Waiting for Dummies

Surly has announced that the first Big Dummy production run is complete and ready to be boxed and shipped from Taiwan. They expect delivery about the middle of February. They've also published an extensive spew that covers ride characteristics, loading tips, recommendations for components and other miscellany. Worth a read if you're thinking about getting one or trying to decide between a Big Dummy and a Free Radical conversion. Surly has also released a geometry chart (warning: PDF) for the current version of the Big Dummy.

I've currently got a Dummy on order and am getting a mutt group of parts ready to slap on when it arrives. The spec so far includes

• Wheels: 36-hole Shimano M756 hubs (those are the high-flange disc ones with the 6-bold IS mounts) laced to Syncros DP32 freeride rims. Schwalbe Big Apple or Maxxis Hookworm 26 x 2.4 inch-ish tires.

• Brakes: Hayes HFX Mag hydraulic discs with 8" rotors

• Bars: The big wide Nitto Albatross cro-mos pearched on an uncut steerer with a dual-stem setup. I anticipate a porteur front rack setup similar to this one.

• Drivetrain: Garden-variety 3x8 derailleur; Suntour XC Expert triple crank, 8-speed cassette, tandem chain, XT derailleurs, Deore DX thumb shifters.

• Other: Brooks B.67 saddle, Cane Creek S2 headset. Other details TBD.

So there it is. I'll have a Free Radical and a GT Karakoram up for sale sometime in March. Meanwhile, I have errands to run, photos to shoot and insulation to install. Better go.