Surly Wednesday Review | Best Fat Bike for Most People?

This is a review of the 2021 Surly Wednesday fat bike. As a long time owner of Surly fat bikes, and hundreds of hours and thousands of miles on my 2020 Surly Ice Cream Truck and my Surly Pugsley’s, I feel I can give good insights into the characteristics of the Surly Wednesday, and how it compares to those other bikes. Surly has targeted this bike as an "all around fat bike", meaning it does well in a variety of area's. Does it deliver in all of them though? Please watch and find out. Please comment, like, and subscribe if you are enjoying the fat bike videos I am bringing you, it really helps out the channel.
The Lanky Cyclist, Whiskey Parts Build:
• Surly Wednesday Whisky...
Instagram: elevationeveryweekend
Facebook: Elevation Every Weekend
My Brother’s Instagram: dirteveryweekend
Marnie: marnie_doodle
BIKE GEAR:
Carbon Bottle Cage: amzn.to/2Ur5BW6
ESI Grips: amzn.to/3s7xA91
Race Face Chester Pedals: amzn.to/3lGdctl
Bike Bell: amzn.to/2QplxpP
Frame Protection Tape : amzn.to/3tFXtNC
Olight RN 1500 (front): amzn.to/3d6Tq6D
Olight SeeMee 30 (rear): amzn.to/3r87Tnw
Headlamp: amzn.to/3lC1ShZ
Rock N Roll Gold Chain Lube: amzn.to/3cTvYcG
Stans Notubes sealant: amzn.to/3vMHYFJ
BomberStrap: amzn.to/390IAO7
Fatbike Fork Mount: amzn.to/3tHA3HY
Water Bottle: amzn.to/3lA6Ag6
Mountainsmith Tour Pack: amzn.to/2OWzyeb
Torque Wrench (0-20nM for bikes): amzn.to/3tMmlE6
Park Tool Chain Cleaning Kit: amzn.to/3sdBwoR
First Aid Kit: amzn.to/3fgs1lc amzn.to/3frTSz9
Nalgene First Aid Kit: amzn.to/3tVvXvO
TECH:
Garmin Instinct: amzn.to/390AkxA
Apple Watch Series 6: amzn.to/39hLgHt
Powerbeats Pro headphones: amzn.to/2Pg0TrK
TACOMA:
X-Bull Traction Boards: amzn.to/3r8kHdA
K&N Air Filter: amzn.to/313iBBl
K&N Air Filter kit: amzn.to/3c9grpZ
Tacoma Tailgate Insert Emblem: amzn.to/313vNWV
Fisker Axe: amzn.to/2OOS3Bq
Thule Rack: amzn.to/3tKFoOq
Tepui RTT: amzn.to/3vNbET5
Dude wipes/shower: amzn.to/2OXRi8T amzn.to/2NG0Ogl
Mountain House Meal: amzn.to/3sb8KoJ
FILMING:
iPhone 12 Pro Max: amzn.to/2Qqzwvy
Apple Silicone Case: amzn.to/3lCLdee
Spigen screen protector: amzn.to/313i16G
GoPro: amzn.to/3eYAM37
Chest Mount Harness: amzn.to/3c6eQ48
Lapel Mic: amzn.to/3tCU4PI
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These links do not cost you any additional money, but really help support the channel.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Here is a playlist of all of my fatbike content! kzbin.info/aero/PLZrEXKDmvWZV7xKrbDOHZPEvDTBfuewsh

[@PreludeDude]

I just picked up a lightly used Wine Red color Wednesday from a local bike shop for $800, it came upgraded with Deore hydraulic brakes and Deore rear derailleur. Overall I love the bike and I ordered some new old stock Surly white decals for it since it came with black decals you can barely see. I'm considering mounting a mid drive 1000w bafang motor to it and converting it to electric in the future!

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Congrats! Sounds like a great deal!

[@kristierundell8917]

Thanks for the review ! Very helpful.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for taking the time to watch, it’s much appreciated!

[@paigecollier8192]

I do love the grape color! The price point is great for this bike and sounds like a good value based on your review. Thanks!!!

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

All very true, thanks for checking it out!

