A Complete Guide to Surly Bikes

This guide discusses the features and benefits of four Surly Bike models: Ice Cream Truck, Big Dummy, Disc Trucker, and Midnight Special.

If you’re in the market for a new bike, Surly should be at the top of your list. They make some of the best bikes on the market, and their models are suited for various needs. Whether you’re looking for an Ice Cream Truck to hit the trails, a Big Dummy to carry all your cargo, a Disc Trucker for commuting or touring, or a Midnight Special for racing, Surly has you covered. But the question is, which bike is the best fit for you. 

In this guide, we’ll look at the four popular bikes from the Surly lineup: the Ice Cream Truck, Big Dummy, Disc Trucker, and Midnight Special. We’ll discuss the features and benefits of each bike, as well as its intended purposes. So if you’re looking for a new ride but don’t know where to start, keep reading! We’ll help you find the perfect Surly bike for your needs.

What Are Surly Bikes? 

The surly bike is a steel-frame bicycle company founded in 1998 as a subdivision of Quality Bicycle Products. The brand initially intended to produce specific components and parts for its sister brand Salsa Cycles. As fat-tire bikes emerged on the cycling scene, Surly introduced their first single-speed fat-tire bike, Rat Race, to test the market. Throughout the years, they created the Cross-Check cross/commuter bike and Karate Monkey hardcore hardtail mountain bike to satiate different customer needs. Over the years, Surly gained a following among local cyclists looking for an alternative to more expensive Bikes. Their loyal following among cyclists are the ones who appreciate the company’s no-nonsense approach to frame design and component selection.

What Makes Surly Bikes Unique?

The steel frames are Surly’s most defining characteristic. Surly uses various materials for their bikes, but Chromoly steel is the primary choice for most of their lineup. This particular material gives their bikes a unique look and feels different from most other brands on the market. Surly Chromoly frames are known for being durable, comfortable, and affordable, which is why they’re such a popular choice among cyclists.

Another defining characteristic of surly bikes is their use of wide tires. Most Surly models design bicycles to accommodate a minimum of 2.5 inches or wider tires. These so-called “fat” tires allow for excellent stability and comfort on rough terrain and increased traction in wet or icy conditions. Wide tires are also great for carrying heavy loads, often used on cargo and touring bikes.

Finally, Surly bikes are known for their simple design. They don’t have a lot of flashy features or gimmicks, which some riders prefer. Surly bikes are durable and versatile, making them a popular choice for riders who want a bike that can do it all.

What Is Chromoly Steel?

Chromoly steel is a low alloy steel type containing Chromium and Molybdenum. Chromoly steel is known for its high strength, weldability, and resistance to wear. It is often used in the construction of bicycles and aircraft components. Chromoly steel is also sometimes used to manufacture roles, gears, and shafts. 

Unlike carbon steel, Chromoly steel cannot be welded easily and requires a low-hydrogen welding process, so the material will not crack as easily. Generally speaking, Chromoly steels are easy to work with and can be machined, formed, and cut using standard methods.

Is Chromoly Steel Better Than Stainless Steel?

Chromoly steel is a high-quality material that offers several advantages over stainless steel:

1. It’s lighter weight, making it ideal for bicycle use.
2. It is highly resistant to oxidation and corrosion, making them a superior material for beach bikes and bikes for winter use.
3. It’s less expensive than stainless steel, making it a budget-friendly option for many cyclists. 

Review of 4 Most Popular Surly Bike Models

Now that we’ve discussed what makes surly bikes unique let’s look at some of their most popular models.

1. Ice Cream Truck Surly Bike

The Ice Cream Truck is one of Surly’s bestseller bikes for riders who want the ultimate traction and stability on all terrain and conditions. The Ice Cream Truck features a Chromoly steel frame and fork and Surly’s custom fat bike tires. These tires provide exceptional traction and floatation on snow, sand, and mud. The Ice Cream Truck is also equipped with hydraulic disc brakes for superior stopping power in all conditions.

Specifications

The Surly Ice Cream Truck is available in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large. It’s constructed with Surly’s 4130 Cromoly steel tubing and features Surly’s signature horizontal dropouts. 

Brake

Depending on your needs, you can opt for the Tektro Gemini Hydraulic brake or the SRAM DB Level TL Hydraulic brake. The SRAM DB Level TL Hydraulic brake, ideal for cross-country and trail riding, features a two-piston caliper that provides mighty braking power. In contrast, the Tektro Gemini Hydraulic brake includes a four-piston caliper that provides even more power for tackling steep terrain and is best for all-mountain and downhill riding.

Wheels

No matter what size you choose, the Ice Cream Truck uses 26 x 4.8″, 120 TPI, Surly Bud & Lou tubeless tires on the Surly My Other Brother Daryl Rims. The front wheel features a Novatec 150x15mm front hub and a Shimano Microspline OE 197x12mm rear hub.

