Surly Creamroller '09: Frame+Custom or Full Bike

Well the title is pretty much self-explanatory.
After long decision with myself, I decided to get a move to my new SS/FG with the New Steamroller cream.

(my Previous bike, custom made from interweb bits bite the dust in a car accident last september).

Before:

After:

Now, my dilema is the following: should I go frame+fork and then add the bits I really want, or go for a complete bike and maybe swap parts later.
Money isn't much of a problem, but I want to keep it reasonable, and have a good ratio pleasure/value.

My LBS can get both, full build or frame, and I'd like as much as possible to work with them as they've been really helpful so far.

I've build the 1st bike from scratch and learned a lot, but having the bike destroyed after only 1 1/2 month of riding it, got me a little upset.
Not sure I want to spend that much time sourcing the parts and all.

But on the other side, the complete bike doesn't totally do it for me (ugly saddle for a start), and I know well that overtime I will swap parts around.

So, what you guys would be doing in that situation?

custom made? but that just a beater with new part.

if you can, try and get all the part yourself and simply hand them all to your LBS to built it up for you, it´s noticably cheaper than having your LBS getting the part as well as building it, especially rims for instance that usually cost 35 quids in shop are only 25-30 on the internet.

If money isn't much of a problem, why do you want to get a Surly? They're not made of anything special, which means they're a bit heavy, and in the UK they're overpriced.

Antsiou, maybe I'm off-track here, but were you after a strong-framed bike, that wouldn't crumple like your last one did?

A heavier bike is the trade-off, ........but the Surly's are strong indeed.

Let people sneer mate.

My missus is from Internet-Brides. My kids are out of a test tube. And my bikes are OTP.

Fixed.

I think grenville is calling you fat.

to answer your question, if you have a bike to ride now, then get a F&F, if not then get a complete bike.

**Fred did a funny! **

**Fred did a FUNNY!! **

**FRED DID A FUNNY!!! **

Actually, fred's right. Look at more options.

Finally no more maroon steamrollers, i think there is a black version coming out in April '09 which would be nicer again. A heavy bike though.

custom made? but that just a beater with new part.

if you can, try and get all the part yourself and simply hand them all to your LBS to built it up for you, it´s noticably cheaper than having your LBS getting the part as well as building it, especially rims for instance that usually cost 35 quids in shop are only 25-30 on the internet.

Thanks

Yep, didn't want to say custom made, but customized, just putting my touch.
I was thinking surly as it's reliable, strong as a bull, and good compromise between city rides and mid-range commute.

GA2G, you're right, the solidity of the frame is an appeal, as well as surly long lasting reputation.

What else would you see as alternate?

( I eyed the condor pista for sometime, would get a Masi if they were available in Europe, or even the fixie inc Peacemaker if I wanted to go a bit crazy)

I don't want abike that screams steals me neither...

Finally no more maroon steamrollers, i think there is a black version coming out in April '09 which would be nicer again. A heavy bike though.

they might be a bit heavy..........but they're damn tough

Thanks
What else would you see as alternate?

( I eyed the condor pista for sometime, would get a Masi if they were available in Europe, or even the fixie inc Peacemaker if I wanted to go a bit crazy)

I don't want abike that screams steals me neither...

I've got an '07 Pista and I hardly ever ride it for fear of having it nicked. They're pretty light as well, so doubt they'd hold their end up in an argument with a ve-hi-cle.

If you really want look at OTP.
Charge make some solid rides, and the genesis flyer gets good reviews for ride quality.

IMHO grab a framset and build it up, looks like you have most of the bits.

Surely you kept all the bits off your old beater, get f&f and put that stuff on it. Easy. Surly are good, strong and won't fold like an old banana next time you hit a car.

Next time ? Swerve ;-)

These look pretty solid
http://www.tokyofixedgear.com/tokyo-store-details.asp?idCategory=21
[URL="http://www.tokyofixedgear.com/tokyo-store-details.asp?idCategory=21"][/URL]

Hey, thanks for the reply all.

Well, to me, Surly, was pretty much a beloved one in the FG community, but it seems that most of you would recommend otherwise. haha, now I'm in doubt again.

Some parts of the old beater can probably be re-used, but then all the sizes might be wrong. And above all, I'm a bit worried that the core structure can be damaged somehow.

Might need to keep looking around.

And I want the frame strong, cause next time, the Car will bite the dust, not my bike. :)
Any actual Steamroller user who can share their experience too?

would recommend the tokyo fixed gear if you want something a bit special, ahve been seeing a few of the surly's about, though the cream is lovely... also try cavendish cycles, nice shop slightly rubbish website but they ahve nice katana frames.

would recommend the tokyo fixed gear if you want something a bit special, ahve been seeing a few of the surly's about, though the cream is lovely... also try cavendish cycles, nice shop slightly rubbish website but they ahve nice katana frames.

Thanks for the tips, I should have mentionned that I live in Dublin...
So it's internet shopping or LBS for me...
Only issue is I can test ride the surly soon enough, but no idea on other bikes or frame...

