Reviving my blueberry muffin staggler
There was a stretch of years when my Surly Straggler and I were inseparable: a twenty mile round trip commute, rain or shine, right through the strange, empty months of COVID-19. It was a good partnership. Then life did what life does. I started working from home, a baby girl arrived, and somewhere in the shuffle an e-bike seduced me away for everything else.
Fast forward to now: a new job with a much shorter commute, a few extra pounds I'm not thrilled about, and an underground car park with a strict no e-bikes policy. All signs pointed the same way, so I decided it was time to bring the Straggler back into service.
Nothing extravagant, just the essentials done properly: fresh brake pads, trued wheels, a new set of swept-back bars for a more upright, relaxed position, a new saddle to replace one that had seen better days, and a dynamo rear light swapped out after the old one finally gave up.
Sharing some photos below. She's not the flashiest ride, but I put the money where it mattered most, and it still shows.
Shall I get some tan sidewalled tyres, or stick with black?