SurlyLaika

Ogre and Troll

So I guess the most significant difference between the two is that the new Ogre rolls on 29in wheels while the Troll is a 26 incher. Besides that is there any other difference? Anyone got an eye on it for Christmas? With some fat road tires, would it make a good commuter? How would it fare as a touring bike? a mountain bike? When these bikes try to do it all, I know they're bound to have some short comings but I just wanna hear some discussion about them!

I was fantasizing about getting a Salsa Vaya as a wet weather commuter with its disc brakes and I would choose a non-Brooks seat, it would be a ATB and a touring bike...but now the Ogre/Troll look good, too. BTW, I know it's another jack of many trade bikes from Surly but my only other bike is a CC which I did use for a 2,000 mile summer tour and I think all three bikes are different enough from my CC to justify N+1.

(There's that new Surly Long Haul disc Trucker, too but it seems to have more limited application as a touring bike.) Well, discuss! I'm excited about the new things going on at Surly.

SurlyLaika

It's been almost a year since they introduced the Troll. Is it only recently available as a complete bike? Well, I'd love to hear from some people who have had experience with the Troll. Give me pictures, build spec's, purpose, a full review, come on. ...since that would probably most closely approximate the Ogre. I love the orange but something just bugs me about 26in wheels.

Ridefreemc

I have a few hundred miles on my Vaya and love it. I have 40c Schwalbe Marathon Supremes on it and the ride is both comfortable and still fast. I commute to work on it every day and even got to take it on the Blue Ridge Parkway recently. Some offroading too, but I may have a long time before I can ride it well offroad since I am used to bombing around on a dual suspension Marin.

However, with a quick swap of tires I think the bike could do it all. Although if no thick sand you could do well offroad with 40C, just need more skill. By the way, loaded with panniers and carrying a full BOB trailer it handles great. I went with Shimano Ultegra because that is what I am used to. I am sure the SRAM stuff works great. I also built a better set of wheels and hubs.

Just to help your decision, I have had great support from Salsa on questions regarding the bike, racks, and other odds and ends. Great group of employees.

Planning on a trip up the C&O towpath from Washington DC the up to Syracuse NY in the spring and this will be the perfect bike. Tried the LHT and the Vaya felt better to me.

FirstAidKit

I had my eye on a Troll frame for a while. Things I like about it are all the braze ons/eyelets for my accessory passion (obsession), the intriguing geared or SS options, clearance for fatties, butted cromo construction and orange is hot. Things I don't like include it requires full length housing (a pain to service cables IMHO), 73mm BB (buyng another BB?), Rohloff plate (it would only be a matter of time till I would have to make use of it).

I was looking for a super duty SS, rigid 26" (getting hard to find?!?) mountain bike for riding stuff that doesn't require full suspension capabilities. In the end I couldn't justify putting my wallet on a slippery slope. Picked up a Redline Monocog and couldn't be happier. I even commute on it when fenders aren't required. Hope this helps!

JonathanGennick 

Wheel size is the only difference I've noticed from reading the website.

dcrowell

26" vs 29" can be a religious argument. I'm a non-believer so either is fine.

I do like the orange on the Troll though.

JonathanGennick 

Either is fine? I think that makes you an agnostic then. LOL!

predictive

Here's the Troll I built for my wife; it's everyone's favorite bike once they ride it.

hybridbkrdr

What kind of saddle and bars is that?

no1mad 

Did you happen to see this thread in Commuting? https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ly+troll+build

predictive

The saddle is a Soma Ensho, the bars are Velo Orange Milan (a PERFECT bar for cruising about on bike paths).

hybridbkrdr

Just out of sheer morbid curiosity, did you have a chance at seeing those parts in person before you bought them or did you see them online and had to guess they'd work out?

predictive

I almost never get to see parts in person, but I've rarely had a problem with buying stuff from pictures.

surfrider

For comparison purposes, does anyone know what the retail price is for the Troll? or the Salsa Vayas or Fargos? (the retail price the customer pays, not what the LBS pays for it). I can't find any pricing on either companies' website, and I'm seriously thinking of buying a new rigid MTB-style bicycle next year. Dig the no suspension bikes, as +90% of my off-road stuff is on fairly well graded fire roads. Would like to stay with 26 in. wheels, which makes the Troll the most appealing, but the drop bar set-up on the Fargos is appealing to me, too. I bought a used, low-end hardtail MTB a few years ago to try out MTB-ing. I ended up tweaking it with a rigid fork with drop bars (it works for me) and its going to be re-purposed as my new commuter.