Surly Steamroller

I very nearly bought a Steamroller, but the long reach brake issue stopped me. I just wanted a standard caliper. I don't get the idea behind that long-reach nonsense - I know it helps when fitting a mudguard, but the calipers look ugly.

not sure if you're joking about this or not - it just looks like a caliper to me. the extra clearance is so you can fit fatter / taller tyres. I've got freinds in Minnesota (where Surly are based) who ride Surlys for that reason - snow and 23c tyres dont mix well.

I just tried an old model 53 steamroller at brixton bike. I don't really know whether it was good bike cause its only the 2nd fixed bike I've tested(1st being the 56 BLB fixed bike). I had no problems riding it and it is more comfortable than the BLB(maybe the BLB is too big for me). Brixton bikes gonna build a new model black steamroller for me to try out this week.

lenk, a 53 and a 56 are considerably different. there are a number of useful threads on bike fit if you wade through the search. of the 2 shops you mention i'd trust the opinion of Brixton everytime, they are an awesome shop.

I too ride a cream roller, commuting 35 miles a day on it, over some of the shitiest road surfaces known to man.
A thoroughbred workhorse.

it's amazing how smooth they ride. I've got an 09 blackroller (I assume the black model is not called that - racist?) and love it. it's a really great bike.