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Surly Bikes...
what makes surly bikes so popular? i've been seeing a lot of surly bikes around.. and wondering what makes them so special? what are they made of? are they lightweight and bombproof or something??? cuz i've seen some single speed surly that looks sooo sexy and yummy! makes me want one too!
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They're good value frames, which is why they're so popular. Very solid, pretty much bombproof. Lightweight? Not on your life. Surly makes their frames out of 4130 cro-moly steel. Website is here...
Another good steel frame manufacturer is Soma Fabrications. In my opinion, they're much sexier bikes, and made out of Reynolds 631, so I believe they're a bit lighter yet still incredibly well built, solid frames. |
Dude, all you need to know is that Surly bikes are...................*boutique*....:D
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Originally Posted by Stubacca
They're good value frames, which is why they're so popular. Very solid, pretty much bombproof. Lightweight? Not on your life. Surly makes their frames out of 4130 cro-moly steel. Website is here...
Another good steel frame manufacturer is Soma Fabrications. In my opinion, they're much sexier bikes, and made out of Reynolds 631, so I believe they're a bit lighter yet still incredibly well built, solid frames. |
Originally Posted by Stubacca
They're good value frames, which is why they're so popular. Very solid, pretty much bombproof. Lightweight? Not on your life. Surly makes their frames out of 4130 cro-moly steel. Website is here...
Probably the most solid bike in the Surly lineup is the Crosscheck. This is probably the only bike I would buy from Surly even though the frame and fork weight 7 pounds. I probably would pass on the road bike as I would like a lighter steel but overall Surly makes good frames. |
I've had a crosscheck (sold for money purposes) and still have a 1x1 frame I'm working that I rode a little as an SS (due to be hub gear'ed)... I've never been disappointed with the ride, yeah, maybe a bit heavy (but not really imo)... I like them because they're inexpensive, have rack/fender eyelets, ride well and ... they're inexpensive and they're steel.
I really like the versatile Karate Monkey... and, what can you say about a company that from time to time offers bubblegum pink frames!!! Sweet, that's all. Long Haul Trucker also looks somewhat interesting as well. |
Originally Posted by Dahon.Steve
I think 4130 cro-moly gives a very plush ride. It's not light at all but a better ride than an alu steed. I purchased a used chromoly bike from Ebay with 431 or 525 and find myself riding that cheepy bike all the time. There is nothing wrong with 4130 and it makes for a very plush ride.
Probably the most solid bike in the Surly lineup is the Crosscheck. This is probably the only bike I would buy from Surly even though the frame and fork weight 7 pounds. I probably would pass on the road bike as I would like a lighter steel but overall Surly makes good frames. I've been looking closely at the Crosscheck lately to build up as a commuter, but since I don't want the complete bike as specified by Surly I think I'll go with the Soma Double Cross instead. It's a bit lighter, from the reviews I've read it's plenty strong engouh, and can be bought for less money. |
wow.. if these bike frames are heavy.. wouldn't it be very tiring to ride?
on another note.. this morning as i drive to work cuz i gotta take a client out to lunch (can't do that on a bike :cry: ) and i saw this guy riding his Intense with knobby tires. this guy was like huffing and puffing riding on granny gears.. and i'm thinking to myself.. damn... at least put some slicks on... it'll make the ride easier... |
Originally Posted by SurlyBlog
Some people have been saying that 1x1 frames are heavy. Let's compare our 1x1 frame to some "really light" frames on the market.
