Still waiting for Big Dummy, suspense is killin' me!
03-15-08, 09:53 PM
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Still waiting for Big Dummy, suspense is killin' me!
So my friend at the bike shop tells me my BD is still on the loading dock at QBP. Apparently a couple pre-production frames have had problems crop up, and they're doing more extensive quality control on the second batch. Anybody else in the same boat?
Last edited by Maxwell; 03-16-08 at 02:56 AM. Reason: typo
03-15-08, 10:56 PM
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Nope got mine around the time my LBS anticipated.
03-16-08, 03:05 AM
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Canadian distributor? they only got one batch right? I've supposedly got my name on a 20" in the second batch, just hoping they don't nix any frames. Might get bumped to august. 
03-16-08, 09:12 AM
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From the Surly Blog:
"If you haven't already got your name on a Big Dummy frame, we've got a few more 16" and 22" frames coming in the next week, but that's it. There will be no more 18" or 20" available until the next production run.
The next production run will not get us more frames until August. Why? These frames are so large and clog production so much, they need to be carefully scheduled to clear out the frame and paint shops of other models to make room for them. Our maximum production run is 350, so it's just a matter of supply not meeting the initial demand."
03-17-08, 01:04 AM
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I guess you could say the second half of this first March batch. As I understand it they've all been sold, but they're doing more QC on the ones they've yet to ship out. So I imagine if I'm bumped down the list because some frames get rejected, I'll not be getting one till August.
03-17-08, 07:52 AM
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Ahhhh...okay....well good luck. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
03-17-08, 06:33 PM
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https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=388598&page=3
I started in at post #88 with a similar story. Please note I was specifically addressing the 18" size frames.
03-20-08, 12:22 PM
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Mine finally shipped yesterday.
I've sourced exactly zero parts for the buildup though, so it will be a while before it hits the streets. Actually, I'm still on the fence about dérailleur vs internal. Maybe
I've sourced exactly zero parts for the buildup though, so it will be a while before it hits the streets. Actually, I'm still on the fence about dérailleur vs internal. Maybe
03-20-08, 02:50 PM
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
03-20-08, 07:43 PM
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Myself, I'm pretty sold on internal, but on the fence about the cheaper heavier newgfangled nuvinci hub vs the well proven but painfully spendy rohloff. I'm pretty convinced any other internal hubs would be unsuitable, especially with a stokemonkey. I'm pretty over derailleurs on anything but a road bike.
03-21-08, 07:59 PM
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The 22" arrived today.
I have to say that Surly picked just about the ugliest color I could imagine. If it were a painted frame, I'd strip it and have it redone. As is, I'll live with it. I would have loved to see this in some bright, borderline obnoxious color. Surly, for the most part, seems to favor low-key.
Time to get serious about the build I suppose. I too am going with the Albatross/North Road bars. That's actually the ONLY part I'm sure of.
I have to say that Surly picked just about the ugliest color I could imagine. If it were a painted frame, I'd strip it and have it redone. As is, I'll live with it. I would have loved to see this in some bright, borderline obnoxious color. Surly, for the most part, seems to favor low-key.
Time to get serious about the build I suppose. I too am going with the Albatross/North Road bars. That's actually the ONLY part I'm sure of.
03-21-08, 09:13 PM
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The 22" arrived today.
I have to say that Surly picked just about the ugliest color I could imagine. If it were a painted frame, I'd strip it and have it redone. As is, I'll live with it. I would have loved to see this in some bright, borderline obnoxious color. Surly, for the most part, seems to favor low-key.
Time to get serious about the build I suppose. I too am going with the Albatross/North Road bars. That's actually the ONLY part I'm sure of.
I have to say that Surly picked just about the ugliest color I could imagine. If it were a painted frame, I'd strip it and have it redone. As is, I'll live with it. I would have loved to see this in some bright, borderline obnoxious color. Surly, for the most part, seems to favor low-key.
Time to get serious about the build I suppose. I too am going with the Albatross/North Road bars. That's actually the ONLY part I'm sure of.
04-06-08, 06:44 PM
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So no big dummy till august, apparently they rejected averything above 16" in the second round from the factory. I am bummed. Anybody else hear anything about this?
04-07-08, 08:00 AM
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OK, so here is what I wrote in an email to Surly:
I've noticed in another thread in this Utility Bike Group that somebody had a similar story in regards to the quality control, so I assumed it must be true. But for my case it seems somebody has really got some information crossed or telling tall tales. I'm not sure whether to pursue the truth any more or not. At this point it looks like my LBS may have been making this up, which is very disappointing of course.
Guess my only worry now is that my BD makes it through shipping and delivery OK. Best of luck to the rest of you still waiting.
I had just been told by my LBS that the 18" Big Dummy shipment we were waiting for from QBP all failed quality control and they couldn't get me one until July or August. Luckily, I was able to find an 18" Big Dummy at another bike shop out of state.
I was a little concerned if the frame I currently have coming to me may have any issues. Would you mind sharing what quality control issues you had and any possible precautions to these issues as they may relate to the frame I have obtained?
Sorry to hear about this. I'm sure it must be very frustrating, especially with the great demand the Big Dummy has been receiving.
And here was Surly's response from Aaron (should mention these guys respond fast, less than 30min) :I was a little concerned if the frame I currently have coming to me may have any issues. Would you mind sharing what quality control issues you had and any possible precautions to these issues as they may relate to the frame I have obtained?
Sorry to hear about this. I'm sure it must be very frustrating, especially with the great demand the Big Dummy has been receiving.
Thanks for your message.
Congratulations on your Dummy! I hope it fits the bill, or even exceeds your expectations in rad ways you never knew were possible.
The information you received was not correct. The 18” Big Dummys passed QC with flying colors.
