Surly Ogre

Wasn't sure whether to give this it's own thread as it's already partly built, but After waiting six months for the frame.... I had to fit a few bits on!

I've always split my interest between Road & Mtb, but as I gradually veered away from technical trail riding, I grew to enjoy slower paced mini adventure rides. I fancied a super simple setup. No more stripping down suspension after the winter, or repeatedly bleeding ( some brands of ) hydraulic brakes. Also wanted a frame that had the option of mounting racks & running geared or singlespeed. Add in the trailer pulling capabilities & the option of a giant sized 24" frame & I was completely sold on the Ogre.

I also fancied a 29er, which led me to building my first set of wheels. Something I hope not to regret later on!

This is the build so far. Trying out 36 x 19 gearing ( about 55" ) to start with. This allows me to keep the chainstays nice & short. Still need to fit the brake callipers ( Avid BB7 ). After that, it's a case of setting up the fit, trying out some bar/stem options & cutting down the fork steerer. Once it's done I'll take some decent photos & get it all muddy. Or vice versa.

I'm really liking that look and looking forward to the photos.

I want that so much.

*goes off to look for a cheaper equivalent

<3 surly ogres

so versatile. need a thread where people try and set them up in as many different ways as possible

looks great

Thanks, I though it was about time I had a singlespeed for this forum! I should hopefully get the brakes fitted for next weekend. Then I can find out if the waits been worth it.

Lovely chunky!

Quick update. Set up the BB7's last night & have taken the Ogre for a quick spin around the Village.

First impressions are........ Great! The bike may be intended for longer rides, but it was really pretty nimble for a massive gate of a frame. No more concerns about becoming middle aged sensible person. I was immediately jumping off kerbs and weaving about the road ( quiet village ) like a kid.

Hoping for a proper ride at the weekend. Photos & first injury report to follow soon.

Well, my new life of leisure hasn't been quite as leisurely as I'd hoped. I've had a couple of good rides on the Ogre. So far it's lived up to all my expectations. Comfortable for longer rides, whilst being great fun to go and play on. It seems to fit me so well that ( no thanks to Smallfurry ) I may end up using the geometry in a custom Ti build ( One day )

I was going to photograph it muddy, but my last ride involved a collision with some dogshit, so it's been scrubbed clean again.

Spec

- 24" Surly Ogre frameset
- Mavic TN719 rims on Hope XC Ti hubs with Sapim race spokes ( my first build from scratch, so waiting for them to explode! )
- Thomson Elite X4 stem 90mm
- Thomson seatpost 27.2
- Maxxis Ardent 2.25" front tyre & Maxxis Crossmark 2.1" rear ( They both come up bigger than older Maxxis tyres & I'm impressed with them so far )
**- **Avid BB7 Brakes with speed dial levers, 180mm front disc & 160mm rear
- Truvativ Stylo team bars 685mm wide 20mm rise
- WTB Rocket V saddle
**- **Xt Octalink 175mm crank & BB ( Will replace when I run out of spare bottom brackets )
- Shimano pd-m647 pedals
- Raceface bashguard
- 36t Gebhardt chainring &19t Andel sprocket ( about 55" gearing )
- FSA Orbit Extreme headset ( I've had one previously that's still running smooth after 5 years )
**- **Salsa seat clamp & wheel skewers

Only new parts for the frame & fork were rims, spokes, tyres & tubes, headset, handlebars, brakes & drivetrain.

If you go down to the woods today...

Looks "slightly" less gate-like form this angle ( who am I kidding! )

Compulsory drivetrain shot

Now looking forward to lots of new adventures together :-)

Awesome! I've got one of those frames (in the same size) hanging out in a box somewhere. I'll be building mine for an off road tour when I get back from the states.

Awesome! I've got one of those frames (in the same size) hanging out in a box somewhere. I'll be building mine for an off road tour when I get back from the states.

Jammy, when are you off and how long are you going for?

Bare, That looks great, I love it. I'm definitely going to get one as an adventure tourer/all round fun bike, eventually.

^ http://andyinamerica.com/

Just trying to decide if to get a Disc Trucker or an Ogre. The headtube height is about the same on both, as is the toptube. I'm 6'6" but not flexible so I'll be running it as tall as possible. How tall are you BareNecessities? Comfortable fit?

