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You're going for it - nice! Subbed.
Mine is going incredibly slowly but will finally have an update or two over the next few days. Totally in love with the frame.
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Welcome to the club! Excellent idea for the build, only I would say that because it's near identical to my own crosscheck. I've linked to my build thread below for inspiration :)
For my money, nowadays, run downtube shifters and a shimano gear setup. And probably discs so you can use 650b wheels too [admittedly means you have to buy a straggler or wolverine instead ;) ]
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58 for sale ...
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Thanks, sent the seller a message.
@Cupcakes thanks! Of course your thread served as inspiration for this build :)
I was indeed looking at those exact 2 bikes you mention but in the end decided to keep it a bit lower budget and plus I still haven't quite warmed up to running disc brakes yet; I'm sure I'll come round to them on a future build. -
Hurrah, glad you found the thread useful.
Personally, when building mine (some years ago now) I felt road discs were too much of a faff. Nowadays I'd go for them, but it's really on the basis of being able to use different wheel sizes. Cantis and mini v brakes will work well enough for most people in most types of riding (as for all such things, diligent setup will pay dividends).
The cane creek 40 is a good shout. As for flared drops, I think wider=more control, but it must be largely personal preference (plus fashion).
Try not to get ruinously injured halfway through the build like I did :)
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Frameset arrived last Friday and I built it up over the weekend. No gears yet as the wheels only just arrived today.
Still have some stuff to take of:Different bars as the current ones have too much reach. I am very happy with my Nitto M109 so am looking for a similar shape in 31.8. If you have anything please let me know, have put up a thread https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/298876/#comment13422836. A cheap option With a similar shape seems to be the Planet X strada shallow bars, has anyone got any experience with those?
Position mudguards properly and cut the stays to size
Adjust the brakes properly as they squeal
1 Attachment
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Decided that the SRAM PG1130 11-42t cassette that came with the groupset (for sale here) probably has more range than needed for the bike's intended purpose and I am waiting for a smaller range one to be delivered. Should hopefully arrive before the weekend in which case the bike will get gears pretty soon :)
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1x went on as planned the WE before last. I've used the Surly mainly for commuting since but went to Yorkshire last WE and tested the groupset on a proper ride (mix of road and gravel/mud).
Have to say I was pleasantly surprised and did not miss a second chainring at all. Was wishing for another 2 teeth upfront a few times during the ride but it was very flat where I was riding and overall the chain was mainly in the middle of the cassette.
However my only point of reference is my road bike which only has a 2x8 transmission so somebody coming from 2x11 might miss the 2nd ring a little more (?)
TheSchwartz
Cupcakes
Thrasher
JamesQGM
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About
Surly Cross Check with Apex-1
Posted by
First project on here, not the most exciting but here we go anyways
This will be used mainly as commuter, gravel, winter trainer, doeverything kind of bike. I am planning on running it mainly fixed in winter and mainly geared in summer so a 1x drivetrain, apart from being on-trend, will mean less changing around of bits.
The fixed wheelset I have has an ISO mount and Velosolo cog which can be spaced out to give the same chainline as the S350 crankset (43.7mm).
In order to avoid re-wrapping bars and buying the Apex-1 shifters (which are hydro only anyways) I decided to go with the flatbar shifter, similar to @Hulsroy 's top cross. Unfortunately the design of the shifter is slightly different so I cannot attach a clamp to make it fit ordinary drop bars. I am therefore thinking of using a small 22.2mm light mount which would also bring the shifter closer to the brake lever, at least in theory. I haven’t tried this set up out yet so any input would be welcome.
List of components
F&F
Surly Cross Check 58, black. Currently waiting for Triton to restock them at the end of this month. If anyone has a used 58 they are willing to sell please let me know.
Headset
Cane Creek 40 EC34
Geared Wheelset
I wanted hand built wheels and decided to give DCR wheels a shot. Really enjoyed reading all the info on his website. Ordered in 130mm rear OLD so I can use these on my road bike too. Should be with me in the next 2 weeks.
DCR hubs, Sapim D-Light spokes, Kinlin XR22T rims, 24/28
Fixed Wheelset
This will come from my fixie skidder bike. Mack hubs, CX-rays, Kinlin XC279 rims, 28/32. Built by forum’s own @arup. Ordered and received bolts & spacers for 130mm OLD from Mack.
Tyres
Panaracer Paselas in 38c. These seem to be a forum favourite (and relatively cheap). Any other recommendations? Priority is reliability/puncture protection
Groupset
SRAM Apex-1 (crank & chainring, RD, cassette, flatbar shifter, GXP Team BB), received as Christmas present. Crankset came with 42t ring, will need see if I need a bigger one. Cassette looks massive with a range of 11-42
Brakes
Tektro CR710 or CR720 (which is better?) Would really like Pauls (who wouldn’t?!) but cannot justify the price. Still need to buy
Cockpit
Thomson X2, will come from the fixie skidder. Might need different rise and length once I have dialled in the fit.
System X (Kalloy) seatpost I have lying around
Tektro RL340 brake levers, still need to buy
Flite Max Saddle
Still undecided on handlebars. I have a couple lying around that I will use for now but I see a lot of Surlys with flared drop bars. Keen to try some those out, eg. Salsa Cowbells, any other/cheaper suggestions? What is the benefit of having flared drops?
I think that is it for now, small stuff like cables and bar tape I have lying around
Things still to consider
Fenders: SKS? Something with reflectors maybe? PDW and VO look nice but seem expensive.
Racks: Still undecided between running a Porteur front rack for my rucksack or using a rear rack and panniers (replacing rucksack). The latter would probably more expensive. Anyone has experience with both?