Surly Big Dummy Review

2019 Surly Big Dummy

[@creedpowell]

I've been riding a Big Dummy for around 10 years. I forget when it came out. I dig your videos. The surly Big Dummy is the only bike you "Need". It is great to watch someone get it.

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

I think more people would get it if more bicycle shops had one in their shop so they could see it in person. The shop I bought mine from did not have one but they can order them. There was no shop within 50 miles of me that had one.

[@creedpowell]

@@CargoBikeCowboy I completely agree. When I bought mine there were a few other long-tail cargo bikes from Kona and Trek in the works, around 2009-2010. I used to know some people at Surly and Extra-Cycle so my choice was easy. The story of why Extra-cycle started building add-on cargo bikes might interest you. Your videos have inspired me to do a "Long Term" Review video on my SBD.

[@Timberbeartrail]

@@CargoBikeCowboy I totally agree with you more people would buy them if more people had them. I bought mine in New Hampshire. I live four hours away from where I bought it. Nobody even wants to talk about them or work on them around here. You know to me that’s not a bicycle shop that’s a hobby shop or a specialty shop. You know they only want the people that have gobs of money coming in. They’re buying these top dollar bicycles you know you can’t buy a bicycle in the store anymore for lesson $800. That’s all people wanna carry.

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

@@Timberbeartrail I never take my Bicycles to a shop I always work on them myself. That's the part I like best about having a bicycle is I don't have to pay for repairs or tow trucks. I carry a fair amount of tools with me because I do not plan on walking home ever! Plus I like to help other cyclists that are having troubles when I'm out riding.

[@Timberbeartrail]

@@CargoBikeCowboy ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

Thanks for the nice comment I appreciate it.

[@kragejordhumlebombusmagnus3945]

Big dummy is an awesome bike! Bought mine in 2016 and still using it summer and winter. Also have a three wheel cargo bike, but the big dummy is more comfortable on longer distances. Starting to see rust on where the frame is welded, so this winter the bike is getting a rebuild 🥰

[@kishascape]

That’s a tricycle. I have one of those too, it’s really nice and convenient.

[@Timberbeartrail]

How come, you didn’t get the frame protection, rest proofing I know people that have done that they will never buy another bike without having it done, and it does protect that

[@tosh2012]

Nice color, too.

[@ianolear1000]

Love the video, kind of thinking about this bike or a big easy for some long haul touring or a general car replacement, seems super fun. I live in Chicago and my parents live in MD so would be cool to take a bike all the way to visit them eventually. Currently have a surly straggler that I really like and looking forward to some adventures with that

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

If you are going to replace your car this bicycle would be the one to have. If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow fall or has a lot of sand then I would recommend the BIG FAT DUMMY. The BIG EASY electric version would be good for car replacement if you have long distances to cover or steep hills to carry loads up. The BIG DUMMY can only take a drop of 6 inches according to the paper work that came with the bicycle while the BIG FAT DUMMY can take a drop of 24 inches. But I will say that this bicycle is amazing and I love it.

[@robertalexander7661]

Oh, man. Enjoying the review on your bike. I've got a Salsa muckluk 3. And I think I might add a Big Dummy as well.

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

2023 is the last year for production of this bicycle. They have redesigned the frame and other components on the bicycle. If your going to get one probably try to get a used one from like 2019 or later. They also made a fat tire version of this called the Big Fat Dummy, those are also no longer in production, but they are really cool. There is also an e-bike version called The Big Easy.

[@robertalexander7661]

I hope the place I’m going to has a used one. Thank you.

[@kishascape]

Wow lots of nice shaded tables and by the water. Good shortwave location.

[@rex758]

Cowboy that is a genius idea for your "touring" my hat to you great love it , thank you

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

You are welcome sir, and Thank You for your kind words.

[@kcnelson4994]

Nice video -great review of your bike. You forgot one very aggravating issue, the absolute piece of crap kickstand that’s surly sends out on these things. I’m sure any of us that use these cargo bikes for their true intent have sworn more than once when trying to load anything cargo- wise and the little cheap and unstable five dollar kickstand offers no stability, shame on you surly for this major oversight! I would love to know if anyone made something themselves that offers far more stability, spending well over $400 on the ‘rolling jackass ‘ system seems a bit much… By the way, when I reached out to surly in regards to my issue, they just blew me off so I wasn’t too happy with that.

