Build Ideas for New Sam H

[Erik Shearer]

I decided to get in on the Sam action last week and purchased a gold 54 frame.  I've been thinking through the build and am interested to hear a from other owners about what worked, what didn't, and to see some photos! 

So far, I'm moving toward a road-oriented set up on this bike, including drop bars and maybe 32-38-ish road tires.  My Appaloosa is already set up as my burly, load-carrying bike with 50mm gravel kings, racks, and beefy wheels.  My Atlantis is set up for trails with fat knobbies, bull moose bars, and a 1x11 drivetrain.  I want this as my lighter, fun bike for road rides with an occasional short dart across a gravel connecting road.  

Tell me (and show me) about what you've done with your Sams to keep me amused while I recover from a broken hand!  

[jtallman]

55 Sam set up for mainly road rides with 27 x 1 3/8 inch tires.

Jon Tallman, Bristol VA

[Bob Warner]

I highly recommend the Compass/RH Barlow Pass 38mm tires for the Sam.  I think it's the perfect tire for this bike.  Relatively fast ride yet incredibly comfortable.  I like the drop bar setup on mine.... works great for long rides as provides lots of hand position options.  

[Bob Warner]

[Erik]

That's a lovely build.  The patina on your saddle is perfection.  Are those Tektro brake levers?

[Erik]

That looks great and is really close to what I have in my head, right down to the Cane Creek levers.  I'm deciding between using the Cane Creek levers with a new set of Deore V-brakes or justing running standard levers with a short-pull brake like the Paul Mini Motos.  What handlebars are you using?

[Michael Baquerizo]

51cm sam set up for nothing in particular, besides grocery runs, casual riding and taking the kiddo out on the yepp.

still need to find a way to get that front fender line sorted out...one day.

[Zac Terrones]

here's my gold 54! set up for a mix of road and trail. absolutely loving it. 

[Jason Fuller]

Mine is set up as road-oriented for sure, it's my only drop bar bike and I ride with some fast lycra-clad roadie friends on it (though I am slower, but that's more me than the bike). Part of me wishes I went with a Homer for the lighter tubing selection, but this bike rides smooth and lively enough that I don't think I'm missing out on anything. 

Things I would highly recommend based on my experience: 

 - Nitto Noodle drop bars in as wide as you are willing to go.  I run 50cm Simworks version, but 48cm would be good too. The wider widths really jive with this bike's geometry and gives better control on mixed terrain.  I see no downside.  
- Lightweight / supple but wider tires. I run Babyshoe Pass EL's and they're magic. I would consider 38's but I would never go narrower personally. You can nothing going narrower, but lose a lot of comfort and versatility. 
- Dynamo lighting (added since this photo) is the best, I have now outfitted all my bikes (even the 50 year old folding bike!) with full dynamo lighting because you can't go back once you've experienced it, imo. 

Things I would probably do differently next time: 

- Go with Velocity Atlas rims over the A23's to better suit the tire widths this bike can fit.  Both are fine though. 
- Run a wider range cassette, which would mean switching from Campy to Shimano probably. I've never complained about having too low of a gear.  

[velomann]

Here's my new gold 51 Sam. I've since switched to Gravelking tires, but these are Parimoto 650bx38. 

I made my own 26/42 Wide-Low crankset out of a Sugino XD I had, with a ground down outer chainring for the chainguard.

Microshift 2x9 thumbies, Paul Love levers and Motolite brakes. These were the real revelation in this build. Best rim brakes I've ever used. 

Bosco bars on one of the new Nitto faceplate stems in 135 lngth. 

I'm planning on setting up a drop bar cockpit I can swap in, with a 46cm Noodle bar, Technomic stem, and Cane Creek levers compatible with the Motolites.

[BobW]

The bars are  45cm  Nitto Grand Randonneur B135 .   Wider might be preferable though

[Erik]

These all look so good!  I think I'm starting to visualize the build.  

[ericyue...@gmail.com]

What brakes have folks gone with on their Sams?  This will be the first time I've built up a bike to spec, so it's new for me to have a choice.   I prefer cantis aesthetically, but probably can't afford Pauls so was looking at the Dia Comps.

[Paul Richardson]

zac--

where did you get that spike patch?!  p.s. nice bike!

paul

takoma park, md.

[Zac Terrones]

Thanks Paul!

got it here but it looks like they're sold out at the moment 

https://danglesupply.com/collections/accessories/products/spike-patch

[velomann]

I went with the Paul Motolites and they are fantastic. But as you said, not cheap. If I was shopping for cantilever brakes I'd look at the Tektro CR 720s. I set some up on an older Trek MTB last year and was very pleased with performance, aesthetics, and ease of set-up. Plus they are pretty inexpensive.

Mike M

[Jason Fuller]

Agree on the Tektro 720's - that's what I ran on my Hillborne for the longest time and they are great value. Good power, nice looks - my only complaint was their spring adjustment side to side is a bit limited, but that's not really a big deal.  

[RichS]

Eric,

A nod to the Dia-Compe 980s. They don't have the more immediate stopping power of Paul's but the price, classic design, silver finish and lack of squeal (with Kool-Stop pads) make the 980s good brakes for me. Have run them on one of my Rivs and will use them on two forthcoming builds.

Jason commented on the limited ability of the adjustment screws on the Tektros. Same issue the Dia-Compes have but so far that has not been a deal breaker. I've also used Shimano CX-70s and those work fine. The adjustment screws on those are quite effective. Perhaps look into the current CX-50s.

Best,

Rich in ATL

On Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 4:30:39 PM UTC-5 ericyue...@gmail.com wrote:

[ericyue...@gmail.com]

Thanks, all; I really appreciate the suggestions!

[Jay in Tel Aviv]

Albatross bars

v-brakes

WI ENO single speed rear hub

40x16 gearing with WI freewheel

SP dynohub in front

Compass Pass EL 38s

Rivet saddle on Nitto S65 post

VP1 "flat gripking" pedals