Team Tamarack Mountain Bike Racing World Resouces

Surly Big Dummy – Will You Still Need Your Car?

This is one huge bike – I’m going to be completely honest! But the components themselves represent terrific value for money – most would fit comfortably in the upper end of the mountain bike component range.

The wheels are tough as Roman chariot wheels – excellent for a daily commute into work, for example. And the Mr Whirly crankset is smooth and fantastic for customisation. Bike Build freaks will find it hard to criticise anything to do with the Big Dummy’s factory spec. And prepared to be surprised at how many items you can load into the Xtracycle V-racks and Freeloader bags that arrive with your new purcase. You can do a week’s worth of recycling, get your groceries, or take your office cargo into work on a daily basis – the Surly Big Dummy will take care of it all.

The Surly Big Dummy may not be as responsive as a track bike or XC racing mountain bike, but it’s great fun to ride and believe it or not, after a while you even forget about the extra length. It’s a heavy old bird, and that makes it a little slow to accelerate, but, once you’ve got the Big Dummy going, she cruises extremely well.

A word of warning, the Freeloader bags aren’t waterproof and on a rainy day your cargo can get somewhat damp! Be prepared to carry some garbage bags with you!

In short, the Surly Big Dummy may not be built to have so much fun as other bikes but it could change your life! You may abandon the good old family car. Be prepared to save on your gas bills!

• Surly says: 400lb weight limit for rider + cargo
• Braze-ons for fenders, 4 bottle cages, hydraulic lines, and rim + disc brakes
• Includes XtraCycle Long Tail accessory kit

COMPONENT SPECS

Surly 4130 chromoly TIG welded frame and fork
Ritchey Logic Comp headset
Kalloy 1 1/8 threadless stem
Surly Torsion handlebar, Velo Kraton grips
Avid Speed Dial 7 levers / BB7 mechanical disc brakes
26/36/48 Surly Mr. Whirly crankset/BB
Kalloy SP-342 seatpost, WTB SST saddle
Surly stainless seatpost clamp
Shimano LX M580 11-34T
SRAM PC971 chain
Surly front hub, Shimano XT Disc rear hub, laced to Salsa Gordo 36h rims with DT Champion spokes
Schwalbe Big Apple tires
Shimano LX front and rear derailleurs

GEOMETRY

Big Sur Mountain Bike Ride