wheel/tire combo

[paxtoncoyote]

I'm looking at building a backroad/tour/camping bike in the spring using the Surly KM & seeking advice on wheels. My initial thought is to use Velocity Dyad rims/Shimano xtr hubs & I want to swap tires at times depending on where & how I ride, will these work fine for using anything to a 700c cross tire to say a WTB Nano? I'm currently using WTB Dual Duty & having no issues in nearly 2 years, should I stick with them?

The issue I have is I'll be carrying small panniers on a rear rack & I'm 6' 5"/240 so I need something fairly stout, weights not an issue on the rims, just versatility. I ride on everything from blacktop,gravel, dirt, sandy washboard roads to trails.

[riderx]

I've used Sun CR18 rims for just that type of application. They aren't bling but they are solid and reasonably priced. For a bit more cash I've also used the original Salsa Delgados.

Dual Duty should be fine too although I haven't used them. I've also heard good things about the Velocity Blunts

At your size I'd probably run a 36 spoke set up since you'll be hauling gear. A good wheel build is key too, so if you don't do it yourself, have it done by a respected builder.

[rockhound]

I've considered building a similar ride.

I'd get something a bit more stout than the Dyad, since it is a touring rim. It might work for you, but given your size and the fact that I'm guessing it might be treated like a mountain bike at some point in time, it wouldn't hurt to get something beefier.

You didn't say if you were running disc brakes or v-brakes. The Blunts might be disc-only. That being said, they come in white and celeste.

Running gears or singlespeed?

[myron]

WTB Nano's is the shizzle. My 26 now wears them also. Faaaaaaaast roll and GREAT traction too.

[paxtoncoyote]

I will be running gears on this build, looking at a Truvativ Cyclocross double up front but may decide to go with a triple since I'll be pulling hills at times loaded. Also Avid BB7 disc brakes, have had great luck with them on my current KM so will stick with them.

I met a guy this summer who was riding from Astoria, OR to Chicago on a Long Haul Trucker & was running Salsa Delgado's, so that is one of my other choices, he was fully self-contained. I was considering a Cross-Check but I want the option to run wider tires than what I can with it so I'm pretty sure I'll have 2 Monkies in my stable, just love my current one so why change a good thing!

[rockhound]

I was considering a Cross-Check but I want the option to run wider tires than what I can with it so I'm pretty sure I'll have 2 Monkies in my stable, just love my current one so why change a good thing!

You can run up to 44's on a Cross-Check.

I looked at the KM, but didn't like it's horizontal dropouts (aka trackends) with gears. If it weren't for them, I'd probably have one. I built a geared Zion 737 that runs Nanoraptors for just about the same thing you plan on doing.

[fxdwhl]

I've got Delgados on both my crosscheck and karate monkey and they're holding up fine. Got over a year on the karate monkey rear with rim brakes, might be getting thin but still true. Loaded up the crosscheck this past summer for a quick tour without a problem too.

And yeah I'd go with 36 spokes for loaded touring.

[paxtoncoyote]

is there any challenges or problems with the horizontal dropouts if running the KM with gears, I'm running mine singlespeed so not familiar with gearing a KM. I was really considering the Cross-Check but I live near a lot of sandy, washboardy roads (aka, western Nebraska sandhills)so I think I want the wider tires with some squish to them for those jaunts, not an option on the CC, I also do plenty of snow riding without the luxery of a Pugsley so want the Nano or similar tire for that.

[rockhound]

is there any challenges or problems with the horizontal dropouts if running the KM with gears, I'm running mine singlespeed so not familiar with gearing a KM. I was really considering the Cross-Check but I live near a lot of sandy, washboardy roads (aka, western Nebraska sandhills)so I think I want the wider tires with some squish to them for those jaunts, not an option on the CC, I also do plenty of snow riding without the luxery of a Pugsley so want the Nano or similar tire for that.

The only "problem" is sliding the rear wheel in and out with a disc brake and gears. I don't think it's a big issue for most, but I'm picky. :D

[real_ss_budgie]

i found that since chucking on gears on the KM the vee brakes wont seat properly on the rims due to the axle hard up against the hori drops..carn!

running velocity aeroheads.

[fxdwhl]

i found that since chucking on gears on the KM the vee brakes wont seat properly on the rims due to the axle hard up against the hori drops..carn!

running velocity aeroheads.

Sounds like something Surly's Monkey Nuts (http://www.surlybikes.com/spew12.html) might take care of.