Surly Disc Trucker up grade

[Dale 1956]

Here are some pictures of my up grades to my Surly Disc Trucker 52cm I will say this was not to hard to do but it sure did cost me a lot of money to do it but I am very happy I did it.Whats new is a 48,36,26 Octalink crank set. With the BB-ES51 68mmx121mm this gave me a perfect chain line.I now have a set of SLX 4 piston brakes front and rear hydraulics bleeding them was pretty easy to do but this was my first time ever to do this so I took my time and got it right the first time around.I also added a new handle bar with special bar ends.I may take off the grips and use rubber bar tape just not sure yet.This took a while to get done because of the covid 19.And I also mounted a GPS mount on the handle bar as well.And my new Brooks B17 saddle.

 

[Dale 1956]

Here are the last two pictures I could only post ten at a time.

 

[Cycleops]

Very interesting and I'm sure you're very pleased with the results but I would sound a note of caution on the Octalink chainset.
Shimano have now withdrawn this item due to problems with them failing due to not being torqued correctly after refitting. This causes them to become loose and resulting wear on the cranks results in them being rendered unserviceable.
I'm sure you'll be fine if you've torqued it correctly but just making you aware.
Interesting that you've gone for downtube shifters.

 

[Dale 1956]

I have use Octalink before never had a problem with them.And yes I torqued every thing on my bicycle would not do it any other way.On the down tube friction shifters I like them better than any thing. They just work no matter what and easy to fix if something does go wrong.

 

[T4tomo]

Interesting that you've gone for downtube shifters.

Limited choice given he's gone for flat bars with what I assume is a drop bar / road group set.

They just work no matter what and easy to fix if something does go wrong.

this is very true. Bar cons also but you need drop or bull bars for those

 

[Dale 1956]

Limited choice given he's gone for flat bars with what I assume is a drop bar / road group set.


this is very true. Bar cons also but you need drop or bull bars for those

The group set is what comes with the Surly Disc trucker and the same came with the Surly Long Haul Trucker it works good so I went back to what I had back in 2009 on my LHT.

 

[avecReynolds531]

The group set is what comes with the Surly Disc trucker and the same came with the Surly Long Haul Trucker it works good so I went back to what I had back in 2009 on my LHT.

Thanks for sharing this interesting thread. Nice bike & project.
I've always been a fan of the LHT and later DT - a proven, brilliant touring design that had a good, sensible spec by Surly. (I wish they had left the gearing as the original 9 speed.)
For me, downtubes levers and a B17 can't ever be wrong on a bike.

 

[Juan Kog]

Thanks for sharing this interesting thread. Nice bike & project.
I've always been a fan of the LHT and later DT - a proven, brilliant touring design that had a good, sensible spec by Surly. (I wish they had left the gearing as the original 9 speed.)
For me, downtubes levers and a B17 can't ever be wrong on a bike.

Definitely down tube levers when your touring . Keep it simple , an easier fix when your on the road away from home .

 

[Dale 1956]

Definitely down tube levers when your touring . Keep it simple , an easier fix when your on the road away from home .

Thanks I do all my own work and build my own bicycle this way I can pick what I want on it.

 

[Dale 1956]

Thanks for sharing this interesting thread. Nice bike & project.
I've always been a fan of the LHT and later DT - a proven, brilliant touring design that had a good, sensible spec by Surly. (I wish they had left the gearing as the original 9 speed.)
For me, downtubes levers and a B17 can't ever be wrong on a bike.

A B17 saddle just last and last and down tube shifters may be old school but they sure work good.Now I just wish they had not stop making the LHT like they did it was a good bicycle for sure.Before this build I had a Surly Big Dummy I had it re powder coated with white it was a work horse for me back then I had no car and was still able to get food for us and anything we needed but a lady hit me back in 2015 a total lost of my bicycle and part of my upper back got broken too I am very lucky to be here today.But that was in Arkansas I now live in Maine

 

[Juan Kog]

@Dale 1956 . I see your in your in Northern Maine . I have a non cycling question. Is French still spoken in your part of the state ?.

 

[Dale 1956]

@Dale 1956 . I see your in your in Northern Maine . I have a non cycling question. Is French still spoken in your part of the state ?.

Yes but not by me lol.