, that 11-32 is for the drop-bar/bar-end build. Flat bar comes stock with X5 shifters and X5 RD with 11-34, and single 42T cransket.

Even more interesting, in the comment thread, Surly says " In the future, the Cross-Check will only be available as a frameset"
To be a total *******, if it doesn't exist on Europe it's bad value for money. We have much less money and every penny counts.

The framesets do exist over here. But the bike as a total purchase doesn't exist.

I think that about says it all.

A $1000 bike without a long-cage rear mech would be a deal-breaker for most people over
all.
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 11:41 AM
  #18  
alan s 
Senior Member
 
alan s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 6,977
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1496 Post(s)
Liked 189 Times in 128 Posts
I recently modified my World Troller to a M8000 XT SGS RD, 116 link chain, 1x11 with an 11-46 cassette and 38T chainring. Had to add a Wolftooth Goatlink 11. Works great as a 1x. Probably would be fine as a 2x or 3x, but I haven’t tried that yet.

alan s is offline  
Likes For alan s:
Old 06-12-19, 12:23 PM
  #19  
PedalingWalrus
Senior Member
 
PedalingWalrus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Maine, USA
Posts: 1,612

Bikes: Corvid Sojourner, Surly Ice Cream Truck, Co-Motion Divide, Co-Motion Java Tandem, Salsa Warbird, Salsa Beargrease, Carver Tandem

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 533 Post(s)
Liked 435 Times in 227 Posts
Too bad finances are tight. The Bullitt eBike edition would work great as additional bike to haul groceries or kiddo's up and down steep hills
PedalingWalrus is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 12:44 PM
  #20  
Darth Lefty 
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times in 1,366 Posts
I looked up the OP's bike a few days ago when this thread started. It's an 18 speed with bar end shifters. The rear mech is a Deore-level, extra long cage (MTB). The build appears to be well suited for a triple conversion. Buying a whole new drivetrain two levels up is bonkers, you'd be spending more on that than a 5 year old bike is worth.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Darth Lefty is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 12:52 PM
  #21  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by Darth Lefty
I looked up the OP's bike a few days ago when this thread started. It's an 18 speed with bar end shifters. The rear mech is a Deore-level, extra long cage (MTB). The build appears to be well suited for a triple conversion. Buying a whole new drivetrain two levels up is bonkers, you'd be spending more on that than a 5 year old bike is worth.
If it's an extra long cage just change the cassette. I don't see the problem?

My comment was that Deore is ****ty on a $1000 bike where it's the single component that does the most work on a bike.
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 12:57 PM
  #22  
Skipjacks
Senior Member
 
Skipjacks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Mid Atlantic / USA
Posts: 2,115

Bikes: 2017 Specialized Crosstrail / 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite

Mentioned: 43 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1002 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times in 155 Posts
Originally Posted by surlygurly
Although my EX-husband thinks you only need one bike
Fixed that for you.

Solves all your "But I want a new bike without listening to someone complain about the money" problems.
Skipjacks is offline  
Likes For Skipjacks:
Old 06-12-19, 01:00 PM
  #23  
robertorolfo
Senior Member
 
robertorolfo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Queens, NY for now...
Posts: 1,533

Bikes: 82 Lotus Unique, 86 Lotus Legend, 88 Basso Loto, 88 Basso PR, 89 Basso PR, 96 Bianchi CDI, 2013 Deda Aegis, 2019 Basso Diamante SV

Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 943 Post(s)
Liked 171 Times in 113 Posts
Originally Posted by acidfast7
My comment was that Deore is ****ty on a $1000 bike where it's the single component that does the most work on a bike.
Thought that was the rider?
robertorolfo is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 01:06 PM
  #24  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by robertorolfo
Thought that was the rider?
That's a fair argument. I overlooked that.

Mechanically, the rear mech is critical. On German bikes, the money is spent there first, as it makes sense.
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 06-12-19, 01:18 PM
  #25  
Darth Lefty 
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times in 1,366 Posts
Originally Posted by acidfast7
If it's an extra long cage just change the cassette. I don't see the problem?

My comment was that Deore is ****ty on a $1000 bike where it's the single component that does the most work on a bike.
It has a 32 cassette which was at or near the limit of that model RD. That’s limited by the upper pulley location. But it has a lot more chain wrap available from the extra long cage, so that enables the smaller ring in front.

As for value, Surly occupies a niche. At a given price point, comparing to other bikes, you will find that they have a frame with more features, but components that you might kindly describe as durable. Within their niche they're also making themselves some pricing power with their expletive-laden iconoclastic marketing.

Last edited by Darth Lefty; 06-12-19 at 01:21 PM.
Darth Lefty is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.