Surly Steamroller | Craig's Custom Build
A tough-as-nails commuter in a singlespeed package
The brief
Craig was looking for a commuter bike. It needed to be strong, reliable and as simple as possible.
A Surly Steamroller would be perfect, but was no longer made as a complete bike. We jumped at the opportunity to instead create one as a one-off custom build.
The bike
For the ultimate in low maintenance and simplicity, a single-speed bike is hard to beat. First we had to find a gear ratio that would suit Craig's needs. (After all, it's no good building a single-speed bike if it's too hard or too easy to pedal.)
Next was the component choice. As the Steamroller frameset was yellow with black decals, sticking as much as possible to all-black components would really help highlight the contrasting colours.
A flatbar set-up would give Craig excellent control and also a more upright position, perfect for a better line of sight while riding in traffic.
We added Ergon grips for their ergonomic shape and comfort, and a BBB saddle as the shape was ideal.
Finally, we laced up a set of wheels with touring rims for strength and reliability.
With a blend of high-quality components and a streamlined build, this is a cheerful commuter that's hard to miss.
Want your own hand-built custom commuter bike? Get in touch.
