What makes Surly different? | Interview

A slightly different video in which we sit down with Surly to talk overarchingly about the brand, their material choice, why fat tyres are better and what makes them different from other brands.
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[@zekesbiken]

"Its only taken us 20 years to convince people they aren't in a race every time they leave their house (for a ride)."

[@julz19]

Yeah, and an expensive STEEL frame is a wiser purchase than your regular lighter and aero alloy frame right?.. Urr no.

[@techeddie9035]

@@julz19 Not sure where you got your metallurgy degree, but steel is, by definition, an alloy of carbon and iron. But wait, there's more: the steel used in good bicycle frames is further alloyed with the likes of (e.g., and in Surly's case, where it is called 4130 alloy) chromium, molybdenum, manganese, and smidge of phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon. Steel (okay, steel alloy) frames can be made very, very light, depending on many factors, such as wall thickness and other features. As to what's a "wise" purchase, the rider needs to ask how -- and where -- the bike is to be used? There are alloys of other metals, such as aluminum, and then there are composite materials used to build frames as well. So, if you're going to ride across the country, you might want to ask, Do I want that superlight carbon fiber composite frame, or do I want a pretty light 4130 steel alloy Surly frame? Probably a great idea to consider that in Blunderbuss, South Dakota, you will be unlikely to find anybody to fix the carbon fiber frame that cracked when your wheel got wedged in that sewer grate at 20 mph, but you can almost always find a mechanical-type dude in most small towns who can fix your steel frame well enough to get you home, simply by using an oxyacetylene rig. It is somewhat less likely, but you might find someone who can fix an aluminum frame (at least enough to get you a few hundred miles to a bike shop to have it replaced) with a MIG or TIG welder. But overall, steel is much more "repairable" when there are not a lot of high-tech services around. And there are plenty of very lightweight steel racing frames still being produced. Put Chris Hoy on just about any steel bike and he'll blow your doors off in a track race of any length, no matter how "aero" your steed.

[@julz19]

@@techeddie9035 yeah, it's still heaviet and more expensive then a regular aluminum frame

[@techeddie9035]

@@julz19 True, but your original point was that steel is an unwise purchase. Just because it's slightly heavier doesn't make it an unwise purchase. I could say that aluminum is unwise to purchase because it's not as strong as steel, but I won't, because features like weight (aluminum) and strength (steel) have to be considered as subparts of the big picture of why you are buying a bike in the first place (and remember that aluminum tubes must be much thicker to approach the strength of steel, and much larger diameter than steel in order not to flex way too much, so the weight of a stiff and durable aluminum frame is not a whole lot less than a comparable steel one). Again, if you want to make a "wise" purchase, you MUST consider the intended use of the bike. Aluminum could be wise for some circumstances and not for others. I have owned many bikes of both aluminum and steel since 1972. I built my own track frame in 1976 using 1030 chrome moly steel. It would have been very unwise to use aluminum for that application. All bikes should be purchased with the end use in mind. None of my bikes -- steel or aluminum -- has been an unwise purchase for me. To say that buying a bike of one material is an unwise purchase is oversimplifying, and sounds uninformed.

[@julz19]

@@techeddie9035 would yiu recommend old but high quality steel or new but cheaper steel

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

Anyone else having sound troubles?

[@ianjlilly]

It's almost totally silent on both my laptop and phone but perfectly audible when I listen on either device through headphones. Strange!

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

@@ianjlilly that is weird!!

[@ianjlilly]

@@chrisvanbuggenum871 I've just tested with both mono ear-buds and a stereo pair - both work fine at normal volume settings.

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

@@ianjlilly I'll try ear buds then. Thanks!!

[@guyjonson6364]

Steell is real..Surly is burly!#

[@bunnyadrian]

FYI, the left and right channels are 180 degrees out of phase with each other. When summed to mono, it almost cancels out entirely. I was able to flip the polarity of one side and the sound is then solid. I still love Surly, though:)

[@FckYourFeelingsYT]

The more you know 🌈

[@jeremycarroll6892]

Couldn't hear it at all on my mobile.

