Surly Steamroller owners...

cheap steamroller: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/surly-steamroller-/220713463411?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item33638c2e73#ht_500wt_1156

i am about to own my 3rd steamroller in 6 weeks. fuck yea.

Thinking (a lot) about getting a Steamroller to go with my Cross Check that's served me extraordinarily well for a few years now.
I noticed on the Ison Distribution site that we're right between models, they have the '09s for £675 and the '11s for £699 (due in a few weeks).
All things being equal, which they aren't, I have absofuckinglutely no idea which I prefer.
Kickers are the drops on the '09 as I don't ride flat bars right now, but that's about it.
Anyone seen an '11 bike yet? Any opinions either way?
It'd be used for commuting/short hop credit card touring/fucking about and (if I can't get a new job) work, which is couriering.

Oh and size? My Cross Check is a 60cm, Steamrollers come in 59 or 62cm...

I'm pondering the exact opposite, to get a cross check as my only geared ride

got a 59cm steamroller, Scherrit recommended me something with a 56 top tube, so that's what I'm aiming for

Looked at Surly geometry specs and guess I need a 62cm as it's nearest for top tube length.

Ison doesn't have '09 62cms, so that's that then.

?

uh, no. ID only distribute to shops, you can't buy from them.

uh, no. ID only distribute to shops, you can't buy from them.

Aware of that, I work in a bike store on Saturdays, we can get Ison stuff easy as long as over £100 min order, which this is.
Also get employee discount, which is only reason I work in the shop, 35%.

Thanks though.

i am lost then.

Why?

I'm asking if anyone has seen a '11 yet, and opinions on any comparison between '09 and '11 spec etc.

Sorry if I mangled my words

The 11's havent shipped yet, no one will have seen them, dude.

so no opinions yet?

Why?

you said "that's that then" with regards to 09 steamrollers which i took to mean that you meant that you were going to be forced to get an 11 one, as you thought that because the distributors had none, that no one would have any, or something along those lines. then it becomes marginally clearer as you reveal that you work in a bike shop so it appears that you are not going to buy one from a shop as you could get it cheaper direct.

Is the '11 just a different OTP build, or is the actual frame different? The Internet keeps banging on about it coming with bigger tyres, so has it always had huge clearances?

I've always wanted one, but the sizing seems just off, and I've never quite been able to justify it.

This and *especially *this one were always my favourite... never really liked the forks tig + lug?

2011 version?

http://prollyisnotprobably.com/2010/10/2011_surly_steamroller.php

they have clearances for 38c IIRC, 32c on 11.

what is werid about sizing? mine is (was/will be) 53ctc, 56ctt, 54.5 tt. not weird?

you said "that's that then" with regards to 09 steamrollers which i took to mean that you meant that you were going to be forced to get an 11 one, as you thought that because the distributors had none, that no one would have any, or something along those lines. then it becomes marginally clearer as you reveal that you work in a bike shop so it appears that you are not going to buy one from a shop as you could get it cheaper direct.

I'm kind of posting and thinking at sort of the same time but there's probably some lag. I'm not the world's brightest motherfucker.

Just kicking ideas around, wondered if someone in London had seen the '11 at a show or something, we'll get one in soon enough I guess.

And I guess I could get a bigger '09 used but even then it's hard to beat the discount shop price so I am kind of focused on Ison.

Yeah anyway, think I'm getting another Surly.

It's not weird, it's just a bit off for me I think:

49cm st / 53 tt
53cm st / 55 tt

I'd like a 53cm tt, but I'd rather not have lots of post (or not very much headtube more to the point), so I've always been a bit put off taking the risk... esp. for a frame I'm not really sure I can justify.

And as for the whole '11 thing - doesn't that prollyisnot... article cover it all?

I'm rubbish.
I've lost the will to get out on my bikes (steamroller, cross check), both are adequately set up for winter but you know how it is, you miss a few days and it turns into a week, then all of a sudden it's a month. Then just when I had some time off down comes the snow and up comes another excuse to stay in. Stupid. I rode loads in the snow last year.
Some one come round here and slap me.

By the way, should I be worried about my Brookes saddles freezing their hyde of in the shed?

The new steamroller will be at CORE next month, but not before then in this country.

I"m stretching my memory, but I think they haven't changed much on the frame and are just mixing up the components.
The big deal will be the handlebar set up and the fatter tyres, which you've already mentioned.

Thanks for the info.

Have only had to replace three things on my Steamroller, bought complete July 2008.

First, the seatpost - micro adjust began to slip. No biggie.

Next, bottom bracket. Again, no great shakes, my bike gets a lot of use.

Then, the cartridge bearings went front and then back. Couple months apart. The Surly hubs have cartridge bearings which should be easy to whip out and replace. But no. I managed to get hold of cartridges. But both front and back the cartridge were squished. Crumpled. This made them very hard to remove. Could not lever them out without damaging the hub. Took it to my LBS. They had to build a special tool to remove the cartridge.

Anybody had similar a experience?

courier friend only changed rear bearings on her complete

and they weren't squished.

Nope, never seen that before.

Possibly tightened my nuts a little tight, but not THAT tight.

Hi guys,
Good thread we have here so I share what I have in the store room.
I've been having the Steamroller for almost 2.5years. It rides great, fast and furious.
I'm 5'11" and I ride 56cm bike (just for reference for potential new owner).
I have few other Fixed bikes and so he became the King (under utilised).
Lately I've been thinking of selling it...still not very sure about it.

anyway, here's my ride: