Popped into Spa today to discuss a Disc Trucker build.

Made the schoolboy error of test riding the Spa Steel Tourer, the disc version of which is due out next year.

It was lovely – fits & rides really well, seriously impressed tbh.
Cheaper too.

The Surly uses 26 wheels, the Spa 700.

I’m planning on keeping the bike for years.
No current plans to tour outside Europe, but I’d like to when I retire.

With 26, I know rims are available all over the world at the mo, but we seem to be down to Sunn, Rigida and Exal when it comes to really good quality touring rims.
Can’t see many new models being released.
😐
With 700c, there’s a wider choice of suitable rims at home, but it might limit spares choice if I venture further afield.
Weaker than the 26 equivalent too, if it really matters with 36 hole Sputniks.

I’m stuck – pleasant dilemma to have.
Do I just go for the nicest colour?

I would go for the spa because:

– The 26′ surly looks a bit odd

– Last time I looked into this the prevailing opinion seemed to be that most places will sell you 700cc rim these days, even if you are pretty far from the beaten track

700c looks cooler (I have a 700c surly). I also prefer 700C.

Thats said, touring CTC types typically prefer 26″ for some reason.

I’d buy for what rides best now

People have been world touring on 700c for ages

But and its quite a big one. If you do hit the road less traveled you’ll want space for big tyres to keep it comfy ish. So I’m leaning towards a frame that will take 40mm or so. The Spec’ AWOl does upto 50mm. But that is maybe to close to MTB

Both the new Spa and the Surly can fit 2 inch (approx) tyres.

I’m 5 foot 6, the Surly looks a little more in proportion with 26’ers.

Both ride beautifully, can’t really decide on that.
Surly is a bit prettier, Spa has more stand over.
Both ride a LOT lighter than they are.

A range of colours and silver finishing kit would swing it for the Spa.

No overlap on either, BTW.

Still stuck.
🙂

Not mad keen on the AWOL – too much needs changing on any of the models for it to be viable.
Prefer a rear rack to a front, which I believe the AWOl’s geometry was originally biased toward.

You really want 650C

Not a whelk’s chance in a supernova of that. 🙂

Aren’t you legally obliged to post a picture of your Van Nic on threads like this? 😀

700c (622) rims are as ubiquitous as 26″ (559), a reasonably standard 29er MTB disc wheelset should be adequate for loaded up touring duties Shirley?

Surely with disk-braked wheelsets (you are going for disks, aye?) you could “get away” with a 26″ wheel for a short period of time – in extremis like

I think the whole idea of 700 rims being hard to get is a bit outdated these days especially with the amount of 29ers around these days too

But at your height I’d probably get the 26 surly tbh

Oh – and here’s a new one

https://photos.google.com/search/_tra_/photo/AF1QipOkCimd6yvc1-Y3aVUkwZ2lWr2FXj8QVbBXgi3T

Yup, discs.

I’ll call Spa and check the geo.
BB on either isn’t that high to begin with though.

Nice bike that.
🙂