I'm mostly leaning towards the Ogre. I'll be using it as a do everything bike (thinking of 2 sets of wheels, 1 mtb, 1 road but also with drops, V-drop levers, BB7s and barcons - although I quite like the look of the Surly Moloko bar
).

I hardly ever ride MTB but i'd like to slim my collection down and get rid of the old 26er. Just keep a single speed, a road bike, Brompton and the pub bike.

Hi tallsam, I'm 6'7" & more body than leg. The 24" Ogre still gives me a decent stretch with 90mm stem & I think it's the best fitting mtb that I've ever had, although if I was riding super long distances then I might possibly try a 100mm stem to stretch out a little more. The combined fork/headtube height as you've probably seen sits between that of the 62cm LHT & the 64cm, but I'd say the top tube is quite a bit longer on the Ogre.

I also have a 62cm LHT ( non disc ), which I've comfortably ridden with a 120mm stem & deda piega drop bars. They're both comfortable bikes to ride, but very different in character.

Despite the huge frame, the Ogre is far more nimble than the LHT. I have taken the LHT off road in the past, but the low BB caused a lot of pedal strikes. If you want to carry panniers then the LHT will give you far better heel clearance, as the Ogre has quite short chainstays for a 29er. I've lugged loads of stuff around on the LHT so far with no problems. It really is very stable. I can't vouch for the Ogre's loaded handling as I haven't had the chance to load it up yet.

If you're set on drops, then I think the XXL Ogre would stretch you out a bit too far. If you go with a swept back bar such as the Moloko, then this won't be an issue, as the bars will sit you back a bit.

While the LHT is a great bike, I prefer the overall versatility of the Ogre. The ability to run both rim & disc brakes. The trailer mount which I hope to use one day. The singlespeed/hub gear options. The tyre clearance. Even the possibility of running a suspension fork if I fancy a change.

It's also more fun :-)

Hope that helps.

Love the colour. Surly make cracking frames.

i like those bars, thatd solve my clutter issue, wheres selling n how much ???

^ No Idea of price yet. Check on Ison website for when they're available.

http://www.ison-distribution.com/english/searchresults.php?offset=50&num_rows=143

Here's a better view of them.

i really like them, not listed yet tho

Cheers Barenecessities. Exactly what I wanted to hear. Shame about the drops but I can most likely live without them. Ive got Mary bars on my mtb and they work quite well so its doable for me.

Gonna try the setup on the bike fitting jig at work then order one (out of stock until mid nov with ison).

No point in starting a new thread so I'll bump this one.

So pleased am I with this bike that I'll be ordering a second Ogre frameset tomorrow. This will be replacing my LHT as my utility bike and will mostly be a straight swap of components; at least in terms of wheels, which will mean running v brakes for a while. This one will most likely feature full mudguards and a rack too.

I'm undecided on whether to run Ogre 2 singlespeed or 1 x 9. I think a few gears may be a good idea as I'll intend to use it with one of these.

http://www.carryfreedom.com/Y-Frame.html

Though I do live in a flat area, so I could just gear sensibly and htfu.

Even little inclines become more noticeable with weight as well as pulling away. But equally if it is flat and you won't be carrying weight that often then it's probably not worth it.

Depending on your chainline you could pop another cog on there for a quick switch down to a lower gear when you need it.

How come you're choosing a second one of these over the LHT?

Good point regarding the 2nd cog. I run 8spd chains, so chainline isn't vitally important.

Main reasons for replacing the Trucker are...

• A better fit with flat/riser bars due to longer TT.

• Much more clearance for fatter tyres.

• I only tend to put things on top of the rack, rather than use panniers, which require the long chainstays and heel clearance of the LHT.

• Track end type dropouts for SS or hub gear without using a tensioner.

Probably a few more that I can't remember.

The LHT is a great bike at what it's designed for. What I don't find it is fun to ride. When I pop into town I want to pull wheelies, jump off curbs, ride down steps and generally feel a couple of decades younger than I am ( approaching mid life crisis )

The original Ogre was meant to do fulfil this ^ role, but it became my off road fun bike instead :-/

I'd suggest gettin gears if you're towing. The difference between towing something up a hill and running without a trailer on the flat is more than you think. I find the gears on the trike essential, getting started and going up any sort of incline with lots of weight immediately requires a big drop in gear.