I'm feeling a bit Surly this morning - how about you? (Pics)

[MMcG]

Well she's done - meet my new Surly Instigator! Finished the bike up last night by running some rear brake cable and housing and installing a slightly longer stem and she's ready to go.

So without further delays - here's my new bike!

http://pics.bikerag.com/Uploads/data//500/surly_six.jpg

http://pics.bikerag.com/Uploads/data//500/surly_four.jpg

http://pics.bikerag.com/Uploads/data//500/surly_two.jpg

She's not a lightweight XC hardtail, but she's not an overly porky freeride/dh hardtail either. I like to think of the bike as a trail bike hardtail.

I got the frame from a guy on ridemonkey.com and the wheelset was a score from the mtbr.com classifieds - brand new for less than half of any online price I saw and they are hand built Cane Creek Terros Disc wheels - they feel nice. The rest of the stuff is what I had left over from my previous bike builds. It all came together pretty nicely.

Thanks to Matt - aka covehj on this forum for all the help with the build up!

I rode it around a bit last night and it feels pretty nice. Easy to get the front end up and over things and the 4130 cromoly definitely has a nicer "feel" to it than the aluminum framed Sould Hardline I had prior to the Surly.

I'm taking this bike with me up to the Kingdom Trails this weekend! Should work out well up there! 8)

Thought this bike might be of interest to Slider as it seems to be the type of hardtail he is in search of as well.

Cheers!

Mark

[Jisch]

Nice build Mark... Let us know how it rides...

John

[Slider]

Nice! And built the way I like - on the cheap.

That rear tire looks pretty big. What size? How's the chainstay clearance?

Is the frame new? Mind if I ask what it cost?

Slider

[MMcG]

Nice! And built the way I like - on the cheap.

That rear tire looks pretty big. What size? How's the chainstay clearance?

Is the frame new? Mind if I ask what it cost?

Slider


Frame is used - repainted by the guys who paint for Turner and Intense - sort of a dark grey metallic paint - nice. Got the sticker kit from a local rider. I got is used from a guy on ridemonkey.com.

You can find them on ebay from time to time - new for around $275.00 or so. I paid about a hundred bucks less than what I've seen em go for on ebay. I think they are like $450.00 frames from an LBS.

The frame can probably fit 2.7" tires in the rear - I think Surly's motto is Fatties Fit Fine or something along those lines. The rear tire is a WTB Weirwolf 2.35, and the front is actually a 2.5 - but I may throw a 2.35 on the front instead.

[bdee]

Nice ride! You ever pick up that 1x1 you were eyeing on Ebay?

[If_Rider]

Looks nice Mark!

[Nickster2407]

Shame someone bent the top tube ;-)

Really though Mark, looks sweet! Minute 3 on the front?

[MMcG]

Shame someone bent the top tube ;-)

Really though Mark, looks sweet! Minute 3 on the front?


Minute 2 - so no travel adjust - just a straight 130mm.

[nhiker]

Mark! That is deeeeaad Sexxy! :) Enjoy the KT's great ridding.
Harry

[NSrider]

Me likey. Wayy Sexxxy!

Yes, nice bike, yadayada, good job yada.

Now for the important info.

$5 pool
guesses on how long before his first post that he is looking for something else.
secondary winner for closest date to when he actually buys something else.

;D you know i'm right ;D

bill

[Longshanks]

Sweet ride! Can't wait until I know enough to build my own ride. (since I have to fix something on my Specialized just about every week, I should be ready in no time!)

[MMcG]

Yes, nice bike, yadayada, good job yada.

Now for the important info.

$5 pool
guesses on how long before his first post that he is looking for something else.
secondary winner for closest date to when he actually buys something else.

;D you know i'm right ;D

bill


Bill - you've got Cane Creek Wheels too right? How do you like them?

[C.P.]

Yes, nice bike, yadayada, good job yada.

Now for the important info.

$5 pool
guesses on how long before his first post that he is looking for something else.
secondary winner for closest date to when he actually buys something else.

;D you know i'm right ;D

bill


I'm in for a 5-ver ;) I say it's sometime 'round March when he's *sick* of winter and had LOTS of time to e-look at and e-think about bikes...Any bets it might be a 29er?! ;D

BTW - Nice bike Mark. I've always liked the Surly's.

[Quo Fan]

I've got $5 that says it's closer to Christmas.



BTW, nice bike.

[splat]

I'll take around thanksgiving !

[C.P.]

Yeah! on second thought - it could be even sooner - I forgot that Interbike is right around the corner :D

I like the Cane Creeks cause they are fast and respond quickly to imput like pumping through corners. The $10 Maxiss hard drive tubeless rim strips are a prefect fit too. I dont like the slow engaging hub. I really got used to the quick action of the Hadleys, now i miss it.

