isn't Surly just a creation by QBP, and not an independent ?

"
Surly Bikes is a division of Quality Bicycle Products (QBP). QBP is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Surly is based in nearby Bloomington, Minnesota.

Surly's stated mission is to provide quality products at reasonable prices. To this end, every Surly product undergoes lengthy field testing and sometimes several stages of prototyping.
"


so, if you judge things like people judge BD, Surly is 'just a made up company, made up brand'

"
The "Surly Brand" has a certain punk rock, DIY, cut the crap, have fun on your bike, get things done on your bike, don't spend an ungodly amount of money on your bike uselessly, don't be a jerk but feel free to be an ass, kind of appeal. Surly framesets have been offered in unusual colors such as Bubblegum Pink, Camp Stove Green, Hot Dog Mustard (yellow), and Skidmark Brown.
"

I have 2 surlys and I love them


/2 cut and pastes from wikipedia