New Bike Day - Lugged Susie

[BrianT]

Hi Everyone!

I mostly lurk, but a couple months ago several of you chimed in to help me decide between a Susie and an Appaloosa. Thanks for all the input... overall conclusion was that I wouldn't regret either.

Well today I took BART over to Walnut Creek and picked up my Susie. Couldn't be happier!

Everyone at RBW was great with my questions, and the build is fantastic. There are a couple things left to customize: I'll try the bars with something cool eventually, and I'm still looking for a porteur-style rack and a light to go with the SON hub. I think once I let the financial dust settle I'll spring for an Edelux. By the time the next rainy season starts here I'll figure out how to fender these giant (for me) tires.

Build overview:

• Bosco bars with a 90-190 stem (110mm).
• Silver low-low crank with Grip Monarchs. I was set on silver pedals, but there were none in stock, and now I'm completely in love with the champagne color.
• IRD silver Cafam brake levers with Shimano DXRs.
• Silver thumbies and an Altus rear derailer with an 11-36 cassette. I haven't used a "high" gear in forever. Any time I feel like I'm spinning out I'm just grateful for a chance to coast. Lazy, but highly recommended.
• B17 saddle that I already owned. I'll ride this for a bit and then evaluate whether I want something wider or sprung.
• Wheels are Cliffhangers with brass nipples, a SON28 up front, and the new Silver rear hub in back. 32 and 36 spokes respectively. They're gorgeous... thank you Rich!
  
• I really agonized over the tires. I wanted to take advantage of the clearance and run big, low pressure tires for comfort and fun. But I commute on pavement, and wanted something that rolls without much complaint. Nobody's making a 2.5 inch slick, as far as I can tell :). I noticed in a youtube video that Will had a pair of Kendas on his Susie, and he pointed me to these Saber Pros (discontinued, but still available for now on Kenda's website). They're 2.6 inches, and have a respectable but very low profile tread. Ask me later if it's the goldilocks tire I was looking for!

After picking it up, I jumped back on BART, and once I was in San Francisco I made a beeline for Ocean Beach, hitting a bit of trail in Golden Gate Park. Two thumbs up so far!

Thanks again, everyone, for the advice and all of the other cool conversations.

B

[Chester]

Brian,

Congratulations! Champagne version of the pedals is perfect to complement Sergio Green.

And looks like the perfect bike to do something like go up the Wiggle, through the park--hitting the hidden dirt trails--and end up at the beach.

Chester

SF Bay Area

[ian m]

I guarantee you will try many different tire options over the life of your bike. Don't agonize, experiment!

Definitely check out a Pass & Stow porteur rack, made in Oakland and really the top of the line creme de la creme of handbuilt bicycle racks

[Eric Daume]

29 x 2.5” slick:

https://www.danscomp.com/maxxis-grifter-street-tire-black-wire-29-2.5-single-compound-tb96802000/p1199883?v=333595&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6uWyBhD1ARIsAIMcADotduv7BcCqUl017rDaIfv_Ma_B5J2tSEK5CuR_2y0cqxoyOG39MFAaAgmKEALw_wcB

I’ve used the Grifter on some bikes, and they seem to roll pretty well. Better than Big Apples IMO. 

Eric

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[Pam Bikes]

Beautiful!  Thanks for sharing the build details and pictures.

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[Brian Turner]

Congratulations on that gorgeous Susie! Did you find it difficult to schlep it around on public transportation, or was it not a big deal?

As for tires, I’ve only had Teravail Ehline 2.5s on my Gus, and I have found them quite enjoyable for cruising around town on pavement and they’re great on trails too. Since it’s my only real “off road” bike that I would use on the local mtn bike trails, I’ll probably never put faster, smoother tires on it… but you never know.

Brian

Lexington KY 

On May 31, 2024, at 10:13 AM, Pam Bikes <pamlike...@gmail.com> wrote:

Beautiful!  Thanks for sharing the build details and pictures.

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[Josh C]

Brian, 

Congrats on a beautiful new bike. It looks killer, enjoy!

[BrianT]

Schlepping was no problem. It's surprisingly light to heft (granted, there was no rack or fenders at that point). It's looong, but it fit on BART fine. I expect to feel a little cramped the next time I'm on a crowded Caltrain (Monday...) and I have doubts as to whether it would fit gracefully on the rack at the front of a bus. I've made my peace with that.

B

[BrianT]

Of course I missed some actual fat slicks;)  It's all good. The Kenda's seem great so far... I don't notice any road buzz, and they clearly have better traction than the Big Ben's I've been riding for the last couple years.

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[BrianT]

"Don't agonize, experiment" is pretty solid advice re: tires, bikes, and life generally.

Pass & Stow looks awesome. Ideas percolating....

[Matthew Williams]

Can someone who’s ridden both bikes tell me: what’s the difference, between the Susie and the Appaloosa? I’d like to start riding more dirt and trails—but no crazy fast stuff or jumps—and I’m wondering if I should get a Susie or just stick with my Appaloosa.

Does the Susie have better clearance, geometry, and/or strength to make it a better choice for dirt and trails? Or is the Susie similar enough to the Appaloosa that I won’t notice the difference?

[Valerie Yates]

I have both and consider them very different bikes. With the right tires, you can definitely ride your Appa on dirt and trails. It is my choice for loaded tours and scenic rides. The Susie has a very different feel to me. The tires can go much bigger and somehow its geometry makes me feel much more confident taking it on trails with more variable terrain. Downhills are a blast. But it is not my ride around town choice. To me, the Susie is the ultimate rigid mountain bike. It is big and bouncy and fun. If I could only have one, I consider the Appa more versatile. But it is mighty nice to have both. If you are on the fence, start taking your Appa on trails for now and see if you want a more dirt-oriented bike. 

Best,

Val in Boulder CO 

[Richard Rose]

What Valerie says precisely. Susie / Gus bikes are mountain bikes. “Hillibike” is clever & cute but does not do them justice, in my humble opinion. It’s confusing because you can ride them for other duties but.., if you have tires that optimize a Gus/Susie for MTB use, it’s not fantastic on pavement. That said I do not hesitate to ride my Gus to the trail or use it for gravel or bikepacking trips. But if dirt is not a big part of my ride I take my Clem. BTW, a riding friend just bought a used Sam - it was Rich Lesnik’s bike from Riv! It’s a beauty & a 26” bike. We did a Sub24 mostly gravel bikepacking trip. He on his Sam, I on my Clem. He was loving the Sam. But he does not do MTB.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 12, 2024, at 12:30 AM, Valerie Yates <vya...@gmail.com> wrote:

I have both and consider them very different bikes. With the right tires, you can definitely ride your Appa on dirt and trails. It is my choice for loaded tours and scenic rides. The Susie has a very different feel to me. The tires can go much bigger and somehow its geometry makes me feel much more confident taking it on trails with more variable terrain. Downhills are a blast. But it is not my ride around town choice. To me, the Susie is the ultimate rigid mountain bike. It is big and bouncy and fun. If I could only have one, I consider the Appa more versatile. But it is mighty nice to have both. If you are on the fence, start taking your Appa on trails for now and see if you want a more dirt-oriented bike. 

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