Surly Steamroller Frames Reviews

Price Paid:  $0.00 at A Road Bike 4U

Favorite Ride:
Mountains to Sea Trail

Bike Setup:
Box Stock

Summary:
For years the frameset has basically been the same with the exception of colors and its great for its intended use of fixed on the street with occasional trips to the track. It handles quickly but not twitchy. Its a well rounded setup.

Strengths:
Fairly inexpensive, excellent geometry splits the difference between a road bike and a track bike, has classy looks, steel rides pretty nice.

Weaknesses:
In my opinion, the parts spec on the complete bike keeps getting worse and the price is going up. Since the 2008 and earlier models, the gear ratio has become way too low, Sugino cranks have been replaced by generic Andel cranks and for 2011 the bike will have even lower(44-19) gearing and upright handlebars. Its seems to be changing from a quick fixed gear into a beach cruiser!

Similar Products Used:
Tons of fixed gear bikes from 90's Cannondale Track, GT GTB, Vivalo NJS, Bianchi Pista, Specialized Langster, etc.

Price Paid:  $666.00 at Local SF bike store

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere!

Bike Setup:
Added welgo track pedals and continental gatorskin tires. Plan to get rid of the drop bar and replace the stem in the future.

Summary:
Have been riding fixed for a couple years now (on a 70's schwinn conversion) Tried out the steamroller at a bike shop and fell in love with it! Bought it for 666$ as a complete bike NEW. It rides unlike any other bike I have tried, incredibly smooth and fast with great handling. It lives up to its name as it is very durable and can tackle a lot of obstacles

Strengths:
Smooth ride, durable, great handling, price, reputation

Weaknesses:
The color could be better but It kinda does grow on you. (I think another reviewer described it best when they said 'bloody stool' color)

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale fixed, vintage schwinn conversion

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.