YET another Surly Steamroller…

I admit, not the most unique bike on here, but you gotta start somewhere. I toyed with few bikes and part swaps over the years, but this is the first time I’m committing to a full build with nice parts etc.

Purpose being utilitarian single speed front disc and (relatively) lockable commuter machine.

Few weeks ago a creamroller in my size appeared on eBay, managed to place a winning bud, this is how it was when I picked it up aka starting point:

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Quickly realised the frame will be the only thing left. Current struggle is to make it look lockable, but monkey brain wants nice parts with nice names printed on them.

Currently fitted:
Sram Rival crankset (42t)
Budget Omega wheelset from Gumtree
Thomson 0 deg 90mm stem
Some random Pro LT riser bars with left over bar tape
Random brake that came with the bike

Parts acquired:
Thomson layback seatpost
Specialized power expert saddle with holographic finish coz it looks bonkers
Genesis CDF steel disc fork, still on the hunt for a carbon fork though
Hunt x Mason 700c front disc wheel
Ratty CK headset in green - just waiting for the right fork
Halo Clickster 16t (fixed atm coz need a rear brake)

Parts to find:
Nicer rear wheel
Rear brake
Front disc and disc brake
Maybe set of black tires 35-40mm for comfort and looks
Longer stem
Handlebars
Grips

Current fit doesn’t feel good on the wrists, previous more aggro setup with slammed longer stem felt comfier, so the Thomson might be for sale soon.

Also seriously considering a fluo orange/pink splatter job on top of the current paint. Think it would look kinda fire!

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Easy sub this one. Planning something similar in the not too distant future

Quick update before this becomes before/after post.

Managed to find a ck headset in green with some history on eBay for relatively cheap that’s on now. Kinda wish I went for hope but I don’t rock tools for fitting headsets so swapping it doesn’t feel too sustainable. Green is nice too.

Sorted the carbon disc fork finally - fixation Sparta, some basic shimano hydraulic disc brake with makeshift bracket as can’t be bothered bleeding just to run in inside the fork (not yet at least) also might change for a flat mount.

Mason x hunt front wheel I got on eBay in good nick for 30£

Enve carbon riser bar, 8-10cm too wide tbf. Probably sell coz I hate Idea of cutting things like that.

Temporary death grip grips in grey before I figure out the bar

Also this was meant be be lockable - instead got that enve bar and Thomson seat post. Specialized reflective saddle coz I like how silly it is. Either put beater parts long term or figure out parts locking system like hexlox or smth (anyone got experience with it?)

Rear wheel is still beater, waiting for a h plus son black rim, got a suzue hub in silver on eBay for cheap, will probs drop it off sbc to get build and figure out the matching tyre. Originally wanted gravel kings with tan walls but vibing with full black look. At some point I might change to single speed but hate the idea of braking surface on the back wheel main reason I want to stay fixed how stupid is that? Or maybe get a carbon rim… haven’t really found rims that cost less than what I paid for the frame set…

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So... I completely forgot I got this thread on! Fast forward to today, bars gone, back to og fork, carbon fork long gone, both wheels gone, rear wheel built on suzue hub off ebay with rim off fb marketplace and back to single speed, front wheel a lucky ebay find with matching silver hub. Gravel kings semi slick 35mm. Need to fix a bad habit of taking non drive side pictures.

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Currently trying to source omniums and going back to fixed as I miss it. Regret rear brake taking off the anodizing off the rear wheel. Worth spraying or nah?

Nice bike, front wheel was laced incorrectly.

wheel 1, 2, 3 or 4? lol. also what makes you say that? current wheel (h plus son) is just radial

Maybe it’s perspective. They look crossed but now I look they’re not. It doesn’t look right somehow though. M

Edit: I mean front h plus son

just laid down on the floor to double check haha must be perspective!

No need to spray it, a black Posca pen will get that brake track looking sharp again super easily. Just hold it against the track and spin the wheel slowly!

Also, looks good! What a glow up from the before shot.

That is a top tip thanks so much! Will definitely give it a shot !

And yeah innit! Kinda forgot just scrolled up today and was amazed ha.

I definitely picked the tip up from here somewhere! Posca trumps Sharpie etc, it dries black and matte, rather than blue-y and shiny.

Same fit.

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Wow! The stance resemblance is uncanny ! Very happy to see this haha

What brake calipers did you run?

These are Dia Compe BRS 202 and they're lovely

I was about to say it wouldn't dry black until I saw this comment. Huh, gotta try that. Black sharpie always makes it look like a reddish black rather than blue in my experience

You might be right about the Sharpie!

Haven't played with a posca yet, but finished sourcing parts and putting it back to fixed. Marin bear valley took the everyday commuter duties from the previous (free-wheeled) incarnation of the steamroller, so it can now live a more dedicated fixed cruiser-shredder life - cruiser as 35mm tyres and 48x19. Also learned the auto-focus on my fuji became really buggy so that's the only pic that turned out ok so far ha

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Steamroller in more real life use trim + some stickers

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