[@TheLankyCyclist]

Appreciate the shout out! In terms of versatility, I would agree its probably the best fat bike for most people. And the value is incredible. It's also built with the RockShox Bluto in mind and to house a quasi-stealth dropper post, so definitely a capable trail bike. Before doing the Whisky build, I had planned on doing something like you did with your Beargrease... getting some 29er 3inch tires for summer trail riding. The geometry is designed with that in mind, so Surly really has thought of everything. When I ran Ednas, I did get some chain rub on the tire occasionally when in the biggest cog in the back. I rarely used that gear, so I didn't really notice it. But it sounds like dirteveryweekend had more trouble than I did. Great review! Interesting to get your perspective after having spent so much time on the ICT and Pugs.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for chiming in with more details! I agree that the Wed would be awesome as a 29 plus bike…as long as you were gonna keep it long term (due to the no odd 177mm rear spacing). As for the chain run issue, that is more less my bro’s situation too in that being in Ohio he’s not doing a ton of big climbing. I think he’s running much more air that you due to weigh, especially when loaded up with gear.

[@thomashospodar9808]

That was a good video I'll be waiting for your next one

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@stevewalcott9546]

Great review on the Wednesday! If I had this bike, I’d probably stick with a Nate out back. Awesome color too!

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Yeah when it’s time for tires again my brother is going back down to a 4” tire in the back. Thanks for watching!!

[@FATKEVMTB]

They nailed it with that color!

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Yeah it looks great!

[@syncroG60golf]

Great video. I’ve owned my Wednesday since winter 2019 and found that it’s great on everything from Tarmac to trail and everything in between. I run mine with a 10 speed cassette and only found the chain line an issue in very muddy conditions as the chain then scoops mud off the tyre and can sound nasty. This is when running an Edna front and rear. But recently I’ve swapped the rear to a Nate. This seems to work perfectly.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for the confirmation on the chain line issue! It’s a great bike though! Thanks for watching!

[@crockettadventures]

Thanks so much for the gerat review! Can I get some info on teh Toppeak rack and bag that you are running ot it?

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching!! For more details on the Topeak, check out @dirteveryweekend on Instagram for pics and details on its variety of uses!

[@carrigan308]

Scooped up a Wednesday frameset. Gonna put Edna's on it on 65mm rims with a sturmey archer IGH and that should get around the chain rub issue. Super excited to get it up and running.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Nice!! Is it the new 2022 frame? I love the Edna’s, super under rated tires in my opinion.

[@carrigan308]

@@ElevationEveryWeekend I think it's the 2021 frame, but I'm not sure. It's shangri-la green but I think the 2022 still has that option. I've never used the Edna's but I'm looking forward to trying them out. Think they should be a nice all around tire since they're plenty fat for me and not as aggressive as the Nates.

[@craigsarich2027]

Great video and you sold me on the Wednesday. I will likely be getting a Surly Wednesday soon. It’s tough to get bottom bracket measurements to help determine Q factor. My best guess is that the Wednesday has a narrower Q factor than the ICT. Can you confirm this? I recently sold an SE Fat Quad because the wide Q factor caused knee issues and I don’t want to have the same issue w the Wednesday

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

The ICT and the Wednesday now use the same 100mm wide threaded bottom bracket. While there are a few fat bikes that are a little more narrow that that (like the Otso Voytek is 83mm), it’s a big improvement over the prior 132mm press fit BB the ICT had last generation. Thanks for watching!

[@craigsarich2027]

@@ElevationEveryWeekend Thanks so much! I can go ICT or Wednesday then. I learned so much about fat bikes by watching your videos.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

@@craigsarich2027 the Wednesday will be lighter and more nimble than an ICT, but if you need the max tire size option and little more trail Geo then the ICT is a better choice, otherwise the Wednesday is a great all rounder.

[@craigsarich2027]

@@ElevationEveryWeekend thanks! I really love the Wednesday and I can get one in about two months if I order it now. But I have a Trek Farley on the hook now. It just came available in the last hour. With 121mm bottom bracket, it seems it would have a larger Q factor.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

@@craigsarich2027 The Farley is a great bike so definitely grab one if you can get it now, I actually think the 27.5” wheel size is the best all round for a fat bike too.

[@pizzasaurolophus]

Is a steel frame something to worry about in high rust areas? I live in Atlantic Canada just a few hundred feet from the ocean, everything here rusts including all kind of supposedly corrosion resistant alloys. I just wonder about that versus an aluminum framed bike

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

I’d say it is definitely something to be aware of. Surly recommends using frame saver on the inside of the frame (even though the frame is ED coated).

[@DD-xx8wh]

I'm more interested in SW trail riding and front suspension capability was mentioned ...in addition to the 2 (or 3?) usual and pricey suspension fork packages offered by the new bike mfg's are there any lower cost (Amazon, Ebay etc) forks worth looking into that can be added later, same with the dropper post?... thanks for any thoughts you may have.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Unfortunately the front fork options for fat bikes are limited, and all are pretty to extremely costly. You just don’t get the more budget friendly options like with MTB bikes. On the dropper side, those are pretty much standard MTB options so much better. I just went with the PNW Rainier for my Surly ICT, and I would consider it a more budget friendly post, but seems to be highly regarded! Video coming on that soon! Thanks for watching!