I did catch a spoke and rip it out on a tree branch stub at FOMBA. I have the rim brake version and 24 straight laced. The wheel stayed true and i rode it the rest of the ride but need a new spoke. You can order a kit right from Cane Creek, 2 front 2 rear and spoke tool and nuts for $20. Good to get one now for when you need it. Those hub nuts get lost quick when the spoke breaks.

[MMcG]

I like the Cane Creeks cause they are fast and respond quickly to imput like pumping through corners. The $10 Maxiss hard drive tubeless rim strips are a prefect fit too. I dont like the slow engaging hub. I really got used to the quick action of the Hadleys, now i miss it.

I did catch a spoke and rip it out on a tree branch stub at FOMBA. I have the rim brake version and 24 straight laced. The wheel stayed true and i rode it the rest of the ride but need a new spoke. You can order a kit right from Cane Creek, 2 front 2 rear and spoke tool and nuts for $20. Good to get one now for when you need it. Those hub nuts get lost quick when the spoke breaks.


You had Hadleys?? do you still have the hubs?

The Cane creeks do seem to be slow engaging compared to my DT Onyx rear hub that is on my other disc wheelset.

[edge]

I love that bike and the build is schweet. Nice work.

You had Hadleys?? do you still have the hubs?



Yes, and yes.

And No to your next question. Geeze, i shoulda guessed 2 days. ::)

[MMcG]

You had Hadleys?? do you still have the hubs?



Yes, and yes.

And No to your next question. Geeze, i shoulda guessed 2 days. ::)


My next question? ???

[GregC]

Very very nice rig!

Maybe I will see it in person this weekend. I will be @KTA as well.

Greg

[radair]

My next question? ???


"Do you want to sell them?" ;D

Really fine looking rig you have there, Mark

[nhiker]

Noo this will hold him until February... ;D Mark just let us know if you plan on running off to Bhuttan! We will hold an intervention and stop you!

[splat]

Mark just let us know if you plan on running off to Bhuttan! We will hold an intervention and stop you!

No we won't

My next question? ???


"Do you want to sell them?" ;D

Really fine looking rig you have there, Mark



I was thinking a trade would be more in keeping with the MMcG m.o. Like for a Cane Creek Thudbuster seatpost.

We kid you, cause we love you. Not like...LOVE

bill

[MMcG]

My next question? ???


"Do you want to sell them?" ;D

Really fine looking rig you have there, Mark



I was thinking a trade would be more in keeping with the MMcG m.o. Like for a Cane Creek Thudbuster seatpost.

We kid you, cause we love you. Not like...LOVE

bill


ahhh.......haha.........the Thudbuster is sold!!

$75 into my next frame reserve fund! ;) ;D

[Z]

Does McAskalot have a singlespeed yet? (Sorry if I'haven't been following....)

If not, I think he's due.

[MMcG]

Does McAskalot have a singlespeed yet? (Sorry if I'haven't been following....)

If not, I think he's due.



I had one for a while in my old Marin that was converted.

And I hear that you can achieve a magic gear ratio on these Instigators! 8) ;D

[C.P.]

no surprise here! (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=127615) ;D

(I like the 29er stuff too Mark, been lookin' for a while now)

[MMcG]

no surprise here! (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=127615) ;D

(I like the 29er stuff too Mark, been lookin' for a while now)


haha - you stalking me CP? ;)

I keep seeing a guy on a Fisher 29er on my regular loop at the W. Hartford REservoir - something about those big wheels rollin over everything so easily that intrigues me.

[C.P.]

haha - you stalking me CP? ;)



Nah, I've been spending a bunch of time (too much really) watching for the '06 29er stuff to come out (you know - all that "insider" stuff that appears in mutliple forums weeks before interbike.) I know a 29er is somewhere's in my future, just haven't seen one that strikes my fancy yet....

[ArmOnFire]

haha - you stalking me CP? ;)



Nah, I've been spending a bunch of time (too much really) watching for the '06 29er stuff to come out (you know - all that "insider" stuff that appears in mutliple forums weeks before interbike.) I know a 29er is somewhere's in my future, just haven't seen one that strikes my fancy yet....


I spend too much time over on the 29er forum on empty beer.
My problem is I can't decide which 29er frame/ bike to buy.

I did notice that MMcG was posting alot on that forum as well, thought I was the only one with information on this 5er bet going on here. DAMN!
Well I say by Halloween.
Hopefully I'll have gotten rid of new bike indecision syndrome by then.

-dan

Ok, that didnt take long.

No one was even close on the first prize. So i am keeping the dough.


I am also open to trades for a full suspension freeride frame - Size Medium - maybe an older Bullit or an older Stinky - that kind of thing. Something I could still trail ride yet take it to the lifts now and again.

Thanks!

Mark