Preamble (Hot Cheddar Drop Bar) or Midnight Special
My LBR has the new Hot Cheddar Preamble for around $1500 after tax, and a Fools Gold MS (with 105 drivetrain) for around $2300 after tax.
I have seen previous posts comparing the two and understand that the Preamble drop bar is a good entry Surly limited by chain ring issues, tire size, and a QR axle, but is otherwise a fun and comfortable bike. However, the new Hot Cheddar seems to have fixed the chain ring issues with a Cues drivetrain—and is at a significantly higher price than the OG preamble. I am still concerned about the disk brake / QR combo.
Is the new Preamble still a good budget option at its higher price, or is it worth it for me to get the MS? With the new Cues system, is it still worth it to upgrade to MS for through axle and nicer road handling?
I commute on bike and train every day for work with panniers (about five miles each way on bike) and like to do weekend rides around 30 miles. I also use my bike as the primary means of biking around town because I don’t have a car. I am donating my previous bike, so the Surly I get would replace my old bike for all of those purposes.
Thanks!