Surly Ice Cream Truck 5 Year Review

Here is my 5 year update and review of the Surly Ice Cream Truck. Can I still recommend this bike? If you want to learn more about this bike or any of the videos I referenced, check out the links below.
PLAYLISTS:
Surly Fat Bikes: • Surly Fat Bikes
Fat Bike Tire/Wheel Guide: • Fat Bike Tire Guide
Video Links:
First Look: • Surly Ice Cream Truck ...
One Year Review: • Surly Ice Cream Truck ...
Can It Climb?: • Surly Ice Cream Truck ...
ICT on Tech Trails: • Fat Bike on Tech Trail...
Corner Bar Review: • Surly Corner Bar Revie...
Wren Perseverance Bars: • WREN Perseverance Arm ...
Dropper Seatpost: • Why Your Fat Bike NEED...
14K Mountain Summit: • Surly Ice Cream Truck ...
High Elevation Torture Test: • Surly Ice Cream Truck ...
Extreme Snow: • Surly Ice Cream Truck ...
Surly Bud & Lou Tire Review: • SURLY Bud and Lou Tire...
Terrene Johnny 5 Tire Review: • Going BIG On My Surly ...
AMAZON LINKS:
Instagram: elevationeveryweekend
Facebook: Elevation Every Weekend
My Brother’s Instagram: dirteveryweekend
Marnie: marnie_doodle
BIKE GEAR:
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Fanttik X8 Ace 150psi Pump: amzn.to/3FY2KbK
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TECH:
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TACOMA:
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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These links do not cost you any additional money, but really help support the channel.

[@freedomwon2004]

Great video. Another ICT as a build would be awesome

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

I think it might be fun to try the ICT from another ground up perspective!

[@naldovaz9157]

l am loving my 2022 Ice cream truck. So comfy and great climber, my favorite bike and daily ride. Great to see you back , love your channel

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching! And yes the ICT is highly capable, and most of all, fun!

[@scottstone8446]

Great channel. Love your ICT vids!

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching! More to come with the ICT.

[@stevewalcott9546]

Still riding my Moonlander! Love Surly fat bikes!

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Nice! We have two 2014 Pugsleys and we still ride those too! I still want a Moonlander someday.

[@sherryhospodar2401]

That was a great 5 year review ! Some of your video I view proved it sure is a Beast in the new fresh back country snow riding

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

A beast indeed, thanks for watching!!

[@thomashospodar9808]

Liked your video g good info as always

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching!

[@fuquantify]

It would be cool to see the ICT build out that you mentioned toward the end of this video.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Hopefully Surly will get a refreshed frame out later this summer and I can pull it off!

[@pirateradioFPV]

I love my fatbike on the skiimobile trails, especially because I have access to them almost from my front door. 5 minutes and I'm on one! 😁

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

@@pirateradioFPV that is awesome!

[@thuggooch1776]

This is a great breakdown. I've yet to try a Surly but they are definitely on my list now thanks to your videos. Droppers certainly do make a huge difference to the ride and versatility of a bike. I'm curious to your thoughts about a suspension dropper like the PNW Coast. I've been running this post for well over a year and I think it takes droppers to the next level. Thank you for sharing.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching! I haven’t tried the PNW suspension dropper myself, I could see it having merit on a smaller tire bike, on a fat bike I suspect it wouldn’t be as necessary or helpful due to the large tire compliance. I have the PNW Rainier with the Loam lever and am really impressed, flawless operation even in the coldest temps.

[@csn583]

Loving mine with dropper, and about to mount up AXS derailleur! I've ridden the Rubicon, but mostly use it more like a gravel bike, with about 10% singletrack miles.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

I bet the Rubicon was fun on the ICT! And while it’s not light or efficient, it makes gravel miles comfy and fun.

[@KyleBrandenburg]

I bought a Moonlander late last year (Bud/Lou, 1x11, XT Hydraulics, dropper post). It was great on my 2 snow day commutes but I’m looking forward to seeing how it performs on the trails this summer

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

A classic Moonlander is still on my wishlist, even if I really don’t “need” one. I love my old 2015 Pugsleys! I bet you will have a blast in the dirt!

[@DirtEveryWeekend]

They are fantastic bikes if you had have one fatty hard to argue this bike shouldn’t be in top 3 choices

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Totally agree! It’s why I am intrigued by doing a performance lighter weight build and see how it compares.

[@blackwalnutgoods]

@ElevationEveryWeekend great point about the wider bottom bracket. I am in total agreement. Feels good to work the muscles in a different way on occasion. Great video!

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching!

[@guardian_ironworks]

I love mine. Im just a bit paranoid about the 2nd gen frame cracking issue. They probably wont fix it because of the state of economics in the bike industry right now though.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

I have the same concern on the frame, I check it after every ride. I know someone who lost a prickly pear ICT to the crack, and just had their replacement Safety Mask Blue frame crack. I am well out of warranty now but would be curious if Surly would cover this specific issue🤷🏻‍♂️

[@guardian_ironworks]

@@ElevationEveryWeekend I've seen them warranty a prickly pear recently, it was on a bike from one of their Intergalactic dealers. It seems like surly is now well aware of the cracking issue. I just hope the DO SOMETHING about it.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

@@guardian_ironworks good to hear they are covering this issue out of warranty. I’m not sure if this is a manufacturing issue, or more of a design flaw since it has continued to happen. They might need to box that chain stay area in in a frame update.

