|   first race on a SS | TrevorInSoCal
Feb 3, 2003 11:31 AM | | Raced my new Surly at Vail Lake (near Temecula in SoCal) on Saturday. Wow, that's a whole new level of suffering ;). Haven't decided if I'm gonna race geared or SS the rest of the season, but racing a singlespeed makes me think I wasn't suffering nearly enough on my gearie. Racing a few more singlespeed races would probably at least make me faster on the geared bike if I decided to race that this season.
The SS class at this race was lumped in with the sport classes and it's a mass-start with all the sport classes and SS's taking off at the same time. Made for some interesting traffic situations trying to pass geared guys who were spinning up the climbs.
Right now my Surly is still in its stock, fully-rigid form which was perfect for this not-too-technical course. Even passed a few timid guys on full-boingers on the downhill. The longer stem made all the difference in the world as far as the bike's handling. Think the 18" frame will work just fine.
Still debating whether to go with a squishy fork in front, but for now I'm gonna leave it fully rigid. Or at least until my pocketbook recovers from paying for the new bike...
-Trevor |
| re: first race on a SS | BRIK
Feb 3, 2003 3:48 PM | | I recently purchased a surly also and I am debating putting suspension on it. Its a little on the heavy side but with some Mutanoraptor 2.24's on it the ride isn't that harsh. Something about the bike just begs to be left rigid. Good luck with your racing this season, I may see you out there if I decide to race this year. How was that temecula course compared to big bear if you've raced up there?
Cheers,
Brian |
| re: first race on a SS | TrevorInSoCal
Feb 4, 2003 8:45 PM | | Not nearly as much climbing, or singletrack as there usually is at Big Bear. Also no real technical or rocky stuff at Vail Lake, which is good on a rigid 'cause you can pretty much just bomb the downhills with or without suspension.
I only had to get off and walk in two places. I talked to the guy that came in ahead of me in 3rd and he walked those spots as well. Dunno if the top two guys managed to ride them or not.
From what I remember of some of the Big Bear courses there might be more walking involved there (Fern Trail). Though it's been a while, since I rode there. I didn't race at Big Bear last year, pretty much all I did last year was a couple Rim Nordic races.
Maybe I'll see you out there one of these days. I might be out at Fontana on Sunday.
-Trevor |
| re: first race on a SS | Bruce
Feb 4, 2003 6:00 AM | | Hi Trevor, I'm currently building up my 1x1. Since you are racing
yours, I am very curious about what components you have used to build
up your frame.
Thanks, Bruce |
| re: first race on a SS | TrevorInSoCal
Feb 4, 2003 8:35 PM | | I didn't build it up with "race bike" in mind, so weight wasn't a huge issue (If it was, would I have bought a Surly?), but it still feels pretty light. I haven't actually weighed it.
My main concern was keeping costs down. I didn't quite want a "beater" (mostly 'cause I didn't already have an old frame I could convert) but I wanted to spend less than $1k. I achieved that goal, but a new suspension fork would push it over the edge...
Wheels are Paul Hubs laced 3-cross to Mavic 618's with 14g spokes. Sort of a compromise (3-cross vs. 2-cross, 14g vs. lighter spokes)erring on the side of durability.
I got a killer deal on the brakes, levers, and cranks from a riding buddy who had a bunch of spare parts. He sold me some slightly used XTR 180mm Cranks, XTR Levers and XT brakes all for $35(!).
I'm running a spot 34t chainring w/ a spot chainguard and a 17t shimano freewheel.
The seatpost is an old American Brand (probably heavy) aluminum one from an old bike (frame broke). The stem is a no-name stem that's on loan from a friend 'cause the spare I had that I originally built the bike up with was way too short (subject of a recent thread, fortunately the stem seems to have fixed the problem).
Both the seatpost and stem will probably be replaced with Ritchey WCS parts 'cause I can get those cheap.
Considering that it's got some pretty good parts on it (Paul Hubs, some XTR stuff, 618s) I think I did pretty well for under a grand. Didn't hurt to have a friend in a shop giving me a break (I wasn't gettin' stuff at cost or anything, but I got a reasonable discount on parts, and got the wheels built for a 12-pack of Sierra Nevada.) There was no labor for assembling it, 'cause I did that.
There was a Surly built up in Supergo last time I was in there for more than my total cost, w/o as good a parts selection. I figure if I beat Supergo's price I probably did all right.
Pics with the old stem at: Yahoo
-Trevor |
| Met you at the race | monocog
Feb 4, 2003 10:18 PM | | Hey Trevor.. I'm the old guy with the Bianchi BuSS that parked a car or two away from you at the race. Congrat's on the race, and for assembling a sweet Surley! You had the right idea with running 2:1 on that course. Lots of flat and not many steeps. Hope to see you at the next race.
mc |
| Me Too | Jwag
Feb 4, 2003 10:37 PM | | I am the almost as old as the old guy that the old old guy punished for the later half of the race..It was good talking to you. Congrats on your first SS race. It was my first race on a SS as well..See you at the next Vail Lake Race. |
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