[@jt0759]

I got my Wednesday to about 27lbs with wheel upgrades (nextie 65 + DT Swiss hubs) Thomson cockpit and seat pos. My 1st upgrade was a ‘generic’ carbon fork on ebay which has same geometry as Whisky but a much lower price. Fork adds rake and makes front a bit higher. I’m not sure the fork was worth the 1 pound savings as I think I was faster/ more nimble on technical trails with OEM. Plan to switch back now after ~9 months.

[@DD-xx8wh]

@@ElevationEveryWeekend thanks for the info...Still weighing adding a front susp fork but in the meantime and maybe I'm just imagining it but 4.0 rear and a 4.5 on the front playing with psi gives a little slacker and somewhat a "suspension?" feel for our varying SW desert trails. Surly 4.8 Bud"s and Lou"s felt just too big/ heavy.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

@@DD-xx8wh yeah running the bigger tire up front would raise the front slightly with a smaller rear tire, and the extra tire volume would indeed give a bit more “suspension” effect. I’d go with it awhile!

[@jt0759]

JJ 4.4 front and 4.0 rear for me. 7-8 psi for trails.

[@ralphtfgf2055]

What size frame is this and what is your saddle height? I just bought a Wednesday framset size small and it is way too small. Trying to determine if I need to re-order a size medium or large. Surly's Wednesday geometry is quite a bit different than my Trek 7000 and Cannondale caad2 f500. T.I.A.!

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

This bike is a medium. It is actually my brothers bike so not sure what the saddle was set at. I am 5’11” and ride a large Surly ICT, but I have two older Pugsleys and they are mediums and they work well for me too. I was able to do fine on this medium Wednesday, but a large is best for me.

[@Badsneakers78]

Have you ridden a newer Trek Farley? How would you compare it to the Wednesday. I know they are wildly different. I have a hook on the Wednesday in the video and a 2022 Trek Farley 7. I can only pedal the Trek beforehand. Ugh Haha My gut tells me the Wednesday is for me...11hr round trip to get it tho.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Both great bikes so hard to go wrong. I’d say if you plan to bike pack it the Surly is much better suited for that, but if pure performance is your preference the Trek will have the edge there. They really are both great bikes.

[@Badsneakers78]

@@ElevationEveryWeekend thanks!

[@aidenisstubbly4974]

The trek run bigger tyres

[@Fuckmisan]

Hi! Thank you for the good video. I'm going to access the Amazon link and buy frame protection tape. Do you have any intention of producing a video on how to construct it? It is natural to be helpful, and it will be a good item for making videos.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

Thanks for watching! I actually did a video on it last year. Check out some of my older vids as I do have some maintenance videos on the channel. Here’s the link to the frame protection: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKq7i3ppbrOYgtE

[@Fuckmisan]

@@ElevationEveryWeekend Thanks a lot!

[@schadlarry]

I wonder why the Wednesday is so much cheaper than the ICT? Also there is a guy on the Whisky site that built a Wednesday and got it from 35lbs to 26lbs, which is almost unbelievable. I don't know why I have this fascination with fat bikes as I would only ride non-winter trails. I saw your winter ride video and looked like way too much work!

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

I think the main difference in price between the two are some parts upgrades, mainly in the drivetrain. There is “more” bike and tires with the ICT as well, so also a factor. Snow biking really is the most fun, you should rent a fatbike and give it a go!! Thanks for watching!

[@bimmerbent]

Bent seat tube (cost more), guessing some of the tubes are cheaper (not butted).

[@stolencoats63]

Can you put wider tires on this with the stock rims?

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

This bike has wider than stock Edna 26x4.3 tires, and the chain rubs the tire in the two biggest cogs out back. I would say you need to stay 4” max if you want no chain rub at all. The frame itself can clear the 4.3’s just fine. You can go much bigger in front though

[@stolencoats63]

@@ElevationEveryWeekend thx for reply but I meant can the rims handle bigger than 3.8 or do you need wider rims also to accommodate?

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

@@stolencoats63 as for the rims they can take much wider, I have 4.8” tires on my ICT and I believe it’s the same 80mm rim that the Wednesday has.

[@stolencoats63]

@@ElevationEveryWeekend awesome! Thank you!!