Surly Ogre

Its the green.... they were pretty hard to get hold of, ended up getting the frame from Holland!

I'd be tempted to fit gears for this particular set-up :-/

What's the consensus on the Ogre complete?

And would one of these sit flat on it, do you think? http://www.reallyusefulbikes.co.uk/_shop/1440/down-tube-mounted-dutch-rack/#

And, last one, I promise: would a 24" suit someone like me, who rides a 60/61cm track frame?

In reverse order

No, I think a 22" would suit you better ( imo ) You're about 6'3" aren't you?

I'll have a look at the mounting points for that Dutch rack and let you know. The Ogre does have enough mounting points to fit a rear rack up front, so that might be another option?

I think the complete is rather under-specced for the money. If the frameset is between £450-£480 and the complete around £1,300-£1,400 then I don't quite see where all that money is going. It's mostly Deore level kit on there.

Unless you've found some mega deal on the complete, I'd build one up from the frame.

I'm about 6' 1" or 2". The rack (which I have in a box already) fits into little sections of tube that mount to your down tube with jubilee clips. Not pretty, but I like ones that don't move with the fork. I could, perhaps, get one at trade price.

Or should I buy a Big Dummy...?

If that's the case, then there's nothing wrong with the parts on the complete build. It just doesn't add up to the full retail price.

I really do think a 24" would be pushing it. Is that the only size you can get the deal on?

Or should I buy a Big Dummy...?

Ha

They're not really comparable :-)

You planning on hauling quite a lot then Sparky?

The reason I chose the Extrawheel Voyager was (mainly) because we saw one at the top of Trollstigen, and if someone can ride it up and down that then it's clearly the choice of hero's.

However, in addition to that I liked the single wheel- it is suitable for off road use as it tracks your rear wheel, so will happily follow you down (not very) technical single track, or, more to my use, if you avoid that big pot hole with the wheels of your bike then the trailer (odds-on) will also do so.

The racks mount the panniers low- in the low-rider position so the weight is below the axle line, even though they can get 60 litres of stuff in the weight distribution just makes the bike a bit more ponderous when out of the saddle- when seated it just feels heavy.

You can also get a secondary rack that mounts over the wheel, to allow yet more stuff.

Means you can mount front panniers on the rear wheel for heal clearance, then rear panniers on the trailer- mean that the steering is not affected as there is nothing on the front fork (and you can use a carbon fork).

For the bike I'm going to use it on it also means that you don't need rack mounts or, indeed, a rack, to spoil the lines- once you get where you are going you unhitch the trailer and all trace of luggage hauling machine is gone.

The deal would be on any size. Not planning on hauling a lot particularly, but I've borrowed 36*18's Dummy a couple of times and it's a hoot. I found myself filtering through tiny gaps and keeping a decent pace, even though I had an office chair/race bike strapped to the back. Hilarious fun. And I'll have a secure(ish) car space to lock it in soon.

To be honest, my Fuji Track has been my go-to bike and I love it to bits. Now it's cracked and I don't know what to buy. Too many options. But I've seen your Ogre, BN (first one), and I loved it.

Maybe I should get an Ogre to commute on, then a trailer if I feel the need to haul stuff later. If the front rack I have (or similar) will fit nicely, then I can commute with no backpack on, which would be great. I have Ortlieb panniers but don't like riding with them every day. A front rack and a little dry sack for clothes feels more practical and more fun/unusual.

Meh.

I'll be down in London soon if you want to try mine?

And of course you know where they are the rest of the time :-)

Cheers for that. I'm actually in Norwich this weekend if you're around?

Yeah, I'll be about, then in London the weekend after for track day.

I was set on getting an Ogre and to start exploring the Pennines/Peaks and maybe even popping over to Wales, chatting with the bike shop they posed the question "why would you buy an Ogre when you can get an ECR?"

Now I'm confused.

Ecr?

Think Ogre, but with 3" tyres :-)

http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/07/23/surly-brings-back-the-instigator-with-26-adds-ecr-29-and-straggler-disc/

Argument was I could swap a 29er wheelset on/off if needed and it's like having 2 bikes in 1...

That's a pretty good argument.

Makes me wonder how much longer Surly will continue to produce the Ogre :-/

And then if I buy a straggler I can run the 29er wheels on that and then I just need to decide what to do with the Cross Check.

Stupid bikes.

Makes me wonder how much longer Surly will continue to produce the Ogre :-/

Maybe I should get another?

And then if I buy a straggler

Some funny geometry on the straggler for a drop barred bike.

Long top tube and short headtube :-/

Some funny geometry on the straggler for a drop barred bike.

Long top tube and short headtube :-/

Like the Cross Check...

True.

I suppose it's because they sometimes get built up with flat bars, rather than drops,

Think Ogre, but with 3" tyres :-)

http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/07/23/surly-brings-back-the-instigator-with-26-adds-ecr-29-and-straggler-disc/

wow. they are heavy!

New Ogre colour, not a fan myself.