Sunday, May 27, 2012

Revamping the Sanchez

So the magical bike known as the Surly Cross Check has seen another modification. I have had some ideas about positioning and being able to conquer the incessant rollers in Trans Iowa. This time I built up the Crosscheck using 700x44 tires on my xtr hubbed wheels. I also got rid of the 130mm BCD cranks and opted for some compacts. For the time being I will be running 34x50 until I run into a smaller outer chainring. I also got rid of my Hunter Cycles upright stem and opted for a Deda with my Midge Bars. The result is a much more comfortable bike with a narrower distance between the hoods, A lower front end for climbing and super absorbing tires for the endless miles of fresh gravel. I will keep playing with this format and then transfer it over to a lighter bike

best,
Ari
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4 comments:

  1. Guitar TedMay 28, 2012 at 8:14:00 PM PDT

    Playing with positioning is a constant with me. I have always got an idea for a refinement. Long gravel rides, well- you have a lot of time to think about such things!

    I have gravitated towards lower front end positioning, but not too low.

    And 46X36T front rings are heavenly....so far.

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  2. AriMay 29, 2012 at 5:44:00 AM PDT

    @Guitar Ted
    What about the cassette?

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  3. Guitar TedMay 30, 2012 at 7:03:00 PM PDT

    I've been running an 11-34 SRAM 9 speed cassette with an Ultegra 9spd long cage rear derailleur.

    The 50T ring would always find me in the mid to larger sized cogs, now with the 46, it comes back to a nice use of the middle ranges on the cassette. At least on gravel. On pavement I do get into some of those smaller cogs back there.

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  4. AriMay 31, 2012 at 5:42:00 PM PDT

    I thought the Long Cage Ultegra was rated at 27tooth max that's why I always used a mtb der.
    Ari

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