I built this specially to enter the 2019 Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge. Here in New Zealand this is the major annual cycling sport participation event. I have a few mountain bikes but nothing very suitable for a long road race. So this build was based on a Surly 4130 CroMoly, double-butted main triangle, ED coated, TIG-welded frame and Shimano GRX group set.
I have to admit I’m struggling with the drop bars on this. It’s light, very agile, quiet, and a joy to change gears. But the riding position is uncomfortable on long rides and the directional control is very uncertain almost twitchy. The bars just seem to narrow even though the width is, as recommended, the same as my shoulders.
The gear ratios are on the left, on the road I’ve never use the smaller ring on the crank.
The complete build details are (Shimano unless otherwise noted):
| Year | 2019 |
| Name | Surly Midnight Special |
| Frame Size | 50cm |
| Colour | Hot Mayonnaise |
| Weight | 10 kg or 22 lbs approx |
| Rims | WH-RX570 set 700c |
| Tubes | Michelin tube 700c AirStop |
| Tyres | Continental Contact Plus Urban 42mm |
| Disc Brake Rotors | RT54 Deore |
| Flat Mount Calipers | BR-RS505 |
| Brake Tubes | SM-HB90 |
| Pads | L02A |
| Seat | Zero Gamma-S |
| Seat Post | Zero Pro Seat Post 27.2mm 330mm |
| Crank | FC-RX810-2 2×11 48-31T |
| Bottom Bracket | BB-RS500 |
| Front Derailleur | FD-RX810 11 |
| Braze on Mount | AD91 |
| Rear Derailleur | Ultegra RX RD-RX800 11x |
| Chain | CN-HG701 |
| Front Shifters | RX400-L |
| Rear Shifters | RX600-R |
| Cassette | 11 speed HG700-11 11-34T 11 speed – HG-EV |
| Handlebars | Pro PLT Anatomic 44cm |
| Stem | Zero Pro Strike 80mm +7 deg |
| Headset | Cane Creek 40, 1-1/8″ |
I have since ditched the drop PLT bars and changed to a Giant Contact SL Trail Riser. To go to straight bars meant changing the brifters over to SL-RS700 flat bar road shifters to be compatible with the GRX derailleurs which have road shift pull ratios. The brake levers are now SLX BL-M7100 2-finger.