Handlebar and Saddle

Surly designers chose the Salsa Rustler 31.8 handlebar for optimal control even on the most challenging trails and descent. The Selle Italia saddle on a Kalloy 30.9mm seat post allows maximum comfort and height adjustability for all riders.

Review

The surly Ice Cream Truck is an excellent choice for riders who want a bike that can handle any terrain or condition. It’s lightweight and maneuverable yet still offers the stability and traction you need when riding on rough terrain. The hydraulic disc brakes provide superior stopping power, even in wet or muddy conditions. And the tubeless tires offer excellent floatation and traction on snow, sand, and mud. If you’re looking for a surly bike that can do it all, the Ice Cream Truck is a great option.

Pros:

• The bike is lightweight and maneuverable.
• It provides excellent traction and stability.
• The hydraulic disc brakes provide superior stopping power even on minimal traction paths.
• The fat tires handle boulders, rocks, gravels, and pebbles exceptionally well.

Cons:

• it may be too much bike for some riders

the handling can be too sensitive for everyday commuter cyclists.

2. Big Dummy Surly Bike

The Surly Big Dummy is one of the best-selling Surly long-haul trucker bikes that specialize in hauling heavy cargo weighing up to a 400-pound limit, whether it’s kids, groceries, or gears. It comes in two colors (dark maroon and black) and is available in four sizes. Overall, the Big Dummy is an excellent transportation substitution. 

Specifications

The Big Dummy has a length of 84.5 cm (33.3 inches) and a width of 64.8 cm (25.5 inches). The height ranges from 45.7 cm (18 inches) to 50.8 cm (20 inches). It has a Chromoly steel frame with horizontal dropouts and comes in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large.

Brake

The Surly Big Dummy includes an Avid Fr-5 lever and an Avid BB7 brake made to haul heavy loads. It’s durable and offers excellent stopping power even in wet or muddy conditions.

Wheels

The bike has Alex Adventurer rims and Schwalbe Big Apple 26″ x 60mm tires. The front and back wheels use Shimano Deore M525 hub QR 36h hubs.

Handlebar and Saddle

The Big Dummy uses a Premetec handlebar and a WTB Volt Sport saddle with a 2-bolt seat stem.

Review

The Surly Big Dummy is an excellent choice for those who need to haul heavy cargo on their bike. It’s durable and can carry up to 400 pounds, making it perfect for shopping for groceries. The mechanical disc brakes provide excellent stopping power even in wet and icy conditions. 

The bike is also well-suited for hauling children and pets as it features a low center of gravity and a wide wheelbase to absorb shock and vibration. And the Schwalbe Big Apple tires are designed to provide excellent traction and floatation on sand and snow. So wherever you go, you can bring your kids and pets along. 

In addition, Surly offers a variety of accessories for the Big Dummy, including racks, bags, and trailers. Overall, the Surly big dummy is an excellent choice for those who need a bike that can handle large loads. It is well-built, supportive, and easy to use.

Pros:

• It offers an excellent commuter option for individuals with kids.
• The extra traction allows great road handling for all weather conditions.
• The higher pedal and chainring clearance design avoids road obstacles.

Cons:

• The whole bike is enormous.
• Not as heavy-duty as the other Surly bikes.
• Not many tire options are available for super-fat tires.
• It stands higher than other Surly bikes.
• The thick tires make maneuvering slightly slower than other options due to the super-fat tires.

3. Disc Trucker Surly Bike

The Disc Trucker is another favorite among the Surly Bikes. Designed as the ultimate pure-bred drop bar touring bike, the Disc Trucker is ready for any cross-continental, dual-sport adventure. Unlike other bikes from the same category, this Surly model has tons of mountain points and shortened chainstay mechanism to ensure riders can maneuver around tight city corners, heavy traffic, and unpredictable hills. 

The bike is also unique because it was one of the first touring bikes to come with disc brakes, which allows for all-weather stopping power. Unlike other Surly bikes, the Disc Trucker has two wheel sizes and five frame sizes options so that the bicycle truly conforms to the rider’s height and needs.

Specifications

The Disc Trucker has a Chromoly steel frame and is available in five sizes: 56cm, 58 cm, 60 cm, 62 cm, and 64 cm. The bike also has two-wheel size options (700c or 26-inch) to allow for a more comfortable ride. Riders can choose between the regular black color frame or the pea-lime soup color frame for better safety during early morning and nighttime travel.

Brake

The Surly Disc Trucker uses a TRP Spyre C 160mm rotors brake with Shimano Sora lever. The TRP Spyre is a mechanical disc brake that uses dual pistons to distribute the braking force evenly. This design ensures that the Surly Disc Trucker can stop quickly and safely in all weather and road conditions.

