FYI, the 650b San Marcos fits 650 x 42 tires, or 650 x 38 tires with P45 fenders.
The San Marcos would be a lighter, more compliant, more road-oriented bike. The Straggler would be heavier, more tour-capable, more off-road-capable bike. The Straggler would be more similar to your LHT, where the San Marcos would be more similar to your Rambouillet. Compare the geometry closely. The San Marcos has more stack, but a longer top tube for roughly the same size. You could fit an upright cockpit easily with a tall/short stem, like a dirt drop or Technomic 7-8 cm. The Straggler has less stack, so a funny stem or a steerer extender may be required to get the bars really high. But, the Straggler does have a shorter top tube. The San Marcos is sold as a frameset, so your custom cockpit wouldn't add to the cost. The Straggler comes as a complete bike, so you'd have to change out the cockpit, and the total cost may be higher. I can't deny the appeal of disc brakes (I have them on my cyclocross/gravel bike and my fat bike); I've never used caliper brakes with anywhere near the stopping power and control of the average BB7 mechanical disc. But for a road-oriented distance bike, I'd be perfectly satisfied with the R559 calipers. The mint color of the 2016 Straggler is pretty great, though. On Wed, Jan 6, 2016 at 10:32 AM, [email protected] < [email protected]> wrote: > Hi Group, > > I am contemplating a new bike build for long distance riding (centuries, > rando rides, etc.). I have neck issues so comfort is a must. I currently > ride and commute on a LHT with a very upright riding position. I'm > considering a Soma (Riv) San Marcos or a Surly 650B Straggler. Both > are appealing in different ways. As a former Rambouillet owner, I miss the > Riv geometry and liveliness but the Straggler has the ability to handle > 42mm tires and has brakes (of which I was a reluctant convert but now > love...I know..."retrogrouch heresy!"). > > From a recent post it seems the San Marcos is very well regarded. Both > frames are 650B (needed for my short stature - frame size 50-52). Any one > have experience with both? Hard to find info/reviews on the 650B Straggler. > San Marcos might be a more lively long distance ride, but the disc brakes > and versatility of the Straggler sure is appealing. Would probably set both > up with pull back bars of some sort. > > Thanks for any insight! > > Sean > ATX > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