[@eKh79]

I love my Cross Check. It’s my commuter, dad bike and weekend gravel get away. It’s the most versatile bike I’ve ever owned.

[@RugbyNick6]

Love this interview. There's a big between cyclists who leave their house on a bike and the ones who drive to someplace where they can go for a ride. Surly is the bike that you leave your house on. I own 2 Surly's and love them.

[@Biking360]

As of today I also have a pair :)

[@arpitagrawal214]

Which 2 if i may ask? I just built a Midnight special to do it all for me

[@Biking360]

@@arpitagrawal214 I've got an SLHT. I bought the frame and built it to my spec. I've just bought an ECR 29+. It's a whole bike. The guy that sold to me had performed his own build. I'll modify it to my own needs down the line.

[@arpitagrawal214]

@@Biking360 thats great i was planning on ECR but settled for MS as it served my needs

[@arpitagrawal214]

@@Biking360 in future a ECR may be on the cards

[@lrdefender1690]

I’m buying a surly frame because I need that 64 cm frame, super appreciative of a company that makes that available

[@bikeyclown4669]

I'm on my second Surly. Not only have both bikes functioned well in their many varied roles (commuter, exercise, adventure, prepper bikes), but they also function well as anchors for small water craft.

[@paulpatriot1776]

I bought a Preamble last year. Yes, it’s heavy, but it’s rugged and it feels a lot lighter when riding. I’ve been wanting a Surly forever and am very thankful I have one in my stable.👍🚴🚴🚴

[@benda18]

I bought a Cross-Check complete bike new in 2008 as my first real nice bike. Commuted on it for a couple of years then bought a Long Haul Trucker frameset and carried over a lot of the parts. That's one of the awesome things covered in the interview, how you can start with the distilled base complete bike and change out parts as they wear out or break. It's such a good value, and here I am 12 years later building up my next frameset and I'm seeing parts transferred over to this new frame that came to me by way of that first CC complete. As I get older my preference for a more upright riding position and greater standover has led me in a new brand direction but it's great to see the geometry choices surly has today covering so much more of the human body type spectrum. Great interview

[@rsx101]

What is the new brand? I also want a upright position.

[@benda18]

@@rsx101 new Albion Drake

[@thomasmuller986]

Surly is such a cool brand. Besides Grant Petersen and his book JUST RIDE these dudes have the right attitude and I support their brand.

[@TheUser37]

Try headphones. It's not too bad.

[@pipzstv]

Awesome interview. I am loving my 27.5 BC. it's a fun ride with the BC. nothing too serious, it's just a bicycle!

[@coasterigh2684]

Love my Troll, with 26 x 2.35 tires. Bought the frame and built it to my own specs to get a one of a kind bike nobody makes.

[@davidduvall4846]

I like Surly because they mix old new together with old steel frames and big tires but also put new stuff on bikes with brakes and different types of handle bars.But please bring back some of your bikes like ECR Troll Pugsley and geit more colors especially for Ogre and also don't get to corporate and greedy.And just for record im not a cool hipster i'm a fat middle aged Dad!

[@hap1n355]

I love how Surly thought of making the bike a multipurpose bike and I love the 26" tires which gives me the granny gears. You dont appreciat the granny gears until you are climbing a steep hill. I bought a used 2014 Surly Trol that is black with beautiful Braze ons that are button stainless steel bolts. I look on the interet and I cant find them that came with the 2014 Troll. I wish Surly would bring them back because it gives great contrast to compliament the frame color to any Surly bike. I also like to compliament the speaker when he stress the point of just having a good time when going for a bike ride and that its not a race. I'm a Frontliner working in a hospital and I bike to work. I lover going for a ride during my lunch break which helps me mentally and physically. Cheers.

[@cedarcanoe]

Shame for the audio quality (what quality 🤭?)

[@handknitviolin]

I think I want a Surly Straggler. Good to commute, can screw around on trails on the weekend, plus can switch to single speed for the winter

[@dalevalentine9008]

Great interview.

[@DoctorSalazar84]

I wanna go to church with these two guys🙏

[@bosanderspublictheology]

I just love the Surly vibe and ethos

[@LarryRichelli]

I just ordered a midnight special and am wondering if I have to have the inside of the frame coated or not?

