Price Paid:  $1800.00 at Speedgoat

Favorite Ride:
All of them

Bike Setup:
Campy Centaur group
Thompson stem/post
Centaur hub/Mavic Open Pro wheels
Deda Newton bar
San Marco Regal saddle

Summary:
I purchased this bike to ride while I ponder my "dream bike." I built the frame up nicely so I could transition to a winter/training/commuter bike once I finally upgrade. I've been riding it for two years now and still haven't started the "dream bike"
I really like the ride of this bike. I put in quite a few fast miles and ride some pretty fast club rides/races and while it is no ultra sheek, super stiff, whippy racer bike it is pretty darn good. Comfortable, stiff enough to sprint, durable, versatile. If you are looking for a really good, yet inexpensive road bike I would highly recommend this frame.

Strengths:
Comfortable, durable, stiff enough, quick enough, stable enough, versatile.

Weaknesses:
The geometry has me riding a few extra spacers and an upsloping stem, but other than that no complaints.

Similar Products Used:
Merckx MX Leader - Still the greatest bike ever - at least I think so.
Lots of other steel and aluminum road bikes over the years

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
anything uphill

Bike Setup:
58cm frame, Ultegra group with DA 9 speed DT shifters. 32h ultegra OP wheelset. long reach brakes.

Summary:
I built my pacer up in March of last year to supplement my cx bike for commuting and foul weather training miles. In the year since then I've pulled a BOB across 3 states with it, done several 100 plus days and commuted through rain, ice and snow. In short, it has become my go-to bike. Surly refers to the Pacer as an "all-day bike" and I thorougly agree. Whether it's the double butted 4130 steel tubes at work or its comparatively long wheelbase and a slack headtube angle, the pacer is just plain comfortable. That's not to say it's a couch though, it climbs surprisingly well and descends with confidence inspiring stability. I've run a myriad of tires on mine, from 23c prorace2's to it's current 32c trekking tires. With some light modification to the fenders, Im able to run planet bike freddy's with the 32c tires mounted making it a nearly perfect midwest winter commuter.

Strengths:
DT shifter brazeons, comfort, appearance (the black is very subtle) and of course value. with proper care the frame will outlive you.

Weaknesses:
heavy.

Similar Products Used:
a couple gunnars, several other surlys(crosscheck/LHT/KM), lemond BA.

Price Paid:  $425.00 at Suncoast Bicycles Pl

Favorite Ride:
My deadly commute

Bike Setup:
105 8 speed, Mavic MA-2 rims, Panaracer Ruffy Tuffy tires, Nitto Noodle(46cm), Brooks B17(Honey), Carradice Barley(green)

Summary:
I was hit by a truck in April 07 while commuting to work. I was slightly injured but my Gunnar Sport was damaged and had to be repainted. That took it off the road for several months. I had money to spend and a Schwinn Peloton that was too small. The 2007 Surly Pacer seemed like an ideal backup commuter. It is. I had my LBS swap my 1995 8 speed 105 group to the Surly, but I needed a threadless headset, stem, and long reach brakes. My total out of pocket came to about $800, frame, parts and labor. The Surly is a very nice looking frame. The new "Silver Bullet" finish looks very classy. It almost looks like titanium. How does it ride? I grew up riding a steel touring bike, and the Surly is close to that. It's geometry is more aggressive than a tourer, but it's very comfortable. Not the lightest bike in the world. But it's durable, affordable, and comfortable. I had fenders mounted but when I swapped to 700x28 tires I had rub. Not the fault of the frame, but the fault of the Freddy Fenders I was using. I like the Surly.

Strengths:
Price, appearance, comfort

Weaknesses:
Weight

Similar Products Used:
Gunnar Sport

Price Paid:  $325.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Skagit Flats

Bike Setup:
Dura ace down tube levers, Bontrager race lite GPX crank (it was cheap), Ultegra nine speed drive train, 105 brakes, Mavic Open Pro's laced to Ultegra hubs with DT 2.0 spokes.

Summary:
Steal is real!! You can ride this bike all day long, it is fast and handles better than any bike I have ridden. A tad heavy but for the target audience that is a strength. If you want a solid, strong, good riding road bike then consider the Pacer.

This bike is versatile and a great value so I am giving it a rating of 5.

Strengths:
Tracks perfectly, smooth even on the chip sealed roads we have around here, attractive and durable.

Weaknesses:
Paint could be better, rear brake cable sits on top of the top tube so apply some bonk tape to prevent the cable from scratching the frame.

Similar Products Used:
Old Miyatta crit frame. Old Panasonic road bike, Giant Allegre (should never have sold it) Giant OCR3 (complete dog).

Price Paid:  $400.00 at Hammerhead Bikes

Bike Setup:
9 speed Ultegra/Dura Ace drivetrain. EC70 wing bars. Sella Italia Flite Gel saddle. Velomax Circuit wheels.

Summary:
This is my first road bike, and I really like it. It is on the heavy side, but I think it is a comfortable ride. I don't feel slow, and I like the way it handles. I think it would make a good entry level bike for most people.

Strengths:
Strong, not harsh

Weaknesses:
Heavy