Utility Cycling - Surly frame questions

Hello everyone, I have a couple of questions about Surly frames that some here might be able to answer. The search has been used for research but I thought I would ask a couple of questions for the current frames they offer. They would be purchased new unless I find used and they happen to be older.

How is the powdercoat quality on the frames? It seem hit and miss here as far as opinions go. I'm looking more for durability than anything else.

Are the decals removable on the Crosscheck and Long Haul Trucker?

Are the canti bosses removable on the Crosscheck and Long haul Trucker? I noticed some models seem to be removable, but others don't say.

What should I expect from the frames upon arrival? What prep work would be needed before building? Things like the bottom bracket and head tube, anything else?

Anything else of concern should I buy new?


I'm looking at Surly because many of the other Manufacturers seem to have bad paint at this price point. I'm looking for durability. Unless, of course, Surly is also below par in that department. I also like their basic, non-flashy colors on most of their frames.

Thanks for the patience and sorry for asking questions people have probably already asked.

I can't answer all the questions, but I know a few.

The decals are not under a layer of clear-coat, so they can be removed. A heat gun and some decal remover (available at most auto supply stores) will do the trick.

Don't know about the canti bosses.

The frame will be completely bare, you will need to install a bottom bracket and a headset. The head tube and the bottom bracket shell will need to be chased.

Surly has a cult following because they make simple, good quality, steel frames.

You can't remove the canti posts on the LHT or CC since they won't take disc brakes or road brakes [without mods].

The only bad powder coat I am aware of is on a particular batch of LHTs [Cherry Red] other than that the finish seems to be solid. The powder on my LHT & Big Dummy has been very durable as has been the powder on my friend's cherry red LHT as only a specific batch was affected.

I would say you can depend on Surly frames to be durable and they back up their warranty well. Their frames are simple and burly so there isn't much to go wrong. I have had some QC issues on my LHT frame and I'd say that is Surly weakness so I'd carefully check the frame you get for alignment. Surly sent me a new frame without any hassles so I can't fault them too much and my defective frame is rideable just not well aligned as far as the brake posts go.

As Allen pointed out the decals are not under a clear coat which is great if you want to remove them for a stealth bike, but not so great if you want to keep them. For reasons I don't fully comprehend my LHT's decals have lasted 3 yrs+ of hard use and my Big Dummy's top tube decals are trashed after a few months of similar use. You can buy replacement decals at a reasonable cost if you want to replace damaged ones.

When you get the frame you'll want to prep the it by facing the head tube for the headset and chasing all the threads [BB, fender/rack braze ons, derailleur hanger] to clean them of powder coat. You may choose to rust proof the frame while you have it naked.

Even though I had some QC issues with my LHT I bought a Big Dummy and had no issues with it. I'm actually considering adding one or two more Surlys to my fleet so that should speak volumes about how much I've enjoyed the two frames I own.

The powdercoat jobs on my big dummy and my dad's crosscheck are quite good, pretty much as good as the custom job I had done on my track bike. It's not invincible, but it is loads more durable than any coat of wet paint i've ever had on a bike, car, or anything else made of steel. I scuff up every paintjob on everything I own, but the powdercoated bikes still look great, scratches that would go down to primer on wet paint barely show on powder. I really don't get why more bikes aren't powdercoated.

Thank you to those who responded. That's the information I was looking for.

I do have another question. Can a crosscheck be setup with a 42mm chainline(typically a standard track hub) and still fit a reasonably large(46-50 tooth) chainring? Thanks

I do have another question. Can a crosscheck be setup with a 42mm chainline(typically a standard track hub) and still fit a reasonably large(46-50 tooth) chainring? Thanks

Looks like tons of room. My dad's bike a nexus running a 45mm chain line, I held a 52t ring up next to it and used the good ol' eyecrometer :) Looks like it would have as much room with a 52 as my track bike does with a 49. And the only place you need a ring that big fixed is on a velodrome, and only if you're a lot faster than I.

Hello everyone, I have a couple of questions about Surly frames that some here might be able to answer. The search has been used for research but I thought I would ask a couple of questions for the current frames they offer. They would be purchased new unless I find used and they happen to be older.

How is the powdercoat quality on the frames? It seem hit and miss here as far as opinions go. I'm looking more for durability than anything else.

Are the decals removable on the Crosscheck and Long Haul Trucker?

Are the canti bosses removable on the Crosscheck and Long haul Trucker? I noticed some models seem to be removable, but others don't say.

What should I expect from the frames upon arrival? What prep work would be needed before building? Things like the bottom bracket and head tube, anything else?

Anything else of concern should I buy new?


I'm looking at Surly because many of the other Manufacturers seem to have bad paint at this price point. I'm looking for durability. Unless, of course, Surly is also below par in that department. I also like their basic, non-flashy colors on most of their frames.

Thanks for the patience and sorry for asking questions people have probably already asked.


I have the LHT in green, it is my main bike which I built from a bare frame.

The paint job isn't the best in terms of appearance and mine even has a couple of small runs, but the durability of the paint seems to be exellent. Since it's a workhorse and not a show pony I'm very happy with it, and I quite like the 'baby diarrhea' shade of green.

Frame prep for me consisted of facing the BB and HT, chasing the BB and derailer hanger threads, and hitting the insides of the frame with a rust inhibitor. Pretty much how you'd prep any new steel frame.

Canti bosses are removable with an angle grinder, but why would you? I use V-brakes and find them ideal for my utilitarian application. Brake pads are cheap and readily available everywhere, they clear big fenders and fat tyres, are easy to set up adjust and maintain, and provide all the stopping power you'll ever need.

I have a big garage full of bikes including a fast high racer recumbent and a very expensive roadie full of carbon and Dura-Ace components, but if for some reason I had to dump all my bikes except for one I would choose to keep the LHT without hesitation.

Thanks again for the information. Cyclaholic, I was going to try out a set of new calipers on one of these frames but will stick with cantis or v-brakes instead since the posts cannot be removed. It's good to hear about the clearance. Thanks for that maxwell.