My first experience with a Surly Steamroller was over 11 years ago. The bike shop ,I worked at during college, was loosing our head mechanic. He and his girlfriend were moving to Europe (I think Spain) after graduation. The owner began searching for a new mechanic to fill this position. After some time a new head mechanic was hired. He was a sorta rough fella, covered in tattoos and piercings, who only wearblack. Despite his intimidating appearance I remember him to be knowledgeable, humble, and very nice.
Our new head mechanic lived in the city and commutted to work by Metro train and bike. Employee’s commutting to work by bicycle wasn’t a new concept for our shop. Most of us commuted by bike, due to lack of money and limited parking around campus. However our new mechanic’s only bike was truely unique.
His bike was a Surly Steamroller, a brand of bike nobody had herd of at the time. It was entirely black, except for the honey brown Brooks saddle. The bike used a short flat bar covered in what looked like electrical tape. His bike was truly a minimalist approach to cycling. It lacked brakes, shifters, and derailleurs. The bike was silently and gracefully propelled and stopped by a single fixed cog.
At the time I thought he was mad, and discounted his eccentric taste for the smooth curves of Klein mountain bikes doused in XTR 8-speed goodness. “One gear?” We all would laugh. “Where is your brakes?” We joked it secretly had a coaster brake. “Why are you doing Track-stands?” We teased about how he could get a job in a circus. His style odd. His bike bazaar. His world was completely foreign to us. We didn’t get it.
Today “fixies”, as his culture has been dubbed, is center stage. People are flocking to embrace a style of cycling that has long been hiding in the shadows of our largest cities. Clothes have changed from spandex to tweed. Pedals have gone from SPD to Toe-Straps. Helmets have been replaced with vintage cycling caps. The style is no longer odd. The bikes are no longer bazaar. That world is now main stream. I finally get it.
I’ve been looking to get a single speed road bike for a little over a year now. I love my single speed mountain bike, and wanted that same simple experience on the road. A week ago I made a decission to buy a single speed road bike that could double as a fixie. I also capped my budget at ~$500, making that new Trek Madone belt drive only a dream. My choice was then very clear. I was going to buy a Surly Steamroller.
I found a great deal on ebay for a new “creamroller” with a few modifications I already was planning on doing. I won the auction last week. The bike arrived last night (figures it would snow the night I got a new road bike). It’s built and got a few laps in around the basement, including a 30 minute ride on the rollers. Here she is:
