Frame:
Surly Cross Check 62cm
Fork/Headset:
Surly Cross Check/Chris King NoThreadSet Sotto Voce
Crankset/Bottom Bracket:
Shimano Ultegra 6800 - 175mm/Shimano
Pedals:
Shimano PD-A530
Derailleurs/Shifters:
Shimano Ultegra 6800/Shimano Ultegra 6800
Saddle/Seatpost:
S-works Romin 155mm/Thomson Elite
Brakes:
Shimano Ultegra 6800/Avid Shorty 6
Front Wheel/Hub/Tire:
H Plus Son Archetype/Shimano Dura Ace 9000/Panaracer Bruce Gordon 43mm
Rear Wheel/Hub/Tire:
H Plus Son Archetype/Shimano Dura Ace 9000/Panaracer Bruce Gordon 43mm
Bike History
Click a link below to see past stages of this bike.
Added by Strandolini. Last updated almost 8 years ago.
19 Comments
Hey there! So how d'you like the Alfine compared to derailer gears? I've been thinking on the idea for my straggler on and off..
thanks, Sascha
Posted almost 8 years ago
Hi Sascha,
Good question! The reason I got the Alfine setup in the first place was twofold. Partly due to the ease of maintenance and partly due to my curiosity for mechanical things:)
About the performance. My experience was that the Alfine 11 setup works well for most types of low effort purposes. However, once you start putting in more effort (power) it feels like it is not as efficient as a derailleur solution. Also, it is often difficult to find the right gear due to irregular spacing between gears.
Conclusion. If you want to go from A to B as fast as possible, go with a derailleur solution. If you don't care about how fast you get to your destination, and if you don't know how to adjust your gears, go for Alfine or similar.
Good luck making the decision:)
Posted almost 8 years ago
Thanks for your quick response! Combined with my preference for drop bars and the only available Alfine drop shifter option being kinda crappy, this convinces me not to try :) I was tempted because of the bombproofness of an igh but am pretty sure I couldn't deal with a loss in performance, since I do not own a road bike any more and so the Surly also has its duties in group rides and distance touring.
Cheers, mate! happy new years
Posted almost 8 years ago
drop bar setup is awesome
Posted about 8 years ago
Thanks! Yes, it has become one of my favorites after the cx conversion:)
Posted about 8 years ago
I really dig your Cross Check! I'm thinking about picking one up for myself and am debating between the 60cm and 62cm. Usually I can just grab the largest size available in other frames, but Surly has some really BIG sizes! If you don't mind me asking, what is your height and inseam? Your setup looks super comfortable and fun!
Posted over 8 years ago
Hi m_sobie, thanks! You sure have a great bike park yourself:) My body measure are 197cm with 102cm inseam (long legs). I'm about to replace the 130mm stem with a 100mm stem to make it even more comfortable! Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Posted over 8 years ago
Thanks for the response; it's much appreciated. I'll be stopping at my LBS after class today to place an order for a 60cm. Hopefully it'll come together as nice as yours!
Posted over 8 years ago
Did you drill the stem for the brake cable? Can you add pictures showing this?
Posted over 9 years ago
That´s right, had to make the hole myself. Didn´t really want a cable hanger messing up the front. I used a 5mm metal bore for the top hole in order to let the tube pass through and a 2mm metal bore for the bottom hole for the cable to pass.
Posted over 9 years ago
Fin
Posted over 9 years ago
Takk! Har vært sommerens prosjekt:) Akkurat ferdig bygget. Deilig!
Posted over 9 years ago
Photos
marc9987 says:
Hey how did you find the balance / handling of this bike with the rear child seat? Debating a rear seat vs trailer for a bike myself and wasn't sure about the extra weight over the rear wheel?
Posted almost 6 years ago
marc9987 says:
LOVE the build BTW.
Posted almost 6 years ago