Building the Best Surly Bridge Club Part 5: Test Ride on Flint Hills Trail and Q&A

[@OutLan]

This has been fun to watch this build. I’ve been building a Bridge Club from the frame up for several months and it’s been challenging and rewarding. I love the bike.

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

Nice! Send pictures when it’s done.

[@dreamcyclevancouver]

Really happy you dig he Dream bar!

[@bikesandbeyond618]

It looks even better outside in the sun and rolling on the trail. Nice job once again.

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

Thanks! The green really does need lots of light to pop.

[@the_nondrive_side]

eagerly waiting on this video. already pretty stoked over it despite being of a differing style for drivetrain. i like this rig a bunch. 5:20 I prefer triples and 7 speeds using pretty standard cassette and mid level DEORE mechs. I am going to get a BC but I gotta sell the bike I have in that style. triple sevens are the best when mixed with 9speed mechs and chains.. it's like the 90's cues interested in a Kona Unit as well

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

Thanks for watching! The 7 speed triple lives on!

[@BarrySchnoor]

Hey, Jeff. Your daughter is in theatre with my daughter this summer. My daughter has a dad who bikepacks...and so does your daughter. We're practically related. I just got back from an overnight on the C&O canal (114m R/T), hammock camping along the trail. 4-time RAGBRAI rider, but I'm not riding this year. I have other plans! Be safe out there. Have fun.

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

That’s awesome! She told me about that. We are getting ready to do support for Biking Across Kansas. If love to do RAGBRAI in the near future. Need to find the time. Hope to meet you on the road some day.

[@grinningfool34]

I just bought a new Bridge Club complete bike a week ago. Due to just recovering from an injury, it’ll be another week before I get my first ride on it. Very anxious to try it out. My biggest concern is the one you talked about, needing taller gearing. It’s very hilly in my area, so the 1x will be fine most of the time. But I might end up changing the gearing eventually, if I find myself spinning out too much. I might be able to get by just installing a bigger chainring. Other than that, the bike will probably remain stock.

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

I think your going to love it. Don’t worry too much about the gearing. Most people are absolutely fine with the stock gearing. Hope the recovery goes quickly!

[@chrisE815]

​​I very much disagree. If you're a powerful cyclist (or in a flat area), going with a ~40t chainring is a decent compromise, but the bridge club is screaming for a 2x what a shame Surly doesn't ship 2x bikes anymore. @@ottawabikeandtrail

[@MrRoRoWe]

Thanks for the videos! I'm not planning to get a Bridge Club - I've already built my "best" Midnight Special - but I've found all your reasons for the parts really interesting.

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

The Midnight Special is an awesome bike! Thanks for watching.

[@sarahd3126]

Thanks for featuring our eastern end of the FHT! #bicycleflowerbasketcapitaloftheworld #MileZero #Osawatomie

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

Thanks for watching! I even put a basket on my bike for the ride.

[@stevemullin1195]

Would that bike be capable of doing the Tour Divide race?

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

That’s a really interesting question. Maybe I’ll discuss that in a future video.

[@jonmarshall1502]

Is the trail originally an old train track? Or specifically for bikes, horses and hikers? Hi from NZ

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

Yes, it’s a converted rail trail that’s now part of out State Park system. It’s for bikes, horses and hikers only. It’s about 92 miles long (52 km).

[@tmayberry7559]

Yes the horses are allowed to horse around 😂. Of course they have left several deposits 😂😂

if someone wont cheaper marin muirwoods have similar geometry