i like the frame for it’s relative compactness (i run a setback post and just ordered a long stem) and ability to take a wide range of fork lengths. it’s designed around a 100-130 fork i think…but i’ve read of folks running an 80 on it and up to a 150 with no harsh effects.

the downside is that the somewhat oddly shaped frame can draw a little attention on the trail. i’m old, fat and slow….attention is the last thing i need (unless i’m laying in a ravine or something!!).

so ted, let me ask you this…

i have a square taper crankarm (indeed, the non drive side) that has become self loosening. do you have any advice for fixing the problem? i’m thinking disassembly, degreasing, and careful reassembly may help. though i’m worried that once the galling has begun it is irreversible though, is this so?

Thanks for weighing in. I haven’t been over here for a bit, but Tim gave me the heads up, and what he said here in the comments that we are going to do will help clear up alot of the misconceptions here.

A lot of effort has gone into the commentary on the 7-8-9 speed thing. I would like to say that I have worked on, and ridden all of this and I have some opinions on why the current systems are failing the “ordinary” mountain biker. We’ll get into that later.

Basically, the idea behind this project is to point out how this failure to serve the needs of average trail riders is fixable. For example, as Michael alluded to, 9 speeds are being crammed into the same spacing as seven speeds used to be. Less material on cogs, since they are thinner, means they wear out faster, along with the chains, and chainrings. This isn’t good for the sport. It’s discouraging, and it’s starting to rub folks the wrong way. I see it at the “street level” every day.

We could have used a “cheap” frame set, but we know that the Surly instigator is a tough, do all frame that we can utilize in many different roles to help us in this endeavor. As some of you have caught on, it’s not about making the strongest, cheapest bike we can. It’s about making a reliable, lower maintenance mountain bike that you can just grab on a whim and ride the crap out of for a long time.

Single speed? Yes, that would be a logical conclusion if we don’t take into account that we are trying to appeal to a wider sector of people here, and quite frankly, it avoids wrestling with the “real” problem, which is higher tech for the sake of racing. Not that there is anything wrong with being a racer, but the technology used for racing isn’t fitting the needs of “everday” riders, in our opinion.

Thanks again for all of your interest. We will be dissecting the project as it goes along, so make sure you stop by and check it out from time to time. Hopefully things will start to take shape in a little clearer fashion from here on out.

I like the idea of going against the current trends- I’m appalled at the scant choices for a decent, new square taper bb for under $50. My current set of Sugino Impel cranks are still in decent shape, why do I have to start weighing the choice between a new GXP crankset and a Phil Wood bb? Maybe even an ISIS drive set on closeout? Why isn’t ISIS good enough, now? Many of the current trends seem to focus more on bling than on staying affordable/practical to maintain.

I have a preference for xc bikes, so one trend I dislike is all these entry level bikes with huge amounts of front suspension travel and super-slack geometry. I understand the pogo-stick fun factor- but for most of us, zipping around on errands and most trails probably won’t need the boat-like suspension float (bobbing) most of the time. So if this were my project, I would’ve looked for a more traditional xc frame. However, the Surley frame is very non-trendy looking, and has a rigid fork. Plus, it’s steel!

i have a square taper crankarm (indeed, non drive side) that has become self loosening. do you have any advice for fixing the problem? i’m thinking disassembly, degreasing, and careful reassembly may help. though i’m worried that once the galling has begun it is irreversible though, is this so?