[Agwan]

I commuted through 2 extremely harsh, icey, cold Utah winters on my Soma. No big deal if you are the manliest man who ever manned a man for Man Mannington in Manlyville.

I'm just stoked that where I live now thinks 44 degrees is cold. the riding. It will not be impeded, Man.

 

[H.Seaward]

I commuted through 2 extremely harsh, icey, cold Utah winters on my Soma. No big deal if you are the manliest man who ever manned a man for Man Mannington in Manlyville.

This is getting off topic.

Maybe you guys could start a thread called Shackelton-esque Commutes?

 

[phsycle]

Hey H.seaward, I'm not interested in slushy steel-eating nacl rides either. Thankfully, our snow removal system is pretty good here, so there are many days of clear roads in the winter time. Just need proper clothing and I'm fine through most winter days.

 

[Agwan]

This is getting off topic.

Maybe you guys could start a thread called Shackelton-esque Commutes?

Man!

 

[GTscoob]

I have zero interest in riding a skinny tired, freshly built bike through the snow, ice, slush, salt etc.

Pretty sure you're the only one planning on putting skinny tires on your Straggler. The rest of us are scheming of the fattest rubber we can shoehorn in.

 

[jcaino]

Pretty sure you're the only one planning on putting skinny tires on your Straggler. The rest of us are scheming of the fattest rubber we can shoehorn in.

Darn tootin'

Though maybe he considers 35's skinny...I know I do. Anything less doesn't even belong on this bike. I kid, I kid.

Anyways, with these frames being ED coated, they're pretty much meant to be used in all conditions.

Aside from that, some of us commute year round and live in areas where we get to experience all four seasons. So commuting in rain, snow, etc is just a way of life. Women do it too, has nothing to do with being a man. Just takes someone that prefers to stay car-free, or at least as much as possible.

Besides, if I didn't ride in all conditions, that means I'd have to turn to an indoor trainer in the winter and that would drive me insane.

 

[H.Seaward]

Pretty sure you're the only one planning on putting skinny tires on your Straggler. The rest of us are scheming of the fattest rubber we can shoehorn in.

Damn! What else is everyone doing? I guess I don't see the point of a knard or the like for commuting if you have other bike options.

I am going to put some 32's on it. Not exactly "skinny" per se I suppose.

 

[Wilburtron]

Hell yes will the fattest rubber be cushing mine...and less man/girly sexism please

I got an reply from Surly when I enquired about whether the Straggler would be any different than the CC in terms of tyre fit, and whether I'd get away with Schwalbe Big Bens (50mm) on Velocity Blunt 35s and whether they'd do any measuring of tyres/rim combinations like they did for the Knard 29 x 3 or snap some pics of fat rubber in situ... I quote their fairly predictable (going on Cross Check knowledge etc) reply:

"From the website: Fatties Fit Fine (FFF) stays and our beautiful slope-crowned custom fork provide room for tires up to 700c x 42mm, or about 700c x 40mm with fenders. Largest possible tire size depends on tire, rims, axle location in the dropouts, and other factors, but still, you can run pretty damn big tires. It’s pretty tough for us to have measurements of every tire on every rim combo, but the Knard is a 41mm casing, and it’s pretty spot on 41mm. We have max tire clearance listed for all of our frames on their respective product pages, but spoiler alert: you can run a Knard with 45mm SKS fenders with the wheel all the way back in the dropouts. The Straggler tire clearance is the same as the Cross Check so if you have a Cross Check already, you can pretty much count on the Straggler being a whole lot like your old Cross Check."

 

[Agwan]

I know it's not all that practical. but part of me wants to build it up as a fat, knobby flat bar single speed.

because... you know, fun.

In spite of this being my commuter.

 

[GTscoob]

In all honesty, I'll be commuting on 28mm Contis but swapping rubber over to 35mm tires for cross racing and the fattest low-volume 29er tires I can fit for trail riding. Aside from my current cyclocross bike I've been without a rigid mountain bike for almost a year and I'm really itching to get back out and ride my trails sans suspension.

 

[vikb]

I know it's not all that practical. but part of me wants to build it up as a fat, knobby flat bar single speed.

because... you know, fun.

In spite of this being my commuter.

It's far more important to be stoked about your bike than for it to be the perfectly optimized for your riding needs.

 

[vaultbrad]

...flat bar single speed
because... you know, fun.

The straggler would be my choice for a flat bar, single speed, burly, cross/commuter bike.

 

[Nakedbabytoes]

I check this thread every few days, expecting build pics. What ETA are they giving you guys now for delivery? My shop just got the Knards in both tpi in, planning on grabbing a set tomorrow to put on my Nature Boy for some thicker meats.

 

[Agwan]

No one has updated me. but a lot of online retailers are saying november 5th.

 

[H.Seaward]

What are people thinking their build weight will be? I'm gonna try and get mine around 22lbs.

 

[Agwan]

I'm still stuck on how I want to build it. It's going to be a few months before I get the excess funds to build it (darn holidays!)

I did go in today and change my frame from a 52 black to a 54 Glitter Dreams. since I am now in to rush to build it.

I really am not too worried about either color. as long as I eventually get the frame sometime this season, I'm good.

 

[GTscoob]

Here are some nice high res pics:
SURLY ?Straggler? - a set on Flickr

I'm starting to get antsy, missed the last few races but really want to get this bike built up to shred the last few CX races of the season. As it stands it looks like I'll probably be able to dial the fit on the road and then first time riding offroad will be on raceday.

 

[vikb]

Here are some nice high res pics:
SURLY ?Straggler? - a set on Flickr

I'm starting to get antsy, missed the last few races but really want to get this bike built up to shred the last few CX races of the season. As it stands it looks like I'll probably be able to dial the fit on the road and then first time riding offroad will be on raceday.

That colour is Fits Just Fine!

Enjoy the new ride...:thumbsup:

 

[GTscoob]

Not at all my bike, just some pics from someone who built one up, maybe one of the demos that have been floating around.

 

[Agwan]

I sware the unphotographability of their paint is like, intentional. every camera seems to see that color different!

I'm a bit curious on the ETA still too. not worried enough to bother my shop this minute. But I generally don't buy a new bike at new bike times... so I really don't know when to expect next years models. In car world the 2014s show up in june.