Surly Pacer

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Ultegra 9 speed with 36 spoke wheels and a Terry FLX Carbon saddle. The frame is a 58 cm.

Summary:
I bought my Pacer through QBP as a frame and built it up with 9 speed Ultegra. I have an FSA Gosomer compact crankset. I have ridden for two years now and it has become my favorite bike (better than my Lemond). I use it for commuting and club riding in the Finger Lakes region of New York State where there a short steep hills. I found the bike to be very stable on descents and a wonderful climbing machine. It reminds me of my 1980's Bianchi. I weigh about 200 pounds and I found the bike has a little flex in the bottom bracket, but I like that in a frame.

Strengths:
Very comfy ride!!!

Weaknesses:
I wish the brake cable routing was along side the top tube and that they would clear coat the frame so the decals won't come off. It's too nice a frame not to do the extra details.

Similar Products Used:
Soma Smoothie ES

Price Paid:  $450.00 at LBS

Bike Setup:
Shimano 105 components except for an Ultegra RD, Cannondale C3 bars, C4 stem, C2 seat post, Brooks Pro saddle, Shimano RH-561 wheels, Maxxis Fuse 700 X 23 tires.

Summary:
I got this frame for training and fitted it with 105 parts & wheels off another bike + an ancient Brooks Pro saddle. Although not advertised as a race bike, its geometry and handling are very reminiscent of a '70s vintage race bike. Weight as equipped above is about 22 lbs. The welds are smooth, nice workmanship, and everything fit although the 105 rear brake was at the absolute outer limit of its travel. It rides smoothly, handles intuitively and took no getting used to.

Strengths:
Component compatibility, fine handling, smooth ride, that go-all-day feel to it.

Weaknesses:
None yet

Similar Products Used:
It reminds me a lot of a warhorse of a '74 Frejus I used to have.

Price Paid:  $700.00 at Direct from QBP

Bike Setup:
The full build model comes with Tiagra everything except for an FSA Vero compact crankset and Tektro brakes. Pedals are TIme ATAC XS.

Summary:
I ordered the pre-built model direct QBP from the shop I work at to replace the aluminum monstrosity I couldn't afford to replace for too long. This bike's a dream. It's light for a steel frame and the weight is distributed really well, giving it a really stable balance. It glides over bumps (which we have plenty of in Baltimore) but doesn't have any flex issues when you pound on the pedals. It's a dream to ride and that deep green looks so nice.

Strengths:
Light for a steel frame, responsive, nimble but stable. And it looks beautiful!

Weaknesses:
The seatpost clamp somehow came loose once during a ride so that my seatpost slid down gradually. An easily solved problem.

Price Paid:  $400.00 at JensonUSA

Favorite Ride:
Hurricane Ridge

Bike Setup:
Shimano 9 speed. 105 brifters, Ultegra triple crank, ultegra FD, RD, chain, and cassette. FSA gossamer brakes, Mavic Open Pro/Ultegra wheels, and Terry Liberator saddle.

Summary:
I bought this frame to build as a commuter/long-distance winter trainer. It rains a bit here in Seattle, so I wanted something on which I could mount full fenders. As the old-timers say, "steel is real," and while certainly not as good on the many hills here as my carbon frame, it has performed better than expected. I'm 6'2" about 190 lbs., and put a decent amount of power through the cranks but I have not experienced any really bothersome flex in the bottom bracket.

This frame has performed flawlessly for my purposes. I have commuted through the rain, and ridden straight from Vancouver B.C. to Seattle (about 165 miles) comfortably. While certainly not a tourer, this bike is comfortable for long single-day rides.

Strengths:
Comfortable, fender mounts, aesthetics.

Weaknesses:
Graphics have chipped off a bit.

Similar Products Used:
None - my first steel machine.

Price Paid:  $450.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Hammerfests

Bike Setup:
Dingle speed with 39,53:16 Truvativ Roleur Cranks, White Industries 16T single, Surly flip-flop hub, Tektro R530 brakes, Cane Creek HS, Bontrager race Lite X stem and seatpost, Campy downtube shifter, Dura-Ace front derailleur, Paul chain tensioner. 22 lbs after full build, which is a pound heavier than the 3Rensho.

Summary:
I needed a replacement for a 3Rensho frame that broke (bought it with an imperfection that I was told would fail, eventually -- it did). The Surly Pacer is too heavy and too soft. Heaviest steel ride I've owned in the last 25 years. Softest steel ride, resulting in poor performance characteristics. Did not want to be built up and ran into some design flaws, particularly the rear drop outs and the flange covering the QR nuts. Would not recommend this for anyone over 150lbs or anyone who can torque the cranks. Buy a cheap frame from Nashbar or Performance before looking at this one. Called the folks at Surly for help, and they were lets just say, somewhat worse than "not helpful" and leave it at that. I'll ride it through winter, then sell it in the spring after it's warmed up enough to train on my race bike.

Strengths:
Color -- metal gray. Fits larger tires for winter/spring inclimate riding.

Weaknesses:
Way too flexy through the bottom bracket. Does not inspire confidence in handling when a good chunk of power is swaying side to side, not being put through the drivetrain. Heavy, especially the front fork. Downtube braze ons are not manufactured properly, and needed to modify shifter to fit.

Similar Products Used:
Not really anything similar. Bottom of list of bikes in last 25 years. Doesn't hold a candle to the 3Rensho.