We like the Surly Disc Trucker, but sometimes feel the sweet geometry of this big stable sled is hampered by the overtly robust build. Sure, it's great if you're touring to Tierra del Fuego or Outer Mongolia, but for so many folks Truckin' around Portland, the bike is a little pokier than it oughtta be. So we took a 54cm 26" wheel Trucker frame and shod it with slightly larger 650b wheels and some big fast cushy 650x2.0 tires. Also, hydraulic brakes for when you're trucking a little fast. It ended up not so-heavy and way more fun to jam around town (and maybe on dirt) than the standard Disc Trucker. Sure you might want more gears and heavier duty bits if you're going to the end of the Earth but for sporty daylong expeditions on roads with any kind of surface this is stable fast and fun. This was a shop build done in Fall 2014 and sold sometime thereafter.
Build Highlights
- Downtube Shifters and 2x10 drivetrain with 1x1 low gear.
- TRP Hylex full hydraulic brakes
- Shimano/DT Swiss 650b wheelset
- Custom decal treatment