[@lambdahmv]

Hi Tommy. I always enjoy the ICT videos. At the beginning of this video I believe you mentioned the ICT as a “gravel grinder”. I am in NH and the winter season also has come to an end. The ICT is my only bike. Any suggestions on how I can get the most out of it in non snow conditions? Thanks! Love the channel. 😃

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching! Honestly my ICT has always run big tires and I still enjoyed it gravel riding, but it’s not going to be fast or efficient. Really the only way to improve the ICT for gravel would be smaller, lighter faster rolling tires. Or if you want to invest in a “summer” wheelset, going to 29plus (29x3 tires) would be ideal, but more costly. I would set up tubeless also if you’re not already.

[@dr.deewanowich6876]

Nice review as always :) I've been pondering about the possibility of buying a rear rack for my little baby (in which I already posted too much on r/fatbike and ye I'm that fella who bought a pair of Surly Buds) but I haven't decided which one I should buy and I was wondering, which racks would you recommend? Once again nice video and keep up spreading the word of fat bikes around Tommy! You rock.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching!! The Wren Onerack is the only one I have used on fat bikes, and I do like that it is so versatile to different rear end spacing and tire sizes. I was able to use it on the offset 135mm rear on my Pugsleys, and the symmetrical 197mm rear of the ICT with huge tires, so it is great for that aspect for me. I know there are some other racks out there too that are highly regarded which might be worth considering though (which I believe were mentioned in your reddit thread)

[@dr.deewanowich6876]

Yeah I've been looking for a wren one as well but the price is just... Ouch... But man it is beautiful, even Surly's, but the big downside is that my fatty doesn't have too much mounting points and even the ones mine have on the rear could *PROBABLY* fit an XLC Carry More or *PERHAPS* an Old Man Mountain Divide. But still, thanks for your help man :)

[@connordrooff47]

Great review! It seems that the ICT has found a good niche in your stable. I find myself agreeing with almost all of your opinions and bike configurations except for what you've done with your beargrease. That seems like the ideal candidate for faster rolling use cases instead building up another ICT? Why not use a hardtail mtb or adventure-focused gravel bike for your gravel grinding?

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

I LOVE the Beargrease 29plus alt bar setup, based on mileage it’s about my most ridden bike. It is comfortable and capable, and cuts through the windy days we have out here. While I have yet to do any extended bikepacking, this is the bike I would use. Oddly enough, I wasn’t wowed by the Beargrease as a performance fatbike, I mean it’s very good, but my Borealis Flume (which is aluminum framed) is about 2-3lbs lighter than the Beargrease when stock, and it’s a cheaper bike! Thanks for watching!!

[@vlady8me]

Tern would do well to partner with you to review the Orox Cargo fat bike.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

I wasn’t familiar with that bike (I mostly ride and review non e-bikes), but it’s a pretty good looking cargo e-fat bike!

[@user-lx6oj4mx3i]

Ice cream truck..❤❤❤❤

[@csn583]

What are these "rubber problem solvers"?? I've been meaning to do the same. Can't believe they're a full pound!

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Yeah the stock bolts are really heavy, but they are strong if you were actually using them for racks. Here is the link to the problem solvers bubs: problemsolversbike.com/products/bubs-frame-plugs

[@fuquantify]

Can you tell us where to get the rubber problem solvers to replace the metal mounting bolts? ICT love.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

I got them from their website. They have a couple different styles if you search “problem solvers bubs” problemsolversbike.com/products/bubs-frame-plugs

[@lv2keepfit493]

Sweet ride ! Question for you… I own a surly ECR and like yours a 1x . You think I can go 2x on my bike? Is it a big job and expense to modify it??

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching! I am pretty sure you can go 2x on just about any(if not all) Surly bikes. You will need a clamp style front deraillure mount, and I am pretty sure the ECR had the boss on the seat tube for front cable routing. As for price, that will depend on the drivetrain you choose to upgrade to. I have never made the 1x to 2x conversion, but it will be only as difficult as you find it to setup the 2x, and certainly a shop could do it for a reasonable price.

[@lv2keepfit493]

@@ElevationEveryWeekend Thanks for responding, I'll have to look into it for sure!

[@keithlanni7812]

This seems like a stupid question but what did you use to plug the screw holes?

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

problemsolversbike.com/products/bubs-frame-plugs

[@Gusman27]

Would you recommend this surly or your borealis for a one bike type of guy. Best allrounder?

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

For value/performance it’s really hard not to recommend that Flume. It can also run all the biggest tires too!

[@scottstone8446]

I took the bolts out and weighed them and it was 2 ounces not over a pound. Did I mis something? Thanks

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

I’m not sure, 2oz seems really light.

[@user-yo4mf5bz7h]

Tell me, does the treat pattern affect the roll

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Yes tread pattern on any bike tire can impact how efficiently the tire rolls.

[@user-yo4mf5bz7h]

​@@ElevationEveryWeekendThanks you, what can you say about veetire snowshoe 4.50?

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

@@user-yo4mf5bz7h I have not used those so I really can’t comment on how they are