gomango

I just returned from the St. Paul Bike Classic.

I did 46 miles on the scheduled route and 15 additional going to a friend's for breakfast.

While on the ride, I counted 62 Surly bikes.

I would say the demo looked like 30-45 years of age, somewhat seasoned riders/adults and lots of bike trailers with their kids. A load of Adams single wheelers cobbled onto Cross Checks and LHTs as well.

This ride isn't that much of a 'hipster" event, but there were a few 20 somethings on single speed CCs.

I asked a fellow rider what he liked about his Cross Check. He said, "the color."

Robin's egg blue with longboards, B17, Nitto Noodles and Soma Vitesse tires.

Nice looking bike!!!

RFC

Sounds like a great time!

RandolphCarter

Anecdotally, the Surly riders I know bought them because they felt that comparable steel-framed commuting/touring bikes (Trek, usually) were not being offered in enough sizes to fit them. And none of them wanted to get an aluminum-framed hybrid bike.

Almost all of the LHT owners I know are running disc brakes. 3 to 5 years ago, from what I remember my friends saying, other models of bikes didn't have that option on steel frames, or it was more limited, or more expensive.

gomango

It really is a fun ride.

Everything from racers to grannies to five year olds.

Good times!


....and the weather here is spectacular today.

jade408

I see lots of great looking Surly's in my neck of the woods. Seems super practical if you aren't a C&V expert and want steel with features.

I realized I am sort of picky about lugs. Some are too cutesy for me. Too ornate. Too something.

Nice welding and chrome is quite attractive for me. And a few lugs for a little flair.

If you don't like a super "dressy" frame, Surly makes a great platform.

John E

My sweet spot is a steel-framed sports touring bike, and if I didn't have the knowledge, skill, and desire to do C&V, Surly would be on my very short list of new bike options.

RobbieTunes

Well, rather than look around for C&V steel, deal with the wide variety of advice, opinions, and recommendations from people like us (who will argue the fine points of skewer ends), a person can just buy a Surly and get on with it.

They name them well. The Surly Long Haul Trucker (most are). The Straggler, the Cross Check (popular in Minnesota because it denotes a well-timed hit on an opponent?)... and the Pugsley ('nuff said).

They don't break, they don't wear out, they don't muck about. Straight bikes for straight talkers, pretty much.

People don't brag about their Surly's, they put decals on them, racks, any bar they want, and they ride them.

How many other bikes go well with Tiagra?

Knowing less than I think I know now, perhaps they'd appeal to me. Otherwise, no, but I like their attitude.

RobbieTunes

It's as much fun to say as "salsa."

rootboy 

I can get a bit surly.
There's no appeal to it whatsoever....

1Mule

Solid, decently specced bikes is the draw, and they're sold everywhere. As to "price", they're a bargain. I LOVE my cross check.

mechanicmatt

I think Surly is actually the house brand for QBP, but then again they own Salsa and All-City too.

To me they tend to have long top tubes. I can't ever seem to find any of them to fit me.

TenGrainBread 

Not the house brand, just one of many brands QBP owns/distributes.

WolfRyder

I don't know maybe Hipsters think the name is cool.

ppg677

What's not to like about a brand new steel frame for sub-$500?

Yeah, you can find better C&V frames on the used market...if you're patient.

That said, while my Long Haul Trucker makes a great bike for pulling kids in the trailer, it is otherwise a dog and unenjoyable to ride. Too heavy, too long of a wheelbase. I hear it is great for its design purpose-- heavy-loades touring

Henry III

I think you see a lot of shop guys/gals run them because we can get LHT for $320, CC for $305. Nuff said. I came close to buying a LHT frame/fork but built up a dropbar mtb instead. Same difference right? Lol.

toavii

If you ride and are from MN, chances are you've owned or had some saddle time on a Cross Check.

For me, it reminds me of our BMX bikes back when I was a kid. Could pick the thing up, know exactly how it's going to ride, throw the thing down, ghost ride it, toss it up against something with no care and still expect it to be there when you come back to hop on it. Something charming in that.

Personally, I'd rather ride an All City nearly across all model lines. The ECR and Krampus are some BA bikes though.

bikemig 

Basic good quality steel bike designed to work with modern components. Plus they have really interesting models.

I like soma as well; my soma double-cross is a really versatile bike.

lostarchitect 

Everyone I actually know who has owned one has sold it after a year or so. Descriptions I have heard from these folks run from "it was rugged" to "way, way overbuilt and heavy," and "bus-like". I have also heard "ride is kind of boring" to "ride feels totally dead." Every time I had the opportunity to check out these bikes, I was always kind of astounded how heavy they were, and I am by no means a weight weenie.

I dunno, I know some people here like them, and I haven't owned one myself, but no one I know who had one liked it much. Personally I think the appeal is mostly in the names and because bike shops push them as being kind of alternative and cool.

gomango

Yep, loads of value.

I know several of the guys that race for Fulton/All City and they really like their Nature Boy 853s.

I had a Nature Boy Zona for ten minutes till a friend talked me out of it for this fall's cross season.

BTW I just saw fotos of the new Macho King LTD and that looks like a cross contender as well.

Cool paint. Almost like a factory Fulton team bike.

Wonder how many of these I'll see this fall season?

mstateglfr 

I dobt get how you consider their pricing to be excessive.
Their frames and forks seem quite reasonable to me.

An LHT is just not expensive when compared to so many other fully built touring bikes. It, along with the Novara Randonee, is about the most readily available bike for a great value that you can get and ride out the door packed up.
Seriously, its soec'd quite well and requires little to nothing...though it can certainly be customized for preference.


As for the company in general, they walk the walk. They have also been very innovative and because of QBP, that innovation has been readily available all over the country.

mstateglfr 

Agreed and its what i did.
1- i liked the unique brand name and the fact that its all being run by a guy in Marin co.
2- excellent design, finish, and price.
3- the head tube on Surly bikes is an absolute headscratcher. Why is it so small and why do they seem to want users to have 100mm of spacers?

I cant get over how incredible the monstercross frame is. 65cm and its lighter than i could have hoped while being incredibly solid.
And it was only $495 for the frame and fork.

RobbieTunes

I'm a Soma fan, as well. The Stanyan is very, very nice and quite affordable. The Saga is a lot like a Surly, I suppose. 7lbs of freight hauler.

exmechanic89

I dont personally own a Surly but I agree with this post, it really sums up the brand's popularity, imo. Particularily the part about working with modern components. That alone is a big plus for buyers who want a modern (but) steel bike.

3alarmer

...well there you go.

Lazyass

There was a Surly thread in the general section awhile back, and I said if you compared it to an 80's bike it's one that would have been in the middle/lower end of a manufactures line up. Good quality, but not the lightest and nothing too special. Of course some Surly owners took offense and that one turned into drama in typical BF fashion but it's true.