[@jonasmeier417]

Hello Cargo Bike Life and Surly: Thank you for your very good videos. Surly are great frames, bikes and parts. The Big Dummy is just outstanding. One piece of a big good concept. For versatile use. Extremely fun to ride. Fristly it seems expensive, but actually it's not. Worth every penny. The negative critics about it is not providing the wide loaders. How is one supposed to transport for example a big package, a table, a surfboard, another bicycle an so on? A longtail cargo bike without wide loaders is a bad joke. Wide loaders are THE MUST on a longtail cargo bike. Wide loaders are a very essential part. It is not understandable that Surly does not provide wide loaders with the Big Dummy. It's a little bit like selling/buying a pickup truck without "pickup platform". They also don't have it as accessories. The material would cost them maybe USD 5,- max. for producing series. And everybody would be happy.:-) Uncomplete bikes suck. Your side loaders, Cargo Bike Life, are well made and a good solution. Also no good: No bikes deliverable in 2021. What kind of business is that supposed to be? Everything out of China does not lead anywhere. Why not have good work and jobs in the USA, where people would like and being proud about their labor? Producing in China/Asia might be cheaper, but not having bikes available does cost way more. If at least the frames, forks and racks, the specific cargo bike parts, would be "Made in the USA", the delivery ways would be shorter and it would be available in the right quantities. For further parts would bicycle dealers and customers find individually. It just can't be that these bad Walmart bikes are everywhere, but Surlys are not available. Here is something wrong with the system.

[@Littleweenaman]

what the hell are you talking about

[@Canimakeit603]

Mics are out of phase. Pan the audio to the left or to the right and it will sound better.

[@rayr268]

I broke my Trek after 10 months. I ride hard so its no wonder. Going back to steel and I really like this brand and the owners

[@MainOffenderKZ]

amazing interview! very informative indeed.

[@dimitriosfotopoulos3689]

I love me some Surly, and just wish they hadn't discontinued the LHT, it was a world class expedition bike. My LHT is 15 years old, so what am I going to do when I need a new one?

[@joekidstephens]

At 4:58... Trans Iowa.. God rest its soul! Thanks Mark!

[@JensMHA]

Since Surly is offering up the 64 cm road(ish) frames, I would really, really love to see them bring out XXL sized models of the MTBs as well. Possibly also offer the ready-built bikes with uncut steerer tubes. :O

[@MAX-re4pc]

The ready built bikes do come with uncut steerer direct from Surly. I had to cut mine!

[@deanjones4033]

Love the new Bridge Club. Much lighter than the Ogre and does 90% of what the ogre did for me.

[@johnbradley5236]

One yr later how do you like it?

[@deanjones4033]

@@johnbradley5236 Love it. It's a great do everything bike. No complicated rear dropouts like the ogre. I've done everything form commuting, shopping, bike packing and even serious single track that I should have had a mountain bike on. Work great!

[@bobmahbob]

good sound. very good

[@joedesena6507]

I got an Instigator, with a singlator, surly hubs, love it. Probably over 15 urs ago

[@ronwhite8503]

Love the look of a Surly but I can't figure out how the prices can be justified.

[@cd5516]

Exactly!! Love the bike, hate the prices!!

[@dj_laundry_list]

I don't own one but admire their philosophy

[@PedroDVC]

Now there's the right brand for me!

[@dsf5362]

Wish I could hear the interview, subtitles?

[@fredhubbard7210]

I have a Karate Monkey that is now about 24 years old. I had no idea that I was buying something so experimental, or ultimately influential. It is a true homey. I have worn out at least 3 drive trains, and it has been reformatted several times, and is being reformatted again.

[@roadcc]

what are you running at as now?

[@kennethmcdonald4807]

Pacer, LHT and Karate Monkey here. Love them, however I'm disappointed that they've discontinued rim brakes.