For the below comparison I will ignore the obvious price-to-weight ratio differences. For the below comparison I will ignore the obvious life expectancy differences. For the below comparison I will ignore the obvious differences in ride characteristics. For the below comparison I will ignore the obvious differences in intended use. Keep in mind published weights are almost always B.S. - 1x1 small (16" c-t) frame weighs 4.415 lbs. on our very accurate scale. - 1x1 medium (18" c-t) frame weighs 4.960 lbs. on our very accurate scale. - 1x1 large (20" c-t) frame weighs 4.995 lbs. on our very accurate scale. - Merlin's medium "Standard" Ti frame weighs a "published" 3.5lbs. - Ibis's 18.5" double-butted "Ti Mojo" weighs a "published" 3lbs. - Ibis's 18.5" butted aluminum "Alibi" frame weighs a "published" 4lbs. - Ibis's 18.5" double-butted cro-moly "Mojo" frame weighs a "published" 4lbs. - Ritchey's 19" P-20 frame weighs a "published" 3.4 lbs. Wow, I guess the 1x1's ARE heavy!! But wait a minute, lightweights, racers and pretentious egomaniacs... Again, price/weight ratio, ride characteristics, intended use, and durability aside... If you build up a 18.5 lb. Ritchey P-20 single, you can build up a 20.06 lb. 1x1. If you build up a 18.1 lb. Ti Mojo single, you can build up a 19.66 lb. 1x1. If you don't have a bunch of stupid-light parts and your mundane steel Ibis Mojo single weighs a whopping 24.5 pounds, your mundane, boring, stupid, heavy 1x1 single-speed bike will weigh a whopping 25.46 pounds. Waaaaah! Better get a Ti post, braaah!! Get over it, people, the 1x1's ARE heavy, but you can still make a damn light bike out of one should you choose. Of course your Kevlar™-beaded 1.7" semi-slick tires won't look real good between those gaudy, over-manipulated chainstays, but what do we know?? And for the third time, I won't mention the RIDE, the LONGEVITY, the PRICE, or the INTENDED USE. |
they have a bomb proof reputation. Ive seen people race them cross and they make great commuters. They are the 57 Chevy or classic Caddo of bikes...
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Originally Posted by ruirui
wow.. if these bike frames are heavy.. wouldn't it be very tiring to ride?
on another note.. this morning as i drive to work cuz i gotta take a client out to lunch (can't do that on a bike :cry: ) and i saw this guy riding his Intense with knobby tires. this guy was like huffing and puffing riding on granny gears.. and i'm thinking to myself.. damn... at least put some slicks on... it'll make the ride easier... Sure you could buy a new bike for the price of a Surly or Soma frame. So what? For the price of your Sirrus, you could have bought 5 Huffys. Not really an 'apples to apples' comparison, eh? Surly sell a reasonably spec'd Crosscheck for around $800, which is a very competitive price for what you get. You can spend a bit more (or less) and build it exactly as you want it. For the price you get a strong, comfortable steel frame that can be built anyway you like it (singlespeed, fixed gear, road, cross etc). The market Surly (and Soma) are trying to hit is probably not someone who wants to walk into a bike shop and buy a big-brand bike with components selected by someone else. They're aiming for the person who wants something a little bit different, and knows exactly how they want to build it. |
4.5lbs is not heavyweigh, its midleweight. You can still pick the bike up without too much effort, unlike say a clunky steel cruiser.
These boutique workshops like Surley, Soma and Gunnar (the stock frames from Waterford), are a bit weird, in that they make sensible, practical style frames which are durable and reasonable value. The mass market is all about exotic materials and race technology. When looking at a frame you have to consider the quality of build, alignment and frame finishing (facing/tapping), not just the material. |
Originally Posted by ruirui
wow.. if these bike frames are heavy.. wouldn't it be very tiring to ride?
on another note.. this morning as i drive to work cuz i gotta take a client out to lunch (can't do that on a bike :cry: ) and i saw this guy riding his Intense with knobby tires. this guy was like huffing and puffing riding on granny gears.. and i'm thinking to myself.. damn... at least put some slicks on... it'll make the ride easier... If you put lightweight components on the Crosscheck, it would probably be not much heavier than your Siruis! I have an alu hybrid and a steel street bike. Guess which one feels better after a long ride? Exactly. The steel street bike feels much better and this is what counts. You won't get much more tired on a steel road bike because it weights a couple more pounds. This is a myth. I get more tired on my Alu bike because my hands and rear end can only go so far with that frame. I was going to buy a Crosscheck but purchased a Bianchi Volpe instead because the dealer gave me a good deal since I was buying two bikes. I don't think a heavier steel frame will make a difference unless you're racing. In a group ride, I doubt you'll get dropped if a steel bike has light road wheels. If you do get dropped it'll be because of the engine! |
I've got three Surlys: 1x1 (pre Surly), Cross Check and my latest is the Steam Roller. I love all three. Yeah, the 4130 frames are heavy, doesn't matter to me. They ride great, handle better, do the job and they're priced right. I'm not sure about the "boutique" description, more like "yeoman".
