Surly Site Updated!

[dwnptrl_777]

As it relates to the Utility Cycling section, here's the new page for the Big Dummy (http://www.surlybikes.com/bigdummy.html).

[John Lesar]

I hope it means they are close to shipping!

[dwnptrl_777]

Gotta be close...I can sense it...smell those wood crates comin' in to the harbor...full of Dummies. Dark green, brooding, patient...Big, silent, strong, Dummies...

[coldfeet]

Look at all those bosses, braze-ons, mounting thingies, ( technical term that ) all over the frame, now that's a Utility Frame! I think it's gonna be pretty strong too.

"Four water bottle mounts, guides for continuous brake/shift housing or brake hydraulic line…top tube and seatstay routing, fender eyelets"

"tapered straight blade with single fender eyelet on the dropout, 1-1/8" x 260mm threadless steerer, International Standard disc mount, removable cantilever pivots, disc brake line/housing guides"

[AllenG]

I like the other new additions to the Surly line as well, the touring bike that breaks down and the mad unicycle.

[bizzz111]

dammit, now I want one. What size? I take a 56 cm road bike. Would I need a 22 inch frame? Or should I go smaller with an SUB?

I was going to pull the trigger on an xtracycle, but now I want one of these suckers.

[dwnptrl_777]

dammit, now I want one. What size? I take a 56 cm road bike. Would I need a 22 inch frame? Or should I go smaller with an SUB?

I was going to pull the trigger on an xtracycle, but now I want one of these suckers.

The Cult of Big Dummy always welcomes new members, brother.

Size-wise, if you can swing the cash, do/buy the rider profile tool that Chris built at Speedgoat.com. I used it to size my Dummy frame. It's more than a quick formula, and I'm really glad I let Chris take the wheel (or, should I say, the grips).

[vik]

dammit, now I want one. What size? I take a 56 cm road bike. Would I need a 22 inch frame? Or should I go smaller with an SUB?

I was going to pull the trigger on an xtracycle, but now I want one of these suckers.

The effective TT on the BD is quite long. I ride a 58cm LHT and I'd ride a 18" BD. Ignore the standover as it is low on all the BD frames. Size the BD based on the TT.

[JeffS]

The effective TT on the BD is quite long. I ride a 58cm LHT and I'd ride a 18" BD. Ignore the standover as it is low on all the BD frames. Size the BD based on the TT.

I'm assuming the top tube is long because they're expecting swept bars.

I can't say this is the way I would have gone with the bars, but it's what xtracycle envisions.

http://www.xtracycle.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/surly_big_dummy_web.thumbnail.jpg

[bizzz111]

oof, didn't notice the TT length. Thanks for the heads up. Looks like I might have to go with an 18" as well since I'm not really interested in swept handlebars. I'll have to do some measurements on my bikes at home.

Is there a larger diagram of the BD anywhere? The one on the surly site is too tiny to be of any real use.

[joelpalmer]

I like the other new additions to the Surly line as well, the touring bike that breaks down and the mad unicycle.

I'm in the process of getting a LHT built up for touring and am thinking seriously about getting the S and S couplings put on. If I do I want it cut and fit before the rest of the build though, so it's a debate...

[joelpalmer]

I'm assuming the top tube is long because they're expecting swept bars.

I can't say this is the way I would have gone with the bars, but it's what xtracycle envisions.

http://www.xtracycle.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/surly_big_dummy_web.thumbnail.jpg

I haven't tried an Xtracycle, but my understanding is that the wide/swept bars are better for control of the longer rig. Kinda like the giant, almost horizontal steering wheels in big trucks I guess.

[dwnptrl_777]

Kinda like the giant, almost horizontal steering wheels in big trucks I guess.

Dang, Joel...that just makes tons of sense! Good thinkin'.

Any recommendation for black, bomb-proof sweeper bars like the ones shown in the photograph?

[Abneycat]

I haven't tried an Xtracycle, but my understanding is that the wide/swept bars are better for control of the longer rig. Kinda like the giant, almost horizontal steering wheels in big trucks I guess.

Thats the experience I have with my Xtracycle. The flat bars I was initially using were too short for adequate control, whereas prior to the conversion they were perfect.

[mikepoole]

I haven't tried an Xtracycle, but my understanding is that the wide/swept bars are better for control of the longer rig. Kinda like the giant, almost horizontal steering wheels in big trucks I guess.


gotta agree with this as well- I don't have a longtail, but switching to Albatross bars on my rigid MTB-rear kid seat setup made all the difference in terms of steering/stability. Having 35 pounds up high on the back made the straight bars too twitchy- the Albatross bars are even good for standing with the kid on the back... I'd think all of this would carry over to the longtails.

(Speaking of which, hopefully that BD build will get to happen later this year...)

[joelpalmer]

oof, didn't notice the TT length. Thanks for the heads up. Looks like I might have to go with an 18" as well since I'm not really interested in swept handlebars. I'll have to do some measurements on my bikes at home.

Is there a larger diagram of the BD anywhere? The one on the surly site is too tiny to be of any real use.

I didn't see one with dimensions and all that, but if you go to the bottom of the Surly Spew (http://www.surlybikes.com/spew19.html) posting about the Dummy it has another graphic that you can open and get pretty good sized. Also, the Blog (http://www.surlybikes.com/surlyblog.html) post for 1/4 has a pdf geometry chart. I shouldn't be looking at this right now, I need to build my LHT before getting another frame but man, it's hard to not rush out to the shop and put an order in.

