Surly Straggler
So it probably isn't exactly "CX", but it's probably closer to that than it is to an MTB....
My Surly Straggler, it's been going solid for about 12 months now. Have made a few changes from stock spec in that time to make it a little more suited to my riding and preferences, namely:
- Stan's Grail rims laced to Surly Ultra New (f) and Deore XT (r) hubs
- Sram Apex levers, with left hand internals removed for 1x10
- Sram X9 Type 2 mid-cage rear mech
- XT 11-36 cassette and XT chain
- Raceface 40t N-W chainring
(Pictured in singlespeed mode; training to do Beechworth SHITS this weekend on a singlespeed!)
It's seen a fair bit of varied terrain in that time, I've raced a couple of CX races and the Dirty Gran Fondo, ridden my hometown trails at Nailcan Hill in Albury, taken it out to both Youies and Lysterfield, I've also put some slicks on it and ridden the Domestique Mt Hotham ride and the 130km Audax this year, have done Donna Buang a few times on it, and I do get out hit the Yarra trails on it every now and then. Majority of the time though it serves as a commuter for my commute along Merri Creek Trail, with some dirt sections particularly at the work end.
Discovered just recently the fork will (just) clear the 29x2.4" tyres from my Karate Monkey....!