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What does your *handle* mean, if u don't mind my asking, UNCLECHET??? boutique...kind of a joke....see the foo section...4130 rocks!!...
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Well, I've got a 50 Ford 2 door sedan. When I first drove it to work a gal I work with said "hey, my uncle Chet used to have a car just like that". From then on I call the car Uncle Chet, hence the handle I use. How about yours?
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just my first name and last initial... :o
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why does surly use 4130 tho? theyre not a mass-manuf wall-wart off-the-shelf producer... yet they still use 4130. with all the new steel out, isnt 4130 really really outdated?
there wouldnt be much more difficulty and price in using 531/525/725/etc etc etc right? |
4130 is a great steel. I'm going out on a limb here but I think Renolds 531, etc. is just a slightly different alloy of basically 4130. Surlys ride fine. There simple, durable and well thought out. They don't need to make excuses. If you think you need the latest in unobtanium gear to get results you shouldn't apply.
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Add another vote for the Surlys. I have a 1x1 and a CrossCheck. Both are cool bikes, both ride just fine...like bikes. I agree with UNCHLECHET; if you wanna debate the merits of different frame materials instead of riding the bike, a Surly probably isn't for you. Basically, the Surly phylosophy is "just ride the bike".
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Originally Posted by Mtn Mike
if you wanna debate the merits of different frame materials instead of riding the bike, a Surly probably isn't for you.
its not like im asking for the latest air hardening 853 mega foco thron blend with carbon stays... im just pondering the reasoning behind using one set of tube rather than another thats established, commonplace, and specific in its purpose |
I certainly don't want to say steel is the only material to use. I just gravitated there. I've had aluminum, carbon, titanium and steel. I broke the aluminum bike, ovaled the head tube and spun the BB in the carbon bike and I love the titanium frames. But for the money it's tuff to beat steel in my humble opinion. Whatever number designation it has.
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Originally Posted by redfooj
why does surly use 4130 tho? theyre not a mass-manuf wall-wart off-the-shelf producer... yet they still use 4130. with all the new steel out, isnt 4130 really really outdated?
there wouldnt be much more difficulty and price in using 531/525/725/etc etc etc right? But if I were to answer your question, I first ask myself why Surly chooses 4130 over other blends. My answer would be, "who cares." Surly offers a great product for a great price. I'm sure they know what they are doing and I'm sure they have already weighed the pros and cons between all the different blends. If you really must know, go ahead and email Surly. I have emailed them several times and they have always responded within a couple of business days. |
Originally Posted by redfooj
why does surly use 4130 tho? theyre not a mass-manuf wall-wart off-the-shelf producer... yet they still use 4130. with all the new steel out, isnt 4130 really really outdated?
there wouldnt be much more difficulty and price in using 531/525/725/etc etc etc right? My 2004 Bianchi Volpe has a low Reynolds steel number, 520! Does this mean my steel bike with a low alloy number is inferrior to one with 531/525/725/853?? Are you kidding me?? That bike rides like a dream. I also ordered an Eros that's coming on a slow boat from China. That bike has a mid level steel number, Reynolds 631. Guess what? You lose some of the plush ride from Reynolds 520. That bike rides like a dream too. Still.. I want it that way. I still would love to test ride what 4130 feels like. |
Originally Posted by Dahon.Steve
By the time you reach 853, you've lost the "feel" of a steel and now have a race bike.
<snip> My 2004 Bianchi Volpe has a low Reynolds steel number, 520! Does this mean my steel bike with a low alloy number is inferrior to one with 531/525/725/853?? Are you kidding me?? That bike rides like a dream. I am reading from the Reynolds' web site: "The strength to weight ratio of 853 is close to that of quality titanium frames." "On road and touring frames we recommend the use of 525 fork blades with 853 frames." Is this to suggest that 853 is *too* stiff? I have always thought that aluminum frames were too stiff, particularly for longer rides. |
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