The family hauler is complete.
The build:
Frame/fork: 18″ Surly Big Dummy
Headset: Chris King (now on its 4th frame.)
Wheels: Rohloff XC disc/Phil Wood disc to Mavic X717
Tires: Schwalbe Fat Frank
Cranks: White Industries
BB: Phil Wood
Pedals: Wellgo MG-1
Bars: On-One Mary
Grips: Ergon GP1
Stem: Deda Newton
Brakes: Formula K24 Oro hydraulic disc, 203mm front, 160mm rear.
Seatpost: Thomson
Saddle: Selle Italia Flite
The bike rides fabulously now that it’s fully set up, braking is strong and progressive, even under heavy load. The Rohloff is perfect — you end up shifting the bike more like a truck (lots of small shifts as you accelerate) rather than shifting infrequently. The ability to up/downshift at a stop is essential, and hugely helpful for getting started with heavy loads.
I’ve carried my wife and son on the back deck with no issues, handling or otherwise… really great. I’m looking to perhaps modify the deck (something longer with tiedown anchor points) and the side bags (I don’t like the mesh ends on the bags, would prefer something with a flap as well) but otherwise it’s pretty damn great…