I don’t want to speculate why anyone told you this. Please rest assured that this is not the case.
The only issue to come up so far is that the powdercoat is very thick. (Which isn’t much of a problem)
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Congratulations on your Dummy! I hope it fits the bill, or even exceeds your expectations in rad ways you never knew were possible.
The information you received was not correct. The 18” Big Dummys passed QC with flying colors.
I don’t want to speculate why anyone told you this. Please rest assured that this is not the case.
The only issue to come up so far is that the powdercoat is very thick. (Which isn’t much of a problem)
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
I've noticed in another thread in this Utility Bike Group that somebody had a similar story in regards to the quality control, so I assumed it must be true. But for my case it seems somebody has really got some information crossed or telling tall tales. I'm not sure whether to pursue the truth any more or not. At this point it looks like my LBS may have been making this up, which is very disappointing of course.
Guess my only worry now is that my BD makes it through shipping and delivery OK. Best of luck to the rest of you still waiting.
04-09-08, 04:19 PM
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Interesting, I'll have to contact surly myself, see what the hell is up.
Miraculously, Xtracycle still had a couple 20" completes, and I ordered one, so looks like all is well.
Miraculously, Xtracycle still had a couple 20" completes, and I ordered one, so looks like all is well.
04-09-08, 06:19 PM
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....I'll be interested to hear how you like the Xtracycle complete spec...looks like a nice setup. The only thing I don't immediately love is the bars, but perhaps they'd grow on me??
04-09-08, 11:26 PM
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Yeah, I'm not wild about the cruiser bars, I'm thinking about either mary bars or some generic trekking bars, the latter seem easier to mount lights and such to.
I had planned on trying a nuvinci, but now at least I have the derailleur drivetrain to fall back on. Whichever one I don't like as much will get thrown on my tallbike.
I had planned on trying a nuvinci, but now at least I have the derailleur drivetrain to fall back on. Whichever one I don't like as much will get thrown on my tallbike.
04-10-08, 06:25 AM
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I don't want to say that your LBS lied (or were lied to by someone else), but every other indicator says that there have been NO quality control issues on BD frames. Even the disc brake mount issues mentioned elsewhere on this board turned out to be minor and/or non-existent depending on how you look at it.
Glad you snagged one.. they did sell fast, but it appears that pretty much everyone who really wanted one got their wish. Good work on Surly's part playing the numbers game! Even my buddy got his name on one, and he didn't even consider it until he picked my frame up for me and quickly fell in love with the idea :-)
Glad you snagged one.. they did sell fast, but it appears that pretty much everyone who really wanted one got their wish. Good work on Surly's part playing the numbers game! Even my buddy got his name on one, and he didn't even consider it until he picked my frame up for me and quickly fell in love with the idea :-)
04-11-08, 12:08 AM
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Well, got the dummy today, all put together. The cruiser bars are definitely too much. Interesting thing, the bike came without racks or freeloaders, maybe another box coming? Xtracycle hasn't gotten back to me yet. Still can't believe I actually got my hands on one.
Definitely something fishy with this whole quality control problem story. No way would Xtracycle still have any completes left a month later, even if only one size.
Definitely something fishy with this whole quality control problem story. No way would Xtracycle still have any completes left a month later, even if only one size.
04-14-08, 07:44 PM
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Finally e-mailed surly, something I should have done at the beginning, response came quite promptly.
Max,
No idea where these rumors started. We haven’t had any QC issues with the Big Dummy.
They were received in three different batches – the first all 18”, the second a mix, the third mostly 16”. Could be that shops see them come up and didn’t see some particular size. Could also be that a customer service person at QBP got the story wrong and told a couple of shops. There are lots of ways for misinformation to be spread.
So, there’s no issue. There are some 16” frames still in stock. The rest are gone until mid-summer when we get the next batch.
Thanks,
Eric Sovern
Surly Bikes
No idea where these rumors started. We haven’t had any QC issues with the Big Dummy.
They were received in three different batches – the first all 18”, the second a mix, the third mostly 16”. Could be that shops see them come up and didn’t see some particular size. Could also be that a customer service person at QBP got the story wrong and told a couple of shops. There are lots of ways for misinformation to be spread.
So, there’s no issue. There are some 16” frames still in stock. The rest are gone until mid-summer when we get the next batch.
Thanks,
Eric Sovern
Surly Bikes
04-14-08, 07:55 PM
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Someone posted the same response from them a month or so back.
-----
I was impressed with the email response time at Surly. Their replies were probably the only reason I got a frame at all. The vendor I was trying to go through told me that there were no more 22's at all, and wouldn't be any more. I contacted Surly and a very helpful person there replied to several emails where we established that there were definitely some more 22's on the way in the near future.
I insisted that said vendor keep checking and attempt to procure one for me and they then locked one in within a day, though it took them another two weeks to actually get it and reship to me (not that that was a problem). I'm happy they got one for me, but not thrilled that they were ready to write me off until I spent all of two minutes sending emails to determine they were incorrect.
Not surprisingly, they tried to spin it, saying it was their good relationship with Surly that made it possible and that they hooked me up...
-----
I was impressed with the email response time at Surly. Their replies were probably the only reason I got a frame at all. The vendor I was trying to go through told me that there were no more 22's at all, and wouldn't be any more. I contacted Surly and a very helpful person there replied to several emails where we established that there were definitely some more 22's on the way in the near future.
I insisted that said vendor keep checking and attempt to procure one for me and they then locked one in within a day, though it took them another two weeks to actually get it and reship to me (not that that was a problem). I'm happy they got one for me, but not thrilled that they were ready to write me off until I spent all of two minutes sending emails to determine they were incorrect.
Not surprisingly, they tried to spin it, saying it was their good relationship with Surly that made it possible and that they hooked me up...
