“Gaining some clarity”

Surly Midnight Special all-road bike

I bought the frame new last spring and built it up as a retro-modern all-road bike, inspired by the builds I had seen in Bicycle Quarterly. Much of the original build has remained but the downtube shifters had to go as they were holding me back on some rides.

Apart from the frame and brake calipers, I think the entire build is parts bin or second hand. I think it’s my favourite bike to ride as it’s very comfortable but has responsive handling, which is a combination you rarely find on bikes nowadays.

To do:

• consider new wheel build on wider and lighter rims. Possibly carbon.
  
• make DIY half-frame bag for long-distance capacity.
  
• Add mud flap to rear mudguard.
  
• possible GRX groupset in future, but it’s working very well as is and I like the character.
  
• considering having the frame rebuilt in lightweight tubing.
  

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