[vik]

I'm assuming the top tube is long because they're expecting swept bars.

I can't say this is the way I would have gone with the bars, but it's what xtracycle envisions.

http://www.xtracycle.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/surly_big_dummy_web.thumbnail.jpg

http://www.surlybikes.com/frames/images/bd_main.jpg

I'm just going to use mtb riser bars like the pic above.

[evblazer]

I haven't tried an Xtracycle, but my understanding is that the wide/swept bars are better for control of the longer rig. Kinda like the giant, almost horizontal steering wheels in big trucks I guess.

I kinda understand that but even when I'm loaded down with 120+ on the xtracycle I haven't had any problems yet. Of course it may be that I weighed about 280 at the time but drop bars have served me fine so far.

[dwnptrl_777]

So, if I see this as combo transportation: around town bike AND expedition long-hauler, what bar would be best for BOTH?

[Abneycat]

So, if I see this as combo transportation: around town bike AND expedition long-hauler, what bar would be best for BOTH?

My vote would be for the

Cr-Mo Nitto Albatross. Suited for any kind of off road you would do on an expedition bike, good control.

[CdCf]

Damn! I want one! I'd build it up as a tourer, much like my LHT is set up now, only with disc brakes instead.

[dwainedibbly]

I haven't tried an Xtracycle, but my understanding is that the wide/swept bars are better for control of the longer rig. Kinda like the giant, almost horizontal steering wheels in big trucks I guess.

Hmm.... It's not any longer than a tandem and my Santana handles ok with drop bars and nobody on the rear saddle.

I really like the idea of the BD. Now I just need to convince Mrs Dibbly....

[AllenG]

My vote would be for the

Cr-Mo Nitto Albatross. Suited for any kind of off road you would do on an expedition bike, good control.

That's what I'm using on my XtraLite. Great bar.

[dwnptrl_777]

Does the albatross come in black, by chance? EDIT: Did a search with no luck, so I emailed Riv'-—I'll post their answer here later...

[Scout!]

...
Any recommendation for black, bomb-proof sweeper bars like the ones shown in the photograph?
I happened to be browsing the xtracycle site and found that they carry their own version of big, black, swept back bars: http://www.xtracycle.com/c-bars-p-120.html.

[vik]

http://www.webcyclery.com/product_image.php?imageid=592


Titec H-Bars (http://www.webcyclery.com/product.php?productid=18043&cat=0&page=) look like they might be a good option for a DB.

[John Lesar]

I am using this bar from Velo Orange.

http://yhst-84224226242177.stores.yahoo.net/milanbar.html

[dwnptrl_777]

Thank you, Scout.

Handlebars: DONE!

[dwnptrl_777]

http://www.webcyclery.com/product_image.php?imageid=592


Titec H-Bars (http://www.webcyclery.com/product.php?productid=18043&cat=0&page=) look like they might be a good option for a DB.

I love the idea and look of these, but never tried 'em. And, need to know if they'd work with my upcoming Rohloff Speedhub/twist grip setup...

[JeffS]

Does the albatross come in black, by chance? EDIT: Did a search with no luck, so I emailed Riv'-—I'll post their answer here later...

No


http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=257702

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=317779

[dwnptrl_777]

Does the albatross come in black, by chance? EDIT: Did a search with no luck, so I emailed Riv'-—I'll post their answer here later...

Here 'tis:

"Dear Mister Caught-Up-In-Your-Bike-Being-All-Black-And-Stuff,

Thanks for the email. We've only got the Albatross bar with a silver
finish. You could have it powder coated yourself, if you like.

Cheers,

keven"

(OK, I made up the "Mister..." part).

[vik]

I love the idea and look of these, but never tried 'em. And, need to know if they'd work with my upcoming Rohloff Speedhub/twist grip setup...

It is a mtb diameter bar that will take any controls meant for a mtb like a Rohloff twist grip.

[yes]

Those H-Bars are knock offs of Jeff Jones bar. http://www.jonesbikes.com/update/hbar/index.html
They are liked by single speeders.
The difference between the cruiser bar and Hbar will be dramatic. I would not even think about mounting those cruiser bars to the big dummy. Do you want to be sitting perfectly upright and putzing around, or do you want a more typical mtb posture? But, let us know if you do the cruisers and like it.

[vik]

Those H-Bars are knock offs of Jeff Jones bar. http://www.jonesbikes.com/update/hbar/index.html
They are liked by single speeders.
The difference between the cruiser bar and Hbar will be dramatic. I would not even think about mounting those cruiser bars to the big dummy. Do you want to be sitting perfectly upright and putzing around, or do you want a more typical mtb posture? But, let us know if you do the cruisers and like it.

http://www.jonesbikes.com/update/images/hbar-postions-side.gif

Thanks for the link. I was thinking of mounting the controls behind the cross bar instead of in front of the cross bar as shown in this pic.

Anyone used this bar have a comment on where to place the controls.

[vik]

There are some videos of a prototype Big Dummy here (http://thelazyrandonneur.blogspot.com/2008/01/kipchogie-his-big-dummy.html).