Surly Steamroller - slave commuter sled

Hi everyone,

Relatively new here, although I did do a little lurking before committing to an account. The converted carlton criterium I currently use for daily commuting passed into the beater category long ago, and i'm looking for something a little faster and more up to date to replace it. I'm aiming for sub £600, but still wanted to take on the challenge of building my own. Only have a few real requirements.

-usable year round/reliable
-steel (no hi ten...)
-not a complete eyesore
-faster than the carlton (i.e weighs less than a small family car)

The frame just arrived today, and I've got some Ambrosio cranks on their way (sadly sugino/omnium etc turned out to be a little out of budget :[, however the savings there will be spent on decent wheels). It was on Triton for about £60 off, and given the reputation it has here and elsewhere on the internet, it looked like a considerably better alternative to Dolan or a (god forbid..) BLB track. I've got a parts spreadsheet very near completion which I'll post soon for full scrutiny and criticism.

This is my first build so cock-ups are to be expected. All feedback/advice is welcome. The Carlton is still rideable so my only real deadline is whenever it stops rolling, but hopefully it'll be done in a few months.

(full disclosure: still technically a teen, so poor taste and an inexplicable attraction to gaudy/shiny things are definitely going to have an influence, hence the title. That said, I promise there won't be any box logos).

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will you be riding fixed or ss? these steam rollers are bomb proof

most likely ss, but I've had it in the back of my mind to give fixed a go..

What wheels do you have planned?

Trying to weigh up between Miche and Planet X, but I've seen some mixed opinions on the hubs Planet X used for older iterations so I'm leaning towards the others atm

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/WPPXAL30DTR/planet-x-al30-d-track-wheelset

http://www.miche.it/en/catalogo-ruote/strada/xpress-wheels

If anyone owns/has used either, help would be greatly appreciated..

Hubs on the Planet X are rebranded Novatecs. Can't really go wrong there. They should work.

halo's have excellent value and durability for money. wheelsets available from Wiggle for example..

If I needed a wheelset atm I'd order a set of low flange silver mack superlights fix/fix rear 36h and front 32h. pair them with silver open pro's.

they're expensive but you'd get a good&light wheelset for both fixed/SS use.

I'd get some Mavic A319s or A119s to Novatecs, fat tyres and mudguards.

I commute on my surly steamroller. Used and abused it is a quality frame. I got fipflop hub when I started out. I've never had it flipped to ss.

Quick update here with the shopping list currently. A lot of planet x stuff I know, but it looks like pretty good value for money stuff, and I think I can get past the branding..

Wheels - Miche Xpress Track , but after FFFs recomendation and some research this may well change to halos. Heard some bad stuff about how well sealed some nova tech hubs are on the planet x's too, so I'm not sure about those
BB - Stronglight 400 JIS
Handlebars - Deda Crononero Team
Stem - Planet X Superlight Team
Headset - FSA Orbit MX
Bartape - Planet X Non-Slip Textured
Cables - Shimano Brake Cable Set
Levers - Planet X Carbon Aero TT
Calipers - Mich performance Caliper set
Seatpost - "Planet X Light Alloy Seatpost

Crankset arrived. Also forgot to post a pic of the MKS pedals that'll be used, which I picked up from kinoko a while back when they had their closing down sale

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So a few more things have been crossed off the shopping list; most of the control stuff/finishing kits ready to go. just need to get a wheelset and a bottom bracket and a few other smaller things and I'll be good to build.

definitely need to have a logo-removal day sometime soon. Also - any suggestions for colour aside from allblackeverything? I've been considering coloured bolts/skewers etc..

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I'd keep the decals

I'd consider Mheldrings advice and get some Mavic A119s to Planet X Novatech hubs. Even if you don't build them yourself they will be really good value for price and would give you a bombproof wheelset with possibility to run wider tires if you use it for commuting purposes. You could make them "bolt on" Testers style for silly money which looks nice and makes it more practical.

keep the decals!

I was thinking more about the Planet X ones as opposed to the surly ones

So this got a little neglected...

Santa has helped push forward this project a little in the last few days, and it's beginning to look a little more like an actual bike now. Everything except the BB, headset spacers, freewheel sprocket and other little bits of finishing kit has arrived and most of it's been built up.

I had it all out to rustproof the frame's interior a little, so I thought I'd take a few quick pics. Since these were taken the headset has been put in.

There's still plenty to do, but I'm pretty happy with how it's looking.

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luckily bullhorns are just a phase

it's done. Admittedly had to take it to the lbs to fit the bottom braket/cut the steerer tube, but everything else was done at home. Expecting there to be a few flaws to iron out as I ride it more, but the first few outings have been fantastic. Better pics may come soon

P.S For anyone searching for a steel beater, check out my Carlton Criterium post

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I like a splash of red to contrast with all black or all cream/white - so I have bright red bar tape* on my creamroller, and sometimes red panniers.

*Well it was before I let it get really, really bashed and scruffy :/

I was slightly thinking the same thing - not sure about what colour would be good though. I'd probarbly go for either dark green or red :S

tall stack fail, cannot be a slave

slam it!

Wish I hated my lower back enough to slam it. Will probably take it a few cm down after riding it a little more

Really nice build. Just dusting off my own first build and just slipped over £600... How much did yours turn out to be if you don't mind me asking?