[@jimbudd7724]

I have probs with my kickstand too. Every couple of days i have to tighten it up

[@kcnelson4994]

@@jimbudd7724 Believe me, you are going to tighten that damn thing up so often that you’re going to get to the point where you just take it off.

[@Timberbeartrail]

Have a machine shop make you one

[@Timberbeartrail]

Be greatfull you have the money to buy this bike and make your own kickstand and blueprints and pattern is so you can sell it to the ppl you’ve complained about

[@Mantis858585]

Loc-tite

[@kennethbradley2222]

I have a big dummy and feel the same way i do not like cars at 70 years old i have hookworm tires on it they last a very long time quiet and great traction

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

I glad to hear that. Need more people to see the utility and beauty of the bicycle as a form of transportation. So cool that your rockin a Big Dummy at 70!

[@naldovaz9157]

Very nice Ride.. I love Surly Bikes and Ride the Surly ECR and I am leaning for my next Surly would be the Disc Trucker.. Looking to get me a Surly long Trailer

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

Thanks. Have you looked at the Surly Ogre? The trailers made by Surly are nice but a little pricey. That's why I built my own trailer.

[@naldovaz9157]

@@CargoBikeCowboy I did check out the Orge and I decided the ECR, wanted the 29+

[@dog-so1vj]

Great video. Nice bike.

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

Thanks!

[@TK-vz4tv]

can’t tell, do you love this bike? 😀

[@chuckmarshall6429]

Which manufacture did you choose for your adjustable yolk to mount your Jones Handlebars

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

SunliteAdjustable Top Mount Threadless Stem

[@andykleiber]

Want! I just cracked the frame on my current cargo bike (2003?) Kona Dew/xtracycle free radical. Been considering this ride or just getting a new city bike. At my age, this might/should be the last cargo bike, so...Yeah, I should get the Big Dummy. Thanks.

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

Yes! I'm 50 years old and have owned a lot of bicycles. I wish cargo bicycles had been around when I was younger and didn't have a car I probably would have never owned a car at all if they had been. The versatility of a cargo bicycle like the Surly Big Dummy is what I really love.

[@Timberbeartrail]

Did you consider a Larry vs harry?

[@wakawaka1976]

Are you still loving the bike? I was interested in a used one on Craigslist but I’m thinking I’m too short unfortunately. 5’5” with really short legs.

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

YES I still LOVE this bicycle, it is the best all around bicycle I have ever owned. You have to get a bicycle frame that is made for your size. I always have to have very large frame 21"-22" depending on how the frame is made. I cannot buy a bicycle at Walmart and ride it they are all to small. Their are other options for cargo bicycles. TERN makes some really nice cargo bicycles. Also look at BIKE Friday they have a cargo bicycle called the HAUL-A-DAY and are made in Oregon. What size frame is the one on craigslist?

[@williejamehufff3125]

Building up my BFD now. Love your vids

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

Thanks. Please share some vids or pictures of your BFD if possible.

[@williejamehufff3125]

Cargo Bike Life it’s going to be a bit. Saving for a wheelset now. I’m building from a frameset

[@williamserrano6394]

Great bike love your videos keep it going .

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

Thanks appreciate that.

[@aeson33]

I have hauled 175lbs of kids on the top deck

[@BIKEMAN21]

Good video. How much does a bike like this cost ? and what do u mean take a 6 inch drop ? like off a curb ? This bike could be better with a front shock but that's easily added. Also it seems like a bit heavy for a long distance ride, I wonder if it would take less energy to pull a super light bike trailer and put the water and gear on the trailer ? and how good is that seat ?

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

This bicycle costs around $2200.00. As far as a 6 inch drop that means when the back is loaded to full capacity of 200 pounds they recommend no more than a 6 inch drop of the rear tire, like off a curb or on a trail over a root. I bought this bicycle to your the United States with in a couple of years. Riding heavy bicycles makes you stronger.

[@BIKEMAN21]

@@CargoBikeCowboy I never jump off a curb unless its absolute emergency and then i check my rear axle to make sure it did not bend.

[@Timberbeartrail]

I’ve been following you for Grayson time as you may know and you know what I’d like to do is see all of you big dummy cargo bike KZbinrs I like to see you all collaborate on a video that would be very cool maybe we could all get a rendezvous to go somewhere and meet up and do some camping at a campground somewhere you know Each year the rendezvous can be at a different location so that

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

That would be a really good time and probably a lot of fun. Something like that would take some planning, but is certainly not impossible.