If your after a strong frame then the steamroller is a good choice.
Even if the frame is tab heavy, it will feel fast with lighter wheels.

Just my feelings but..

Test ride the steamroller anyway, and try to decide what you like/dont like about it geometery wise.
Look around, there loads of framesets availible from t'internet, and compare geometrys.

Have your LBS look at the reminants of your crash (if you trust them not to say its alll f**ked, just to sell stuff to you)

Buy the frameset of your choice + the parts you need and then get building.

Then get riding. (oh and swerve;))

http://www.surlybikes.com/steamroller.html

Hey Folks,

for those who are interested, I've made my mind up and will order a complete Steamroller in Cream this weekend from my LBS.
Will upgrade things as I go along, but it'll be a believe a solid good reliable ride to start off.
Hopefully i'll get it by the end of next week.
So will post review and all when it's time.

Usually the easiest option, that if you don't start upgrading nearly all of the bike in the space of one months!

I did the same with my Bianchi, it's easier to able to get the hang of it, and figure out what you'd want to make it better (i.e. a shorter stem for a zippier handling).

For those who are looking for a Creamroller, apparently the ship is blocked at the custom and won't get clearance until some time in January.
Black colors to be shipped around march.
So I won't get my Creamroller until mid-january at the earliest.
Betting on a early feb....

So might start to go shopping again :(

Hey, thanks for the reply all.

Any actual Steamroller user who can share their experience too?

I have had 3 Steamrollers and they are a very nice ride (I may actually keep my present one for a change!) The geometry is very good for the road, much better imo than a track bike where the bottom bracket is too high and the position is too over the front. Gives a comfortable ride with quick enough handling.
Not sure where all the comments on being heavy are coming from, I would say it is average for a steel frame and forks. Maybe 200 grams heavier than high end steel frames (let's face it, if you want a light frame get alloy or carbon)

My previous bike was a Colnago Dream Lux Pista and yes it was a more expensive and lighter bike but it didn't feel as nice on the road as a Steamroller.

A couple of them are here ==> http://www.fizzypeach.co.uk/bike.html

Complete spec isn't great, i've just gotten a brown one F&F, awesome frame, but the bits are a tiny bit budget. I'd go for F&F and get the rest custom. Nice hubs on open pros (better than the alex rims it comes with, surly hubs aren't too bad though) a saddle you're comfortable with and a gearing you're comfortable with... It makes it much nicer.

Just get a brown one and redo the colour if you're bothered, but i love the brown, with a brooks, saddle bag, some nice drops with brown tape and low profile rims, it looks old skool in a coool way.

I have had 3 Steamrollers and they are a very nice ride (I may actually keep my present one for a change!) The geometry is very good for the road, much better imo than a track bike where the bottom bracket is too high and the position is too over the front. Gives a comfortable ride with quick enough handling.
Not sure where all the comments on being heavy are coming from, I would say it is average for a steel frame and forks. Maybe 200 grams heavier than high end steel frames (let's face it, if you want a light frame get alloy or carbon)

My previous bike was a Colnago Dream Lux Pista and yes it was a more expensive and lighter bike but it didn't feel as nice on the road as a Steamroller.

A couple of them are here ==> http://www.fizzypeach.co.uk/bike.html

Hey Kerley, Thanks for the nice feedback, that's cementing me in waiting for the steamroller. I kinda lost sight of other bike with that sense of all-around ride.
Now looking more and more into Tight Track Geo, even though I know I will mainly/only commute (no tricks for me)...
So Steamroller or alternative...

Complete spec isn't great, i've just gotten a brown one F&F, awesome frame, but the bits are a tiny bit budget. I'd go for F&F and get the rest custom. Nice hubs on open pros (better than the alex rims it comes with, surly hubs aren't too bad though) a saddle you're comfortable with and a gearing you're comfortable with... It makes it much nicer.

Just get a brown one and redo the colour if you're bothered, but i love the brown, with a brooks, saddle bag, some nice drops with brown tape and low profile rims, it looks old skool in a coool way.

Cheers Fat pants, one main issue is that I don't like the brown that much (and there's a few around Dublin I could spot already). I could get a re-spray though, but well, I like cream, so why spend more.. Haha
And both F+F or complete are stuck at custom I've heard. none to be available anywhere in UK until it's cleared....

For those who are interested, I got my Creamroller last saturday, only really rode it this morning to my first work commute since the accident.
I have to say that it rides really well so far, but I'm just getting back onto the bike in 3 -4 months.
First time fully fixed as well (i was ffreewheeling before).
I like it, even though will need to get use and loose my coasting habits.

for the moment, it's all stock execpt the saddle from my old bike.
(i even have 2 brakes fitted, just to be on safe side psychologicaly)...
The bikes looks beautiful in real, the cream color is spot on, and goes nicely with the black parts.
Really happy about that now, but need to ride it more...

Anyway, they're available for the taking now.
not the cheapest OTP, but a steady quality ride I'd say

where did you get it from? do you know if they're doing a frame set on its own?
you wanna take that back brake off too, not going to do you any good- dangerous in fact