Surly Steamroller

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Surly Steamroller

Bike Setup:
Stock for the complete build, but with the following upgrades; Soma Urban Pursuit Bar, Brooks Bar Tape, Brooks B17 Ti saddle, MKS RX-1 Pedals

Summary:
Ok, I'm predominantly a downhill mountain biker, but I have to say NO product has inspired me to write a review until I bought this! I'm no roadie thats for sure, and am used to riding significantly heavier bikes, so it does amuse me that other reviewers describe this as heavy...it's freakin light and it's STEEL, and it cranks, period, i'm completely addicted to riding fixies, and my legs now get a proper workout, so maybe the extra "weight" will do me some good..it handles nice and snappy, and has that springy ride quality that only steel can provide at a cheap price, a great product, i'm flying up and down hills..and getting many happy miles..just rode thru Melbourne, and some geezer shouted out "FIXIE" with a big smile on his face!! felt like I joined some new subculture!!!!!

Strengths:
Ride Quality, 2008 frame, so it's good value, snappy handling, good geometry.

Weaknesses:
None yet:)

Similar Products Used:
n/a

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Dirty Harry's

Favorite Ride:
Hartwood

Bike Setup:
58cm-frame, easton risers, ritchey stem, brooks saddle, miche hubs, mabic open sport rims, other misc. parts

Summary:
I am mainly a mountain biker and wanted a good bike to commute on in Pittsburgh. At first I loves this bike, but now am lusting for some gears. Bottom line, if you are sure you will never want gears, get this; otherwise get a cross-check if you may ever want some.

Strengths:
Good geometry, smooth ride

Weaknesses:
no braze-ons

Similar Products Used:
Many fixie conversions, Rush Hour, Sputknik, Langster, Dispatch

Price Paid:  $600.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
whatever

Bike Setup:
Around winter, I had an idea to turn the Steamroller into a singlespeed offroad machine. With some modifications (freewheel, flatbars, WTB Pathways 700x38, and a rear brake)it transformed into a makeshift ss offroad bike. The frame was able to handle the fatty tires.
When rainy season came up, I put some fenders in there and became my rain bike.

Once in a while, I feel like setting it up as a track bike. So I take off my brakes, steal my collector friend's nice lightweight wheelset (a Suntour Superbe on some crazy light tubular rims), write 75 on my stock Sugino cranks with a marker, and replace the bars with track drop bars.

Summary:
I wanted a track bike after converting my Peugeot Iseran into a fixed gear after messing up my hubs and my hanger is bent. After riding fixed for about eight months, I decided to get a track bike. I considered getting a Pake frame but Surly has a better deal if the Steamroller was bought as a complete bike. I bought the Steamroller as a complete bike and there it is.

First thing I noticed was the geometry, it was quick and twitchy compared to my road bike. The bike comes with a crummy seat so that was one of the first things to go. The stem creaks a lot. The bottom bracket started creaking after 300 miles. The wheels' hubs started getting loose after 700 miles.

The bike is very flexible, I had it set up in different ways: a cross, a commuter, a rain bike, and a track bike. That's what I liked about this bike, it is very versatile.

Compared to my friend's track bikes, this bike has a longer wheelbase compared to other 'true' track bikes. But that's a good thing, it doesn't beat you up as bad. Another friend ended up borrowing my Surly over my collector friend's Colnago.

All products worth price charged.

Strengths:
Strong frame, geometry is forgiving (compromise between a track bike and a commuter), and flexibility. Strong wheels.

Weaknesses:
Paint is ugly but like everything else, it grows on you. Stickers get crusty after a year. Wheelset is so-so, it is strong but the hubs get loose. Cranks could be nicer but Surly is cooler than Bianchi anyway.

Similar Products Used:
First track bike but I've ridden my friend's extensive track bike collection which include: Schwinn Madison, Schwinn Paramount (one from '83 and another from '86), Colnago, Gios, and others I can't even remember.

Price Paid:  $700.00 at NYC Velo

Bike Setup:
stock w/17 tooth cog

Summary:
I spent a really long time trying to figure out what fix gear would suit me best. I am a mountain biker who moved to NYC this year, I wanted to stay in biking shape and did not have the option of hitting the trails frequently, so I wanted to go for a fixie. I was looking for something that would be comfortable

Strengths:
from NYC's potholes to virginia country roads this bike is a smooth ride. I am used to full suspension, and the steamroller must be a road version of full suspension.

feels great sprinting and stays comfortable for rides that last a few hours.

After demoing different fixies I totally fell in love with this one.

Weaknesses:
Only one color?
I guess it makes the purchase easier.

Price Paid:  $275.00 at local bike shop

Bike Setup:
Bullhorn & track bars (depends on mood) with shellacked cotton tape, Mavic MA-3 rear wheel laced to Surly New Hub, Rolf Vector Pro front wheel, King headset, Brooks Team Pro saddle, Sugino RD-2 crank & FSA BB.

Summary:
No frills, no excuses and oh so much fun. I don't know why, but this has been my favorite bike including my Calfee Dragonfly, custom Vanilla and Serotta Fierte. This frameset and me just click.

There is really nothing special about this frame. It's just a plain, tigged 4130 frame, but I have so much fun on it that I always grab this bike unless I absolutely need gears which is rare. This frame will fit fenders and wide tires if needed.

There are many good choices in the Steamrollers price range these days, but at the price I got it for ($275 new) it can't be beat, and the customer service has been stellar.

Strengths:
-Durable
-Powdercoat finish is very tough
-Great stable & responsive geometry that's been perfect for my commuting purposes
-Very comfortable ride with great bump absorption
-Inexpensive
-BB clearance
-Surly has had great customer service

Weaknesses:
-Heavy
-Uninspiring coloring scheme (charcoal)

Similar Products Used:
-Centurion converted to fixed
-Custom Vanilla