[@jimbudd7724]

Luv my Surly Big dummy.

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

Best bicycle I've ever owned.

[@themindunset]

Can you tell me about the sizing? How tall are you and what size is the frame? I also love the Jones bar. I'm about 5'-7" tall.

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

I am 6' 4" tall and I ride the XL frame. I added the jones bars and the adjustable stem to bring the handlebars upward and backward to give myself a more upright riding position. Leaning to far forward on long rides hurts my back I should also mention this may be due to me being 51 years old. With the upright riding position and the option of having 30 gears to use this bicycle is very adaptable to me peddling with a lot of weight. Last year I had around 380 lbs on the bicycle ( myself being 210 lbs of that weight ) and peddled it for 25 miles with no problems.

[@themindunset]

@@CargoBikeCowboy Thanks!

[@woodscraftlindsay789]

Love to switch to one cant aford one Some day

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

I bought mine through a local bicycle shop that does lay away. I put down a deposit and went by every week and paid what I could. Took me about a year to pay it off.

[@ChrisfromGeorgia]

Nice. If I had a bike, this would be the one I owned! 😎✌️

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

It really is an awesome bicycle. If you cannot afford a car this is an excellent alternative.

[@ChrisfromGeorgia]

@@CargoBikeCowboy Thank you for the review and reply! It looks really comfortable. I also would like to have my handlebars and seat configured the way you have it. Now that I'm older, it is better for my back to be straight, and have a nice supportive cushion! Take care and enjoy this day 😎👍

[@Fuckmisan]

I enjoyed the great video. Is Kickstand included in the genuine part?

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

Yes that is the kickstand that it comes with.

[@Fuckmisan]

@@CargoBikeCowboy Thaks !!

[@peteherrera1502]

How tall are you? I am 5 ft 6 and wonder if that bike in a small would be to tall for me. no place here in Colorado has them where you can try them out to see if they would fit or not which is frustrating. Yea everyone will order you one if you are going to buy it. But who knows if you are going to like it or not when we can not try them out ahead of time

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

I an 6'4" and I ride an xl frame plus I did not cut any off the fork tube so that my handlebars could be in a very upright position for comfort. The Big Dummy comes in various sizes. Maybe look on Surlys web site and see if they have a size chart or give them a call and talk to them. Your local shop should be able to size you to a frame even without the bike there.

[@Timberbeartrail]

What are you you using your bike for? Do you have a business you use it for

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

I use my bicycle as a daily rider, leisure riding, and as a way to let people who have never seen a cargo bicycle check it out. There are not many cargo bicycles in the area were I live. I chose the Big Dummy because of its ability as an all around bicycle. I am trying to become an all season rider but it gets so damn cold here during the winter that I can't take the cold sometimes. Proper clothing for winter riding is rather pricy and I am by no means wealthy. It took me a year to save for my Big Dummy.

[@Timberbeartrail]

I know exactly what you’re saying. I have a Yuba electric cargo bike I believe it’s called e8 and even though I enjoy it, I don’t ride it much, because where I live is so far from absolutely everything, and we have literally white lying on the edge of the asphalt. A lot of that white line isn’t there because it drops off into the dirt, so we really have no sideline there to ride and that there’s a lot of logging trucks around here and dump trucks and I live on one of them secondary roads that’s a Main route for them. So I’m going to be relocating I just don’t know where I need to be able to ride year round is not my objective is. I know what you mean. I live in Maine and I went to the cold and clothing is very expensive but we can wear what we would normally wear if we were going outside to shovel snow. I don’t know if they have that fancy bicycle clothing that people with very large egos and incomes. Have you know lol. Anyways, thank you for getting back in touch with me I always appreciate hearing back from you. Hope you have a good day.

[@KandiKlover]

Good daily commuter huh? Carry everything back on there. Groceries, Big screen LED TV, speaker system, big booty bitches etc etc

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

Yes that's correct. I had 380 pounds on that bicycle last summer and peddled it for 25 miles. Cargo bicycles are the future of transportation.

[@kishascape]

@@CargoBikeCowboy Wouldn't it be the past of transportation since bikes came before all other self powered mechanical transports? Funny how a lot of the older stuff is better/more sensible. Guess the direct approach is best.

[@clayguinard3651]

Looks like a nice are where

[@CargoBikeCowboy]

Yes it is.