Surly Bike Owners

really good current projects thread on the forum from a few years ago - surly, flat bar, black, discs, mtb team mechanic owned, lots of touring around the world - can't find it anywhere. Can anyone remember it? think it cropped up again a few months ago. Cheers

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/396116/

thank you

Hi.....I recently became a Surly Ogre owner. Planning a ride next year to Turkey (maybe beyond) and I've decided this is the bike to do it on but there's a few things I want to change.

New wheelset with dynamo.

Halo have a front MTB dynamo wheels that you can buy, dynamo aren't necessary, think about how often you ride at night, if you're charging stuff, maybe a massive powerbank or two may suffice.

Lights

See above, if battery, a small rear flashing and a good high beam front one, I also recommend a head torch.

Currently running 1x11. Would prefer a 3x7/8/9.

I recommend a simple 36/22t chainset paired with a 11-36t cassette, that give you a lower gear than a 32t with a 50t sprocket (only a little), but the 1x11 is not uncommon for touring, the rear cassette look quite small.

9 or 10 speed is the best option overall, as wider cassette are avaliable on that, or even go 11-40t with a double for a super low low gear ratio.

NOTE: This is where you can save a lots of money by sticking to the 1x set-up by changing the cassette and a smaller chainring (if this is not 30t already), 11 speed is fine for touring.

Swap hydraulic brakes for cable. Looked at BB7s and Spykes?

Keep hydraulic, they're not really a problem, or go for BB5s, never Spykes.

New racks (rear isn't mine and I'm not keen on the width of the front one). Looked Blackburn Outpost front?

Any rack will be fine, best is Tubus, however the Tortec Expedition is a decent one that have a good range of mount.

Look into cages to fit on the fork, they're the lightest and easiest solution to carry stuff without the heavy rack.

Budget of about £1200 and another £100 for bits I've forgotten, new grips etc

£1200 is a lots of money, the drivetrain will eat up a lots of that, and so will the dynamo, it's best use to get quality luggages (bikepacking and/or panniers), as well as decent saddle, bike fit (if needed) and comfortable cockpit being keys, the wheels look pretty good along with the tyres.

Any advice much appreciated.

Have a read on this article on the Bridge Club, it's almost completely stock and was used for proper touring, it's not an Orge but the principle stand on running a 1x, hydraulic and what have you.

https://theradavist.com/surly-bridge-club-review/

Also, RIP Surly Steamroller.

This is really solid advice

Also, RIP Surly Steamroller.

Isn't that old ish news ? around the same time they canned the crosscheck, sometime in 2023 ?

I have a feeling there'll both be back at some point, I think we've reacted peak disc brake now and rim brakes will be back for more niche brands like surly, I can hope at least!

In other news my roller just passed 55k miles last week.

Thanks for taking the time to go through my post, lots to digest there.

I'd previously thought about 8/9 speed to save money and because I find them easier to set up but I'd started considering the 2x11 despite having trouble setting up the derailleur. Currently the cassette is 11-42 and front is 34t. Not sure if a 22t would fit to it to make it a double or if I need to get a new set of rings.

I probably need to get someone to teach me to set up the gears and brakes and I'll feel much happier with what's on the bike.

The dynamo was more about charging. I rode in Europe last year with someone who had one and felt a bit envious at the end of the day when I was having to charge my phone up. I've got a solar panel that was ok on the few days I used it but obviously that's weather reliant.

Luggage wise I've got a full set of Ortliebs front/rear/bar so plan to use those. Saddle is a Cambium C67, it's still wearing in but I'm getting used to it. I did 3000km through Europe on a Charge Spoon without any problems last Summer so could always revert to that. Tyres are fine and the wheels do seem pretty solid although the rear axle looked like it had been botched together by the previous owner.

Thanks again.

probably need to get someone to teach me to set up the gears and brakes

YouTube.

Yea I'm big on learning from Youtube videos but for the derailleur I haven't hit on the right one that doesn't have an annoying presenter, poor camera work, hands in front of the shot when they're telling me to look at something etc. Also it's useful to have someone tell me what I've done wrong if what I've done doesn't work.

Having said that I've just found a fella working on an SLX that I can just about tolerate. May have time later in the week to give it a go.

Have you had a look at the Park Tool videos on rear deraileurs?

Yeah there used to be these excellent videos called made good. Unfortunately they're old now so Idk if they'd still be applicable for modern stuff.

Anything 9 or 10 speed shimano they're great.

https://youtu.be/Q70vEfsl2UA?si=LDxSZ3rABnhcku4o

Anyone own a Lowside?

I believe @Psychobikin has one?

Yeah do indeed - I love it but not really for how they marketed it, I just use it as an all terrain tractor. No mounts though, if that bothers you

I'm looking for a single speed disc version of my Marin 1x1 and this seems like it could work.

Something to rip local trails, stair sets, skatepark jibbing etc. And this seems to pop up like it could work.

It also seems compatible with a suspension fork if you wanted to really party off road.

I would love an All City Log Lady tbf but they are rare as hens teeth

I’m no park rider but that’s definitely the way they position it right? Does take a dropper too if you wanted one. It’s quite low stack though - it’s definitely designed to go with their own riser bar

I really REALLY wanted** a Lowside, but ended up with my SS Charge Cooker because cheapskate

WANT**

Yea, the Park one combined with another showing the SLX derailleur and a bit of luck seems to have got it about right. I really have to be in the right headspace for messing with tools of any kind.

Now to psych myself up for bleeding the rear brake for tenth time.

I always wanted an All City Junkyard Dog

pub bike

@b0n0rv2 still has one kicking around that he does not want to part with....??

I rode the MS in to town earlier to do some shopping. While I was taking my turn watching the bikes a young person ironically wearing work clothes and a tiny beanie asked if he could take a photograph (their words) of my rad looking (their words again) bike. Yeah sure, can we move it a little bit? Yeah. This is my version of what he took. So people, hipsters like pink Surlys, who knew.

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Correct on both counts