[@K1989L]

I really like Surly sells frame sets. I am almost never happy with the stock bike so a frame set is my jam. Ten years ago I bought a 1x1. Four years ago the Pugsley 2.0 and a year ago Bridge Club. I do recognize the iteration that happens while owning a Surly. My 1x1 had couple different iterations during the six years I owned it. I wasn't happy with the Pugsleys dropout of doom so I sold it soon after. My BC I think I got dialed very well from the start. BC is a keeper. I like the external routing of Surly frames. And I do take some of the stickers off. (There's too many of them) There is a lot to like in Surlys lineup. Just hope you didn't put all the stickers on. They are a pain to remove. And I also would like Surly not to invent a new dropout of doom with every damn frame. I like the simplicity Surly is for the most part.. just the dropouts are sometimes WAY too complicated.

[@AussieInJapan]

Oh no, you guys didn’t check your audio, it’s really hard to hear.

[@Bacciagalupe]

Long live the small bike brands!!!

[@kottelkannim4919]

Thank you! Suggested questions for the next interview: 1. Frame weights? 2. Price tag of 900$ for a commuter bike?

[@itrow9526]

How does a video with no sound have 60k views ?

[@Addicted_to_rage]

The song you talk about, is it by Creedence?

[@surlycyclingrag3347]

What was the difference I can't hear you the next interview should be next to the freeway so we can watch cars go by.

[@yashhhrajrane]

Is it my phone or is there an audio issue in this video???

[@kennethcolbert2921]

I had no trouble hearing this video but I run Linux Mint! I just wish they would bring back the old look of the Big Dummy with the bent tube on top.I have had a LHT and a Big Dummy and now I have the Disc Trucker in the 52cm frame I built my own bike.I also wish they would let the seller of the frames ship to you they did at one time now they don't some of us has no bicycle shops at all in our towns and it would be nice to order one and built it at home.Up here in Caribou Maine we have no bicycle shops at all.But I was lucky to find a shop that would order me the frame set I wanted and sent it to me.This shop was not in Maine but I knew the lady and she work it out for me.Please let the places online send you a frame set like you did back in the day.Sulry bikes are great I think.

[@RugbyNick6]

I like the look of the current Dummy but it's hard(ish) to step over the top bar. .

[@stevek4382]

Bike style reminds me of my sons old school Gary fisher, but the price seem a little up there. I wish someone would make a bike with good components at a more reasonable price. Am I being to cheap?

[@MrGoodaches]

This vid has been posted for a year without addressing the audio problem?

[@ryankeefe1062]

Sounds great on a MacBook Pro.

[@talonlan]

Don't think this was worth uploading audio is terrible

[@kaptluffy9295]

it so different until their sound also diferent from us..

[@mysurlytrucker7510]

Love my LHT.

[@steadfast__]

Im looking for a Steamroller! ❤

[@jonathanip6757]

Please quality check your audio! This video is difficult to watch due to this.

[@philiporourke7896]

No audio, come on dudes

[@ashidasd8160]

For a moment thought my speaker gone

[@donewhiskey]

I've owned four Surlys, but I'm selling my last. I will buy another Surly, when the Karate Monkey no longer uses Chopstick font.

[@clacclackerson3678]

Use headphones, sound will be fine.

[@parthmache4733]

Whats with the audio?

[@alyssareginaparis3746]

audio broken???

[@vincentaurelius2390]

Too bad the Disc trucker lost its bar-end shifters for 2020 and got a component downgrade. Frame changes are nice though.

[@humanmale6424]

guys, where can I order a Surly frame in US?

[@roadcc]

Jenson USA seems to have good stock 👉 www.jensonusa.com/Surly

[@migzz7976]

Straggler? In Chlorine dream? Oh the bike sitting in my hallway? I’m still giddy about it and have barely broken it in. The price is justifiable by the geometric design, durability and aesthetic of the frame.

[@cd5516]

Really?..

[@migzz7976]

@@cd5516 yes, after doing research, used Surly bikes up for sale by owner are few in number. Price doesn’t come down much when you do find one.

[@JB5D]

@@migzz7976 They hold value well for sure!

[@kayhyde2161]

I have LHT Nice Bike.

[@tompelham4648]

Yep,can't hear it:(

[@cycostik1483]

Sound on this video is poor?

