Search results for:

I'm 5ft 6in and ride a 53 with riser bars and it's absolutely fine, if I slammed the stem and rode with drops I'd be able to replicate a similar position to my 52 road bike and more aggressive than my 52 CX bike.

Sounds rather pretty! Wouldn't go on mine (it'd get ruined too quick) but I'd love to see a photo of it installed whoever buys it!

Looks comfy, but those tolerances look extremely tight, and I notice the rear wheel is set a long way back in the dropouts!

Once again as a fixed gear novice I need to ask your advice: using the teatowel trick about for sorting chain tension, is there a trick to getting the back wheel straight in the dropouts?

Do you switch around your tyres (front to back) already? Means you get a bit longer life, and then change the pair rather than the rear all the time.

That teatowel trick was inspired! Thanks Ed!

Thanks Ed. I know I don't 'need' one but it's handy to have so I can just give it a quick tighten if I notice it's too slack on the way to work or whatever. Do they all fit the Steamroller dropouts do you know?

Anyone got any subtle alternatives to the Surly Tuggnut for a Steamroller? I don't really want a bottle opener hanging off the back of my bike to be honest!

Lovely, same colour as mine!

Very nice, though I'd ditch the bottle cage ;)

Righty ho, I picked up my new (ex-demo) Steamroller from my LBS this morning.

I was pretty nervous about riding fixed for the first time but my worries came to nothing, jumped straight on it and after a few laps of the car park I was off to work (10km).

Here are a few pics, and spec is:
2015 Steamroller Frame (53cm)
BLB Mosquito Saddle
BLB Seatpost
BLB 165mm Cranks
Crank Brothers Candy 1 Pedals
46x18 Gearing
H Plus Son Archetype laced to Novatech Rear Hub
38mm Carbon Rim laced to a Hope RS Mono Front Hub.
Specialized XC Upsweep Bars
Miche Front Brake Calliper
23mm Vittoria Rubino Front and Rear

This bike makes me grin more than any other bike I've ridden. It's not super fast or crazy light, but it is completely fucking brilliant.

I am really looking to ride fixed as opposed to SS, partly out of curiosity and partly to improve my technique for riding in the summer on a 'normal' geared bike.

Reading between the lines it seems much like riding clipless for the first time; you will fall over at traffic lights at least once, and you will have moments where you forget you're clipped in and try to pull your feet off, but once your brain understands that your feet are in without you having to remind it then you're good and you struggle to remember what it was like in flats.

The back brake is potentially a good idea, I'll try to practise a bit first before trying any big descents and see how it goes.

I'll post some pics when I pick the bike up next week - after all, this is the Steamroller owner's thread!

Indeed, I use Eggs on the CX bike and Candys for the summer bike but I do have SPDs and cleats kicking around so can change them out if they disengage too readily (I hadn't thought of that really, good shout).

@853Superfly thanks for the advice! It's a long hill up to the office (3km flat and 5km 5-10%) and the same in reverse home. I'm thinking start the descent really slow and get used to the feeling of resistance and build up the speed over a few weeks/months.

Thanks @edscoble, I'm a fairly seasoned roadie so will be clipping into the new bike (I use Crankbrothers pedals/cleats) and the Surly is going to be my winter trainer/commuter, although I suspect it might be my daily driver through the summer too! It's coming with just the front brake but the LBS have offered to fit a rear brake and SS on the flip flop if I want.

Front only at this point - hoping to force myself to learn to brake 'properly' rather than make it too easy for myself to bail out!

Ah, good to know, thanks. Just been reading the 'First Rides' thread, now bricking it for the first descent home from work on the Surly!

Newbie here, ordered myself a Steamroller through my LBS today ready to collect late next week. First fixie edit: Fixed Gear, super keen to try it out!