Wheels

The 700c and 26″ options use the Surly’s in-house Alex Adventurer 2 rims and Surly ExtraTerrestrial tire. The 700c tires have a width of 41mm, whereas the 26″ tires have a fatter width of 46mm. This surly bike is also tubeless-ready for those who want to explore different riding terrain.

Handlebar and Saddle

The surly Disc trucker uses their unique Surly Truckstop handlebar with a Promax 31.8mm, 4-bolt stem. The WTB Volt Race saddle. Two offset options exist for the ProMax 27.2mm, 35QL Seatpost to allow for the perfect riding position.

Review 

The surly Disc Trucker is an excellent choice for those who want a durable and reliable bike for long-distance touring. The frame has Chromoly steel, known for its durability and lightweight enough to be carried around city limits. The bike also has a disc brake system, which is unusual for touring bicycles. However, this allows the Disc Trucker to make excellent stops in all weather conditions, whether you have a heavy load on the bike or not. Even though it is a touring bicycle, the Disc Trucker is a great option for beginner mountain bikers just dipping into more rugged terrain biking experience.

Pros:

• It is one of the first touring bikes to come with disc brakes.
• The TRP Spyre mechanical disc rim brakes system allows excellent all-weather stopping power.
• The bike uses a Chromoly steel frame for durability and lightweight.
• The Disc Trucker is highly customizable, with two-wheel sizes (700c or 26″) and five frame size options.
• The tires have Kevlar lining, and the sidewalls are lined with nylon for maximum puncture prevention.
• It contains rack mounts for commuting and touring panniers.
• The Fender mounts allow mudguard attachment.
• Customers find the bike highly stable and shockproof on gravel roads and pebble path settings.

Cons: 

• The bike is heavier due to the fat tires and extra mountain gears.
• Slightly more expensive than its competitors.
• The pea soup color is noticeable, but many customers find it extremely ugly.
• The high stack height makes the rider sit higher than other bikes in the same category. Some do not like it as a personal preference.

4. Midnight Special Surly Bike

The Surly Midnight Special is a lightweight all-road bike built for those who want to explore different terrains without being limited by the typical road bike. The frame has Surly’s custom Chromoly steel to withstand corrosion and oxidation from various city chemicals and weather conditions. The tires are also larger and broader than most road bikes, allowing for a comfortable and stable ride even on rougher terrains and uneven roads.

Specifications

The surly Midnight Special has eight frame size options: 40 cm, 46 cm, 50 cm, 54 cm, 56 cm, 58 cm, 60 cm, and 64 cm. The frame is made from Surly’s custom Chromoly steel and comes in three color options: reflective black, sour strawberry sparkle, and metallic lilac. The Midnight Special is a popular choice for female riders because of its size availability and attractive color options.

Brake

The surly Midnight Special has the powerful TRP Spyre 160 mm rotors brake system with SRAM Rival 1 brake levers. 

Wheels

The surly Midnight Special comes with their Alex Adventurer 2 Tubeless Ready rims and Travel Rampart 650b tires. The 650b rim is slightly smaller than most mountain bikes, but the tire width makes up for the smaller diameter to provide excellent riding stability.

Handlebar and Saddle

The surly Midnight Special comes with their sister company Salsa Cowchipper handlebars. They are comfortable for smaller hands to grip during long traveling trips. 

Review

The Surly Midnight Special is a great all-around bike for those who want to explore different terrains without being limited by the typical road bike. The frame is made of surly’s custom Chromoly steel, known for its durability and lightweight enough to be carried around city limits. The bike has great-quality gears, such as the flat disc brake system and WTB i23 TCS 650b rims. And if that’s not enough, the surly Midnight Special also comes in eight frame size options to perfectly fit the rider. The Surly Midnight Special is another excellent option for beginner cyclists who want a multi-tasking bike for their everyday commute and trip exploring.

Pros:

• The bike comes loaded with high-quality gear.
• The flat mount disc brakes system is highly functional on all terrains, giving the bike a much cleaner look than its competitors.
• The bicycle allows riders to swap the 650b for 700c wheel option to transform the Midnight Special into a road bike.

Cons:

• Some riders find the bike frame colors to be too feminine.
• The bike is heavier than its competitors because it is fully loaded with gears.
• More expensive than their competitors.
• Some riders find that they need to over-extend their arms to control the handlebar fully.

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide has helped you narrow your choices and find the perfect Surly bike for your needs. Whether you’re in the market for a new commuter bike or looking to take your touring setup up a notch, Surly has something to offer. With versatile models that are well suited for various applications, Surly is sure to have the perfect ride for you. Although their bikes are slightly more expensive, you can be assured that their quality and durability outlast their competitors. Thanks for reading, and happy riding!