chromag surface

You are looking at a Chromag Wideangle, a bike I do not own, but I feel is somehow related to the Surface I do own...

The Wideangle above belongs to my brother, and in August of '24 when I went back to the Old Country to visit, I told myself; "DO NOT RIDE YOUR BROTHER'S CHROMAG." And of course one evening he pulled it down off the rack and handed it over. I took it up and down the block and it was glorious. I knew this would happen, I knew I'd love it, and I didn't want to even sample it because I'd just want one.

Just a couple weeks after I returned home, a beautiful purple Surface came up for sale.

Coincidence?

Chromag of Whistler, BC started in 2003 making steel hardtails. When I found them, my feel was that they decided that steel could still be a viable material for serious trail bikes. Also, hardtails could still be serious trail bikes. Some of their production is in Taiwan now, but there are still three BC frame builders doing bikes for them.  Brad Howlett on Vancouver Island, Mike Truelove in Squamish (much more on him in future post), and of course, Chris Dekerf, who built my Surface.

This is a '14/'15 Surface that I suspect was built up from a frame with parts from a Specialized, based on the bar, stem, and Roval wheels on it. It's got an XT 1x11 drivetrain and brakes, and a Rock Shox Pike fork. With Maxxis Minion DH 29" tires, it weighs 31 pounds. I happened to have a Chromag bar and stem, so getting the Specialized stuff off of it was a bonus, and beyond that, the chain blew up twice the second time I rode it. Also the brakes scream like banshees and don't really do much, so probably new rotors and pads are needed. 

Given what I typically ride, you would certainly be warranted in asking 'Why did you buy this serious trail bike when everything you ride can be handled with a gravel bike?'

Well, I haven't completely given up on the possibility of riding serious trails again. And, the asking price for this Chris Dekerf made frame, well, I'd have been a fool to not jump on it. I do regret sometimes selling the Dekerf Team ST I had, even though it was the right thing to do at the time, so getting a Dekerf that works for me makes me very happy.

After replacing the chain, I found that the cassette had to be replaced as well. I picked up some cheap Maxxis Ardents, and with some TPU tubes, I've got it down to 28 pounds. 

I haven't ridden it a lot because of the mechanical issues, but it's a great fit - truly a joy to ride. When I'm ready for tougher trails, I'll have a bike that's ready.