[@CDMJDMHHC]

surly is a great bike company

[@uniworkhorse]

Me and the boys underwater

[@bartmullin8018]

If folks want to whine about how expensive a Surly is, they should look at companies like Seven, any custom frame builder, or company that makes primarily 'halo bikes' and then rethink their criticisms. As per the rear dropouts (horizontal), there is a legitimate issue (!). Ran my KM as a S.S. for cyclocross and the axle Never stayed straight for too long; crappy rear dropout for the power I was delivering going up sharp, soft, steep, hard corners. Went back to gears, slammed the wheel all the way forward and things were good. Weight weenies kveching about the heaviness of steel need to quit paper-racing and Shut Up & Ride (!!!). Too many 'experts' online these days who are know-it-all know-nothings and haven't ridden more than maybe a few years and just learned to shave and wipe their asses... Lastly, despite the engineering issue with the rear dropouts, Surly's are legit rigs sans the eye-searing paint-jobs, dodgy plastic frames, beer-can aluminium frames, or excess hype (e.g. using Certain mountain bike magazines as a giant multi-page adverts for their mega-corp crap; oops, bikes...).

[@MrDrmorbid]

You need a Snuggnut on the drive side and it stays put. Part of the issue is the Surly axle. It works ok, but not graat. I would swap it out to something else.

[@bartmullin8018]

@@MrDrmorbid Fixed the issue and made my knees happier; had my Box 1 1x11 setup reinstalled and slammed the wheel as far forward as it'll go. Besides, for what i want to do (Comfortable bikepacking!), I Need the gears. Additionally, when cyclocross season comes around, having gears will be a boon (esp. on sprints or ascents). Single-speeding is not so kind to me at 50; it's a thing for masochistic youngsters moreso.

[@MarcoLodovichi]

I cannot hear the audio.

[@miesp61sleepytimegal]

What makes it different? The bikes are never available (in The Netherlands). I wanted to go for a Cross Check, but because of unaivalability i choose the Brick Lane Bikes Hitchhiker.

[@richardrios3049]

I loved surly in the past. I've had a bunch of surly models over the years and still have a pugsley. I find them kinda meh now. No rim brakes, lower front ends, e bikes that cost way to much, no more LHT, or CC. 🤔🤷

[@paultaylorbikes]

Sound!?

[@klunker289]

I'm hard at hearing...what?

[@HAVATITE]

Can you please upload the version where it's intended for human hearing?

[@dac2250]

No sound

[@israeladams6439]

no audio bro..

[@DeerfieldDiscGolf]

Made in Taiwan sticker. Classic

[@luisarroyo6594]

Can’t hear anything.

[@johnsfulton]

This would possibly have been good if we could hear it !

[@dirtroadie4642]

The audio sucks

[@dylankennedy8140]

Oh no, where the audio gone?? 😬

[@julik14]

Not sound..

[@FJ-xz7yy]

Bad Audio. Hope they considered a re upload

[@roadcc]

Apologies, was shot while at a show. Our video team (me) was spread thinly

[@Oscar-gy3yj]

All I hear is static

[@gerardotelese5337]

sorry i was really interested but i have a reallly hard time following this interview

[@pen2199]

Can someone give me a disk trucker

[@fixierya]

Ngobrolin apaan, suaranya gak kedengeran

[@bonniebaskoro3399]

pake headset om

[@julik14]

Not sound, not subtitles.... 👎🏾

[@davidreidy5750]

Two things are going to still be around after the Apocalypse... cockroaches and Surly bikes.🍺🤖⚡

[@cd5516]

Their bikes are tooooo.......expensive!! And please don’t try to justify the cost of being a “cool hipster “!!

[@swarsaagar11]

Sounds gonna bye 👋

[@liamsheehan4514]

Bruuuuuuuu

[@mayckelballerino2516]

Parece que los taiwaneses hacen bien las cosas!!🤣🤣🤣

[@jstormm83]

Couldn't hear a damn thing

[@johnmartin4650]

Sound………!

[@jasonstella74]

Surly is owned by QBP which is very 💯 corporate and biz minded....

[@mariobalindan110]

Surly is expensive bike

[@jameslast3192]

Worst audio ever!

[@alpacamale2909]

they font sucks